Which Festool blades do you mainly use on a TS55?

[RC]

Since I got my TS55 a while back I've been wondering should I get other blades to complement the Fine Tooth HW W48 all-around-blade with other blades from the Festool selection and get the benefit of quick blade change and possibly better cuts with the right blade for the right task.

I tried to read up on the Festool site's example use PDF's, but didn't get much wiser except that plexiglass requires a lower speed not to melt and the very condenced table F at the end of "cutting to size with the portable circular saw"-article...  ???

I know that I won't be cutting any laminate so I guess that's one special blade not to consider, but how about the rest?

I can see myself cutting up to 2 by 4's length wise and ripping the occasional plywood board so that would be the panther blade I presume or should one rather get the universal blade for more versatility and cleaner cuts possibly? Maximum working speed isn't paramount for a hobbyist like me, but getting straight from the saw to as close to a finished piece without too much sanding is.

And I have a project coming up that requires cutting plexiglass to size so would that then be the aluminium special blade or just the standard blade since the guide said at least 48 teeth? I usually cut aluminium profiles on my mitre saw and already have an aluminium blade for that usage scenario. 

 

[peter halle]

I can honestly admit that I don't change the blades for tasks as I should.  But as you said, it is easy to change them and honestly I have the following blades that should accomplish the majority of the average needs for woodworkers:

The 48 tooth blade for the majority of sheet goods

The 28 tooth blade for other wood cross cutting or rips on softer woods

A rip blade for thicker lumber or hard hardwoods- 14 tooth Panther.  I have a different brand purchased before Festool standardized the kerf sizes.

Once you go beyond the basics you get into the other blades, but these three cover the majority of uses.

I have cut lexan with my 48 tooth and had good results, but there are a ton of plastic compositions out there that might react differently.

Peter

 

[mouppe]

It's a good question. I use the original 48 tooth blade for everything now. I bought a 28 tooth blade but it was a wider kerf blade and messed up all my splinterguards. I also did not notice a big difference. So I switched back to the 48 tooth blade and sold the 28 tooth blade.

Recently I have been working with cherry, and the 48 tooth blade does get a bit bogged down. Is the saw a little underpowered and would a more aggressive blade be better? Possibly. But I always clean up the edges with a jointer plane anyway, so a little bit of scorching doesn't bother me. The 48 tooth blade is fine for plywood.

 

[mlfaber]

I was wondering the same thing.  In fact I just bought the 28 tooth blade for ripping some ash (still want to achieve a clean cut, so looked past the panther blade??).  Will the 48 tooth blade be fine?  Ash is 1" thick, multiple rips of about 3 ft.  Or, would the 28 tooth be better?  Or, should go back for the panther?

 

[agehall]

I just got a Panther blade recently as I expect to rip some oak wood this summer. Last year I tried it with the W48 blade and the saw didn't quite manage that at full depth, but I think the panther blade will do much better.

In general, I think the harder the wood, the less teeth you want on the blade, at least if you are doing deep cuts. You will of course have to do more cleanup after since you won't get as pretty cuts, but the saw will manage better. But reading the recommendations for each blade will probably give the best idea when to use which one.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Primarily I use my TS55s to cut plywood. So I use a lot of the cat 495 377 48 ATB tooth blade. I own a lot of those blades and find that when I send them to be sharpened before they absolutely need it, they can be sharpened many times.

Once the new version, cat 496 305, of the Panther blade became available I did buy 3 of them for my TS55s, but seldom cut soild lumber so I do not use them often.

Besides the Fine Tooth blade mentioned above, I keep one of my TS55 set up with the cat 496 309 new style Solid Surface/Laminate 48 TC tooth blade. When ever I need to make miter or bevel cuts in Melamine, I use the SS blade. My experience is these also last longer and work best when kept very sharp. I own enough of them have one or more at the grinding service is no problem.

 

[ROGSONSLASER]

Forrest blades makes a great no melt blade for the TS55 for your plexi cutting. They also make several blades for the TS75 and Kapex, excellent blades made here in the USA.

 

[semenza]

Since I got my TS55 a while back I've been wondering should I get other blades to complement the Fine Tooth HW W48 all-around-blade with other blades from the Festool selection and get the benefit of quick blade change and possibly better cuts with the right blade for the right task.

I tried to read up on the Festool site's example use PDF's, but didn't get much wiser except that plexiglass requires a lower speed not to melt and the very condenced table F at the end of "cutting to size with the portable circular saw"-article...  ???

I know that I won't be cutting any laminate so I guess that's one special blade not to consider, but how about the rest?

I can see myself cutting up to 2 by 4's length wise and ripping the occasional plywood board so that would be the panther blade I presume or should one rather get the universal blade for more versatility and cleaner cuts possibly? Maximum working speed isn't paramount for a hobbyist like me, but getting straight from the saw to as close to a finished piece without too much sanding is.

And I have a project coming up that requires cutting plexiglass to size so would that then be the aluminium special blade or just the standard blade since the guide said at least 48 teeth? I usually cut aluminium profiles on my mitre saw and already have an aluminium blade for that usage scenario. 

The Fine tooth blade is certainly not an all around blade. Though it will do some rip cutting it is a sheet goods and cross cut blade.  The Universal blade is the one that would equate to an all purpose blade also known as a Combination blade  (at least in USA).  The Panther is a rip blade.

I do about 80% of my work with the Fine  and the rest with the Panther on the TS55. I know some have had good success with the Universal, but to me it seems like a compromise and when I used it I still had to clean up the rip cuts anyway.

Seth

 

[semenza]

I just got a Panther blade recently as I expect to rip some oak wood this summer. Last year I tried it with the W48 blade and the saw didn't quite manage that at full depth, but I think the panther blade will do much better.

In general, I think the harder the wood, the less teeth you want on the blade, at least if you are doing deep cuts. You will of course have to do more cleanup after since you won't get as pretty cuts, but the saw will manage better. But reading the recommendations for each blade will probably give the best idea when to use which one.

Yes, the Panther will rip whatever you want with no problem on the TS55. 

Seth

 

[NERemodeling]

thought i would bring this thread back to life instead of starting a new one,

i just got the ts55r and was looking for a second blade for it. what is the real difference between the standard 12t blade 496305 and the panther 14t blade 495372    one thing that makes me raise an eyebrow is the kerf difference    in the 2013 catalog the panther is a 2.5mm and the standard is 2.2mm like the supplied 48t blade

wouldn't the panther cut my splintergaurd deeper?  or do they offset the teeth to account for this?

i see myself using the 48t mostly but would want a rip blade for rougher cuts or thicker, harder woods

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Reiska,

I keep the Universal blade (496302) in the TS55R which is in the CMS unit and it does a great job. I do not change blades at all and so it has to do the 50mm oak as well as the 6 mm plywood. I cannot fault it. I have not tried the Panther but know that if I had one then I would have to change the blade  for finer cuts.

Peter

 

[NERemodeling]

Hi Reiska,

I keep the Universal blade (496302) in the TS55R which is in the CMS unit and it does a great job. I do not change blades at all and so it has to do the 50mm oak as well as the 6 mm plywood. I cannot fault it. I have not tried the Panther but know that if I had one then I would have to change the blade  for finer cuts.

Peter

Thanks for the response Peter, i actually just resurrected the topic as it has sat dead for over a year..  although i know Reiska is still out there watching ;D

the majority of my cutting will be 3/4 AC and 3/4 prefinished Maple Ply  do you feel that the universal blade provides just as smooth f a cut as the 48t the saw is supplied with while also providing increased rip capabilities?

John

 

[duburban]

i just bought my first universal. its great but after some testing i got the impression i'd put the fine blade back on for a expensive ply project.

 

[rmwarren]

thought i would bring this thread back to life instead of starting a new one,

i just got the ts55r and was looking for a second blade for it. what is the real difference between the standard 12t blade 496305 and the panther 14t blade 495372    one thing that makes me raise an eyebrow is the kerf difference    in the 2013 catalog the panther is a 2.5mm and the standard is 2.2mm like the supplied 48t blade

wouldn't the panther cut my splintergaurd deeper?  or do they offset the teeth to account for this?

i see myself using the 48t mostly but would want a rip blade for rougher cuts or thicker, harder woods

Ditto on that question.

RMW

 

[semenza]

Yes, the Panther will rip whatever you want with no problem on the TS55.  

Seth

I need to amend that statement just a bit ..... "within reason".

I gave it a try recently on some 8/4 (1 3/4" actual)  truly rock hard maple (I think this stuff was nearly petrified) . It would not cut that.  I also tried it on some 8/4 birch, and it struggled in the heartwood.  But this is some pretty serious timber  for the TS55.  

Seth

 

[GarryMartin]

wouldn't the panther cut my splintergaurd deeper?

I believe the kerf was standardised to 2.2mm across all blades some time ago.

See the below post for full details.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/panther-12-tooth-blade-trashed-my-guide-rail-strips/

 

[GarryMartin]

Here's a chart from Tom:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/so-i-have-$5000-to-outfit-the-studio-with-festools/msg129782/#msg129782

 

[oldie]

Maybe offer it up as a prize in a contest  [eek]

Richard.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

wouldn't the panther cut my splintergaurd deeper?  or do they offset the teeth to account for this?

Even if the kerfs hadn't been standardized, or if you still had an older blade, it really isn't that big of a deal. First off, the difference in kerf was only 0.3mm. However, you have to cut that in half because it is only of importance on the inboard side of the blade. So that leaves the difference at just 0.15mm, or 0.006". That's not enough gap to worry about, and you likely already have that much of a gap with your regular blade.

 

[NERemodeling]

i hear your point Rick, spiting hairs.. im sure you create far more error just during the measuring, marking and rail placement but there is just something about knowing that your a bit off.

so i checked my 2013 festool catalog again and sure enough they have a typo of the ts55 panther listed at 2.5mm

Now knowing that the kerf is the same,  which blade for ripping only is better    standard or panther??

John