[john5mt]

So i am thinking that my ts-55 blade is gonna die eventually and i should have a replacement on hand

I see forrest, freud, and tenryu have come out with blades to use on the saw.

What are your thoughts? Stick with the festool blades? go with cheaper freud...or try some of the more expensive blades. I am a little leary to not buy another festool one cuz it has lasted a very long time and work flawlessly.
Have any of you tried the 28 tooth blade? Is there much loss of preformance of your cuts with it in comparison to the 48 tooth?

 

[WarnerConstInc.]

Here is my thinking, Festool went through the effort of designing thier own blades for their saws, why get a differnt brand.

I have 2 of the 48t one's that came with the saw and 2 of the 12t for ripping and ply.

I think they cost me about 8 bucks to have the 48t sharpened and about 6 for the 12t.

I get good life out of the 48t.

I have not tried the 28t blade but, seems like a good comprimise between the 12t and the 48t.

 

[CraigHarimon]

I would agree with Darcy on this.
I have actually received a few Freebies to try out and evaluate. They Fell short of the original, surprise when they didn't want me to post my evaluation:whistling. I have intentionally cut nails with the OEM blade with out damage to the Carbide (i expected to damage it, but needed to make the cut and was thrilled when the blade shop said it was good for a sharpening)

Check the blade packageing as the OEM blade is 2.2 mm and the old panther (the one with the deep gullets ) and the all purpose and the corian are all 2.5 mm and will change the shavings on the rubber strip .1 mm. The new Panther rip blade (the one with the anti kickback nubs is 2.2mm.

Craig

 

[PrecisionFloors]

I have few of the 28t blades and they will cut pre-finished hardwoods flawlessly. The original 48t blade has lasted forever for me as well, and it has been used to cut everything from laminates and cdx ply to staple ridden luan and vinyl....still chip free on pre-finished Brazilian walnut

Also ditto what Craig said...check the blade thicknesses as it will change the splinter strip. That is probably my only complaint with that saw. I learned that the hard way, cut out a hardwood floor insert after changing the blade and WTF its a hair big!!! I got it to work out ok but I was pissed at myself for that one.

 

[WarnerConstInc.]

I have few of the 28t blades and they will cut pre-finished hardwoods flawlessly. The original 48t blade has lasted forever for me as well, and it has been used to cut everything from laminates and cdx ply to staple ridden luan and vinyl....still chip free on pre-finished Brazilian walnut

Also ditto what Craig said...check the blade thicknesses as it will change the splinter strip. That is probably my only complaint with that saw. I learned that the hard way, cut out a hardwood floor insert after changing the blade and WTF its a hair big!!! I got it to work out ok but I was pissed at myself for that one.

Festool took that concern to heart and made sure that the common blades we use have the same kerf now.

I have one that is different than the rest. I just put a big X on it so I know that it will be about .15 mm off, I can usually deal with that.