Common track saw myth….and why it’s completely wrong

I can't tell you how many times I hear the statement, "Festool track saws are underpowered." In this video I will show you that it is not the track saw that it underpowered, its the operator using the wrong blade for the material being cut.

#tracksaw #woodworking #woodworkingtools

Links to tools discussed in this video.

The blades I prefer to use in my tools are Tenryu blades. I have found their quality to be incredible and the pricing to be very reasonable.

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These videos are for entertainment purposes only. Bent's Woodworking is not responsible for any viewer trying to recreate something demonstrated in this video. Attempting any of the techniques shown are at the viewers own risk.

[floccinau]

Right blade for the job certainly matters. One other thing that matters is blade cleanliness--if you've got a bunch of pitch built up on the blade from use that'll bog down the saw too. I've used my TS55 to joint a lot of red oak boards, and found that over time I would get a lot of pitch, primarily on the back of the blade where it's harder to see. Soaking in simple green & scrubbing with a wire brush would restore the blade's performance.

[KriProlls]

As many cutting tools, track saw is not the cutting tool, it is just the tool holder (same goes for router, table saw, sander, etc...), a good tool holder is worth nothing if used with the wrong tool for the application

[AaronGeller]

Festool is missing out on not having bundling the other two blades in a package deal. I own the fine cut, universal, and panther blades. When I’m cutting hardwood under 8/4, usually I’m using the universal blade.
Blades are like tires, the best all season tires are beat by even the cheapest snow tires in winter; they’re simply built different for different jobs. And like swapping tires, my fine tooth gets less wear and tear and stays sharper longer (I could probably use the sharpening service this year.

[frog]

If you look at a saw blade like a drill bit. When drilling wood with a fluted bit the waste fills up the flutes and compacts then makes it difficult to finish the hole until you clean the flutes. The same goes for a saw blade with more teeth and small flutes or gullets that is there to carry away waste when they fill up they have to exit the wood and discard the waste in order to become efficient at cutting. When you have a low tooth blade or ripping blade notice the gullets are larger. With a larger gullet it allows the tooth to keep cutting until it exits from the material and discard it so it can cut again when it comes back around. Hope this makes sense. You need the blade for what you are cutting wood needs a positive rake on the tooth and if you cut plastics and or aluminum panels you need a specialty blade and they will have a negative rake on the tooth.. The right tool for the job makes all the difference as you stated

[charliescustom]

I bought my ts55 req about 15 years ago and after using it I thought the same. That the saw was under powered. Yes I used the stock blade to cut cabinet grade plywoods. Honestly I was disappointed with the tool because of this. Not wanting to give up on something that cost that much. I realized like any other woodworking tool, machine it needed to be setup correctly. For some reason the unit I got the blade was not parallel to the base of the saw. Maybe this was in the manual idk. After a few adjustments this saw is amazing!!!! No the saw is not under powered. The tool just needs to be used correctly. 15 years later and it is still going strong!!!

[guringai]

I bought a Panther 210 mm blade just last week to rip 4 metre long boards of recycled Australian eucalyptus 50 mm thick.
Very happy!
Incredibly hard wood.

[howler]

A lower tooth blade with bigger gullets can remove the saw dust more efficiently. Deeper cuts in harder wood along the grain do better with ripping blades for this reason.

[baraksinz]

If this is true, then WHY are other companies able to make single-battery saws that blow the power of the Festool away? I understand that blades matter greatly, but Festool is definitely underpowered compared to many other saws on the market. I love my Festool HKC on the jobsite, but it is definitely underpowered, even with a ripping blade. Pressure treated lumber really pushes it to its limits. No saw these days should struggle with a simple 2x lumber crosscut. They need to update their electronics or motors or batteries or something to catch up with the others. Oh, and just ONE battery on the saw Festool!

[rdPartyIntervener]

makes sense. same "rules" as a table saw:
- if you're ripping, use a rip blade.
- if you're cross-cutting, use a cross-cut blade.

plywood cuts are always cross-cuts, because of the alternating grain of the layers.

[AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I used to hate changing the blades on my old circular saw. So I rarely changed the blade. But the Festool saws (and all their tools) are so easy to change.

I’ll be getting the Panther for when I start cutting my walnut. My jointer is too small for the longer boards (for me) and I’ll be using my tracksaw

[royunderwood]

Great info. I definitely have been guilty of pushing my track saw through hardwoods with the wrong blade.

[Mike-dnju]

TS55 cross cuts 5/4 hardwoods on the stock blade fine. Straight line ripping 5/4 it’s going to squawk a bit, hence they make the panther.

[allent]

The video says it well!! Additionally, pls get blades cleaned, sharpen, replaced when required and the tool will work best for you.

[BenM]

I just bought the ripping blade for my CSC SYS 50 table saw and the difference between that and the standard blade for cutting through hardwood is incredible. I know it’s a cliche but the ripping blade does rally feel like it’s cutting through butter.

[MoyockScorpion]

Yep. Blade will make the difference for sure on any saw. Still good to put out for some people who may not know.

[fultonfinewoodworks]

Great point! It is so important for everyone to understand that although it's an amazing Festool saw, the blade it comes with is NOT for everything. I was in that thought process for a long time and when I tried a Panther blade for the first time it was life changing!

[pctatc]

yup when I bought my TSC 55 KEB-F-Plus I also ordered a ripping blade at the same time and it definitely makes all the difference

[steenfraosterbro]

I have used the TS saws for 30+ years. Maybe it's a European thing, but I remember mine coming with both blades. I cut mostly plywood, but recently I made a 50mm (2") oak table top for my kitchen island, and the ripping blade (believe it has 12 teeth) made it very easy and fast. One cut, no bugging down, no burns, with ready to glue cuts. Now do a video of how most people go way too deep when routing, you know where you get that "screaming" sound from the struggling bit.

[peternatoli]

Thank you for this verry basic and important illustration of the facts Jason. All the best for the new year.

[alharrison]

Perfect timing. Just bought a Festool track saw (love it) and have been cutting plywood. Plan is to cut a walnut slab tomorrows. Off to Woodcraft. Thanks :)