In this article, I’ll walk you through the essentials of Festool track saw blades. We’ll cover everything from blade sizes and tooth designs to their best uses.
Whether you’re tackling fine woodworking or cutting through tough materials, choosing the right blade is key to your success.
Festool Track Saw Blade Sizes
Let’s explore the standard blade sizes for the Festool TS55 and TS75, the two models I use in my workshop.
Festool TS55 Blade Size
- Diameter: The TS55 blades have a standard diameter of 160mm (approximately 6 ¼ inches).
- Kerf: The cutting width, or kerf, of these blades is typically around 1.8mm.
- Hole Diameter (Arbor): The hole diameter, or arbor size, is 20mm. Matching this with your saw is important to ensure proper blade fitting and safety.
Festool TS75 Blade Size
- Diameter: For the TS75, the blades are larger, with a diameter of 210mm (approximately 8 ¼ inches).
- Kerf: The kerf of TS75 blades is slightly wider, around 2.4mm.
- Hole Diameter (Arbor): The arbor size for TS75 blades is also 20mm, consistent with the TS55, ensuring compatibility across Festool’s range of track saws.
Festool Blade Selection Guide
Let’s break down the types of blades available for Festool track saws and their specific applications.
1. Fine Cut Blades
- Ideal For: Veneered and coated panels, solid wood, and MDF.
- Why They’re Great: The fine teeth create smooth cuts, minimizing splintering and chipping, especially in delicate veneers or coated materials.
2. Universal Wood Blades
- Ideal For: All types of wood and wood materials.
- Why They’re Great: Whether working with hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood products, these blades handle it all, providing a good balance between speed and finish quality.
3. Laminate Blades
- Ideal For: Laminate and melamine-resin-bonded panels.
- Why They’re Great: Laminate materials can be tricky, often chipping or splintering with the wrong blade. These blades are designed to tackle these challenges, ensuring a clean cut without damaging the laminate’s surface.
4. Blades for Aluminum and Plastics
- Ideal For: Non-wood materials like aluminum sheets and various plastics.
- Why They’re Great: These blades are made to cut through aluminum and plastics smoothly, preventing melting or clogging.
5. Panther Ripping Blades
- Ideal For: Fast, efficient ripping cuts in wood.
- Why They’re Great: Their aggressive tooth design allows for rapid material removal, making them perfect for ripping down boards or preparing stock.
6. Abrasive Materials Diamond Blades
- Ideal For: Cement-bonded and gypsum-bonded chipboard and fibreboard.
- Why They’re Great: When working with abrasive materials, these diamond-tipped blades cut through tough surfaces without wearing down quickly, saving time and effort on challenging projects.
Each blade type serves a unique purpose in the woodworking process. By understanding these applications, you can significantly enhance the quality of your work and the efficiency of your workflow.
Saw Blade Tooth Shape Chart
| Tooth Shape | Design Description | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) | Every other tooth is beveled to the left or right. | Precise wood cutting where a clean finish is essential. |
| ATB with Raker | Alternate beveled teeth with an added chipper tooth (raker) in between. | Woodworking tasks generating significant chips; requires efficient clearing. |
| Triple Chip (TCG) | Alternates between a trapezoidal tooth (beveled on each side) and a flat tooth. | Cutting laminates, MDF, metals, and other hard materials. |
| Flat Tooth with Chamfer (F-FA) | Flat teeth with variable chamfers. | Hard materials needing smooth, precise cuts; prioritizes blade longevity. |
| Flat Top (FT) | Teeth with straight, non-beveled edges. | Uniform materials like certain softwoods or rip cuts along the grain. |
Blade Sizes Chart By Model
See below to help you find the right size blade for your Festool saw:
| Blade Diameter | Compatible Saw Models | Kerf Sizes | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160mm (~6-1/4″) | TS 55 EQ, TS 55 REQ, TS 55 FEQ, TSC 55, TSC 55 K, HKC 55, HK 55 | 1.8mm & 2.2mm | 2.2mm kerf blades fit TS 55 EQ, TS 55 REQ & TSC 55. Not for saws designed for 1.8mm kerf. 1.8mm kerf blades fit TSC 55 K, TS 55 FEQ, HKC 55 & HK 55. Not for saws designed for 2.2mm blades. |
| 210mm (~8-1/4″) | TS 75 EQ Track Saws | 2.4mm & 2.6mm | |
| 190mm (~7-1/4″) | AT 65 Track Saws (Older model) | 2.8mm |
Festool Saw Blade Specifications Chart
Once you decide on the best blade for your application, I’m a fan of ToolNut. You can see all of their Festool Saw Blades here.
| Blade Size | Type | Kerf | Hook Angle | Bevel Angle | Tooth Type | Number of Teeth | Festool Product Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160mm | Wood & Soft Plastic (Fine-tooth) | 2.2mm | 5° | 15° | ATB | 48 | 495377 |
| 160mm | Universal | 2.2mm | 15° | 16° | ATB | 28 | 496304 |
| 160mm | Panther Rip | 2.2mm | 20° | 15° | ATB | 12 | 496305 |
| 160mm | Cement- & gypsum-bonded materials | 2.2mm | -5° | N/A | FTG | 4 | 202958 |
| 160mm | Solid Surface & Laminate | 2.2mm | 4° | 15° | TC | 48 | 496309 |
| 160mm | Wood & Soft Plastic (Fine-tooth) | 1.8mm | 10° | 15° | ATB w/ raker | 42 | 205561 |
| 160mm | Universal | 1.8mm | 15° | 10° | ATB | 28 | 205560 |
| 160mm | Standard | 1.8mm | 25° | 15° | ATB | 18 | 500461 |
| 160mm | Panther Rip | 1.8mm | 20° | 15° | ATB | 12 | 205559 |
| 160mm | Cement- & gypsum-bonded materials | 1.8mm | N/A | N/A | FTG | 4 | 205564 |
| 160mm | Solid Surface & Laminate | 1.8mm | -5° | 20° | TC | 52 | 205562 |
| 160mm | Aluminum & Plastics | 1.8mm | -5° | 20° | TC | 52 | 205563 |
| 210mm | Wood & Soft Plastic (Fine-tooth) | 2.4mm | 15° | 15° | ATB | 52 | 495381 |
| 210mm | Universal | 2.4mm | 15° | 15° | ATB | 36 | 495380 |
| 210mm | Standard | 2.6mm | 20° | 15° | ATB | 18 | 495379 |
| 210mm | Panther | 2.6mm | 28° | 15° | ATB | 16 | 495378 |
| 210mm | Solid Surface & Laminate | 2.4mm | 4° | 15° | TC | 60 | 495382 |
| 190mm | Wood & Soft Plastic (Fine-tooth) | 2.8mm | 8° | 15° | ATB | 48 | 486297 |
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