Can you do FF work with this joiner using the stock 4" blade that comes with it, or do you have to purchase the 2" blade?
1696921
As far as I can tell you need a Porter Cable 2" blade for FF work. Amazon's price is $50.00. I've owned a PC557 version 3 for over 5 years and it is an excellent tool with one exception. When using the dust bag, the tool is prone to sawdust clogging the dust port. Frustrated by having to use a coat hanger wire to unclog the machine every 4 cuts, I came up with a modification that has eliminated this problem for me. All you need is Rockler item #42251 ($7.00) and an 8" plastic wire tie. Discard the removable tube that normally connects the dust port to the bag. Cut off the small first step on the Rockler #42251 hose adapter. The new opening now matches the diameter of the dust port. Unzip the dust bag. Insert the hose adapter into the bag with the small end protruding from the spring clip opening. Loop the wire tie behind the spring clamp and tighten. Attach the protruding end of the Rockler adapter to the dust port. Using this fix, I have gone from 4 cuts and a clog to 20 cuts and no clogs on pine, popular, and red oak. I offered this solution to Dewalt/Porter Cable and they showed no interest.
723386
You should get the 2 if you have a table saw and cut anything longer then 2 1/2 feet. But if you do small crafts like small boxes, you just need the one.
1997376
I use it for that exact purpose on thicker stock 1"-4" but yeah it would work. I think they make an extra fine blade also, it would probably be better for thin stock.
758615
I believe theres a kit for joining the two... but the price for 2 4 ft tracks plus the kit was higher than the big track... so i just got the big track. Anyways.. i was mainly going to cut sheets the long way. Ive cut 3/4" mdf and it goes through it like butter. Ive also used it for dressing rough cut maple. Track saw one edge then put it through the table saw for the opposite edge.. anyways it burned on the first cut.. so i took another 16th off and it was a nice smooth cut. Hope this helps
695516
You need to reference two surfaces at 90 degrees to each other to conduct jointing activity. If you build a jig at a perfect 90 degrees, yes you could actually joint edges. However, I'm not sure this machine will hold up to those thick maple boards. Buy a good "glue-line" rip blade for your table saw. The blade will cost about as much as this machine.
2242626
You need a 3 blade. This photo isn't the right one. Call Amazon. The 3 blade are also larger. And hey I love mine.
805548
You might take a blade into Harbor Freight and see if the 2 blades that they sell might just fit your planer and the blades are reasonable.
2088528
Dear inquirer. Most of us are using the Makita Blade with the Makita Saw. I find them to make quality products specifically for their own product line. Just be sure to get the correct # of teeth for the intended use. Happy Cutting--Bigfooot
1642780
I also would like to use a 4-jawed chuck so please post back what you have learned. I don't know what will fit my unit as I've only done some small, spindle projects. All the Best.
387552
Exactly. I have a 4 1/2 inch porta cable with a 3/8" arbor. The "knock out" that comes with this blade fits perfectly on that arbor and the blade (in my opinion) cuts better than the original porta cable blades costing more than twice as much, and I say that from over 45 years experience as a cabinet maker.
1731194
It came with both, so you can use either one. We use 2" with ours & have had no problems.
2180582
It's a metric size blade so there are fewer choices in the US. There are, however, non-Festool choices. http://www.amazon.com/Oshlun-SBFT-260080-FesPro-Crosscut-Festool/dp/B004IYJKW8/ref=pd_cp_hi_0 for example. Oh.... and the blade that comes with the saw is very good, certainly worth having sharpened, so you should plan on sharpening rather than replacing blades.
519541
For more info follow link: http://www.allforwoodworking.com/Jointer_Planer_p/708476.htm
742481
Not with the hand piece that comes with the unit which is the same as the Foredom "30" hand pieces. You will need to purchase a Foredom hand piece for 1/4 inch tools. They work real well, I wound up using the hand piece (30) for the Foredom angle grinder conversion. All the Foredom tools appear to be interchangeable.
1679539
A standard wood 2x4 is 1-1/2" thick. The BladeRunner will cut wood to 1-1/2" thick with the standard T-blades, especially the 4" blades. (Bosh makes the blades you need, available on Amazon.com.) If you're cutting a long piece, I recommend that you support the ends at the height of your BladeRunner, or have someone hold the long end. You also have the option of cutting thicker wood by using a longer blade, however, you cannot use the top blade guard. That needs to be raised to its maximum hight to clear the blade, and you must ensure that the short stroke is higher than the top of the cut, or the blade will slam the wood up and probably bend. Of course, Rockwell doesn't recommend this. Frankly, a hand-held circular saw or even a saber (jig) saw would be a better choice for cutting 2x4, 2x6, and so on, if you don't have a miter, radial or table saw.
816692
Technically, the blade design is a combination rip and cross-cut. However, it is optimized for joinery work. If you need to use it for work other than joinery, you can use it with the spine brace attached to keep the blade straight and cut a fair bit in, then remove the spine brace so the blade can continue cutting with the spine going below the surface of the wood. If you try to make any cut starting without the spine brace attached you will end up with a complete mess and it will be very difficult to work.
1015818
It doesn't work with those sizes (2 1/8" and 2 3/4"), I had to buy different hole saws for those sizes. It is very disappointing.