Festool Universal 28T Saw Blade for TS 55

The Universal 28T blade (part 496304) solves a specific problem for contractors who own older Festool TS 55 track saws. It features the 2.2mm kerf system used in older TS 55 series saws — incompatible with newer ‘F’ and ‘K’ models that use a 1.8mm kerf system. If you bought a TS 55 before Festool switched to the thinner kerf design, this blade keeps your saw cutting without forcing an equipment upgrade.

Technical Specifications That Matter

The blade measures 160mm (6-1/4 inches) in diameter with 28 carbide-tipped teeth set at a 15° hook angle. That tooth count hits the sweet spot for versatility — aggressive enough for ripping dimensional lumber but controlled enough for clean crosscuts in finish materials.

Specification	Value
Diameter	160 mm (6-1/4 in)
Kerf Width	2.2 mm (3/32 in)
Arbor Size	20 mm (3/4 in)
Tooth Count	28
Hook Angle	15°
Tooth Shape	ATB (Alternate Top Bevel)
Blade Thickness	1.6 mm

The ATB (Alternate Top Bevel) tooth design handles both rip and cross-cut operations. Each tooth alternates its bevel direction, slicing through wood fibers cleanly rather than tearing them. Montana contractors switching between rough framing lumber and cabinet-grade plywood appreciate not swapping blades constantly.

Engineering for Reduced Vibration

Laser-cut expansion slots reduce vibration, noise, and heat buildup. These aren’t decorative — they allow the blade body to expand under heat without warping. Less vibration means cleaner cuts and less operator fatigue during those long days framing custom homes in the Flathead Valley.

The oversized 20mm arbor provides more secure fastening and reduced vibration compared to standard arbors. A bigger arbor means more contact area between blade and saw. Physics works in your favor here — more surface contact equals better power transfer and less wobble.

The thin-kerf design reduces cutting resistance and material waste. At 2.2mm, it’s still thicker than the newer 1.8mm blades, but thin enough to reduce strain on the motor. Your batteries last longer, the motor runs cooler, and you waste less material per cut.

Real-World Performance

This blade handles general-purpose cutting of hardwoods and softwoods, trimming and cutting soft plastics, fine rip cuts for glue-ready edge joints, processing wood-based construction panels and sheet goods, and universal use for both ripping and cross-cutting tasks.

Users rate it 5 out of 5 stars on Rockler, praising its clean cutting performance and compatibility with legacy TS 55 saws. That’s a small sample size of three reviews, but perfect scores from actual users carry weight.

The 28-tooth configuration makes this a true universal blade. Festool positions it between their 12-tooth rip blade for fast ripping in solid wood and their 48-tooth fine crosscut blade for very clean cross-cuts and sheet goods. You sacrifice some speed compared to a dedicated rip blade and some finish quality versus a fine-tooth blade. The trade-off? One blade handles 80% of jobsite cuts without blade changes.

Installation and Maintenance Reality

Installation requires engaging the saw’s arbor lock fully before mounting, fitting the blade onto the oversized 20mm arbor to ensure a secure and centered seat, and verifying the blade is seated evenly before tightening the arbor nut. Standard stuff, but that oversized arbor demands proper seating. Rush the installation and you’ll get vibration.

Maintenance involves cleaning teeth of resin and dust after each use using a brush or compressed air, using professional sharpening services (Festool offers their own service) to maintain carbide tip geometry, and checking for run-out or vibration which may indicate improper seating. Montana’s mix of pitchy pine and dusty job sites means regular cleaning matters more here than in some markets.

Compatibility — The Critical Details

Compatible models include the Festool TS 55, TSC 55, ATF 55, TS 55 R, and TSC 55 R. If you own any of these older saws, this blade works.

Incompatible models include the Festool TS 55 F, TSC 55 K, HK 55, HKC 55, and standard circular saws with different arbor sizes. The ‘F’ and ‘K’ model saws use the thinner 1.8mm kerf — this blade won’t work and could damage your saw.

The package includes one Festool Saw Blade HW 160x2,2x20 W28 WOOD UNIVERSAL (Part No. 496304). That’s it — just the blade. No storage case, no extra hardware.

The Bottom Line

This blade serves a narrow market — contractors who invested in the older TS 55 system and need replacement blades. Festool provides 3-year warranty coverage through their ‘Warranty all-inclusive’ program, provided you register the product in the MyFestool system within 30 days of purchase. That’s confidence in their carbide and steel construction.

Skip this blade if you own a newer TS 55 F or TSC 55 K model. The kerf won’t match and you’ll get poor cuts at best, damaged equipment at worst. But if you’re running an older TS 55 and need a workhorse blade that handles both dimensional lumber and finish materials, the Universal 28T delivers exactly what Festool designed it for — keeping legacy track saws productive on modern job sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the Festool Universal 28T blade work on my newer TS 55 F track saw?

No, the Universal 28T blade (part 496304) with its 2.2mm kerf is incompatible with the TS 55 F, TSC 55 K, and other newer Festool models that require a 1.8mm kerf blade. This blade only works with older TS 55 series saws including the TS 55, TSC 55, ATF 55, TS 55 R, and TSC 55 R models.

Q: What’s the actual cut quality like with 28 teeth compared to Festool’s other blade options?

The 28-tooth ATB (Alternate Top Bevel) configuration delivers clean cuts suitable for both ripping and cross-cutting, positioned between Festool’s 12-tooth rip blade and 48-tooth fine crosscut blade. Users rate it 5 out of 5 stars on Rockler, specifically praising its clean cutting performance in hardwoods, softwoods, sheet goods, and even soft plastics.

Q: How does the 20mm arbor on this Festool blade differ from standard circular saw blades?

The Festool Universal 28T uses an oversized 20mm (3/4 inch) arbor that provides more secure fastening and reduced vibration compared to standard 5/8 inch arbors found on most circular saws. This larger arbor creates more contact area between the blade and saw, resulting in better power transfer and less wobble during cuts.

Q: What maintenance does the Festool Universal 28T blade require?

Clean the carbide teeth of resin and dust after each use with a brush or compressed air, and have the blade professionally sharpened (Festool offers their own sharpening service) to maintain proper tooth geometry. Check for run-out or vibration during use, which typically indicates the blade isn’t properly seated on the arbor.

Q: What’s included with the Festool Universal 28T blade purchase?

You receive one Festool Saw Blade HW 160x2,2x20 W28 WOOD UNIVERSAL (Part No. 496304) — just the blade itself. The blade features laser-cut expansion slots for reduced vibration, a 160mm diameter with 2.2mm kerf, and 28 carbide-tipped teeth with a 15° hook angle.

Q: Does Festool warranty this replacement blade?

Yes, Festool covers the Universal 28T blade under their ‘Warranty all-inclusive’ program for 3 years, which includes protection against wear and tear. You must register the blade in the MyFestool system within 30 days of purchase to activate warranty coverage.