Track saw

[Glen Walker]

I've been trying to buy a track saw (Dewalt) for over a month and everyone is out of stock. Something about Dewalt having production issues since November. Anyone else heard of this?

[Joe Shinall]

I have not heard about it but I have seen that everyone is out which made me worry about them. Wasn't sure if they found problems with them or what. Toolking was offering them for like 550 with 2 55"(or so) tracks and clamps and had it on my list of goodies and went back to the site a month ago to order and out of stock. Amazon use to have a bunch of different configs as well and they're all out.

[Andy Pratt]

There are a few on ebay, new or factory reconditioned with fair prices. All the usual places I checked to buy new were out of stock as you said though, might want to grab one of the ebay ones if you need it soon, if the supply is dried up they won't last long. CPO dewalt is listing one recon through amazon too, maybe that would pan out, not reflected on their site though so I would call first.

[Greg R Bradley]

I don't think they sold very well unless they were deeply discounted. It was almost exactly a year ago they were being sold for $368 including both the 55" and 100+" tracks. They were being sold for $299 with the 55". The cordless ones were being sold for less than that even though they were supposedly higher priced. Makita had the same problem. I paid less than $300 for mine with a 55" track. Even though I eventually upgraded back to a Festool TS55, I have to say the Makita was worth more than the $300 even though my local tool dealer isn't selling much of either the Dewalt or Makita.

[Nelson Howe]

I ordered the kit with the 55 and the 102 inch tracks back in Feb. Lowes had the best price at $565 for the kit. It is still on back order. Customer service says it's back ordered until April 30, but I wonder if they will only say something is backordered for so long, and 4/30 represents the limit of that range. In other words, come May 1, they say June 30. Looking online, I thought it was just the tracks that are unavailable, but apparently it is the saw too?

I'm almost into the next project I need the saw for. Not sure what to do next.

Do you guys with the 102" track find it is long enough?

Are people ever happy joining two track together to make a long cut?

Nelson

[Jim Matthews]

If you already own a good quality circular saw, or are looking for an alternative, consider the EZ smart system from Eurekazone (http://eurekazone.com/products/).

If I'm not mistaken, this product preceded most of the large retail versions.
I own a 103" track with only the most basic of kit to run my big Porter Cable circular saw.

The best part is that the track is in two pieces, and can easily be stored when not in use.

[Buck Williams]

Reconditioned Dewalt at CPO Tools http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-dewalt-dws520kr-6-1-2-in-corded-tracksaw/dewrdws520kr,default,pd.html&xsell=shop-by-brand--dewalt--1

[Mark Burnette]

Just my $.02 but I would steer clear of the cordless version. I bought mine piece by piece over time off eBay & at a Dewalt service center (bargain bin finds). Got it all dirt cheap that way but the problem is the batteries are hard to find and very expensive. Thanks to an internal monitoring microprocessor a pack will not function with even one bad cell, and nobody will rebuild it either. It's even hard finding defective packs because the A123 batteries inside are collected by radio control hobbiests. Of course I learned all this AFTER I bought the saw "bare tool".

[Greg R Bradley]

BTW, Dewalt track saw is made in Czechoslavakia. I don't know if they bought a tool manufacturer, have it made for them, or what. It could easily go the way of their excellent Italian made 8.5" SCMS. Stanley Black&Decker has a bad habit of leaving their customers hanging and screwing up good tool companies.

I bought the Makita and was fairly happy with it and it is still used in a shop. I did upgrade to the Festool TS55 for personal use.

Jim,
I bought a Festo Track Saw 10-15 years before Eurekazone claims to have invented them. In the US at that time, Festo was better known as an idustrial automation company.

[Ben Hatcher]

BTW, Dewalt track saw is made in Czechoslavakia.

Czechoslovakia? I think we've found the supply issue;) The source country no longer exists.

[Greg R Bradley]

Czechoslovakia? I think we've found the supply issue;) The source country no longer exists.
Well, between using Czechoslavakia instead of Czech Republic and the way I spelled "industrial", I clearly needed more coffee.

[Chris Padilla]

Do you guys with the 102" track find it is long enough?

Nelson

As a reference, Festool offers a 2700 mm track. That is just over 106". You do need some decent overhang in order to safely start the saw and to make a clean cut at the end. In other words, you don't usually want to plunge the saw into the wood as that can cause the saw to move off track and slice up your guide and mess up your cut. Don't ask me how I know this (DAMHIKT). ;)

Yes, a 106" long guide is a pain to store but I hang my on the wall horizontally with the few other guides I own just under my open shelving. It works well for me. Also keep in mind that you might want to make a non-perpendicular cut with your track saw one of these days. The corner to corner distance on a 4x8 sheet of plywood is just over 107".

[Chris Padilla]

Well, between using Czechoslavakia instead of Czech Republic and the way I spelled "industrial", I clearly needed more coffee.

I'm thinking perhaps LESS coffee? :D

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I have never had the longer track on my Dewalt not be long enough, but I have also never tried to cut diagonally on a sheet of plywood from one corner to the other...

If I did, then I would need to connect my long and my short tracks together using these:

http://www.dewalt.com/us/tracksaw/products/track_connector.html

[michael flay]

Why not buy a Festool Instead

[Nelson Howe]

um.... $$$

[john lawson]

I have owned the DeWalt track saw, corded model for almost two years. It is an excellent tool. I've used it for many different projects and it has done all I could ask it do.

One job I had to do included making a mitered door about 5' long. The case was out of square so I cut the door at a 45 degree miter, 3/8" out of square to match the wall. It fit perfect, no splinters.

I have the two 55" tracks. I did mark them with arrows so I always assemble them the same way, and did this prior to cutting the rubber strips so I would always have the best chance to eliminate misalignment. Mine align perfectly, or close enough that I cant see a difference.

Last I spent some time in the Czech Republic in the mid 90's, working for an American auto parts company. My experience with them is very good, close to the Germans in terms of education and good work ethic.

[John Bailey]

I've got the EZ Smart 118" system and love it. It has a 54" track and a 64" track and gives me plenty of overhang to cut 8 foot pieces. I'm going to get either a 3' or 2 track for smaller jobs. I have a classic wooden sailboat and the ability to easily cut trapezoidal shapes is a great asset.

I've only used the EZ system, so I can't compare to the others, but the EZ is robustly built and works very well.

[Mark Burnette]

Anybody compare the Dewalt corded vs cordless? Are they identical except for motor? I like the saw enough that when I finally get fed up with the battery issue I'll seek out a corded replacement.

[Jery Madigan]

a one-piece track of 110+ will be much easier to use on 96 + 97 inch sheet goods compared to a 102 or103"

I hang mine vertically on my garage wall

[Brian W Evans]

Does anyone have any new intel on the Dewalt track saws? I am in the market but the the 102" track is out of stock on homedepot.com and amazon only has it through some site I've never heard of; many accessories are either difficult or impossible to find online (e.g. track connectors, t-square); a few of their kits have been discontinued; and the price, with a 59" track, is slightly higher than the festool with a 55" track.

Any information would be appreciated.

[john lawson]

Try Craigslist for a used one. This looks like a good buy

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/tls/3754508859.html

[Kelly Colin Mark]

I have two Festool saws but am curious as to how long the Dewalt cordless saw runs for... ballpark cutting, say, 3/4" Baltic Birch ?

[Douglas Williams]

I have also been waiting on my dewalt for the Dewalt track saw since mid February. They are no saying the end of May. The vendor doesn't seem to know what is causing the delay or if the end of May is a firm date.

[Kelly Colin Mark]

If I were a Dewalt owner or prospective owner, these issues would give me pause. It is not a good sign that noone seems to know what is going on with that product.

I guess this is one of the benefits of paying the admittedly substantial Festool premium - they're committed to a full product line over the long term. We know their stuff is going to be around and supported for a good long time, whereas Dewalt and/or Makita are still just dipping their toes.

But at the prices some people were quoting above for Dewalt stuff, it could be worth the risk.

[brian c miller]

how about the grizzly saw? Anyone use this yet?

[Brian W Evans]

If I were a Dewalt owner or prospective owner, these issues would give me pause. It is not a good sign that noone seems to know what is going on with that product.

I guess this is one of the benefits of paying the admittedly substantial Festool premium - they're committed to a full product line over the long term. We know their stuff is going to be around and supported for a good long time, whereas Dewalt and/or Makita are still just dipping their toes.

But at the prices some people were quoting above for Dewalt stuff, it could be worth the risk.

The production issues are a huge concern for me and were the reason I continued this thread. I would go with Festool except that their long track, which is what I really want, is $100+ more than the Dewalt. The Makita seems not to have many fans, the Grizzly is too new for me, and others (forget their names) have not gotten great reviews.

I'm surprised that a big company like Dewalt, with an established (4+ years old) and popular product, would allow itself to run into these problems. Maybe it's time to take my first sip of that green Kool-Aid...

[Greg R Bradley]

The production issues are a huge concern for me and were the reason I continued this thread. I would go with Festool except that their long track, which is what I really want, is $100+ more than the Dewalt. The Makita seems not to have many fans, the Grizzly is too new for me, and others (forget their names) have not gotten great reviews.

I'm surprised that a big company like Dewalt, with an established (4+ years old) and popular product, would allow itself to run into these problems. Maybe it's time to take my first sip of that green Kool-Aid...
Dewalt is simply a brand of Stanley Black & Decker. I can't think of a tool company that has done more to abandon users, buy and then destroy tool companies, and generally bring down the quality level of their brands. There are a few Dewalt tools that are worth buying but the company behind them has always given me an uncomfortable feeling.

I have the Makita SP6000 and the Festool TS55. In many ways the Makita is very close to the TS55. I would rate it above the Dewalt and it seems the clear choice to me for someone that is having a tough time with the price of the Festool. I understand that completely and couldn't quite justify the Festool TS55 replacement for my old Festool Track Saw, which is why I bought the Makita in the first place. I would rate it 90% of a Festool TS55. I only upgraded to the TS55 because I had a shop that could reimburse me for the Makita. Otherwise I would continue to use the Makita and be happy.

[David Weaver]

The Makita seems not to have many fans,

huh? I have one of them and love it. It's point and shoot and super smooth.

[Kelly Colin Mark]

The production issues are a huge concern for me and were the reason I continued this thread. I would go with Festool except that their long track, which is what I really want, is $100+ more than the Dewalt. The Makita seems not to have many fans, the Grizzly is too new for me, and others (forget their names) have not gotten great reviews.

Brian,

If all you want is the long track for cutting, the Makita tracks do work with the Festool saws and are way cheaper, so you could still buy a Festool saw. In Canada, the Makita 118" goes for about $190 whereas the Festool goes for $370. I have the long Makita - picked it up and the carry bag for $125 used - but it is just as good as a Festool rail. If I had to cut long, I'd not hesitate to buy the Makita rails. Actually, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Makita saw as well - they are said to be quite good and they are also far cheaper than the Festool. I'd think harder about some of the other tools which have more tie-in to the Festool ecosystem, such as the routers, but until Festool brings the CMS inserts for the TS saws to North America, they're both just saws that ride on the same rails. The Makita even (IIRC) has the same metric-sized arbor as the Festool.

However, I seem to recall that there may be other Festool accessories which MAY not work with the Makita rails.

[Kelly Colin Mark]

I have the Makita SP6000 and the Festool TS55. In many ways the Makita is very close to the TS55. I would rate it above the Dewalt and it seems the clear choice to me for someone that is having a tough time with the price of the Festool. I understand that completely and couldn't quite justify the Festool TS55 replacement for my old Festool Track Saw, which is why I bought the Makita in the first place. I would rate it 90% of a Festool TS55. I only upgraded to the TS55 because I had a shop that could reimburse me for the Makita. Otherwise I would continue to use the Makita and be happy.
Just curious - where does the Makita fall 10% short of the Festool ? Dust collection, perhaps ?

[David Weaver]

I don't think my of1400 router guide works with the makita rails. If it does, I haven't figured it out, but I usually make those router cuts against a hardwood batten so it's not a big deal. It's not something I would pay a couple of hundred dollars for.

[Brian W Evans]

Thanks, David & Kelly, for the feedback on the Makita. What I meant to say earlier was that Makita doesn't seem to have the market-share that Dewalt and Festool have - not that I'd heard anything bad about it. Your comments caused me to take another look at the Makita and now I think I'll end up with one.

I don't care much about the accessories since I have a large router table, table saw, SCMS, etc. and would rather do most work with those. I really just need something to cut plywood sheets down to manageable size and the Makita seems like it would be fine for that.

Thanks again.

[Greg R Bradley]

Just curious - where does the Makita fall 10% short of the Festool ? Dust collection, perhaps ?
Bear in mind that I'm comparing to my TS55, not the just introduced update.

The biggest reason I updated is that the Makita does not have anti-splinter on the outside of the blade. If you attach the outside anti-splinter on the TS55, you have 2 finished edges. Inside anti-splinter is handled by the strip on the rail on Festool, Makita, Dewalt.

The cord on the Makita is stupidly short. Sounds like a minor problem but if you are ripping 8' plywood with a saw with an 8' power cord the tool will unplug itself when the extension cord catches on the edge. Festools plug-it system is great if you are going to use other Festools and tie a power cord to the vac hose. No more winding up power cords to put the tool back in the box. This is no longer an issue as the Makita is now attached to a dedicated break down table with the vac hose and power cord suspended on a tether from above. Taking the saw apart and installing a new cord could have voided the warranty and by the time the warranty was up, I was irritated since it would have been so easy for them to have "fixed" it in the first place.

Makita has no riving knife. This didn't cause me an issue but I wondered if it might someday if I never bought a table saw at home.

Makita has more power than the TS55. The TS55 will cut a 2" thick solid door, but not as fast as the Makita.

These are minor bitches about the Makita and some of them are likely irrelevant to some buyers. We are talking about trivial issues compared to the major complaints we hear about the cheap asian tracksaws sold under many diffferent names. That is why I said the Makita is 90% of the Festool.

I like Makita in general and my last major purchase was a Makita Demo Hammer. I'm thrilled with it.

[Cary Falk]

I bought the DeWalt about a year ago. I bought it because I had heard good thing about it and I got the saw and 55" track for $310. I'm not a DeWalt fan but for the price and reviews I took the plunge. At that time I had a hard time getting accessories. I waited over 3 months to get the track connector. They apparently had production problems back then and things still have not changed. If I had known that back then I might have had second thoughts.

[David Weaver]

I kind of wish festools connector system wasn't on smaller tools. I spend so much time with the ETS 125 screwing around with the stupid connector, because your hand will end up on or near it, and all of the sudden the sander is off and in a few seconds, the vac, too.

[Harley Reasons]

I use the EZ Track system also, have the 108" two pc track. Cutting with a Makita 5007MGA. I added the EZ dust collection option and it works very good to control the sawdust. Dino at EZ Trac is great to work with and he stands behind his products. All are quality made. If something is not right, he'll make it right. You can also buy the EZ Trac by the foot, so you could have any length you want.

[Kelly Colin Mark]

I kind of wish festools connector system wasn't on smaller tools. I spend so much time with the ETS 125 screwing around with the stupid connector, because your hand will end up on or near it, and all of the sudden the sander is off and in a few seconds, the vac, too.
I have issues with the dust hookup on pretty much all my Festools, including some bigger ones like the OF2200 and the TS75. Plenty of times I start a cut not realizing the hose has fallen off since I last picked up the saw a moment ago, and then sometimes halfway through a cut, I find the hose falls off. I usually notice this a few moments AFTER I see a lot of dust and start thinking that maybe Festool's dust collcetion is over-rated.

I wish there was some way to positively lock them, but I know that the one-port-fits-many-hoses approach makes that hard to achieve.

[Brian W Evans]

So I went to order the Makita track saw tonight and Home Depot (best price) is sold out. Amazon has 5, Toolbarn has 4. Is this a ripple effect of Dewalt's production problems?

If you're thinking about a Makita, better get it soon or you might be waiting a while.

[Art Mann]

I just bought the Makita track saw and 55 inch track from CPO outlet. I paid no tax and got free shipping. When those factors are taken into account, the price is the same as HD. I have never used any other brand of track saw but the results are much, much better than what I get with a home made saw guide, Dewalt circular saw and premium plywood blade. So far I am very pleased.