Is a cupped tracksaw track normal?

[Frederick Skelly]

Bought the Dewalt, partly because I saw nothing about twisted tracks like was happening sometimes with the Makita. When I set it up, the saw rocks on the track all the way down the the length. The base/shoe on the saw is flat. I've isolated it to a 3/32" cup down the length of the track. Regardless of which direction I want to cut, the saw does not sit flat on the one (same) side.

The track wont flatten out so that the saw wont rock. Unless I clamp it.

I only found one hit on this topic when I googled it, which makes me wonder if I'm doing something the wrong way.

I'm frustrated - this is a brand new tool, right out of the box. Any thoughts?

Thanks.
Fredk

[Jim Dwight]

I have all three DeWalt tracks, 106, 59, and 41 inches long. None of mine do this. I think you got a bad one, unfortunately. I'd try and get it returned and get one that works right.

[larry senen]

Across the width of the track? No I would say that's not normal. That would mean the extrusion was warped and defective. You couldn't get a square cut.

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks guys. Thought maybe I was missing something.
Fred

[fRED mCnEILL]

I quit buying Dewalt stuff a few years ago after EVERY DEwalt product I had broke. This doesn't surprise me at all.

[Frederick Skelly]

I quit buying Dewalt stuff a few years ago after EVERY DEwalt product I had broke. This doesn't surprise me at all.

Well Fred, this is the first Dewalt tool I've ever owned. It was $500 and I expect them to make it right. IMO, I shouldn't have had this aggravation to begin with. But it is what it is.

Fred

[Mike Henderson]

I quit buying Dewalt stuff a few years ago after EVERY DEwalt product I had broke. This doesn't surprise me at all.
A contrasting experience: I have quite a number of DeWalt tools and all of them have been good and reliable over time. Many of them are the 20V cordless tools, including a blower and hedge trimmer. I have three 5 ah batteries, as well as some lesser batteries.

Mike

[John C Bush]

I have the same issue--convex top surface allowing the saw to rock side to side-- with the long track(108?) and I discovered the short track(59") has a slight curve end to end-- <1/8" --that causes a little bind. Only time I have used it was cutting a 2 1/4" thick walnut natural edge slab. Joined the two tracks for a 13 ft. cut and assumed the resistance was due to the thickness and relative hardness of the slab. I then used it to cut 45 deg. cuts cross grain to make waterfall joints for the verticals. The wood cupped a little so I hand planed to get decent joints--28"s wide. Didn't consider the track had some blame--thought it was the reactive wood. This was for an L shaped desk so I made two 45 deg. cuts to make the 90 deg. L and that's when I noticed the curve in the short track. Finally got straight cuts using the long track and was glad to be done with the project. (Freebie made for neighbors!!) I haven't tried to negotiate a return yet--anyone else with this issue had any luck with a return??

[Jim Becker]

No, the extrusion should be perfectly flat.

[Mark W Pugh]

So let us know how your return works out, assuming you will be exchanging it.

[Frederick Skelly]

So let us know how your return works out, assuming you will be exchanging it.

I will Mark. If Dewalt won't, I'm sure the tool store will. They're reputable.

[Frederick Skelly]

Hi guys. Just a short one to close this out.

Dewalt sent me to a service center. They told me they had seen only a couple tracks like mine and offerred to order me a replacement. He thought it would take about 10 days to get it and ship it here. I told him I'd rather see if the seller would exchange it and he told me to call him back if that didn't work out. So I think that's a small kudo for Dewalt.

Well, my local store made the exchange and I finally got time to make several test cuts today.
Problem solved!

Thanks again for all your advice on this purchase. This is a great addition to my shop!

Best regards,
Fred

[Jim Dwight]

I'm happy it worked out. I have two DeWalt Sanders and two DeWalt drills in addition to the track saw. All except the saw and one sander are over 10 years old. All work well. I like Bosch and Milwaukee too but I think DeWalt is a solid choice.

[Jim Becker]

Very happy to hear that you're back in business with your new track saw. TS is a very, very useful tool to have, regardless of the brand/color, and I'm glad they took care of you for that unusual, but frustrating issue.