I said I would never

[Tom Bussey]

I said I would never buy a track saw. Just didn't see a need. I have posted pictures of what I have in the past and just recently I might add. and I have been perfectly happy with it for at least 18 years. But it was quite cumbersome when I was cutting some rough sawn ash boards into 4 1/4 inch wide boards.

I was in Menards the other day and I decided to buy their track saw for $199. They have a 11% rebate so it boils down to basically a $180. I thought if it was no good I could just return in and get my money back. I got 110 inches of track in 4 pieces. Let me tell you this is a bare bones track saw. Yes, you can adjust it so the saw slides in the track but that is all the bones it has. The depth stop is about the worst piece of crap I have ever seen but once set it does what it is supposed to do. I came with 2 blades. I used the 24 tooth blade today to do all of my cutting but I think I will get a better one in the future. It came with clamps but I had a couple of Wren clamps and switched them out, didn't even try them.

Since I was cutting rough sawn boards I clamped the track. I didn't want to find out it it would stay in place with out clamps. I ran into problems once the I couldn't clamp the track because only half the track was on the remaining part of the board and couldn't be clamped.

So to say the least , in my opinion, the track saw, even if it is a Festool, will never replace the table saw. But I did get 3 ( 18+ wide Ash boards) broke down into 4 1/4 inch wide boards. The boards weighed 54.6 pounds each and if you are a month away from being 79 it is quite heavy. So I cut up about 160 pounds of boards safely. Wrestling 18 inch wide boards 8 foot long would not been fun on a band saw or even a table saw but here the track preformed very well and just the ease of use caused it to find a home in my shop.

I didn't try to hook up any dust collection Usually I only have a couple of sheets of plywood to brake down and I do it outside so I had no idea. I didn't get it all but the broom got 90%.

Anyway some pictures

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Anyway even an old set in his ways die hard can change his mind.

[Tom Levy]

Looks like a re-badged Makita track saw (my saw) and reviews say it is compatible with Festool/makita/powertec tracks. If it works like the Makita you’ll be happy with it, like you said it’s a wonder on large/heavy material breakdown.

[Christopher Herzog]

I agree that it will probably never replace a table saw. My festool is really a good fit breaking down full sheets and then hit the table saw for final cuts. Glad I have one, just my go to for specific things.

My two cents,
Chris

[Allan Dozier]

I have two Unisaws and a slider that handles 8 ft cuts but i still use my Festool track saw for things. It is great when you need to cut unusual angles on sheet goods. I just used it last weekend to cut a bit off the hinge side of a door. So I didn't need to take the latch or knob off and can take a little off more on one end than the other. Of course had to deepen the hinge mortises though.

[Richard Coers]

Looks like a re-badged Makita track saw (my saw) and reviews say it is compatible with Festool/makita/powertec tracks. If it works like the Makita you’ll be happy with it, like you said it’s a wonder on large/heavy material breakdown.

By re-badged, do you mean a Chinese knock off?

[Rich Engelhardt]

Welcome to the club!
I'm sure you'll find a number of uses for it.

They are sort of like a pin nailer. Once you try it for a while, you wonder how you ever got along without it.

[Tom Bussey]

I read a couple of replies mentioning Festool track saws. and one Makita. I checked out prices of Festool corded track saws because that is what I bought. The cheapest saw was $599 and then a piece of track 55inched long was $155 and one needs 2 so that is $310 and clamps for $65

That comes out to $974 just for every thing just so one can brake down a couple of sheets of plywood a year. I didn't price out Makita because I am on their battery platform and have checked out their prices before and decided against it.

I never saw the need for a track saw and it was upgrade from what I was using but there is a price difference of $794 between what I paid and the Festool. Quite a price difference between saws and the amount of use they will get in a year for the home Hobbyist.





I spent $180 after

[Patrick Kane]

I agree with Rich, ha. I have two table saws--one of them is a slider--and i still find the track saw to be the best tool for some cuts. The cut quality off the festool ts75(sold) and my current mafell kss80 are really good. It is superb when you factor in the cuts arent made with a 1200+lb tool.

I dont understand the negativity towards track saws? Are they viewed as elitist? I could see that when Festool was one of the only brands way back when, but they are ubiquitous at this point. I am in disbelief when i run into general carpenters/contractors that do not have track saws. Yeah, i COULD snap a line and then freehand cut the decking to length all at the same time. Or, i could slap down a track and cut the same line perfectly. It's ok to evolve and use new technology. I dont think we should feel guilty about it.

[Ollie McDottie]

LOVE my track saw. In my shop I have a big table saw with a slider and it's great. But when I have to do work at a client's home, the track saw makes quick work of whatever I need and perfectly every time. Although the Festool track saw is expensive, it's sort of like being trapped or engaged in an eco system (you decide if it's blessing or curse -- be it with batteries on cordless tools or Apple vs everything else in computers). With the Festool tracks I can connect my router and jig saw for different operations. Yeah -- I'm invested deep in the Festool eco system. But it works for me. Surely there are much cheaper ways of doing all this, and I wouldn't be surprised if the same was true with Makita or whoever else is making tracks and various tools to glide on them. And by no means am I an unquestioning muppet in the cult of Festool -- just happened to work out that they had just the right tool for a job in just the right way every time a job called for it. Like others have said, you'll find there are so many nifty ways of incorporating the tool to your work and for under a couple hundred bucks, man, you scored. Welcome to the delight of track sawing.

[Warren Lake]

The guys i knew had made their own out of two pieces of wood and used them on saws and routers. First guy that showed me that was over 40 years ago he learned in a shop he worked in that had a jig guy.

Im still using the same one i originally made for the router. I saw over the line then do the router. Same place two steps. ive stacked veneer past in it and clamped it to joint the edges with the router.

Sure its not as good as a track saw, I dont have dust collection like you do. Ive used the router straight on site just used it outside. Like being in a shop. I stopped at the Maffel booth at the show and could see its good quality.

[Jim Becker]

I think it's great that there are less costly options now for folks who want a "real" tracksaw. It's not about the saw...it's about the guide...and that's what ultimately sets these tools apart from the age-old practice of using a "straight something" and running a tool along that "straight something". The modern track keeps the tool steadier which can result in a better quality cut and they typically have replaceable splinter guards that further improve the cut quality when veneer surfaces are brittle and prone to tearing. There's nothing wrong with the "old way" at all. But with more affordable options for a tracksaw, it makes it easier for folks to acquire and gain the advantages of the track system.

[Curt Harms]

I agree with Rich, ha. I have two table saws--one of them is a slider--and i still find the track saw to be the best tool for some cuts. The cut quality off the festool ts75(sold) and my current mafell kss80 are really good. It is superb when you factor in the cuts arent made with a 1200+lb tool.

I dont understand the negativity towards track saws? Are they viewed as elitist? I could see that when Festool was one of the only brands way back when, but they are ubiquitous at this point. I am in disbelief when i run into general carpenters/contractors that do not have track saws. Yeah, i COULD snap a line and then freehand cut the decking to length all at the same time. Or, i could slap down a track and cut the same line perfectly. It's ok to evolve and use new technology. I dont think we should feel guilty about it.

Maybe tracks saws have been 'oversold'. Will they replace table saws? No. Are they better than traditional table saws for some functions like breaking down 4' X 8' sheet goods? Yes IMO at least. Are they better for ripping a 1 1/2" wide piece into two 3/4" pieces? Not hardly. Kind of like biscuit joiners, are they the answer to every wood jointing question as some seemed to imply? No, but they work very well for some operations, kinda like track saws.

[Robert Engel]

We can all have different experiences with the same tool, but IMO you drew a false conclusion based in a poor quality saw.

A track saw can not only replace a table saw, it can outperform a table saw. For example straight line ripping rough long boards. I would also say cutting sheet goods. I don’t use mine to just break down sheets, I make the final cuts. I stack up the sheets, slip a piece of foam between and I’m done without wrestling a sheet through a table saw. In some cases I can cut two sheets at once if the parts are duplicate.

They aren’t for everyone, but for many they are game changers.

[Tom Bussey]

I disagree with Robert in that a track saw can replace a table saw. You are forgetting about Dato's, finger joints, dove tails and tenons to name a few. I think it would be hard to rip a 2 inch wide board from a 3 inch board. I was working on some legs for a work bench yesterday. They are 3 inches thick and 4 inches wide and they are a glue up with mismatched edges. I trimmed 4 legs and I wouldn't have even considered using a track saw. I do not believe it will out preform a table saw. Did I mention that I also ripped about 8 glue up what were about 2 thick, 5/4s glued together and 4 3/8th wide into two pieces 2 inches wide with a little extra for sizing to 2 inches. I did however use a track saw to rip then to the 4 3/8th width before going to the jointer and planner before glue up.

Now to the one that wrote when I am at a client's home. Now this is an entirely different scenario. Yes I would want the best I could afford, Forget the cost in money, I don't think I could afford not to have the best, what ever brand you think is the best.

In Waterloo Iowa, About 100, 000 for population, there are 3 big boxes, Lowes Menards and Home Depot. No wood word working stores. The only store with a track saw on the shelf is Menards. And it was a spur of the moment to buy it. There was no shopping around because it was the only deal in town. Yes I could have went home and ordered one but that is 60 miles away and maybe I would have talked my self out if it. I have done so in the past.

I started this post because I came to realize that there is a place in a hobbyist's shop for a track saw and I upgraded from what I had to something I believe is better. For a hobbyist who cuts at the most 5 sheets of plywood a year and I really bought it for getting a straight rip on board from a saw mill. And since the boards weigh 56 pounds apiece and are 18 -19 inches wide I thought it was a good purchase. But as a hobbyist I couldn't justify the $974 ( Festool) verses $180.

I do not want to be arguementive . But there are alternatives to Festool as far as track saws go. And in my opinion it is okay to buy a Wren, which is now cheaper than what I bought. I do not need a 10 ton truck to haul 500 pounds of mulch once a year.

When I talked about table saw I didn't Bring up the fact that I have a Saw Stop 3 HP saw and the fact I also have a delta contractors saw and both saws have sliding tables on them. Why do I get the feeling if I don't have a Festool I am inferior. And If I have a Festool I have to name drop and get the fact mentioned mentioned.

In conclusion, I changed my mind and bought a track saw. It has worked out well for the intended purpose. And I am glade I finally broke down and bought one. I might add that there is a learning system and I now see some drawbacks to my saw table. If you do not have one you might want to consider putting one on your future list.

[Warren Lake]

Skip the what some people think aspect. I argued with a high end guy once about me driving a 25 year old car and trailer and he had what would be a 100k pickup now him telling me he gets work cause he looks like a pro and I dont. I stayed on him till he came out with "its all smoke and mirrors" Clothes may make the man but they dont make the work.

Track saw wont replace a table saw.

I use my mcgiver baltic track and its been fine. Like I said I looked at the Metabo at the last woodwork show and its good and well thought out. I just dont have a need so far and I dont like on site compared to a shop. I may have to lighten up on that thinking but shop has five ways to do anything.

Tom with the brand of track you bought can you use any saw? I have three generations of worm drives. Can I use a worm drive with your track? Dont have a corded sidewinder but that type was the first I got used to which meant a different feel with the worm drive. Have a battery milwaukee but see it more as a convenience for more carpentry type work. Know there are better batteries since I bought this.