UPGRADE PICK: Bora 5-Piece NGX Set. Related Article: Track Saw vs Table Saw And When To Use Each. The Grizzly saw freely accepts the standard Festool extractor hose. Using a table saw can be a real pain in the neck in comparisonespecially if youre working on your own. Make sure you connect everything firmly and take it slow for your first few passes to make sure everything is staying in place. The R185CCSX is a highly reliable and easy-to-use track saw, and it features a powerful 15A motor that helps you saw through numerous materials, including wood, composite decking, ferrous and non-metals, plastics, etc. Festool is a trusted brand known for its top of the line track saws. There are plenty of excellent track saws from Kreg and Festool. The included guide track provides a strong grip to help keep your cuts straight even without the use of clamps. More expensive than equally capable machines, the DEWALT DWS520K track saw relies pretty heavily on its brand name. 1) Mafell Track Saw Why Use the Mafell Track Saw and Who Is It For? Mafell is another German made saw, and is arguably better than the Festool based on reviews and user reports. VersaGrip makes clamping intuitive - just squeeze the handle until your material is clamped securely. The large cutting capacity of 2 3/16 inches at 90 degrees and 1 9/16 inches at 45 degrees is perfect for almost any job. Most importantly, it also features one of my favorite features of a circular saw: a blade-left design that allows us right-handed users the ability to see the blade and action without leaning over sideways during the cut. 1. The track saw might be just that tool for you. If you know what youre doing and are willing to make some adjustments yourself, the Shop Fox W1835 track saw is a low-budget machine that performs solidly on easier to cut materials. The Woodsmith Review Teams product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. Easily accessible shaftlock aids fast, convenient blade-change. Track saws also called plunge saws, are a reliable tool for getting accurate and clean cuts of wood and sheet materials. Since the point of using a track saw is getting accurate and straight cuts, an uneven base is obviously a big problem as it can cause the blade to have play and be uneven. 800-462-5482, makitatools.com. 18.95 15.79. Its 6-1/2 inch blade can cut through many kinds of wood, including plywood, hardwoods, and solid boards. It is easy to see that the Festool track saw is lighter and thus more portable than the Mafell saw. A standard 6 1/2-inch blade comes with the model, along with a bevel capacity of -1 to 48 degrees. Now, without further ado, lets cut to the chase and get to some product reviews. By cutting the cord on the track saw youll free your cutting concerns to placement of the dust hose (only). Learn what brands and mounts are best for your project. A plunge circular saw just means that the blade will plunge into the material youre cutting. The most significant difference between a table saw and a circular saw is how you cut the material. It offers fantastic accuracy and smooth cutting power that can slice through just about anything you put in front of it. Web/Phone: www.grizzly.com / 800-523-4777. The blade is only as good as the speed with which it is rotated. While Milwaukee and Dewalt spend marketing dollars freely, the Makita brand is built on decades of reliability. Doing so reduces tear-out and splintering in the material and increases operator safety. Track saws are incredibly versatile and powerful tools that can help ease the burden of work for DIYers and professional woodworkers alike. All in all, the Festool TS 55 REQ saw comes with some of the best features. This track saw comes with a 60V battery. For cutting, then it comes with a 6 " blade, and it can also be tilted through to 45 degrees for those bevel cuts. Its electronic speed control helps to maintain a constant speed for more finished, tear-free results. Bosch GKT13-225L 6-1/2" Plunge Track Saw Kit, 4. Table saws are great for projects that you can do in a shop with lots of extra space for loading the material through the saw. The Pocket-Hole Jig 520 is the most versatile jig yet from Kreg with features that adapt and adjust to suit your project-building needs. And the Makita saw keeps up their quality reputation with a saw that is highly rated, has all of the top features in this category of tool, and is a tool most professionals would start with if Festool wasnt around. On the downside, there have been some reports of quality control issues with many customers receiving the track saw with an uneven bottom plate. The Makita XPS01PTJ can be purchased as a kit with included batteries and case or as a bare tool for some nice cost savings if you already have compatible batteries. Whenever this need arises, they often use a jig to guide their cutting, A good band saw helps you cut through metal, wood, and various other materials without a hassle. The DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw is a sturdy machine that offers solid performance, but the price is rather high all things considered. Never underestimate the usefulness of guide rails. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. However, they have measurement and precision features to help achieve the perfect cut on all pieces, along with anti-kickback safety measures. Expect to pay between $700-900 for a fully equipped track saw and track. Circular saws are the more common workshop power tools. For shorter workpieces the 24" Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide is a great option. $89.99 Quantity Add to Cart Highlights Rip, crosscut, and make angled cuts up to 50" long in plywood, MDF, and panels Simply align the Guide Track with your marks to make accurate cuts Hold track in place without clamps thanks to anti-slip guide strips Prevent splintering with anti-chip strips that support material during the cut Makita, like Festool and all the rest, has a reputation for creating one of the best track saws, and their SP6000J1 saw kit model is no exception. The main drawback of Festool is the price of not just their tools but also the accessories. In that time I have literally seen it all within the building industry as a professional contractor. While a track saw is one of the most versatile and portable saws, there are a few things to remember before using one, especially if youre new to woodworking. Which requires purchasing a saw with: Maybe youre thinking this saw is just a fancy circular saw that is pre-made to be paired with a track. Evolution Multi-Material Circular Track Saw, Routers are great tools but they can be tricky to operate. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: CMT PGC-50 Professional Straight Edge Clamp. Copyright (c) 2023 LEAN Woodworking LLC. Final Thoughts If you were hoping to get a $500 saw for $230, you will be disappointed. If you need a lot of power, this model has overload protection against overheating. Unlike table saws, track saws are portable and can be taken to the material instead of having to pull what you want to cut over to a table saw. They can be used in combination with dust collectors or with vacuums to pull in the dust as the blade cuts through the material. Grizzly's track saw is a relative newcomer to this tool category. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2" Plunge Track Saw Kit, 3. But its also not quite good enough to warrant being placed as our top budget pick because it has some noticeable drawbacks that make it less than ideal for those who are newer to track saws. Makita vs. Dewalt and Makita vs. Milwaukee is a pretty common brand comparison. Also available frominternationaltool.com. 5 Best Track Saws of 2021: 1. All of this sounds great, but maybe youre thinking to yourself I dont have $400 to spend on another saw. Festool makes quality machines and components, but you can expect to pay more for the privilege of owning them compared to their competitors. Makita SP6000J. The Kreg KMA2685 is a universal circular saw guide that works with most circular saws on the market, including left and right bladed saws. If you are also looking for the best track saw in 2023 for your woodworking or DIY projects, then we have the best options for you to choose from. In addition to variable speed control (2,000 to 6,000 RPM), the 12-amp 120-volt motor features load compensation. Just like our previous pick, the ACS2000 also features a complete track saw kit, and it includes a 62 track, which enhances your precision and lets you work on longer pieces with more efficiency. WEN vs Kreg vs Festool 731 Woodworks 396K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.6K Save 101K views 10 months ago #woodworking #tracksaw #tools I compared three. What projects do you want to tackle, and which tools do you need for them? On-board tool storage. $ 79 00. It features variable speeds from 1,350 to 3,550 RPM, and it can handle materials that are up to 2-3/4 inches thick. However, a Makita is a top pick for home woodworkers and there are a few entry level saws that are good for small jobs and occasional use. With hours in the shop and critical analysis of each saw's features and performance we are providing readers with a comprehensive look at each saw's bright-spots and areas for . We were just too impressed with its splinter-free precise cuts, produced with a powerful 12 amp motor. The DEWALT DWS520K track saw is a solid performer that offers great cutting power and accuracy. Here are our top five picks for the best track saws available, including all your favorite brands, like Festool, Kreg, and Bosch. As mentioned, Festool's track saws are generally for the high-income bracket. Although our list saw some of the best track saws from Bosch and Festool, we have just one track saw we can declare a real winner: the Makita SP6000J1. So with that in mind the 6-1/4 blade on the Festool 55 will cut just about all the plywood and hardwood you can throw at it. - Editor. How often you change it depends on the quality and strength of the material you cut with it. Home Tools Power Tools Saws Track Saw Guide: Choosing The Right Cordless Or Corded Model, Track Saw Guide: Choosing The Right Cordless Or Corded Model. Capable of cutting depths up to 2 , the DEWALT DWS520K track saw uses a low-profile blade guard so you can get right next to the action. Weve looked at some excellent track saws from Festool and Makita and such, but it all comes back to what you want and need from a track saw. Most of the track saws offer speed control options, which enable you to prevent dulling the blade or cutting more than you need to. With the same track system (costing almost as much as the saw, of note) and plunge capability youll have a way to start breaking down plywood and even doing edge cuts. A dull or damaged blade will increase your work time, create rough cuts on your materials, and it might be unsafe for you. Similar to the DOMINO and Kapex miter saw quality their saw does what you expect: straight, splinter free cuts. It only reaches out to a couple of feet however so it may not be appropriate for all uses. A track saw with a larger blade enables you to cut through thicker materials. Festool is know for innovative and high performing tools. Adjusting it before each use ensures proper safety and quality work. The low price point of the CT1065 doesnt reflect on its build quality or features in any way at all. Double-check everything before you turn the saw on, especially the current cutting path. Pros Has a premium build quality Can be used to cut through various types of wood and sheet materials Presence of slip clutch prevents kickbacks, which can cause accidents Cons High price point With this being a Festool, this is a combination of all the best track saw features. Overall, the DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw is a sturdy machine that performs admirably. The Festool 55 Req-F-Plus is a powerful and precise track saw that offers great reliability and safety features. The performance of the DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw is solid, but its lack of features combined with its rather low battery runtime makes for a lower price to performance ratio. The best way to guarantee clean, even cuts is to line everything up just right before getting to work. Track saws have pivoting shoes so that they can make all kinds of cuts at different angles. You might even find a plunge circular saw somewhere. New woodworkers may not be as familiar with Makita as a top woodworking and tool brand. The Kreg ACS2000 is an excellent track saw and guide kit combo that is offered at an unbeatable low price compared to other similar tools. The materials and build quality of the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus are top-notch, which is good because this is not a cheap tool. Dust cleanup is easy too. Best Premium Track Saw: Festool 55 Req-F-Plus; 3. 12 Unique Woodworking Tools You Didnt Know You Needed, After twenty years of collecting tools Im still finding unique woodworking tools that I didnt know I needed. Keep your hands and other objects away from the cutting path, and wear protective gear for your eyes and ears. The Shop Fox W1835 track saw provides reasonable performance with some minor adjustments. Nonetheless, the 6-1/2 inch saw blade should help do the trick. That way, you wont have to measure and mark out each piece individually. CONS One knock I have with this track saw is the lower end of the variable speeds that it offers. Its speed is fast, and its easy to set up. Youll have the same track, same splinter guard and accuracy of the Festool lineup just in a cord-free design. It is also called a plunge saw or plunge-cut saw since the saw plunges into the material for a thorough cut. Well, you can. And for professionals, who already know Festool is the pinnacle of tool quality, their models hit all the key features you need: Coming down a price tier, the Makita has all the features you need. However, where Festool has major distribution channels, and thus better parts availability, youll have to go to a few specialty dealers like Timberwolf Tools or other sources. One of the best aspects of track saws is their ability to repeat the same cut reliably and keep everything at just the right angle. And combining a dust hose, power cord and tracks makes for a tangle. Most track saws work best with wooden materials. This kit comes with 48 inches of track in two sections, which means you can use the shorter length for smaller projects or connect the two halves for four feet of accurate cutting. (Not a Festool fanboy, and too much $$$). If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. If you correctly align it with the blade, itll minimize the chance of accidents or injury. Kreg ACS2000 Adaptive Cutting Track Saw Kit, Use the Right Blades and Take Care of Them, Cutting Studs for Walls or Frame Structures, Super deep cutting capacity allows you to reach larger cutting depths of. M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 31 in. Make angles from 0-60 using the included Miter Guide, or cut perfect 45 miters easily using Versa-Stops and the precisely machined holes in the Project Table. This machine also tends to vibrate quite a bit, causing hand fatigue faster than its competitors. The Makita SP6000J1 uses magnesium components to provide durability while maintaining the machines light weight. Whereas a track saw is far superior in making high quality rips and crosscuts in plywood sheets due to its splinter free blade and built-in straightedge. The Kreg ACS2000 saw kit is one of the most adaptable track saws on this list, able to cut up to 2-1 8 deep at 90 degrees and 1 1 2 at 45 degrees. Lastly, the Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Guide for Circular Saws was the longest cheap circular saw guide we found. Track saws, for one, are great at making cuts in longer pieces. More Info Quickview. The saw features a 12A variable speed motor that also comes with load compensation and electronic braking capabilities, making this a much more safer option for you. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bora 36 NGX Clamp Edge Straight Cut Guide. Though many manufacturers have stuck to standards, not all tracks or saws are compatible with one another. Best Warranty: DEWALT DSC520ST1 Track Saw Kit, 6. I agree with others that the Kreg accucut and rip guide are junk. Track saws and circular saws can be difficult to tell apart. Battery Powered Plunge Cut Saws With almost all tools now offering a cordless option, track saws are no exception. 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