(2) CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. The track saw is equipped with a sharp 48-tooth blade that measures 8 " and cuts deep through a variety of wood and sheet materials that are 2 " thick. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Buy at Home Depot Goodell David, Founder of WoodWorking Clarity, says, , quick jobs or work mainly from your shop, you dont need a cord.. The price to performance offered by the Makita SP6000J1 is excellent for DIYers and hobbyists, but the reliability and cutting performance isnt quite up to snuff for more serious users. The main difference is that with this plunge saw, you have a safety interlock that prevents plunging or turning on the saw before depressing the switch interlock button. New woodworkers may not be as familiar with Makita as a top woodworking and tool brand. However, issues with quality control have left a bad taste in many customers mouths when they received this track saw with a warped base plate. Plus, they allow you to align the track with the line you want to cut, and the cut gets finished quickly. Evolution Multi-Material Circular Track Saw, Routers are great tools but they can be tricky to operate. When you are looking for a powerful track saw, nothing even comes close to the DEWALT FLEXVOLT Cordless TrackSaw Kit, which has a premium build and a stellar set of useful features that take your woodworking and cutting experience to a whole new level. A track saw is precisely what it sounds like: a saw with a guide rail track that allows you to make better cuts in wood. 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 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. 2) Kreg has 8" wheels to move it around after folding. Including me. The tracks themselves have a gripping material on the bottom to keep the track in place without needing to use any clamps (though clamps are an option if you want to be extra safe.). Luckily, a spring-loaded riving knife and anti-kickback mechanism prevent kickback, and a straight plunge mechanism makes it easier to use. If you are in the woodworking trade, power saws are the companion you need to cut through various materials. The DEWALT DWS520K offers solid performance at a reasonable but not great price. The swiveling hose port is particularly nice for allowing for easy dust management without letting the vacuum hose get in the way of operation. Below, youll find track saw reviews detailing the pros and cons, but mostly the benefits, of some of the best track saws for woodworking. On the other hand, when you have a cordless track saw, having a 20V battery provides you with sufficient power to operate the blade efficiently. However, they have measurement and precision features to help achieve the perfect cut on all pieces, along with anti-kickback safety measures. After deciding on a saw, youll need to pick out at least three accessories to make the saw truly useful: For almost all woodworkers the biggest question in hand tools is should I opt for cordless. in this guide learn what the alternatives to the popular Festool DOMINO are and why you should invest in this hand-held engineering marvel. The Bosch GKT13-225L saw kit, comparable to a Festool, combines the best plunge action track saw features. Best for Occasional Use: DEWALT DWS520K, 8. 110 in. The overall build quality of the Kreg ACS2000 track saw and guide track is solid, but the materials arent. UPGRADE PICK: Bora 5-Piece NGX Set. The right size blade also saves you time and stress, cutting through materials easily. Couple differences to know: 1) Kreg uses 3/4" dog holes and Festool uses 20mm. A Dewalt fast charger can help make the motor move from 2,000 to 5,500 rpm fast. The Shop Fox W1835 track saw is a solid performer that gets the job done without too much fuss, and its offered at an incredibly low price. For jobs that require constant cutting for long periods of time, a corded track saw might be a better choice. 1. If you need to make several rip cuts or lots of identical pieces, table saws work best. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. A: If you're in the market to buy a track saw, you can expect to pay $400 to $600 to buy a high-quality track saw. Kreg is a bit slower than the Festool. 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. Lets look at the main differences between these tools to help you decide if track saws are the right tool for your needs. For beginning woodworkers, starting with a circular saw, a guide rail, and some saw horses might be best. It uses a combination of aluminum and plastic to keep the weight and price down without sacrificing much in the way of effectiveness. This is one of Kreg's first adventures into tools, but so far reviews are pointing to it paying off. And, since your dust extractor wont always be around, you can use the supplied dust bag to catch the dust youll generate. Variable speed with soft start and constant speed. There is some plastic used throughout to keep the price down, but the overall build quality is pretty great. With this being a Festool, this is a combination of all the best track saw features. ACS Project Table It is also called a plunge saw or plunge-cut saw since the saw plunges into the material for a thorough cut. Be especially careful with variable-speed motors. The Festool TSC 55 is almost identical to its corded counterpart with the exception of a dual 18/36V battery system powering the blade. The Festool TS 55 REQ saw kit comes with an impressive 55 track and includes the track guide for precise cuts. Doing so lessens the chance of kickbacks and creates more precise cuts. Their circular blade allows you to make solid cuts in all kinds of materials. As mentioned, Festool's track saws are generally for the high-income bracket. Here are our top five picks for the best track saws available, including all your favorite brands, like Festool, Kreg, and Bosch. By reading the product reviews we have gathered, you will be able to take the right pick easily. For a more detailed breakdown and recommendations based on use cases, check out the Who Its Best For sections of each review. A plunge circular saw just means that the blade will plunge into the material youre cutting. While circular saws and table saws perform similar tasks, the track saw is uniquely designed to bring the best of both worlds together into a single, powerful tool. You should never run a blade when the cutting path is not clear. 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. 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. Its speed is fast, and its easy to set up. You might even find a plunge circular saw somewhere. The low price point of the CT1065 doesnt reflect on its build quality or features in any way at all. High Points. And with more saws each year bringing Lithium cutting capability these brands are where to start: Makita XPS01Z While this saw is not as well built as a Makita or Festool overall reports on the saw are good. The kit comes with the track saw, a 60V battery and charger, a tool box, blade, and the 59 track. 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. 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. Makita vs. Dewalt and Makita vs. Milwaukee is a pretty common brand comparison. 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. New to woodworking and not sure about Makita? And have no regrets after cutting up dozens of sheets of plywood, thick bench tops and trimming doors. "I got my Festool track saw about 15 years ago. In the fourth category of track saws youll find a few traditional track saws as well as combining a more traditional circular saw with a track: While expensive in comparison to their circular saw cousins, these saws are generally between $125-250 for a saw and track and a fraction of the heavier duty saws. 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. Features, as expected, are overall very close to the corded Makita saw. The Shop Fox W1835 track saw provides reasonable performance with some minor adjustments. Best Track for Circular Saws: Kreg KMA2685 Circular Saw Guide, great YouTube video from the WoodWorkers Guild of America, Everything You Need to Know About Repointing Brick, Radiant Floor Heating: The Pros and Cons of Warming Up From Below, How to Install a Light Fixture A Simple DIY Guide. All of this sounds great, but maybe youre thinking to yourself I dont have $400 to spend on another saw. Not only does it have a powerful motor, a sharp blade, and a cordless feature, but it also provides the best value for money. Weight: 11 lbs. Keep your hands and other objects away from the cutting path, and wear protective gear for your eyes and ears. Festool has 36 teeth, whereas Kreg has 48 teeth. Most cordless tracks saw batteries last for about 1-2 hours so keep that in mind. The Makita SP6000J1 has a large cutting capacity (2-3/16 at 90 degrees and 1-9/16 at 45 degrees) and a good bevel capacity (-1 to 48 degrees, with positive stops at 22 5 and 45 degrees). Track saws are hard to carry around since you have both the saw and its accompanying guide rail. Circular saws come in many types. 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. Well, they are one of the top 3 brands that youll find on big box and specialty tool supplier shelves. You probably know all about man-handling track saws and how beneficial they are in terms of streamlining time-consuming tasks around the workshop. The Festool TS 55 REQ saw kit includes an impressive 55 saw track and the included track guide ensures precise cuts. If youve gone through our list and still dont know if a Festool or Bosch saw will cut it, see if any of these comparisons can answer any questions. But, heres what you can get with a saw track conversion kit: As you likely know, a track saw is not useful without, well, a track. Best Track Saws. A few users agree that this latest Festool is light but are doubtful if this will hold the cut. In this guide learn the tips and tricks to making this classic game. Its worth knowing that Festool has the most variations in track saws of any manufacturer. While the Makita SP6000J1 isnt the cheapest track saw on our list, its not too far off the price of our budget pick. 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. 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. The main difference between the two saws is their cutting capacity and precision. 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. 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. 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. Touch device users, explore by touch or . dust collection. Greetings, I'm in the market for a Track saw/Plunge saw, done a bit of research and arrived between the Bosch GKT 55 GCE and the Makita SP6000 both running for about 350 including Guide Rail which is about as much as I'm willing to spend. While corded track saws provide you with more power, cordless track saws are more portable and easy to operate. Using the right saw blades for your track saw is vital. While the Makita SP6000J1 is available with a guide track and connector kit, the connector doesnt provide the best experience as the guide tracks dont always line up perfectly. The variable speed dial gives users the freedom to adjust and work with different materials. Cutting Capacity: 131 32 " @ 90; 17 16 " @ 45. In general, track saws tend to be a fair bit more expensive than circular saws despite looking and functioning similarly. Easily accessible shaftlock aids fast, convenient blade-change. Currently using a Dewalt 20V circ saw and Bora edge guide, but looking to upgrade to either Kreg or Makita track saw and track. Track Saw vs. Circular Saw: Whats the Difference? Well, you can. Festool is a reputable manufacturer known for its top-quality power tools, and this unit is no exception. Festool 769942 Cross Cutting Guide Rail FSK 420 . Both feature a powerful, fast circular blade that helps the saws perform similarly. Images are copyrighted and may not be used without explicit written permission. But how did we handpick these options? The Kreg ACS2000 track saw offers straight, smooth cuts without tear outs. The Makita SP6000J1 track saw provides variable cutting speeds between 2,000 and 5,200 RPM. The Grizzly saw freely accepts the standard Festool extractor hose. Because, for many, a Festool 75 is out of reach and a comparison to entry-level toolmakers like WEN would just be unfair. Kreg ACS-SAW Triton TTS1400 And with a range from $300-700 for a saw and track there's a quality saw for every budget. A table saw stays still while you move the material through the blade. The blade can cut pieces up to 2 , making it highly useful. Yes you can use a track saw without a track but you will lose the precision cuts and it will function similar to a circular saw. Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. A table saw works best for cutting angles or repeatable cuts. Watch. That will make blade changes quicker and safer in your shop by locking the arbor and switch while you work. The Kreg KMA2685 circular saw guide is sturdy and smartly designed to be easy to use and work with most circular saws. If you are invested in 20mm dogs it may be a consideration. Toe Kick Saw Alternatives For Removing Subloors. Lastly, the Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Guide for Circular Saws was the longest cheap circular saw guide we found. Using a track saw to cut studs for walls or frame structures works wonders too. They are fast, easy to operate, and are suitable for a wide range of materials, such as plywood, fiberboard, and lumber. Built with excellent materials and with a solid build quality, the Makita XPS01PTJ is an excellent track saw capable of cutting depths up to 2 3/16. Cutting thick laminate or subfloor near cabinets requires a saw that goes right up to the toe kick edge. Woodworking tools have improved as more companies are competing for the hard-earned money of DIYers and professionals alike. The best drawer slides combine features like full extension and soft closing with durability for decades of use. Never underestimate the usefulness of guide rails. The Makita SP6000J1 can be purchased with or without an included guide track so you can opt for the all-in-one package or save some money by buying the tool on its own. The Dewalt is very comparable to the Makita but lacks a couple of important features: Otherwise, the general features are similar and with the Dewalt generally running slightly higher in cost. Doing so reduces tear-out and splintering in the material and increases operator safety. The best track saw is based on your use. The motor is also quite loud and doesnt deliver as much power as its competitors. Power tools can help make jobs go by faster, easier, and with much more precisionwhich is exactly what track saws are designed to accomplish. Chad Stanton 66.6K subscribers 134K views 3 years ago Track Saws are all the rage, but when it comes to buying one what features should you look. Circular saws can be used in conjunction with guide tracks like this one, but they still wont offer as precise or clean of a cut and theyll create a lot more dust compared to quality track saws. 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. Speed: 5,500 rpm. The company has been making premium quality and highly useful track saws since a long time, and one of its best products is the Festool 575389 Plunge Cut Track, which is known to provide a great deal of utility and versatility. And with more saws each year bringing Lithium cutting capability these brands are where to start: From the high end Festool to popular cordless brands like Dewalt expect to pay a $100 to $200 premium for portability, though. Best Budget Track Saw: Kreg ACS2000 Saw & Guide Track Kit; 5. Best for Occasional Use: DEWALT DWS520K; 8. 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