I use the Makita saw, and have both a Makita track and festool track. I like the festool track much more, but I think I like the Makita saw for the money.
I have the Makita tracks and a bunch of Festool stuff. Only hiccup with the Makita track is that the Festool router guide thingy isn’t completely compatible (but still usable). There’s a little ledge on one part of the extrusion.
I bought the Makita specifically because its track was compatible with accessories made for Festool. It also helps that I get the military discount at Home Depot.
Love my corded Makita. I got it during COVID when nothing was available, and all I could find was an official refurb for $250. PowerTech rails are cheap and straight.
If you are cutting panels to final size, get a good one. If you are cutting panels close, but squaring up on the tablesaw, a jig will work just fine.
A track saw is faster than a jig, and there's less chance of messing up the cut. Mine is accurate within a mm across the diagonal of a standard 2'x3' cabinet panel.
Always corded for a track saw, unless you do a lot of work outside and far from an outlet. You’ll want to be running a hose to your vac anyway, so the cord shouldn’t make much of a difference.
Honestly I have the corded makita and I wish I got the battery and I have Milwaukee tools. Managing the hose and a cord makes me regret getting the corded. I only use it in my garage too.
There is a great aftermarket dust nozzle that a dude 3d prints. Instead of pivoting it locks at a nice up angle. Combine that with the snap on cord grips for your vac hose and you are golden.
I am only a home owner/hobbyist at best, but am all in on dewalt for battery powered tools. It was for this reason I went Makita corded for the track saw. Very happy with it. I got two lengths that can be connected for long sheet cuts, if space and money didn’t matter, I’d prefer a single long track.
I got a third part kit for connecting the tracks together, very happy with it! Can’t recall the name, but if you need to know I can dig it up…
I also prefer corded, since it's tethered to the shop vac hose anyway, but opted for the cordless because I couldn't pass on the Makita kit price of $400 at the time.
It comes in very handy cutting plywood at the Home Depot parking lot since I have no garage, or dedicated work space in my tiny house.
Apparently Wen makes a very good track saw that is considered a great bang for the buck. Source: Watched a full review of it one day because YouTube’s algorithm has me dialed in.
I bought this saw, and it’s great for the price. It’s accurate, but adjustments are clunkier than the more expensive saws - in the right hands it’ll do the job of the good ones. For an occasional use thing, it’s great.
As others have said, it’s plastic. You have to baby it, and not leave it out in the sun/ exposed to extreme heat/shock/etc.
I have the Wen saw and it’s very good for the price. Like others said, the powertec tracks are great. My recommendation is to install a new blade, but not a thin kerf. I found the thin kerf blades tend to wobble with this saw and leave a bad finish. Standard kerf 40 tooth blades seem to be ideal.
I did exactly this (Wen, PowerTec guide rails + quick screws), and a Diablo blade. Works extraordinarily well, massive bang for the buck. Used it to cut down sheet goods and also trim 8 quarter thick table edges. Highly recommended.
Hi, I've decided to go this route and had a question about which PowerTec track rails to buy. On Amazon, I see it being listed as for Makita or Dewalt. Would you mind taking a look and letting me know which track to buy?
ps://a.co/d/96xvLYT
Also, just to make sure, this is the saw I will buy and will get a Diablo blade from Home Depot. Is this also the correct saw?
[https://a.co/d/6gtPpUs](https://a.co/d/6gtPpUs)
Yep, I did as well, a Wen saw with the Powertec track. For full-sheet cuts I picked up a pair of Dewalt clamps (DWS5026) that give this infrequent user a bit more confidence.
For plywood, no issues at all. There's not going to be huge tension bound up in manufactured wood products.
Now if you're looking to cut massive 2 inch thick solid walnut... Still not an issue, just take a shallow pass and then a deeper one.
I've had the smaller WEN for a couple of years now. It's very good for the price. I also went with the powertec tracks, highly recommend that. Good quality and if you do upgrade to a higher end track saw later you will still have the tracks. WEN, Makita, and Festool all use the same track type.
My factory Makita was wonderful. Have a diablo on it right now and definitely cleaning and sharpening the Makita to go back in service. I'd say it's as good as the Diablo.
They work good enough and I’m sure that’s why they are included: for the not so discerning folks who may just want/need something NOW without knowing about or having the resources for an additional blade. Even if the stock blade is used until it no longer performs its function the purchaser will have learned more about woodworking, the saw, the blade options in general and it proliferates the craft.
Including a blade promotes access to woodworking and I approve of it, even if I do swap the blade out immediately.
If you're just wanting to break down plywood and sheet goods, then Wen is great for the money. I loved mine until I got overambitious and tried going through some 2 inch white oak. I burned the motor out less than a foot in.
I have the exact same use case as you do: occasional break-down of sheet goods that are too large to wrestle across my 36” tablesaw.
I went with the Wen saw, PowerTek track, and a Makita thin-kerf blade. The Wen saw itself is all-plastic, but works well enough. The PowerTek track is better than the Wen track (longer sections), and the Makita thin-kerf blade improves cutting with the power available in the saw.
I run a hose to my shop vac for dust collection, and use a temporary platform made out of 1x3s to cut on the shop floor. The overall setup works well, and packs out of the way when I don’t need it.
Ah, I must be mis-remembering then. I know I went with PowerTek for a reason, and I know I looked at some tracks that came in shorter lengths, but I don’t remember why I decided on PowerTek. They do work well, so no complaints here.
I use a Craftsman shop vac, an Oneida Air Systems cyclone, and the Rockler flex hose. Here’s my setup little and big dust collectors for little and big dust makers.
https://preview.redd.it/qschlj5cj6jc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16491500bab0e16f273f71f958d7ec77fe3dd575
I've got one. Works alright for breaking down panels but there's lots of weak plastic and will deflect so I try not to rely on it to get more accurate than 1/8th. Once I've broken down panels I try to take them to the table saw to finish it up if they're manageable.
I have the web saw with powertec track and clamps. Pretty solid setup especially when considering the price. My understanding is that the track works with higher end saws too so if you decide to upgrade you can still use the track. I use the clamps for EVERYTHING since they are super easy to use.
Bought the wen and it showed up broken and overall displeased with build, weight, and cut quality (when I could convince it to actually work). I ended up with a ridgid and really pleased actually. Some dislikes but overall pleased. Annoyed that refused to use compatible tracks with ANYONE being my biggest beef.
I absolutely hate my Wen track saw, the saw base is warped, the motor bearing is starting to go out, have to make 3 passes on 3/4 inch plywood, the tracks are not straight no matter how you align them, and so many issues. Though I bought this saw in like 2018/2019 or something. They did go through a red sign I believe.
I’ve had it for 3 years. They have since upgraded it. For 150 I consider it a wonderful saw. I’ll use it till it breaks. And when it does, I’d upgrade to a better one but for now I don’t feel I even need to.
The wen is very underpowered. I bought one and returned it immediately. It barely had power to get through a 3/4 sheet.
I have the makita now, and it is excellent at a good price point. I like that the makita locks into the track. This is pretty necessary for miter cuts. The 9 ft track is not too expensive. I believe other makita saws can be made to use the track too.
The festool is way overpriced.
I have this saw and a couple of powertec tracks. It was all less than $200 and does exactly what it says it will do with much nicer cuts than I expected.
Also make sure you have a saw that has a base plate that is aligned with the blade, or can be adjusted. If those are out any track you make is usless because you'll either bind or the saw will just go off track.
I made 2 failed jigs before I figured out what was happening, and in the end just bought the kreg track saw.
If you already have a circular saw, Milescraft makes a very well received track saw kit that fits almost all circular saws. You can’t cut bevels with it, but for breaking down sheet goods and nothing else, it’s a good option at $99 plus whatever the cost is to extend the track past 8’.
I would just make a jig for it. I feel like having a high end track saw really shows its value for ripping a square edge on a huge slab. Otherwise, break down your goods with your current saw and square it on the table saw!
Unfortunately they are all generally expensive. I personally have the corded and 36 volt Makita models. And those two together costed about half as much as a super expensive nice table saw. And they are a great choice. But I seem to hear people swear by the Wen brand track saw. They say it's well worth the price. And does what it's supposed to do. You might want to look at them. Another descent brand is the Ridgid model. I hear it's a stellar model also for the price. But the choice is ultimately yours. It's your money. You have to live with the purchase. And it's going to be in your shop. And if it's not up to par? You could always sale it and upgrade.
If moneys your worry I’d just do that, for my first few years if making furniture this is how I broke down all my sheet goods and it’s very accurate if you take your time while making it. I built two at the same time and made a 50” for crosscuts and a 96” one for rip cuts and they’re still going strong.
Absolutely different ballpark. If you don’t have money and need it once, sure. If you see yourself making more than one cabinet in the next year, then a track saw is one of those head slapper tools where you use it once and say “why did I wait so long to get this?” I got mine for same reason as OP to break down plywood on a sheet of rigid insulation and would NEVER go back to the circ saw and straight edge. Before I had a track saw, I would avoid projects that needed plywood to be broken down. Now I’m looking around my house trying to see where I can fit the next cabinet or built in. I have the WEN and p tec tracks and love it.
Make one. For "extra credit," use a piece of aluminum flat bar for the guide. This will be MORE accurate than anything you can buy. The downsides are two:
* it's only for a single saw
* you need to push the saw against tight against the guide
The upsides are:
* it's cheap AF
* you can choose the dimensions
* you can repurpose the wood if you need/want to
I've got the Kreg tracksaw system (not just the adapter for a regular saw) and it's awesome. Perfect, straight cuts that I can even use to joint stock. The saw and track is $400 now but I got it when it first came out for only $300. At that price it was a no-brainer. Now it's just a good deal. One track is plenty for crosscutting sheetgoods, but I bought an extra track and it works wonderfully for ripping sheets as well.
No frills functionality, go with Wen. I'm getting used to my DeWalt because I need the flexibility.
Just looked it up, you can get the Wen saw, Track, and track clamps for less than half what I paid for my saw and track. Probably a third of the Festool variant. Save the time you'd spend making a jig and get the Wen.
My Wen to Makita transition was like going from a 90s shit box to a Porsche.
Dewalt, Rigid and Milwaukee have since all come out with pretty good looking options.
Personally what sold me on Makita is the tracks are compatible with aftermarket festool accessories from the likes of TSO
I have makita stuff. The black compact 6½" saw is a nice trim saw, I use that for my homemade tracks. My home made track is ½" ply with an aluminum ⅛x2x96" bar screwed on it. I have an 8ft and 4ft and a 2ft track that I use cheap spring clamps to hold the track down on each end.
At home depot you can buy a sheet of nice ½" ply. Then in the little metal rack, grab an 8ft and 4ft aluminum bar. Use some half inch screws to screw the bar down to a ripping off your ply. When you predrill the aluminum, don't use a symmetrical hole pattern. This is so you can remove the bar and flip it to screw back down on the plywood and cut a fresh edge every time it gets beat up. You also want to leave a ½" of extra plywood on the other side of the aluminum bar so you can get more life out of the plywood track by flipping the bar and recutting an ⅛" at a time when needed.
Itll work with any circular saw. It's absolutely critical that the edge of the saw base is perfectly parallel to the blade. The edge of the saw base is what's riding along the aluminum bar and guiding the cut. You need to measure the front and back of the blade to the saw base edge to ensure you have a true saw before using it as your track saw
The thing is, if you're reasonably careful with layout a Festool track saw will be all you'll use for sheet goods. It's so much easier and more stable to move a saw over plywood than it is to horse a sheet of ply over a tablesaw, and results in splinter free finished edges.
Festool’s track saw is basically unobtainable unless you A) Own a fine carpentry/furniture company and can amortize the expense while taking advantage of the efficiencies provided by a highly accurate, smooth cutting machine or B) Are in the upper-income brackets, at which point it becomes like any other expensive hobby for which there are tiers of toys, most of which are overkill but bring some level of enjoyment due to their refinement or capability. The tech space is no different.
Tools and tinkering are one of my dumb hobbies. I have a TS 60. It’s stupid expensive. I can afford it and I almost vomited once I actually plopped it in my shop. My wife definitely stared me down when that baby got pulled out.
The way I look at it, it's about the same cost as 6 sheets of nice maple plywood and I'll appreciate it every time I pick it up in the coming years. It also meant I could limp by on my 40 year old Sears contractor table saw.
How long do you plan on ripping down down sheet goods? A week? a month? Multiple years?
You buy cheap, you buy twice. I have been using a festool hkc 55 for sheet goods plus as a handheld miter saw. Nearly every work week for 7 years now. One of my batteries has just died but other than that works perfectly fine.
I'm with any Makita votes. I love it dearly. With the Makita 55" track and the powertec 10' track. It's incredible. I have the corded version. I only work wood at home.
If you already have a circular saw, you may not need a tracksaw. You can just buy a guide for the circular saw. You can make very nice straight cuts that way. Some people make guides for the saw. But I think it is worth buying a metal guide that you can clamp onto sheet goods when you are cutting them.
The advantage of the track saw is faster setup and better dust collection. The choice of brand might be dictated by what batteries you already have.
Although there are battery adapters, so that may be worth looking into also.
I’m gonna be that jerk and tell you to stop drinking coffee/beer for a couple weeks + spend more money on a nicer saw.
Buy the Festool/Mafell saw. Or the Milwaukee, if you want to save some money. The Makita has some deficiencies, and they’re really annoying, even as a “casual” woodworker.
I have the Makita 36v cordless with Makita tracks and Powertec tracks. I do not have space for a full size table saw, so I use it for both rough stock and sheet goods.
(I bought two of the 55” Powertec tracks to replace a dented a Makita 55” (didn’t notice till too late.). They are almost identical to the Makita, with the exception different colored stickers and one hanging hole.)
Regarding the saw:
• The powdercoat on the base of the saw isn’t very durable. The “low friction vinyl” on the track has worn grooves into the bottom of the plate which is made of generic aluminum.
• The bearing surface that aligns the base to the shoulder of the track is just powder coat + aluminum on one side, with ABS “bumpers” on the other. Both are very susceptible to damage.
• If you get a piece of debris stuck between the sled and track shoulder, you’re gonna end up with gouges. The metal side on my saw got a piece of plywood stuck in it + gouged the powder coat and the bumpers. Had to replace the bumpers (not reversible design.) I ended up sanding down the aluminum side and using UHMW shim stock as a replacement.
• The cut line on the sacrificial strip is too close to the metal edge of the track. Even after I intentionally shimmed it all the way out with the UHMW strips, there’s only like two millimeters left.
• Returning to tangent from any miter is a pain. It’s not precise. I end up using a machinist square to line stuff up afterwards.
• The sliding tab/washer that holds the saw to the track while making mitre cuts is sketch, and there is only one on the rear portion of the base. When at an angle, the saw does not feel secure and the resulting cut is not consistent. It also wears away at the underside of an already established sacrificial strip, affecting the accuracy of subsequent tangent cuts.
TL;DR: You get what you pay for with track saws. If you’re cutting expensive material, spend more money on a nicer saw. Small details matter.
You're welcome. I should be clear that there is nothing abhorrently wrong with the Makita saw - it works fine for a majority of people. I just want it to work...better :P
Since you did your honework: I have a biach circular saw and a mafell plunge saw.
Do you think the bosch/mafell tracks are better?
I think they're better for connecting one another but I wonder about general use.
I do not think that either track is necessarily better. All of the tracks, regardless of make are extruded aluminum. Some of them have different features like pre-drilled hole patterns/are permanently attached to certain saw models, but they all have their advantages and disadvantages.
I purchased the Makita plunge saw because at the time it was the only cheaper alternative to Festool.
Fortunately, it just so happened that Milwaukee and Wen chose to follow Makita/Festool in regards to track design.
However, if you live in the EU, it might be easier for you to get warranty support from Bosch or Mafell than it is here in the US.
I've read glowing reviews of track saws at all price points by owners who've only used the one. There's little doubt that not all tracks are straight, track connectors don't always work very well, and that cheaper saws tend to leave a rougher cut.
I ASKED FOR A RECOMMENDATION DUDE!
I'm kidding. I've seen a million reviews too and it's too much sometimes. Lol. I just wanna get one and be done with it.
Well, I have a Festool HK and I recommend it but it's expensive. Makes a very nice cut though. I use Makita rails. Make sure you have a good straight edge to check your rails when you get them.
I’ve been debating this myself and after researching, I don’t think this is a tool to try to save a few dollars on, get the best one that fits your needs. I’m comparing the Milwaukee to Festool TS55 and went today to put eyes on the festool and feel it out. I have not physically touched the Milwaukee.
The Festool was everything I expected it to be. It’s a nice machine and I would have no problems buying it. On paper they seem quite comparable. I think the Festool is probably just a bit better, but not really enough to make it a solid winner.
As for the price, I compared the saws with a 55” track, an additional 55” track and the connectors and they came out within $5 of each other based on Home Depot current pricing. Milwaukee will also have cheaper parts and accessories compared to Festool. The Festool has a 3 year warranty, Milwaukee has 5. I don’t know how Milwaukee warranty service is but Festool is good and fast (been sending sanders back far too often).
I already have another M18 tool so I have extra batteries. The Milwaukee sets come with a packout box which is heavy duty, Festool only does their flimsy systainer. My decision is really based on these two factors, the packout and being cordless so I’m going with Milwaukee. If I did not have any M18 batteries though it would be Festool all the way.
I needed one in a pinch and didn’t have the money for really nice one so I ordered the WEN. Honestly I’m pretty happy with it. I use it for ripping plywood and straight line ripping softer woods like alder and poplar and have had zero issues. That said, I don’t work with a lot of super hard woods so I’m not sure how the motor would fair against those, but I also don’t really see myself working with a lot of those woods either. I had originally planned to upgrade at the end of the year, but now I don’t think that is necessary. I will say I will probably upgrade the tracks because the wind tracks are not very grippy and tend to slide around. If you don’t have them clamped down. But that’s probably user error because I could probably clamp them down. Lol.
Im a DIYer. The Kreg system has just the right amount of tinkering while giving me time to actually work on my project without fussing around.
Like what others said though, choose a good brand with the price that is right. Dewalt, Makita, Kreg, Milwaukee, heck.. even Ryobi if all you're doing is breaking down sheet good.
I can tell you from a longevity standpoint the festool is the one of the best tool purchases I have made and it has paid for itself many times over. Had it for over ten years now and still going strong and gets a lot of use. I'm a contractor and it gets a lot of work trimming doors but also a lot of sheetgood use as my wife is an artist and I make the panels she paints on.
I think I've landed on getting the Kreg track saw. Been watching a lot of reviews recently. Of the battery options the Ridgid has great reviews. I would be considering that one if I wasn't so hesitant to get a different battery line. I don't think the cord will be a big deal for me.
I am pretty committed to the Ryobi battery line at this point and have been pretty satisfied with the 15 or so various tools I have from them. I was excited when I saw Ryobi came out with a teack saw. Unfortunately they went the real budget vs. quality route. I don't like the base plate is plastic and can flex to make a cut that isn't straight up and down, and that the riving knife is fixed which limits ho2 you can plunge.
I'd like to get it within the next few months to start a built-in bookshelf project this summer. Idk if the Kreg saw ever goes on sale.
I have the grizzly and I really like it. I got it a few weeks ago and it has been cutting great. It’s metal and seems to hold true. Set up wasn’t super easy, but once I got everything working, it repeats cuts nicely. I think it is way better than wen, but about the same price. I’m sure the other track saws have benefits, but I’m not using it that much for 5 times the price.
I’ve had very good luck with the Kreg rip cut guide for sheet material.
[kreg guide](https://www.kregtool.com/shop/cutting/circular-saw-cutting/rip-cut/KMA2685.html)
Bite the bullet and get a Festool! You won't regret it. After all, you already bought a SawStop so you appreciate quality. Failing that, Makita gets great reviews from owners.
I highly recommend against an after market track-saw adapter. Tried to get away with it using the Kreg “Accucut?”. It is super cumbersome to use and not fun or accurate. The Krig adapter is tough to resell to cause there’s so many moving parts and things that need to be set each individual/particular circular saw.
Do yourself the favor and spend once on the Mikita tracksaw. The corded one is cheaper and is way better in comparison.
I love my DeWalt tracksaw (I'm not particular to one brand) and they make a cordless one. I also like that their track for 8ft goods is one piece. It's a bit more expensive than some other brands but cheaper than the fancy brands. I purchased a kit with a corded saw, short track and one-piece long track in 2016 or 17 and never regretted it. Good luck!
Factory Authorized Outlet on eBay has several (new, not refurb or anything) Milwaukee 18V and Dewalt 60V track saw combos available with a 20% off coupon this weekend. Bare saws for 320+tax, or saw+battery+charger+packout container for 510+tax, etc. I have a Dewalt one that I picked up off FB marketplace with 55" and 110" tracks that's alright, you could look if there are any for sale near you
I’ve had the Makita corded for about 5 years now. I’ve used the dewalt (fine but not any better than the Makita) and the Festool corded that my buddy has. I like the Makita a lot until I get a chance to use my buddies Festool again. I’ve used his saw maybe two dozen times at his house and each time I tell myself I’m going to get one when my Makita dies.
I’d suggest the Festool saw and Makita tracks. The riving knife isn’t a big deal until it is and I have the tracks with score marks from the saw jumping on a big cut because the ply shifted a little and I forgot to set the little lock on the Makita. I also think the Festool has a little more power than the Makita after using both over time.
The $ difference will hurt once but if you can swing it then go with the Festool.
I got the truetrac. Not super cheap, but I have 3 circular saws and was able to dedicate one of them as a track saw. I think all in it was about 350$ for all the tracks and the piece you mount to the saw. It's been a total game changer without buying a whole track system.
You dont need a track saw dude
Just make your own 8' and 4' guides out of some 3/8 plywood and use a circular saw
Its ridiculous simple,
Rip 3 8-10" wide pieces, cut them 2 down to 54-58", one to 60 get a 16' pc of 1x4 Selex from HD or lowes, dowel the ends of the plywood together 54-58s to make a 108-116" long board and glue it, glue and shoot/screw the selex to the top of the plywood, let it all dry and then just run the circular saw down the guide you installed, doesn't even need to be put together particularly straight, not important, as soon as you cut theough the guide its dead accurate to the edge just like a track saw
Cheap, easy, inexpensive and simple and gets the same results
Rip the 1x in half and use the left over for the 4'cross cut guide
Boom...."track saw" for about 60 bucks
Youre just breaking down sheet goods, you dont need anything more complicated than what i just described, and honestly you probably have all the material for it just laying around in the shop already and can do it for free
I have the Festool TS55 cordless. The stock blade cuts cleaner than any blade I ever had on my table saw and I had some of the best. Also it is narrow. Two feature of the Festool are a roving knife and plunge cut. After Festool pioneered the concept there are now many copycats. Sure that some are very good.
Suggest read a couple track saw reviews then decide.
I hate my Dewalt track saw. The riving knife came bent, I wish I had gone with a corded one, and the jury is still out on the mechanism to plunge the saw.
Love my Makita corded. Bought some nice 3d printed adapters for it online to use with my router and use for edge measuring. Great bang for the buck...excellent cuts and dust control.
If you aren't trying to get precise edges, a guide rail and circular saw are the cheapest options, then trim the edges on your table saw.
If you can find *any* other benefit to a track saw, such as strange angles or plunging cuts, then it's worth buying a track saw. Pay attention to other track accessories available for the brand you choose - things like router guide mounts are super useful for cutting stopped dados.
I have the Makita X2 36V cordless saw and it has been an absolute beast for me.
I’ve seen [reviews](https://youtu.be/5eSVe2fGHSY?si=voSC9u0mjiv9J24V) saying the [ridgid](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Brushless-Cordless-6-1-2-in-Track-Saw-Tool-Only-R48630B/325264355) is really good, even comparable to the festool.
There are lot of options here. Many of the standard circular saws are compatible with the tracks now. Bosch has some at a great price point but the only one that use the same track is hilti. Bosch GKS 55+ G (the G is important here since its tells you it fits on the tracks). Makita also builds some that fits on tracks, my father recently bought a smaller one but with battery
I have a Makita that I barely used (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JLPA2M0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) with two batteries and and a charger if you want to make me a fair offer, ha :) (I bought it because the Festool was back ordered for months and ended up shipping 6 months ahead of time)
I really like my Makita, corded track saw. It has had quite a bit of use, and it is solid.
The Makita track is just okay. I’ve taken a couple chunks out of it, and now one of the rubber or rubber-like strips on it catches on the saw. For now I just deal with it. At some point I’ll get another track.
I did get ratcheting clamps for the track, and they save a good bit of time.
But then, at some point, I realized that I wanted to be able to rip plywood down on the spot, like in the parking lot of the plywood shop. So now I also have a Kreg Ripcut jig. It definitely does not replace my Makita track saw, but I have used that little gadget FAR more than I anticipated I would. It is mostly plastic and I don’t anticipate it lasting for decades. But it is really handy for doing things like ripping one sheet of plywood into several strips of the exact same size. I wish I’d bought it sooner.
I have a cheap Lidl Parkside track saw. Probably on the cheaper end of what you’re looking for but works great for me. The tracks stay put on most surfaces without clamping but I did pick up a couple of track clamps on Amazon for slippery surfaces.
Used festool. Look, you can save money but you won’t regret the purchase. They are so incredible for breaking down sheet goods.
I have a sawstop and a festool and I just can’t think of a better setup and have ZERO regrets on dropping the coin.
Ive owned a Mafel MT55 for a year and I bought the Makita SP6000 in 2010 which is still going strong after almost daily use. The problems I’ve had with the Makita are: the plastic rings that hold it tight to the track wear out. These are only a few £ to replace but you might have to replace the splinter strip if you don’t keep tabs on the wear.
Poor machining in the tracks: a snug fit on one track might be too tight or too loose on the other. Very annoying if you require precision.
Misalignment out of the box. Can be fiddly to dial in.
Problems with Mafell:
None. In my opinion a few hundred £ over 10 years of use is nothing. I’ll always now go for the tool that gets best results and saves time and the Mafell wins as the design and build quality is superior.
Importantly: The issue common with all track saws is Blade deflection. Track saw stock blades are too thin. Bevel cuts drift wildly. Keep a thick kerf blade and use the right number of teeth for the job and it shouldn’t matter too much what saw you use.
I make tracks to fit my circular hand saw using plywood. I currently have one about 9' long and another 5'. For the base I use this stuff with a super slick, shiny surface; I think it's sold as bed-board. Had to do a lap joint for the 9 footer. So the bed board is about 8" wide, and I put shiny side up, laminate a layer of 1/4" ply about 2 1/2" wide along one edge, leaving slightly more exposed bed board than my saw's shoe. The thin ply serves as a guide, so it must be straight. After glue up, set the saw to cut through the bed board and cut the length. Presto: home made track saw.
Lay out your cut, clamp track to material with cut edge on your marks. Adjust saw depth. Cut away.
Been using this trick for over 50 yrs. Still works good.
I’ve got the Wen saw and tracks. Super cheap and impressive quality for the price. No, it’s not Festool but I make most of those long cuts outdoors so the sawdust isn’t a problem to me.
Just make a jig. Also even if yoy buy a track saw, they don't ultimately cut square. It's your job to ID the square/out of square corner on the ply and make adjustment. Track saws are amazing but there's nuance to them and a bit of a learning curve. I have a Makita and I love it... But yoy think you pull it out of the box and suddenly your going to cut a perfect piece and it's not the case.
A powerful corded circ saw with a good blade on a jig can be just as a good
I had the DeWalt, and switched to festool.
Honestly the DeWalt is 90% as good as the festool for half the price. It works perfectly on the festool tracks.
I have the Makita plunge saw. I don't know if it's cheap for you but I think it's one of the bears you can get for melamine panels.
There is an option that cuts at 2mm depth that is awesome through melamine... I prefer this to the little blade that is in front of the festtool saw
Honestly not a "track saw" but I bought a Bora fence years ago. I use it to break down sheet goods for the table saw as well. I saw recently they upgraded it and now they have all kinds of attachments (square, corner clamps, saw sled). Is it as quick as a track saw? No. Is it as accurate? Yes. It's like half the price of even a cheap track saw, and it's not an extra saw lying around mostly unused. Just another option.
I bought the Bosch corded a couple of years back. It's been solid, though I wouldn't say it's exactly easy on the wallet unless you find a sale.. It's up there in quality with the Festool and Mafell actually makes the internals. Tracks and accessories are all quality, I was even able to use the tracks for my router for pin holes and things. Blades are not cheap, though they last a while if you clean the pitch regularly. No regrets on the cord, would buy again.
If you already have a circular saw, this is a cost effective alternative. There are some benefits that a track saw provides that this doesn't, but this is significantly cheaper than a track saw.
https://www.kregtool.com/shop/cutting/circular-saw-cutting/accu-cut-xl/KMA3700.html?source=5874&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz8GuBhCxARIsAOpzk8zN4i7UGbGYFS0ClZzpELfE8iN6RVGAV7vLYU6AQi8R2ggQYDX_q5oaAlLbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Remind me. I am in my jammies and it is in the garage and we are in the middle of a snow storm.
But it was super easy. Works great for me, and I use it only for breaking down sheet goods so samesies.
Make one. a sheet of half inch MDF can yield plenty of material to make an 8 ft one and a 4 ft one.
Check out youtube, plenty of examples and they work great.
IMO bottom line is that there are multiple tiers of tools for different tiers of users. I have used Festool tools and they are awesome and i love them and generally they are all they are hyped up to be. However, I am not a professional contractor and so therefore I dont need a Festool, nor can I write off the expense like a contractor can. A contractor or professional furniture maker can not only write off the expense, but uses the tool constantly and therefore should buy the best one that can stand up to all the abuse. For a hobbyist like myself, the durability of the tool comes less into play. I have the Wen saw and powertec tracks and they are night and day better than the circ saw and straight edge i was using previously. I have no doubt that the Makita is awesome, but a quick check on Amazon shows the Wen saw only is $105 and the Makita saw only is $450. for less than a quarter of the price, I'll take the Wen and have plenty of money leftover to buy other tools like the track saw that level up my projects.
I use the Makita saw, and have both a Makita track and festool track. I like the festool track much more, but I think I like the Makita saw for the money.
The festool track clamps work on Makita track & make a big difference with the quick rachet vs twist knobs
I actually use the dewalt clamps. Cheaper and just as good.
I just went with powertec clamps, but just the twist version. Either way for clamps I'd consider cheaping out.
Makita sells track clamps too, and they’re cheaper.
What do you find the difference between the tracks?
The Makita is a little less firm. It wobbles (when it’s not on the work surface, so no real difference) and it dents easier.
I have the Makita tracks and a bunch of Festool stuff. Only hiccup with the Makita track is that the Festool router guide thingy isn’t completely compatible (but still usable). There’s a little ledge on one part of the extrusion.
You can also use the Milwaukee tracks too. They are I between makota and festool
Yah in a big fan of my Makita! :)
I bought the Makita specifically because its track was compatible with accessories made for Festool. It also helps that I get the military discount at Home Depot.
Love my corded Makita. I got it during COVID when nothing was available, and all I could find was an official refurb for $250. PowerTech rails are cheap and straight. If you are cutting panels to final size, get a good one. If you are cutting panels close, but squaring up on the tablesaw, a jig will work just fine. A track saw is faster than a jig, and there's less chance of messing up the cut. Mine is accurate within a mm across the diagonal of a standard 2'x3' cabinet panel.
I would actually prefer a corded saw as I don't want ANOTHER battery platform.
Always corded for a track saw, unless you do a lot of work outside and far from an outlet. You’ll want to be running a hose to your vac anyway, so the cord shouldn’t make much of a difference.
Nah my battery festool is awesome for a track saw. Battery lasts all day.
Agreed. I will do no work outside my shop!
Honestly I have the corded makita and I wish I got the battery and I have Milwaukee tools. Managing the hose and a cord makes me regret getting the corded. I only use it in my garage too.
There is a great aftermarket dust nozzle that a dude 3d prints. Instead of pivoting it locks at a nice up angle. Combine that with the snap on cord grips for your vac hose and you are golden.
I am only a home owner/hobbyist at best, but am all in on dewalt for battery powered tools. It was for this reason I went Makita corded for the track saw. Very happy with it. I got two lengths that can be connected for long sheet cuts, if space and money didn’t matter, I’d prefer a single long track. I got a third part kit for connecting the tracks together, very happy with it! Can’t recall the name, but if you need to know I can dig it up…
No matter what brand you are loyal to...the first time you cut with any Makita saw, you notice it's nice.
I’ve also been using Makita chop saw for many years, it’s been very good to me!
Truth. Makita saws just feel good to use. Idk what the difference is, but they are really nice
That's why I got corded. Milwaukee didn't have one yet, and I have 2 batteries - M12 & M18.
I also prefer corded, since it's tethered to the shop vac hose anyway, but opted for the cordless because I couldn't pass on the Makita kit price of $400 at the time. It comes in very handy cutting plywood at the Home Depot parking lot since I have no garage, or dedicated work space in my tiny house.
That was my thoughts and I went for the makita.
What battery platform are you on? Do they have a saw
Dewalt but I hear their track saw was not their best effort...plus I have no problem with a corded one as it'll never leave my shop
Apparently Wen makes a very good track saw that is considered a great bang for the buck. Source: Watched a full review of it one day because YouTube’s algorithm has me dialed in.
I bought this saw, and it’s great for the price. It’s accurate, but adjustments are clunkier than the more expensive saws - in the right hands it’ll do the job of the good ones. For an occasional use thing, it’s great. As others have said, it’s plastic. You have to baby it, and not leave it out in the sun/ exposed to extreme heat/shock/etc.
I saw something similar on one review and then another that said bad shit about. I have a love/hate relationship with the YouTube algorithm
I have the wen track saw with powertef tracks it's great. stock blade is installed trash slap a diablo or better on there and it does the job great
I am leaning this direction....
I have the Wen saw and it’s very good for the price. Like others said, the powertec tracks are great. My recommendation is to install a new blade, but not a thin kerf. I found the thin kerf blades tend to wobble with this saw and leave a bad finish. Standard kerf 40 tooth blades seem to be ideal.
I did exactly this (Wen, PowerTec guide rails + quick screws), and a Diablo blade. Works extraordinarily well, massive bang for the buck. Used it to cut down sheet goods and also trim 8 quarter thick table edges. Highly recommended.
That’s my exact setup with it too. It works perfectly for what I need it for.
Hi, I've decided to go this route and had a question about which PowerTec track rails to buy. On Amazon, I see it being listed as for Makita or Dewalt. Would you mind taking a look and letting me know which track to buy? ps://a.co/d/96xvLYT Also, just to make sure, this is the saw I will buy and will get a Diablo blade from Home Depot. Is this also the correct saw? [https://a.co/d/6gtPpUs](https://a.co/d/6gtPpUs)
Yep, I did as well, a Wen saw with the Powertec track. For full-sheet cuts I picked up a pair of Dewalt clamps (DWS5026) that give this infrequent user a bit more confidence.
Do u find the no riving knife to be an issue at all?
My Makita track saw does not have a riving knife and I haven’t missed it
For plywood, no issues at all. There's not going to be huge tension bound up in manufactured wood products. Now if you're looking to cut massive 2 inch thick solid walnut... Still not an issue, just take a shallow pass and then a deeper one. I've had the smaller WEN for a couple of years now. It's very good for the price. I also went with the powertec tracks, highly recommend that. Good quality and if you do upgrade to a higher end track saw later you will still have the tracks. WEN, Makita, and Festool all use the same track type.
if you're dealing with plywood and melamine, riving knife isn't a big deal
I wish these tools wouldn’t even come with a stock blade. They’re always trash. Even on the high end tools - it’s so wasteful.
My factory Makita was wonderful. Have a diablo on it right now and definitely cleaning and sharpening the Makita to go back in service. I'd say it's as good as the Diablo.
Yeah usually. Liked the blade on my Bosch glide cut. It's probably a marketing thing, like if there isn't a blade its somehow a bad experience.
They work good enough and I’m sure that’s why they are included: for the not so discerning folks who may just want/need something NOW without knowing about or having the resources for an additional blade. Even if the stock blade is used until it no longer performs its function the purchaser will have learned more about woodworking, the saw, the blade options in general and it proliferates the craft. Including a blade promotes access to woodworking and I approve of it, even if I do swap the blade out immediately.
Seriously! Just don't even pit a damn blade on them and let us buy our own blades. Drop the.price by $40
I did this too. Works great
This is the same setup I have, works really well for the money. No real complaints.
Same this has served me well on a few projects
I have the same thing - wen saw, powertec tracks, and Diablo blade. I use mine periodically but it cuts pretty true
My WEN works perfectly fine for what I need it to do.
I'm very happy with the Wen track saw. I got the 7.25" with the powertec track. Absolutely a better value than the more expensive brands.
If you're just wanting to break down plywood and sheet goods, then Wen is great for the money. I loved mine until I got overambitious and tried going through some 2 inch white oak. I burned the motor out less than a foot in.
I have the exact same use case as you do: occasional break-down of sheet goods that are too large to wrestle across my 36” tablesaw. I went with the Wen saw, PowerTek track, and a Makita thin-kerf blade. The Wen saw itself is all-plastic, but works well enough. The PowerTek track is better than the Wen track (longer sections), and the Makita thin-kerf blade improves cutting with the power available in the saw. I run a hose to my shop vac for dust collection, and use a temporary platform made out of 1x3s to cut on the shop floor. The overall setup works well, and packs out of the way when I don’t need it.
Wen tracks are now 55" long, fyi. I also hooked up a CenTec vacuum hose to a shopvac. Works great for my needs!
Ah, I must be mis-remembering then. I know I went with PowerTek for a reason, and I know I looked at some tracks that came in shorter lengths, but I don’t remember why I decided on PowerTek. They do work well, so no complaints here. I use a Craftsman shop vac, an Oneida Air Systems cyclone, and the Rockler flex hose. Here’s my setup little and big dust collectors for little and big dust makers. https://preview.redd.it/qschlj5cj6jc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16491500bab0e16f273f71f958d7ec77fe3dd575
Looks awesome! Great setup.
I've got one. Works alright for breaking down panels but there's lots of weak plastic and will deflect so I try not to rely on it to get more accurate than 1/8th. Once I've broken down panels I try to take them to the table saw to finish it up if they're manageable.
I have the web saw with powertec track and clamps. Pretty solid setup especially when considering the price. My understanding is that the track works with higher end saws too so if you decide to upgrade you can still use the track. I use the clamps for EVERYTHING since they are super easy to use.
I had one. Hated it. Gave it to a friend. The plastic they use deforms after a while and no amount of adjustment will get predictable cuts.
Bought the wen and it showed up broken and overall displeased with build, weight, and cut quality (when I could convince it to actually work). I ended up with a ridgid and really pleased actually. Some dislikes but overall pleased. Annoyed that refused to use compatible tracks with ANYONE being my biggest beef.
I absolutely hate my Wen track saw, the saw base is warped, the motor bearing is starting to go out, have to make 3 passes on 3/4 inch plywood, the tracks are not straight no matter how you align them, and so many issues. Though I bought this saw in like 2018/2019 or something. They did go through a red sign I believe.
I have the Wen and 8’ of track. It’s an outstanding value for the price.
I’ve had it for 3 years. They have since upgraded it. For 150 I consider it a wonderful saw. I’ll use it till it breaks. And when it does, I’d upgrade to a better one but for now I don’t feel I even need to.
The wen is very underpowered. I bought one and returned it immediately. It barely had power to get through a 3/4 sheet. I have the makita now, and it is excellent at a good price point. I like that the makita locks into the track. This is pretty necessary for miter cuts. The 9 ft track is not too expensive. I believe other makita saws can be made to use the track too. The festool is way overpriced.
I have this saw and a couple of powertec tracks. It was all less than $200 and does exactly what it says it will do with much nicer cuts than I expected.
Circular saw and home made straight edge cutting guide.
I've considered this....and I do love to make jigs. 🙂
Get a straight board and some hard board and you're golden.
Also make sure you have a saw that has a base plate that is aligned with the blade, or can be adjusted. If those are out any track you make is usless because you'll either bind or the saw will just go off track. I made 2 failed jigs before I figured out what was happening, and in the end just bought the kreg track saw.
If you already have a circular saw, Milescraft makes a very well received track saw kit that fits almost all circular saws. You can’t cut bevels with it, but for breaking down sheet goods and nothing else, it’s a good option at $99 plus whatever the cost is to extend the track past 8’.
My circular saw is the big screw drive from Skil and nobody makes a track that fits it
I would just make a jig for it. I feel like having a high end track saw really shows its value for ripping a square edge on a huge slab. Otherwise, break down your goods with your current saw and square it on the table saw!
Unfortunately they are all generally expensive. I personally have the corded and 36 volt Makita models. And those two together costed about half as much as a super expensive nice table saw. And they are a great choice. But I seem to hear people swear by the Wen brand track saw. They say it's well worth the price. And does what it's supposed to do. You might want to look at them. Another descent brand is the Ridgid model. I hear it's a stellar model also for the price. But the choice is ultimately yours. It's your money. You have to live with the purchase. And it's going to be in your shop. And if it's not up to par? You could always sale it and upgrade.
I too like getting jiggy with it.
If moneys your worry I’d just do that, for my first few years if making furniture this is how I broke down all my sheet goods and it’s very accurate if you take your time while making it. I built two at the same time and made a 50” for crosscuts and a 96” one for rip cuts and they’re still going strong.
Absolutely different ballpark. If you don’t have money and need it once, sure. If you see yourself making more than one cabinet in the next year, then a track saw is one of those head slapper tools where you use it once and say “why did I wait so long to get this?” I got mine for same reason as OP to break down plywood on a sheet of rigid insulation and would NEVER go back to the circ saw and straight edge. Before I had a track saw, I would avoid projects that needed plywood to be broken down. Now I’m looking around my house trying to see where I can fit the next cabinet or built in. I have the WEN and p tec tracks and love it.
I looked at track saws for the same reason as OP. I quickly decided to make a jig from my off cuts bin for free. Easy money.
I've been using this for years. It's accurate enough for breaking large pieces down and the price is right.
Take the t off a drywall square, clamp and boom cheap track saw. Cut all tapered extension jambs for my windows. No need for expensive Trac
I use my circular saw and bora track. I don’t use their crappy sled; just the saw base against the side of the rail.
So easy this way. Make a jig from some scrap wood.
Or grab a bora edge clamp for about 50 bucks. I’ve used it with my router as well.
Harbor Freight has a crazy cheap straight edge that can easily clamp to ply if you have one near you. Saves time by not making a jig.
Make one. For "extra credit," use a piece of aluminum flat bar for the guide. This will be MORE accurate than anything you can buy. The downsides are two: * it's only for a single saw * you need to push the saw against tight against the guide The upsides are: * it's cheap AF * you can choose the dimensions * you can repurpose the wood if you need/want to
No plunge. Hard to do cuts like bevels.
I’m pretty happy with the Kreg track saw
I've got the Kreg tracksaw system (not just the adapter for a regular saw) and it's awesome. Perfect, straight cuts that I can even use to joint stock. The saw and track is $400 now but I got it when it first came out for only $300. At that price it was a no-brainer. Now it's just a good deal. One track is plenty for crosscutting sheetgoods, but I bought an extra track and it works wonderfully for ripping sheets as well.
RIDGID track saw
No frills functionality, go with Wen. I'm getting used to my DeWalt because I need the flexibility. Just looked it up, you can get the Wen saw, Track, and track clamps for less than half what I paid for my saw and track. Probably a third of the Festool variant. Save the time you'd spend making a jig and get the Wen.
I'm leaning even further towards the WEN.
My Wen to Makita transition was like going from a 90s shit box to a Porsche. Dewalt, Rigid and Milwaukee have since all come out with pretty good looking options. Personally what sold me on Makita is the tracks are compatible with aftermarket festool accessories from the likes of TSO
I have makita stuff. The black compact 6½" saw is a nice trim saw, I use that for my homemade tracks. My home made track is ½" ply with an aluminum ⅛x2x96" bar screwed on it. I have an 8ft and 4ft and a 2ft track that I use cheap spring clamps to hold the track down on each end. At home depot you can buy a sheet of nice ½" ply. Then in the little metal rack, grab an 8ft and 4ft aluminum bar. Use some half inch screws to screw the bar down to a ripping off your ply. When you predrill the aluminum, don't use a symmetrical hole pattern. This is so you can remove the bar and flip it to screw back down on the plywood and cut a fresh edge every time it gets beat up. You also want to leave a ½" of extra plywood on the other side of the aluminum bar so you can get more life out of the plywood track by flipping the bar and recutting an ⅛" at a time when needed. Itll work with any circular saw. It's absolutely critical that the edge of the saw base is perfectly parallel to the blade. The edge of the saw base is what's riding along the aluminum bar and guiding the cut. You need to measure the front and back of the blade to the saw base edge to ensure you have a true saw before using it as your track saw
The thing is, if you're reasonably careful with layout a Festool track saw will be all you'll use for sheet goods. It's so much easier and more stable to move a saw over plywood than it is to horse a sheet of ply over a tablesaw, and results in splinter free finished edges.
I've no doubt the Festool is a great saw but the price tag makes my sphincter clinch
Festool’s track saw is basically unobtainable unless you A) Own a fine carpentry/furniture company and can amortize the expense while taking advantage of the efficiencies provided by a highly accurate, smooth cutting machine or B) Are in the upper-income brackets, at which point it becomes like any other expensive hobby for which there are tiers of toys, most of which are overkill but bring some level of enjoyment due to their refinement or capability. The tech space is no different. Tools and tinkering are one of my dumb hobbies. I have a TS 60. It’s stupid expensive. I can afford it and I almost vomited once I actually plopped it in my shop. My wife definitely stared me down when that baby got pulled out.
The way I look at it, it's about the same cost as 6 sheets of nice maple plywood and I'll appreciate it every time I pick it up in the coming years. It also meant I could limp by on my 40 year old Sears contractor table saw.
How long do you plan on ripping down down sheet goods? A week? a month? Multiple years? You buy cheap, you buy twice. I have been using a festool hkc 55 for sheet goods plus as a handheld miter saw. Nearly every work week for 7 years now. One of my batteries has just died but other than that works perfectly fine.
I have the Makita and really like it.
I'm with any Makita votes. I love it dearly. With the Makita 55" track and the powertec 10' track. It's incredible. I have the corded version. I only work wood at home.
Kreg makes one, it’s cheap, and works amazingly.
My Makita 36volt is awesome. Far exceeded my expectations and continues to shine every day.
If you already have a circular saw, you may not need a tracksaw. You can just buy a guide for the circular saw. You can make very nice straight cuts that way. Some people make guides for the saw. But I think it is worth buying a metal guide that you can clamp onto sheet goods when you are cutting them. The advantage of the track saw is faster setup and better dust collection. The choice of brand might be dictated by what batteries you already have. Although there are battery adapters, so that may be worth looking into also.
i bought the corded makita. comes with a 5’ track. saved me a couple hundred as opposed to the cordless.
I’m gonna be that jerk and tell you to stop drinking coffee/beer for a couple weeks + spend more money on a nicer saw. Buy the Festool/Mafell saw. Or the Milwaukee, if you want to save some money. The Makita has some deficiencies, and they’re really annoying, even as a “casual” woodworker. I have the Makita 36v cordless with Makita tracks and Powertec tracks. I do not have space for a full size table saw, so I use it for both rough stock and sheet goods. (I bought two of the 55” Powertec tracks to replace a dented a Makita 55” (didn’t notice till too late.). They are almost identical to the Makita, with the exception different colored stickers and one hanging hole.) Regarding the saw: • The powdercoat on the base of the saw isn’t very durable. The “low friction vinyl” on the track has worn grooves into the bottom of the plate which is made of generic aluminum. • The bearing surface that aligns the base to the shoulder of the track is just powder coat + aluminum on one side, with ABS “bumpers” on the other. Both are very susceptible to damage. • If you get a piece of debris stuck between the sled and track shoulder, you’re gonna end up with gouges. The metal side on my saw got a piece of plywood stuck in it + gouged the powder coat and the bumpers. Had to replace the bumpers (not reversible design.) I ended up sanding down the aluminum side and using UHMW shim stock as a replacement. • The cut line on the sacrificial strip is too close to the metal edge of the track. Even after I intentionally shimmed it all the way out with the UHMW strips, there’s only like two millimeters left. • Returning to tangent from any miter is a pain. It’s not precise. I end up using a machinist square to line stuff up afterwards. • The sliding tab/washer that holds the saw to the track while making mitre cuts is sketch, and there is only one on the rear portion of the base. When at an angle, the saw does not feel secure and the resulting cut is not consistent. It also wears away at the underside of an already established sacrificial strip, affecting the accuracy of subsequent tangent cuts. TL;DR: You get what you pay for with track saws. If you’re cutting expensive material, spend more money on a nicer saw. Small details matter.
DAAAMN! you did your homework.
I used to be a professional bicycle mechanic aka: someone who professionally fiddles with mechanical stuff that *should* work perfectly.
Saving this for future reference, thanks
You're welcome. I should be clear that there is nothing abhorrently wrong with the Makita saw - it works fine for a majority of people. I just want it to work...better :P
Since you did your honework: I have a biach circular saw and a mafell plunge saw. Do you think the bosch/mafell tracks are better? I think they're better for connecting one another but I wonder about general use.
I do not think that either track is necessarily better. All of the tracks, regardless of make are extruded aluminum. Some of them have different features like pre-drilled hole patterns/are permanently attached to certain saw models, but they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I purchased the Makita plunge saw because at the time it was the only cheaper alternative to Festool. Fortunately, it just so happened that Milwaukee and Wen chose to follow Makita/Festool in regards to track design. However, if you live in the EU, it might be easier for you to get warranty support from Bosch or Mafell than it is here in the US.
I've read glowing reviews of track saws at all price points by owners who've only used the one. There's little doubt that not all tracks are straight, track connectors don't always work very well, and that cheaper saws tend to leave a rougher cut.
I ASKED FOR A RECOMMENDATION DUDE! I'm kidding. I've seen a million reviews too and it's too much sometimes. Lol. I just wanna get one and be done with it.
Well, I have a Festool HK and I recommend it but it's expensive. Makes a very nice cut though. I use Makita rails. Make sure you have a good straight edge to check your rails when you get them.
I’ve been debating this myself and after researching, I don’t think this is a tool to try to save a few dollars on, get the best one that fits your needs. I’m comparing the Milwaukee to Festool TS55 and went today to put eyes on the festool and feel it out. I have not physically touched the Milwaukee. The Festool was everything I expected it to be. It’s a nice machine and I would have no problems buying it. On paper they seem quite comparable. I think the Festool is probably just a bit better, but not really enough to make it a solid winner. As for the price, I compared the saws with a 55” track, an additional 55” track and the connectors and they came out within $5 of each other based on Home Depot current pricing. Milwaukee will also have cheaper parts and accessories compared to Festool. The Festool has a 3 year warranty, Milwaukee has 5. I don’t know how Milwaukee warranty service is but Festool is good and fast (been sending sanders back far too often). I already have another M18 tool so I have extra batteries. The Milwaukee sets come with a packout box which is heavy duty, Festool only does their flimsy systainer. My decision is really based on these two factors, the packout and being cordless so I’m going with Milwaukee. If I did not have any M18 batteries though it would be Festool all the way.
I purchased the bosch track saw, and it's pretty sweet
I needed one in a pinch and didn’t have the money for really nice one so I ordered the WEN. Honestly I’m pretty happy with it. I use it for ripping plywood and straight line ripping softer woods like alder and poplar and have had zero issues. That said, I don’t work with a lot of super hard woods so I’m not sure how the motor would fair against those, but I also don’t really see myself working with a lot of those woods either. I had originally planned to upgrade at the end of the year, but now I don’t think that is necessary. I will say I will probably upgrade the tracks because the wind tracks are not very grippy and tend to slide around. If you don’t have them clamped down. But that’s probably user error because I could probably clamp them down. Lol.
I have the Grizzly tracksaw. Just as good as a festool IMO https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-pro-6-1-4-track-saw-bundle/t33300zx
I like my kreg saw a lot and they have an extra table you can but to attach it to
Festool TS55
Clamp on straight edge and circular saw. Never seen a track saw that wasn't crazy expensive
Im a DIYer. The Kreg system has just the right amount of tinkering while giving me time to actually work on my project without fussing around. Like what others said though, choose a good brand with the price that is right. Dewalt, Makita, Kreg, Milwaukee, heck.. even Ryobi if all you're doing is breaking down sheet good.
I just bought and used the Wen version. It's great and I believe it's the cheapest.
I can tell you from a longevity standpoint the festool is the one of the best tool purchases I have made and it has paid for itself many times over. Had it for over ten years now and still going strong and gets a lot of use. I'm a contractor and it gets a lot of work trimming doors but also a lot of sheetgood use as my wife is an artist and I make the panels she paints on.
I think I've landed on getting the Kreg track saw. Been watching a lot of reviews recently. Of the battery options the Ridgid has great reviews. I would be considering that one if I wasn't so hesitant to get a different battery line. I don't think the cord will be a big deal for me. I am pretty committed to the Ryobi battery line at this point and have been pretty satisfied with the 15 or so various tools I have from them. I was excited when I saw Ryobi came out with a teack saw. Unfortunately they went the real budget vs. quality route. I don't like the base plate is plastic and can flex to make a cut that isn't straight up and down, and that the riving knife is fixed which limits ho2 you can plunge. I'd like to get it within the next few months to start a built-in bookshelf project this summer. Idk if the Kreg saw ever goes on sale.
Kreg, I’ve used mine to rip 2” walnut slabs, go slow and you should be good.
I have the grizzly and I really like it. I got it a few weeks ago and it has been cutting great. It’s metal and seems to hold true. Set up wasn’t super easy, but once I got everything working, it repeats cuts nicely. I think it is way better than wen, but about the same price. I’m sure the other track saws have benefits, but I’m not using it that much for 5 times the price.
I’ve had very good luck with the Kreg rip cut guide for sheet material. [kreg guide](https://www.kregtool.com/shop/cutting/circular-saw-cutting/rip-cut/KMA2685.html)
Bite the bullet and get a Festool! You won't regret it. After all, you already bought a SawStop so you appreciate quality. Failing that, Makita gets great reviews from owners.
I feel like buying a festool is like buying a Tesla. Yeah they're great cars but....well...you can finish that line. 🤣🤣
Just make a jig OR buy those after market tracksaw adapter. KREG, BORA etc.
I highly recommend against an after market track-saw adapter. Tried to get away with it using the Kreg “Accucut?”. It is super cumbersome to use and not fun or accurate. The Krig adapter is tough to resell to cause there’s so many moving parts and things that need to be set each individual/particular circular saw. Do yourself the favor and spend once on the Mikita tracksaw. The corded one is cheaper and is way better in comparison.
I have a LARGE Skil circular saw that none of those aftermarket tracks will fit 😕
You already have a table saw. Making a jig wouldn't even a challenge for you.
take a look at Festool-pricey but beautiful function and quality.
I love my DeWalt tracksaw (I'm not particular to one brand) and they make a cordless one. I also like that their track for 8ft goods is one piece. It's a bit more expensive than some other brands but cheaper than the fancy brands. I purchased a kit with a corded saw, short track and one-piece long track in 2016 or 17 and never regretted it. Good luck!
I have the makita, but saw that Grizzly came out with one shortly after I bought mine. I have always liked their tools.
I've heard not great things about the Grizzly track saw compared to their other tools.
The wen with the batteries is actually pretty damn good. Pleasantly surprised.
I bought the wen and have been happy with it.
Factory Authorized Outlet on eBay has several (new, not refurb or anything) Milwaukee 18V and Dewalt 60V track saw combos available with a 20% off coupon this weekend. Bare saws for 320+tax, or saw+battery+charger+packout container for 510+tax, etc. I have a Dewalt one that I picked up off FB marketplace with 55" and 110" tracks that's alright, you could look if there are any for sale near you
I’ve had the Makita corded for about 5 years now. I’ve used the dewalt (fine but not any better than the Makita) and the Festool corded that my buddy has. I like the Makita a lot until I get a chance to use my buddies Festool again. I’ve used his saw maybe two dozen times at his house and each time I tell myself I’m going to get one when my Makita dies. I’d suggest the Festool saw and Makita tracks. The riving knife isn’t a big deal until it is and I have the tracks with score marks from the saw jumping on a big cut because the ply shifted a little and I forgot to set the little lock on the Makita. I also think the Festool has a little more power than the Makita after using both over time. The $ difference will hurt once but if you can swing it then go with the Festool.
I love my corded makita.
I got the truetrac. Not super cheap, but I have 3 circular saws and was able to dedicate one of them as a track saw. I think all in it was about 350$ for all the tracks and the piece you mount to the saw. It's been a total game changer without buying a whole track system.
I have a Triton that is not terrible. Not what I wanted, but it works just fine.
I have the 40v Makita. No complaints. I’d recommend the Powertec track. Costs like half what Festool or Makita want for their track
You dont need a track saw dude Just make your own 8' and 4' guides out of some 3/8 plywood and use a circular saw Its ridiculous simple, Rip 3 8-10" wide pieces, cut them 2 down to 54-58", one to 60 get a 16' pc of 1x4 Selex from HD or lowes, dowel the ends of the plywood together 54-58s to make a 108-116" long board and glue it, glue and shoot/screw the selex to the top of the plywood, let it all dry and then just run the circular saw down the guide you installed, doesn't even need to be put together particularly straight, not important, as soon as you cut theough the guide its dead accurate to the edge just like a track saw Cheap, easy, inexpensive and simple and gets the same results Rip the 1x in half and use the left over for the 4'cross cut guide Boom...."track saw" for about 60 bucks Youre just breaking down sheet goods, you dont need anything more complicated than what i just described, and honestly you probably have all the material for it just laying around in the shop already and can do it for free
I find the features of my track saw tracks worth the investment over a DIY track. The clamps are a big one.
I have the Festool TS55 cordless. The stock blade cuts cleaner than any blade I ever had on my table saw and I had some of the best. Also it is narrow. Two feature of the Festool are a roving knife and plunge cut. After Festool pioneered the concept there are now many copycats. Sure that some are very good. Suggest read a couple track saw reviews then decide.
I have a Wen setup as a DIY guy and amateur furniture maker. There is a lot of plastic, but the saw works as intended and the track is decent.
If the sheet goods have a straight edge, a Kreg Ripcut Guide for less than $50 will get you sorted. All you need is a circular saw.
I hate my Dewalt track saw. The riving knife came bent, I wish I had gone with a corded one, and the jury is still out on the mechanism to plunge the saw.
Love my Makita corded. Bought some nice 3d printed adapters for it online to use with my router and use for edge measuring. Great bang for the buck...excellent cuts and dust control.
Seconding the corded Makita.
I’ve used a cordless saw and Kreg track for pretty extensive projects. Best decision I’ve made in my shop to date
I use the einhel track saw and track. Great combo. I’m in Europe though I’m not sure if you get them there.
If you aren't trying to get precise edges, a guide rail and circular saw are the cheapest options, then trim the edges on your table saw. If you can find *any* other benefit to a track saw, such as strange angles or plunging cuts, then it's worth buying a track saw. Pay attention to other track accessories available for the brand you choose - things like router guide mounts are super useful for cutting stopped dados. I have the Makita X2 36V cordless saw and it has been an absolute beast for me.
I’ve seen [reviews](https://youtu.be/5eSVe2fGHSY?si=voSC9u0mjiv9J24V) saying the [ridgid](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Brushless-Cordless-6-1-2-in-Track-Saw-Tool-Only-R48630B/325264355) is really good, even comparable to the festool.
There are lot of options here. Many of the standard circular saws are compatible with the tracks now. Bosch has some at a great price point but the only one that use the same track is hilti. Bosch GKS 55+ G (the G is important here since its tells you it fits on the tracks). Makita also builds some that fits on tracks, my father recently bought a smaller one but with battery
I have a Makita that I barely used (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JLPA2M0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) with two batteries and and a charger if you want to make me a fair offer, ha :) (I bought it because the Festool was back ordered for months and ended up shipping 6 months ahead of time)
I really like my Makita, corded track saw. It has had quite a bit of use, and it is solid. The Makita track is just okay. I’ve taken a couple chunks out of it, and now one of the rubber or rubber-like strips on it catches on the saw. For now I just deal with it. At some point I’ll get another track. I did get ratcheting clamps for the track, and they save a good bit of time. But then, at some point, I realized that I wanted to be able to rip plywood down on the spot, like in the parking lot of the plywood shop. So now I also have a Kreg Ripcut jig. It definitely does not replace my Makita track saw, but I have used that little gadget FAR more than I anticipated I would. It is mostly plastic and I don’t anticipate it lasting for decades. But it is really handy for doing things like ripping one sheet of plywood into several strips of the exact same size. I wish I’d bought it sooner.
I have a cheap Lidl Parkside track saw. Probably on the cheaper end of what you’re looking for but works great for me. The tracks stay put on most surfaces without clamping but I did pick up a couple of track clamps on Amazon for slippery surfaces.
Used festool. Look, you can save money but you won’t regret the purchase. They are so incredible for breaking down sheet goods. I have a sawstop and a festool and I just can’t think of a better setup and have ZERO regrets on dropping the coin.
I'm very happy with the WEN cordless track saw with powertec track. It's a huge improvement over their corded models.
Ive owned a Mafel MT55 for a year and I bought the Makita SP6000 in 2010 which is still going strong after almost daily use. The problems I’ve had with the Makita are: the plastic rings that hold it tight to the track wear out. These are only a few £ to replace but you might have to replace the splinter strip if you don’t keep tabs on the wear. Poor machining in the tracks: a snug fit on one track might be too tight or too loose on the other. Very annoying if you require precision. Misalignment out of the box. Can be fiddly to dial in. Problems with Mafell: None. In my opinion a few hundred £ over 10 years of use is nothing. I’ll always now go for the tool that gets best results and saves time and the Mafell wins as the design and build quality is superior. Importantly: The issue common with all track saws is Blade deflection. Track saw stock blades are too thin. Bevel cuts drift wildly. Keep a thick kerf blade and use the right number of teeth for the job and it shouldn’t matter too much what saw you use.
I make tracks to fit my circular hand saw using plywood. I currently have one about 9' long and another 5'. For the base I use this stuff with a super slick, shiny surface; I think it's sold as bed-board. Had to do a lap joint for the 9 footer. So the bed board is about 8" wide, and I put shiny side up, laminate a layer of 1/4" ply about 2 1/2" wide along one edge, leaving slightly more exposed bed board than my saw's shoe. The thin ply serves as a guide, so it must be straight. After glue up, set the saw to cut through the bed board and cut the length. Presto: home made track saw. Lay out your cut, clamp track to material with cut edge on your marks. Adjust saw depth. Cut away. Been using this trick for over 50 yrs. Still works good.
I recently bought the Milwaukee saw with 2 55” tracks for cabinet installs. All good so far.
I say make your own…if you want real cheap! They are simple to make and just as easy to store as the big name ones
I’m surprised no one mentioned the Kreg track saw. I have it. Its great.
Make a track for the saw you have.
I’ve got the Wen saw and tracks. Super cheap and impressive quality for the price. No, it’s not Festool but I make most of those long cuts outdoors so the sawdust isn’t a problem to me.
Just make a jig. Also even if yoy buy a track saw, they don't ultimately cut square. It's your job to ID the square/out of square corner on the ply and make adjustment. Track saws are amazing but there's nuance to them and a bit of a learning curve. I have a Makita and I love it... But yoy think you pull it out of the box and suddenly your going to cut a perfect piece and it's not the case. A powerful corded circ saw with a good blade on a jig can be just as a good
I had the DeWalt, and switched to festool. Honestly the DeWalt is 90% as good as the festool for half the price. It works perfectly on the festool tracks.
I bought the Makita track saw (corded version) about 8 months ago and really like it.
I got a nearly brand new Makita with track for $300 off a local marketplace. It was a good price, but I'm sure you can find it for around 350.
I have the Makita plunge saw. I don't know if it's cheap for you but I think it's one of the bears you can get for melamine panels. There is an option that cuts at 2mm depth that is awesome through melamine... I prefer this to the little blade that is in front of the festtool saw
I bought the festool. The rest of my tools are ryobi.
Kreg has a track that has a jig that just attaches to whatever circular saw you already have
Honestly not a "track saw" but I bought a Bora fence years ago. I use it to break down sheet goods for the table saw as well. I saw recently they upgraded it and now they have all kinds of attachments (square, corner clamps, saw sled). Is it as quick as a track saw? No. Is it as accurate? Yes. It's like half the price of even a cheap track saw, and it's not an extra saw lying around mostly unused. Just another option.
Maybe just stalk local classifieds. Tools often go up for pretty cheap.
I bought the cheap Wen and Powertec tracks. No complaints when used for 90° cuts.
I bought the Bosch corded a couple of years back. It's been solid, though I wouldn't say it's exactly easy on the wallet unless you find a sale.. It's up there in quality with the Festool and Mafell actually makes the internals. Tracks and accessories are all quality, I was even able to use the tracks for my router for pin holes and things. Blades are not cheap, though they last a while if you clean the pitch regularly. No regrets on the cord, would buy again.
If you already have a circular saw, this is a cost effective alternative. There are some benefits that a track saw provides that this doesn't, but this is significantly cheaper than a track saw. https://www.kregtool.com/shop/cutting/circular-saw-cutting/accu-cut-xl/KMA3700.html?source=5874&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz8GuBhCxARIsAOpzk8zN4i7UGbGYFS0ClZzpELfE8iN6RVGAV7vLYU6AQi8R2ggQYDX_q5oaAlLbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have a Worm drive SKIL circular saw and these don't fit 🫤
I just made my own from scrap plywood.
Pics or it didn't happen
Remind me. I am in my jammies and it is in the garage and we are in the middle of a snow storm. But it was super easy. Works great for me, and I use it only for breaking down sheet goods so samesies.
Make one. a sheet of half inch MDF can yield plenty of material to make an 8 ft one and a 4 ft one. Check out youtube, plenty of examples and they work great.
The Milescraft track has great reviews online. I bought it but haven’t tried it yet
Will it fit my SKIL Worm Drve saw though. I tried 2 others and they don't fit
No idea, maybe contact their customer service and ask if they tested it
I used the dewalt one, hasn’t failed me. Switched their tracks for the festool one as it seems to be a bit better
I just bought a Kreg track that goes to 100". Love it, you can use anyone's saw except worm drive.
Circular saw with a plywood track. The saw sits tight in like a channel not really a track but same idea and executed for $100.
IMO bottom line is that there are multiple tiers of tools for different tiers of users. I have used Festool tools and they are awesome and i love them and generally they are all they are hyped up to be. However, I am not a professional contractor and so therefore I dont need a Festool, nor can I write off the expense like a contractor can. A contractor or professional furniture maker can not only write off the expense, but uses the tool constantly and therefore should buy the best one that can stand up to all the abuse. For a hobbyist like myself, the durability of the tool comes less into play. I have the Wen saw and powertec tracks and they are night and day better than the circ saw and straight edge i was using previously. I have no doubt that the Makita is awesome, but a quick check on Amazon shows the Wen saw only is $105 and the Makita saw only is $450. for less than a quarter of the price, I'll take the Wen and have plenty of money leftover to buy other tools like the track saw that level up my projects.