Track saws also offer more precision and cleaner cuts thanks to their guide tracks that keep them on the straight and narrow during operation. Equipped with the proper tools, you can tackle any job thats set in front of you. I've used the Festool and while that's clearly superior, I've gotten by just fine with Kreg. Using the right saw blades for your track saw is vital. Many track saws have handles to help you with this. If you want to learn why a track saw can be so beneficial, watch this video from WoodWorkers Guild Of America: And that is all we have for you regarding the best track saws of 2023. You can adjust the track so the saw will stop when its done cutting. And then fold everything back up and use the space for your other tools. A track saw has a guide rail made from anti-slip material, minimizing the possibility of accidents and creating more precise cuts. During blind plunge cuts, you cannot always see the route your blade will take. I'm only half-joking, really. The price is reasonable and DEWALTs excellent warranty makes this an easy recommendation for DIYers that have the occasional need for a track saw. . Surprisingly, the Powertec track was an EXACT replica of the Makita. Final Thoughts If you were hoping to get a $500 saw for $230, you will be disappointed. Whether you need to make straight cuts or carve customized fancy shapes out, 2023 Woodsmith Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. an Active Interest Media company, This is another major factor that comes into play when you are considering the best track saw. Keep an eye on your saws riving knife, which helps protect operators from blade kickback. Ultimately, whether you want to buy a track saw, a table saw, a circular saw, or all three of them comes down to the specific needs you have for your tools. Which, by all reviews and specifications is the superior tool. Moreover, the track saw is equipped with a cordless technology, thanks to the powerful lithium-ion battery. Its electronic speed control helps to maintain a constant speed for more finished, tear-free results. And track saws let you setup that foam-topped bench and quickly make large sheet cuts or trim live edge slabs. 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. A circular is better than a track saw at making rapid cross-gain cuts in dimensional lumber. The blade is only as good as the speed with which it is rotated. They are slightly easier to handle, making them somewhat more reliable for beginner woodworkers. Interesting that both use 96mm on center dog holes. The anti-chip strip on the 62" Guide Track and the Plunge Saw's Splinter Guard work together to ensure smooth, splinter-free cuts. For jobs that require constant cutting for long periods of time, a corded track saw might be a better choice. Similar to the DOMINO and Kapex miter saw quality their saw does what you expect: straight, splinter free cuts. And with track saws, the time has come to make the switch. The work you do and your need for accuracy and precision comes down to your preferences and expectations from your tools. Best Budget Track Saw: Kreg ACS2000 Saw & Guide Track Kit; 5. M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 31 in. 5 Best Track Saws of 2021: 1. The most portable of all workshop saws, and among the most powerful, track saws work great for larger projects with larger material pieces. A table saw can cut longer material pieces, but youre going to need more workshop space for such projects. If you're afraid of that new-to-the-trade brand you might head back to the Makita. A track saw that has variable speeds between 2000 RPM and 5000 RPM is generally favorable for your requirements. Some of the reviews are less than stellar I know. Track saws are one of the best options for cutting drywall, too, since the material produces a lot of dust. Like they always say, measure twice, cut once. Track saws offer excellent dust collection to keep the job site tidy while also offering incredibly accurate and smooth cuts. 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. (5) Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Youll need to define your needs to find the best track saw to suit your purpose. However, you will have to change the batteries from time to time, which can be cumbersome, especially if the track saw dies down in between a cutting job. The Makita SP6000J1 track saw provides variable cutting speeds between 2,000 and 5,200 RPM. dust collection. While initially more expensive if you are not invested in Festool or Makita batteries, these saws are fully feature and power capable. 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. Rob and some of his crew took a hard look at the major Track Saw models on the market and see how they "lined up". I have the Kreg version. It uses a combination of aluminum and plastic to keep the weight and price down without sacrificing much in the way of effectiveness. This website uses cookies to improve your experience and track site visits. The Festool TSC 55 is almost identical to its corded counterpart with the exception of a dual 18/36V battery system powering the blade. It performs excellently while its got the juice, but dont expect to get much more than an hour to two of cutting performance per charge. A circular saw is much better for cutting longer material pieces. A track saw's point of collection is closer to the dust creation - and a bit more contained - than a table saw. Be sure to check out my favorite woodworking charity Sleep in Heavenly Peace that builds beds for kids who sleep on the floor. 12 Unique Woodworking Tools You Didnt Know You Needed, After twenty years of collecting tools Im still finding unique woodworking tools that I didnt know I needed. The circular saw uses a retracting guard that moves out of the way as you cut into your material. Festool is know for innovative and high performing tools. Guiding the saw on a track allows for more accurate cuts, and you can pre-measure the cuts for better precision. Goodell David, Founder of WoodWorking Clarity, says, If you do a lot of quick jobs or work mainly from your shop, you dont need a cord.However, you will have to change the batteries from time to time, which can be cumbersome, especially if the track saw dies down in between a cutting job. Advantages of the track saw I use, a DeWalt, include the 106 inch track, riving knife, anti kickback piece in saw base, easy adjustment of the saw to the track, good dust collection, the plunge action, and extras like the router attachment for the track. A few models even have a hose that vacuums debris from the work surface as you go. Best Premium Track Saw: Festool 55 Req-F-Plus, 3. Chad Stanton explains what he likes and doesn't like in this . A circular saw is also suitable for hobbyist woodworkers or those who just use it infrequently. Last but not least, we bring you the WEN CT1065 Plunge Cut Sidewinder Circular Track Saw, which is one of the best options when you have affordability and value in mind. I have the Kreg Accu Cut what I would call a 'poor man's track saw' and I have used it a lot with my Bosch circular saw (I also have the Kreg Accu Rip). . The large cutting capacity of 2 3/16 inches at 90 degrees and 1 9/16 inches at 45 degrees is perfect for almost any job. Track saws, on the other hand, are better at making cuts at different angles aside from 90 degrees. The Bosch GKT13-225L track saw is priced to compete with the industry-leading Festool track saw and it has features to match. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. UPGRADE PICK: Bora 5-Piece NGX Set. Festool 577043 FS 1400/2-KP Guide Rail 1400 mm With Adhesive Pads . A table saw stays still while you move the material through the blade. Compare $ 149 00 (32) Model# 71387. The latter two will be the subject of today's article as we answer the question whether the tracks are interchangeable. We talk more about the differences between these saw types later, but for now, lets go over the specific things you should look for when buying a track saw. Moreover, it is equipped with a sharp and durable carbide-tipped 6 track saw blade that can make neat cuts up to 2 deep, especially when you are working with wooden pieces or sheet materials. Today. Best Warranty: DEWALT DSC520ST1 Track Saw Kit, 6. With features similar to the Festool (minus the riving knife) this saw is built to last. With an integrated spring-loaded riving knife to help prevent jamming and forceful ejections, the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus is relatively safe and easy to use. Capable of cutting to depths of 2 , the DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw offers variable speeds between 1750 and 4000 RPM. The Ryobi PTS01K kit adds a charger and 4Ah battery and retails for $399. Cordless track saws, on the other hand, offer more portability but tend to run out of juice fairly quickly. Aug 31, 2020 - Track Saws are all the rage, but when it comes to buying one what features should you look for? Web/Phone: www.grizzly.com / 800-523-4777. And combining a dust hose, power cord and tracks makes for a tangle. Below, youll find track saw reviews detailing the pros and cons, but mostly the benefits, of some of the best track saws for woodworking. The Festool TS 55 REQ saw kit includes an impressive 55 saw track and the included track guide ensures precise cuts. The optimal cutting depth is usually 1/8, but it should not go so deep that it threatens the saws function. It also maintains a constant speed while cutting to provide clean, straight cuts. Evolution is a pretty solid brand when it comes to power tools, so there is no doubt that the R185CCSX has an impressive build quality with some wonderful features that puts it into contention. If your experience with the Evolution R185CCSX track saw isnt that great or you need a secondary option, then we suggest you look into the Kreg ACS2000 Adaptive Cutting System Saw, which is just as powerful and provides exceptional handling. 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. I'm Ray, a lifelong carpenter who's spent the better part of my life working on construction sites on the West Coast of the United States. If you just want to scan over each review, we have a brief pros and cons list at the end of each one that recaps the key aspects of that product. When it comes to cordless track saws youll be able to take your saw on the road and do creative things like cut that sheet of plywood down before transporting it. Take note that this may vary, depending on where you are buying your Festool track saw. And have no regrets after cutting up dozens of sheets of plywood, thick bench tops and trimming doors. The Festool 55 Req-F-Plus is the Cadillac of track saws. BEST EXTRA-WIDE: E. Emerson . Plus, merely writing about work, sure does beat doing actual work. The Project Table is what really shows what the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System can do. They are fast, easy to operate, and are suitable for a wide range of materials, such as plywood, fiberboard, and lumber. And like the Dewalt and Makita youll find this saw as a bare tool or bundled with accessories. 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. The Kreg ACS3000 track saw kit includes a quality track saw capable of cutting to a maximum depth of 2 . The Kreg ACS2000 saw kit is one of the most adaptable track saws on this list, able to cut up to 2-1 8 deep at 90 degrees and 1 1 2 at 45 degrees. A circular saw, miter saw, or some other saw just cant compete with a track saw for this purpose. And, with track saws this holds true as the well-known Festool has a complete line-up to cover carpentry to heavy duty hardwood jobs. While circular saws and table saws perform similar duties, the track saw is a unique piece of equipment that provides the benefits of a portable circular saw with the reliability and precision of a table saw. Well, they are one of the top 3 brands that youll find on big box and specialty tool supplier shelves. And the track quality is as equally important to a great cut as the saw itself. To keep costs down, Kreg used a fair amount of plastic in the housing of the track saw and the guide track itself. There are two main alternative tools to the track saw: table saws and circular saws. The Grizzly saw does, however, fit on the Festool track, but the saw blade extends out well beyond the rubber splinter guard. Now, without further ado, lets cut to the chase and get to some product reviews. Powerful 15A motor helps you cut through various materials, Provides a bevel adjustment between 0 and 45, Seems difficult to use the track saw initially, Can cut up to 50 without causing splintering, Dust collection bag helps you prevent messes, Can be used to cut through various types of wood and sheet materials, Presence of slip clutch prevents kickbacks, which can cause accidents, Sharp blade can cut through hardwood easily, Powerful motor delivers speeds up to 5500 RPM, Not suitable for larger woodworking projects, Cut and Shape With Ease: The Best Router Table, The Best Router Leveling Jigs To Make the Right Cuts, Make Cutting Wood Easier With the Best Band Saws, Never clear small pieces while blade is moving, Never adjust saw or setup while saw is running. 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. Circular saws are the more common workshop power tools. 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