While Milwaukee and Dewalt spend marketing dollars freely, the Makita brand is built on decades of reliability. The Festool TS 55 REQ saw kit includes an impressive 55 saw track and the included track guide ensures precise cuts. The track saw's plunging action and blade result in a cleaner cut than all but the finest, smallest-kerfed table saw blades. Track Saw vs Table Saw And When To Use Each, The Best Cordless Table Saws For Woodworking, The Best Router for Router Table Mounting, Most saws support same size blade and features, 10-year test: doesnt depend on old batteries from a brand, Bevel cuts with range from -1-degree to 48-degrees (with positive stops at 22.5 and 45-degrees), Can cut as close as 11/16 of an inch from the wall, Dust port with 1-1/2 outside diameter for connection to dust extractors, Soft start feature like youd find in similar high end routers, Soft start that prevents the saw from jumping when engage, Cut depth of 2-1/8, 1-5/8 at 45-degrees, Continuous anti-kickback only allows forward motion of saw, Cut depth of 2-1/8, 1-1/2 at 45-degrees, Retractable riving knives, splinter guards, 1200 watt motor with variable speed and electronic speed management for constant speed, Retractable riving knives, splinter guards, plunge operation, FastFix system for blade changing that locks the arbor and switch at the same time, Converting your existing circular saw to a track saw, Support for almost any saw left or right handed. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. They both look so similar and seem to do basically the same thing, so why do circular saws tend to cost so much less than track saws and what benefits do they provide? The Kreg KMA2700 is a great choice for anyone who wants to take their precision cutting to the next level. The low price point of the CT1065 doesnt reflect on its build quality or features in any way at all. Historically, the plunge-cut tool was first introduced by Festool in 1980. Most track saws work best with wooden materials. There are so many types of saws to choose from, such as a table saw, circular saw, miter saw, chop saw, chainsaw, and many others. The plunge release level is also in an easy-to-reach place for better operator comfort. Both saws work with many kinds of materials, but a track saw might be the best option if you need something smoother. Make angles from 0-60 using the included Miter Guide, or cut perfect 45 miters easily using Versa-Stops and the precisely machined holes in the Project Table. Circular saws and track saws may look very similar, but they are designed for different tasks. 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. Festool has 36 teeth, whereas Kreg has 48 teeth. A table saw can cut longer material pieces, but youre going to need more workshop space for such projects. There is some plastic used throughout to keep the price down, but the overall build quality is pretty great. Accu-Cut Aluminum Circular Saw Track . You can use track saws without them, but guide rails help keep the saw on the set path and protect you from splinters. During blind plunge cuts, you cannot always see the route your blade will take. Battery Powered Plunge Cut Saws With almost all tools now offering a cordless option, track saws are no exception. Be sure to check out my favorite woodworking charity Sleep in Heavenly Peace that builds beds for kids who sleep on the floor. Guiding the saw on a track allows for more accurate cuts, and you can pre-measure the cuts for better precision. Track Saws From DEWALT, Festool & Makita. While it may not be the most powerful tool on the market, its hard to deny the value provided by this great kit. Circular saws come in many types. The price is reasonable and DEWALTs excellent warranty makes this an easy recommendation for DIYers that have the occasional need for a track saw. This is an especially troublesome issue if you are working indoors as fine particles of sawdust floating through the air cause a huge mess and can get into your airways. Learning how to make a cribbage board can be as easy as cutting a piece of wood to length, using a template to drill the holes and applying a simple finish. Plus, it also offers you maximum versatility and a smooth cutting experience. They are slightly easier to handle, making them somewhat more reliable for beginner woodworkers. Bet it's finicky to use. Best for Occasional Use: DEWALT DWS520K; 8. The track saw might be just that tool for you. They are still portable, though, since you dont always mount them to your worktable. Best Premium Track Saw: Festool 55 Req-F-Plus, 3. Makita makes durable and capable machines, and the Makita XPS01PTJ is no exception to that rule. Combined with their 62 inch guide track, you can plunge-cut plywood, solid wood and other materias with it with great accuracy. The stock blade is quite cheap and should be replaced immediately for more serious users. Plunge-cutting circular saw with powerful 12-amp, 120-volt variable-speed motor with load compensation, fully-shrouded retracting blade, riving knife, electronic blade brake, and anti-kickback control Zero-offset design aligns track edge with exact cut location, while anti-chip strip provides smooth, splinter-free cutting Festool vs. Kreg Track Saw- Should You Own It ? I can see this finding a home in a lot of hobbyists garages. I recently picked up the Kreg ACS track saw and after using it for about a week I feel like it's just okay. Learn about toe kick saw alternatives in this guide. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2 Plunge Track Saw Kit. Equipped with Makita's 12 amp motor churning out 2,000 or 5,200 rpm via its variable speed control drive. Festool Festool Plunge Cut Track Saw TS 55 REQ-F-Plus $599 at Amazon Pros Impressively smooth cuts Durable construction Cons Expensive Key Specs Model Number: 575387 Type: Corded Blade. There are also hand-held and even table saws you can lock onto your work table. The Kreg ACS3000 track saw is a solid machine that provides accurate and smooth cuts. The main drawback of Festool is the price of not just their tools but also the accessories. They also have more powerful motors, which you mount under your working table. Best Track Saws. Its variable speed dial and impressive depth of cut made it even more of a winner. The swiveling hose port is particularly nice for allowing for easy dust management without letting the vacuum hose get in the way of operation. The first item on our list is the Evolution R185CCSX Multi-Material Circulat Track Saw Kit, which is one of the best all-round track saws you will find out there. It also tends to throw out a lot more dust compared to other track saws, even when attached to a vacuum. One of the best aspects of track saws is their ability to repeat the same cut reliably and keep everything at just the right angle. Using the right saw blades for your track saw is vital. In addition to variable speed control (2,000 to 6,000 RPM), the 12-amp 120-volt motor features load compensation. However, you do not have as much control over the speed as you do with other models. And has performed incredibly well in thick and thin cuts. The only potential weakness I can see is the 1200 W motor. Keep an eye out for the features that matter most to you but remember that more features almost always mean a higher price tag as well. The Dewalt is very comparable to the Makita but lacks a couple of important features: Otherwise, the general features are similar and with the Dewalt generally running slightly higher in cost. Saws consist of different kinds of blades or chains that are sharp enough to cut through numerous materials, and the motor inside them allows for a much faster operation, as well as greater precision and less chance for error. Other than the battery power, youll find the Dewalt FlexVolt track saw to be comparable. The DEWALT DWS520K track saw comes with a 3-year limited warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee for a worry-free purchase. Our reviews are structured in a consistent manner to make it easier for you to compare and contrast the different products and to find the one thats right for you much faster. By pairing table-saw accuracy with portability and plunge action this saw allows for maximum portability and safety. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. You might even find a plunge circular saw somewhere. The Makita XPS01PTJ is an excellent choice for carpenters and DIYers that find themselves hampered by corded power tools and want the flexibility to cut anywhere. Model PTS01B (the bare tool) retails for $329 and includes the plunge saw, a 40 tool ultra-thin kerf blade, two 27.5-inch tracks, and a track clamp. Plus, the plunge cut design and riving knife automatically retract the blade into a full-cover blade guard when not in use. To activate your track saws power, you need to press the plunge release and the power trigger together. . Woodsmiths editorial staff is not involved. Take note that this may vary, depending on where you are buying your Festool track saw. Surprisingly, the Powertec track was an EXACT replica of the Makita. The DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw kit comes with an included 59 guide track so you can get started right out of the box. Because, for many, a Festool 75 is out of reach and a comparison to entry-level toolmakers like WEN would just be unfair. The Shop Fox W1835 track saw provides reasonable performance with some minor adjustments. 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. It is an efficient and heavy-duty tool that you would enjoy using for your project. In this hands on guide learn how to build a top and follow along with our build of a 2-inch maple butcher block top. And with more saws each year bringing Lithium cutting capability these brands are where to start: From the high end Festool to popular cordless brands like Dewalt expect to pay a $100 to $200 premium for portability, though. 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. Chad Stanton explains what he likes and doesn't like in this comparison video of Festool vs. Kreg track saws.Kreg tack saw with track- https://amzn.to/2x1qlIaFestool Track saw with track- https://amzn.to/33omUauWOODWORKING PLANS-http://www.woodchoppintime.com/store/newsletter- http://bit.ly/2FsWOcNVisit Us at http://www.woodchoppintime.comLike Us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/woodchoppintime/Follow Us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/woodchoppintime/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/wood_choppin_time/?hl=en Track saws are hard to carry around since you have both the saw and its accompanying guide rail. But first, for some metric clarity, the 55 vs. 75 models is simply the maximum depth of cut (2-1/8 vs. 3). Makita vs. Dewalt and Makita vs. Milwaukee is a pretty common brand comparison. It deliberately comes oversize so that you can cut it right to the edge of the saw blade. Soft-grip handles. Track Saw vs. Circular Saw: Whats the Difference? For cutting, then it comes with a 6 " blade, and it can also be tilted through to 45 degrees for those bevel cuts. Make sure you connect everything firmly and take it slow for your first few passes to make sure everything is staying in place. Never underestimate the usefulness of guide rails. The blade lock can be a bit of a chore to figure out, and some users have reported that it doesnt seem to work at all. Festool 575389 Plunge Cut Track Saw Ts 75 EQ-F-Plus USA. At roughly 18 lbs., this track saw is a bit of a honker and can be a pain to lug around. Makita SP6000J. And like the Dewalt and Makita youll find this saw as a bare tool or bundled with accessories. And the track quality is as equally important to a great cut as the saw itself. If youre looking for a cheap track saw and you already own a circular saw, the handy Kreg KMA2685 might be a better option for you. The SP6000J1 optional but advantageous 55 guide rail system comes from robust anodized aluminum. Today. Circular saws are useful for intentional rough cuts or rip wounds. You cant simply make a list of the best track saws out there, and leave Festool out of it. The Makita SP6000J1 track saw and guide rail kit offers accurate and splinter-free cuts up to 2 3/16 deep at 90 degrees. Aug 31, 2020 - Track Saws are all the rage, but when it comes to buying one what features should you look for? WEN vs Kreg vs Festool 731 Woodworks 396K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.6K Save 101K views 10 months ago #woodworking #tracksaw #tools I compared three. Easily accessible shaftlock aids fast, convenient blade-change. Track Saws are all the rage, but when it comes to buying one what features should you look for? It looks like Kreg paid very close attention to a lot of people's complaints about other saws. 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. Track saws can get closer to walls thanks to their flat blade guard design and they offer much better dust collection. A few models even have a hose that vacuums debris from the work surface as you go. This Kreg track saw has a carbide-tipped blade with 48 teeth for ripping and crosscutting. This brings you more portability and ease of use. / Bevel Tilt Range: 0 to 45. Moreover, it can even be used to cut through wood with nails, all thanks to its large and sharp 7 blade, with 40 teeth and an ability to cut 2 deep into the workpiece with precision. The track saw is also a lot easier to use on your own than a table saw is. Additional sections of tracks are available according to Ryobi. The Festool track guide keeps the saw itself firmly in place for accurate straight cuts. Best Budget Track Saw: Kreg ACS2000 Saw & Guide Track Kit, 5. It offers fantastic accuracy and smooth cutting power that can slice through just about anything you put in front of it. Best for Occasional Use: DEWALT DWS520K, 8. You can also choose to use a cordless track saw or plug it into the wall. The Kreg KMA2685 circular saw guide is sturdy and smartly designed to be easy to use and work with most circular saws. The blade is only as good as the speed with which it is rotated. 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. While this doesnt impact the performance of the saw, it is likely to cause the tool and track to wear out faster than more expensive track saws made from sturdier materials. 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. With almost all tools now offering a cordless option, track saws are no exception. Particularly if your saw has a soft start, let the saw reach its maximum speed before using it. The Kreg ACS2000 also has standard safety features like kickback and binding protection. And like most cordless saws the blade provide can be thinner kerf and reduce cut quality. Lastly, the Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Guide for Circular Saws was the longest cheap circular saw guide we found. The Woodsmith Review Teams product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. 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. 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". A track saw is a powerful tool, and you need to hold it down to prevent injury and ensure proper and precise cuts. Any track with a blade measuring 8 " should cut the deepest. Nonetheless, the 6-1/2 inch saw blade should help do the trick. You can adjust the track so the saw will stop when its done cutting. However, if you are debating a corded vs. cordless saw at this price point youre very close to the base Festool price. The Makita SP6000J1 has a large cutting capacity (2-3/16 at 90 degrees and 1-9/16 at 45 degrees) and a good bevel capacity (-1 to 48 degrees, with positive stops at 22 5 and 45 degrees). I've used the Festool and while that's clearly superior, I've gotten by just fine with Kreg. Most Powerful: Bosch GKT13-225L, 10. With the ability to cut at multiple angles, lengths, and depths, the track saw is a handy companion that can help keep you safe and productive. The main difference is that with this plunge saw, you have a safety interlock that prevents plunging or turning on the saw before depressing the switch interlock button. A circular saw, miter saw, or some other saw just cant compete with a track saw for this purpose. How to Make a Solid Wood Top For Counters, Desks and More. john_c2 | Aug 01, 2021 07:38am . At 2,000 or 5,200 rpm, you can maintain the best speed for a smooth, precise cut. Almost all woodworkers own a circular saw. $89.99 Quantity Add to Cart Highlights Rip, crosscut, and make angled cuts up to 50" long in plywood, MDF, and panels Simply align the Guide Track with your marks to make accurate cuts Hold track in place without clamps thanks to anti-slip guide strips Prevent splintering with anti-chip strips that support material during the cut By reading the product reviews we have gathered, you will be able to take the right pick easily. Best Cordless Track Saw: Makita XPS01PTJ Circular Saw Kit; 4. A track saw's point of collection is closer to the dust creation - and a bit more contained - than a table saw. 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