September 1, 20178 yr I see more and more of these coming on the market. I have a couple of "Clamp & Guides" and some shop-built guides, but wonder how they're all working. Do any of you have one you like (or dislike). I'm thinking we might use one of these at the furniture bank for cutting out melamine sheet goods. There's one size that's too big for the table saw we have. Repeatability of cuts would be a BIG help as we do about 68 table tops at a session but only 3 different sizes. Would be nice not to have to measure each one (measure once, cut 24 times). Fe$tool is probably out of the question due to cost. But we'd need to get a circular saw to go with one of the guide-only aftermarket versions http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/track-saw-review/ http://www.boratool.com/ https://www.kregtool.com/store/c48/saw-attachments/p424/rip-cuttrade/ https://www.kregtool.com/store/c48/saw-attachments/p425/accu-cut/ Edited November 22, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston tags added
September 1, 20178 yr my VOE w/ Bora.. leave anything Bora at the store... save a ton of money and go w/ your favorite CS, (add it's optional DC attachment), one piece wide body clamp on straight edge and guide plate for the saw/router... cheaper by hundreds and more versatile... gotta scroll down the page... https://www.ptreeusa.com/clamp_progrip.htm https://www.ptreeusa.com/clamp_progrip_accessory.htm
September 1, 20178 yr A length of plywood, dado for a T track, attach a matching insert to any circ. saw. Viola...a very accurate track saw.
September 1, 20178 yr I have the Festool (the small one, TS55) and will never be without a track saw again. Besides breaking down sheet stock, mine gets used most for straight edging rough sawn lumber. For the sheet stock part, you really can cut to the finished dimension...no return to the table saw needed unless you really want to. But I bought mine before some of the competitors were widely available, and I really like the Dewalt. The bi-directional track can be really handy. But one thing is you need to cut the large sheet stock panels, I've never been able to get 2 shorter tracks exactly straight when joining them. I bought mine with 2-55" tracks thinking I was in heaven....how wrong I was was. Over the years I eventually acquired the 106" (or maybe it's 110") track for the big stuff. The other thing is blades, there are several aftermarket blades that are really, really good out now...Freud and Tenyu both make some as does Olsen. BTW, I bought mine back when Bing was giving a 25% rebate if you bought something that was found using their search engine and I got the rebate. But about 2 weeks after I bought it, Festool ordered their products pulled off e bay due to that discount. Really soured me on Festool (the company). Edited September 1, 20178 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr
September 1, 20178 yr Besides breaking down sheet goods to their planned dimensions, my shop made track saw is used for straight lining rough lumber. The Tenryu blade gives a nice finish cut. I haven't used the TS for cutting plywood, except for special pieces, since I made the track. The only disadvantage for mine is it's solid. Sections would be handier.
September 1, 20178 yr 1 hour ago, Gene Howe said: Sections would be handier. they are known to ''FLEX''.... Edited September 1, 20178 yr by Stick486
September 1, 20178 yr Author 2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said: . Really soured me on Festool (the company). I was talking to one of my vendors last week. He mentioned that Festool audits their sales for discounts/promos, etc. Three strikes and you are out. It sounded like you could not even sell a Festool and give away a clamp as a freebie, though I might be wrong.
September 1, 20178 yr 5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said: that discount. Really soured me on Festool (the company). have you seen the innards to Festool tools... that'll sour you too... 5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said: But one thing is you need to cut the large sheet stock panels, I've never been able to get 2 shorter tracks exactly straight when joining them. the steel pin wears the aluminum socket and the socket continually gets sloppier...
September 2, 20178 yr Here is a pic of one a guy built very similar to mine. He didn't use T track. And his insert is HDPE. Same principle, though.
September 2, 20178 yr 13 hours ago, Stick486 said: have you seen the innards to Festool tools... that'll sour you too... the steel pin wears the aluminum socket and the socket continually gets sloppier... I have seen that video, not concerned in the slightest. As for the wear, I'm sure that's true...but they don't align very well even when they're new.
September 2, 20178 yr 22 hours ago, kmealy said: I have a couple of "Clamp & Guides" and some shop-built guides, but wonder how they're all working. That's my MO also and it meets my needs mainly due to the infrequency of breaking down larger stock; the set-up time is the biggest drawback as you noted...BUT maybe someday down the road Anyways, have you considered the Grizzly version in your equation (there got the math term in there)? Pretty decent reviews and not a budget buster...One of the biggest issues seem to be the OEM blade quality. Grizzly Track Saw Master Pack
September 2, 20178 yr 3 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said: That's my MO also and it meets my needs mainly due to the infrequency of breaking down larger stock; the set-up time is the biggest drawback as you noted...BUT maybe someday down the road Anyways, have you considered the Grizzly version in your equation (there got the math term in there)? Pretty decent reviews and not a budget buster...One of the biggest issues seem to be the OEM blade quality. Grizzly Track Saw Master Pack The Griz is actually a Schappech (at least it used to be) which aren't bad tools. They probably put a Grizzly blade it...easy to solve.
September 2, 20178 yr 4 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said: They probably put a Grizzly blade it...easy to solve. Pretty much what the reviews implied...like all of you have said on this thread, the quality of the blade makes a big difference. IDK how the Grizzly compares price wise to others...not on my immediate must buy list, BUT it doesn't keep me from looking, wishing and dreaming
September 4, 20178 yr @kmealy...just got this eFlyer today. Might be a low cost option even with adding the 24" extension if you're cross cutting more than ripping or ripping 48" or less. Grizzly Mini-track Saw on Sale
March 13, 20206 yr I would not take a Grizzly track saw if it was give to me. If you bog one down the brushes gets hot and melts the brush holders.
November 21, 20241 yr Author There was a recent question on a beginning woodworking forum about recommendations for a table saw. One guy said a track saw was much more practical I disputed that by posting a list of 3 things a track saw could do and 30 that a table saw could do. Undaunted, he said, well everyone has a miter saw. Then I posted a photo of three projects I did this month and all the cuts made, none of which could have been done (or done safely) with either a track saw or a miter saw. My high school teacher once said there's not such thing as an argument. Either one side is right and one is wrong, or both sides are just opinions. And the expression, there's no sense arguing with someone stupid, they'll wear you down with their experience. So, rabbets, dados, resawing, cutting to size and miters on very small pieces all done on a table saw. I could have also added keys (splines) but didn't think these needed them. For reference, the small shadow box is 4"x4"
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