I'm tooling up to do my first resin table and I'd rather not spend the $600 for the Festool track saw I'm seeing in all the videos.  Is there a comparable model that performs as well?  I definitely won't be a high volume producer.  Don't need it to do any specialized functions.  Just need it to have settings for cut depths and use a vacuum system.

I don’t have one but recently saw information on using your own saw and adding the track kit. I think Makita and Dewalt both have the entire setup. 

 

No dust collection --https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/track_saw_system.htm

 

Makita -  https://www.toolnut.com/makita-sp6000j1-6-1-2-track-saw-with-55-guide-rail.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxrbwBRCoARIsABEc9sgB1uqqU9H5P1wo_ZYZXw3T1_2ShDj6F06fGYsGNMbqscEKD4mDa8kaAun-EALw_wcB

 

Dewalt --  https://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dcs520st1-flexvolt-60v-max-6-1-2-in.--165mm--cordless-track-saw-kit-with-59-in.-track/dewndcs520st1.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=722&zmap=dewndcs520st1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxrbwBRCoARIsABEc9sgl9JJ_7ZXJAI6XjathKF2EAnhek06l0lf1fixmF7saISUIj-O_ZuAaAtz0EALw_wcB

 

Rockler - - https://www.rockler.com/power-tools/sawing/circular-saws-and-track-saws

 

Or just Google.  

Brad, I have used my friend’s Grizzly and it does a remarkable job but it’s pricey also.  Have you done an eBay or Craigslist search? 

I'd go with my left-handed Milwaukee circ saw, 2 straight maple boards and a few clamps. Or a big router and a straight bit.  Wet/dry vac and some duct tape for the dust.  But hey, that's just me.

Edited January 3, 20206 yr by DRAGON1

Man I've spent so much on new tools already I'm probably gonna have to go budget here until I can afford the better track systems.  And by that I mean just a regular circular saw with a straight edge guide to run it up against.

 

Any recommendation for a good deep cutting circular saw that would work ok with a straight edge guide, like just a straight maple board like Dragon suggests?

I didn't see the videos, but I get a bit cynical when I see them pushing expensive tools.

 

I just had excellent results with my Makita 5007MG, a new fine cut Diablo blade and plywood with a factory edge.  The bottom plate is thicker than just a thin steel plate and seems to run along a straight edge better.   However, I often manage to get the cord caught at a critical point if I'm not careful. 

At the risk of stating the obvious to this talented forum - good side down.   

 

Jim

Welcome aboard, I too would suggest a homemade guide and a circ saw (except for the vacuum part). but stick around and let us know what you decide to do (and how well it works).

My track saw is shop made. A length of T track buried in a like length of 3/4" plywood and, a corresponding T track insert bolted to the sole plate of a Skil 77. Cheap and accurate. 

13 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

No dust collection --https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/track_saw_system.htm

 

Makita -  https://www.toolnut.com/makita-sp6000j1-6-1-2-track-saw-with-55-guide-rail.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxrbwBRCoARIsABEc9sgB1uqqU9H5P1wo_ZYZXw3T1_2ShDj6F06fGYsGNMbqscEKD4mDa8kaAun-EALw_wcB

 

Dewalt --  https://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dcs520st1-flexvolt-60v-max-6-1-2-in.--165mm--cordless-track-saw-kit-with-59-in.-track/dewndcs520st1.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=722&zmap=dewndcs520st1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxrbwBRCoARIsABEc9sgl9JJ_7ZXJAI6XjathKF2EAnhek06l0lf1fixmF7saISUIj-O_ZuAaAtz0EALw_wcB

 

Rockler - - https://www.rockler.com/power-tools/sawing/circular-saws-and-track-saws

 

Or just Google.  

Add to the list, Kreg, 

 

12 hours ago, bradleyheathhays said:

 

Any recommendation for a good deep cutting circular saw

How deep? Love my Makita w/ 7 1/4" blade

Well I do things a little different.. I do lots of welding and one day I was at a metal building supply and was watching the big metal presses or what ever they are called slicing strips of metal and ask if he would slice me off a few different lengths while he was there doing that..

 So a short story, I have been using the three strips for a straight edge 4, 8 and 10 foot long  for 40 years or more. I was just guessing at the time and had them cut 4" wide and figured that would handle any straight edge clamping I needed to do and have concluded that was a good choice back then. So I have never thought of a track saw for two reasons, no where to have one mounted and don't even need one anymore.. And I would have to go out to the shop to see if they are 1/8 or 3/16" thick. What ever they are was a great idea back then...

I have always used a homemade. Good hardwood strip , poplar I think, attached to Masonite or other hardboard 1/4 Run the saw against the hardwood and you are left with a edge to match the kerf for alignment purposes. Hangs on the wall

I have found when using wood strips they will warp when there is moisture or when its extra dry and the metal just lays there.  I also use stick it sand paper every few inches so sometimes I don't have to use clamps when just drawing lines but with a saw pushing against the metal I do use clamps.

On 1/3/2020 at 3:46 PM, Gerald said:

I have always used a homemade. Good hardwood strip , poplar I think, attached to Masonite or other hardboard 1/4 Run the saw against the hardwood and you are left with a edge to match the kerf for alignment purposes. Hangs on the wall

Been using one of those for about 15 years.  I put big boards on the ground, put down my jig and clamp into place.  Don't care about the dust collection as all the sawdust goes into the grass.  Oh, I use 2 X 4's on the ground, my stock on top, clamp on my guide and saw.  

Thank you, Keith.  I tried to find the link to Kregg the other day when I posted the others, but somehow, it continued to escape me.  Great video by the way.  

14 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

 I put big boards on the ground, put down my jig and clamp into place.  Don't care about the dust collection as all the sawdust goes into the grass.  

I put rigid foam insulation board (the blue stuff) on my table (hate to bend down or kneel).  Hardboard and glued-on guide (per Gerald) works with any circ saw, and keep in mind that the hardboard doesn't shrink/expand, so it will hold the guide straight (and/or, use plywood as a guide?).  My circ saw has a dust connection, but if yours doesn't, a box fan will keep the dust off your face.  I think something like a 40 tooth blade (which is what Festool uses) would give a good edge.  And you can further improve the edges (especially for infrequent application) by taping top and bottom of cut line, which greatly reduces edge splinters.  A little bit of an upgrade to that is a clamping straight edge, which comes in 2', 4' and 8' lengths.  If someone hadn't given me an F-tool, I'd still be using the clamp edges.  They worked quite well (8" wide conformed aluminum doesn't bend horizontal).

Thanks for all the great information guys.  Guess I'll be spending some dough either way I go.

 

Since I'm just starting to design these tables and my business success is far from assured, someone suggested I could just cut down the table edges with a router.  And since I just got a good 1.75 hp Dewalt plunge router I'm thinking maybe this would be the more economical route for me.  Is say a 3" edge cut possible on a router, possibly with multiple depth cuts?

 

Any ideas on using a router instead of some kind of guided circular saw?

3" DEEP???? That's really taxing ta small router (maybe even a big one), even if you can find a bit that will go that deep. I don't think I would try it, but that's just me.

A lot of good suggestions for you in the posts above.  And I have looked into some nice track saws over the years, budget being one concern, SPACE being another.  So I have worked with what I have used and can afford.  Below are two items you can buy that will perform the task to a fair amount of accuracy.  Both tools can be used for other things so you get a lot of bang for your buck.  I have cut down sheet goods and doors for many years with nothing more than these two tools.

 

 

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-98-in-Cutting-Guide-E902/203175575

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-13-Amp-Corded-7-1-4-in-Circular-Saw-CSB125/205216317