Track Saw options

[dkerfoot]

The Festool tracks are pretty simple to use. Just set them down on the cut line, and make your cut. You do not have to clamp them, they have an anti-slip strip on the bottom. I'm guessing the other brands are similar.

The best part of using my track saw is having beautifully smooth, tearout-free edges on both the top and bottom of the cut.

Of course, my sawboard was free (made from scrap), works with both my circular saw and my router and hangs on a nail when not in use.

If I were running a production shop I could see justifying the Festool version, but that extra $600-$800 buys an awful lot of wood that I can work. (Ditto for the $400-$500 for most other systems)

I am glad there are options like Festool available, but I think that it is easy for hobbyists like myself to fall into the trap of collecting under-utilized tools instead of actually working wood.

My personal advise for most hobbyists is to try a sawboard first and then, if you find it isn't meeting your needs, go ahead and spend the money to fix the problem. My guess is that 90% of the readers of this forum would never need anything else.

[lrr]

The Festool tracks are pretty simple to use. Just set them down on the cut line, and make your cut. You do not have to clamp them, they have an anti-slip strip on the bottom. I'm guessing the other brands are similar.

The best part of using my track saw is having beautifully smooth, tearout-free edges on both the top and bottom of the cut.

[dkerfoot]

I've used a few tracksaw systems and they all seem overly complicated to me. I am personally a die-hard sawboard fan. Google the term if you aren't familiar. For me, it is much faster and easier for me to line up my sawboard to make a cut than it is to use the tracksaw systems.

I made one several years ago that takes my circular saw on one edge and my router on the other for making dados. I use it all the time.

Dust collection is certainly a weakness, so weather permitting I do sheetgoods outside. Easier to handle them outdoors anyway.

Just my $0.02.

[Neal]

I have the grizzly and have used it quite a bit over the summer. I have the two 55" rails and then I was able to find a third one which I cut to 24" and 31" for smaller pieces.

The key with the grizzly seems to be the blade. The stock blade is purportedly not very good. I purchased the Olshlun blade on Amazon and it has been very good handling things like MDF and maple plywood with minimal to no splintering.

I used it to build an ultimate tool stand, and four large floor to ceiling cabinets for my garage.

One thing I have found useful is a 4x8 sheet of the 1 1/2" foam insulation board to use a backer.

For the price paid, the Grizzly has been a fantastic value for me.

[Condoman44]

Dewalt Clamps

I justt got the Dewalt clamps for use on my Makita track. They appear to be well made and will be easier than the two handed Makita clamps. $38 from Amazon for 2.

[Ken Massingale]

I've had the Scheppach (same saw as the grizzly) for over a year and haven't had any issues. It's available on Amazon for ~$215 shipped, with 2 25 inch rails.

I did buy 2 Dewalt track clamps, those that come with the saw are toys.

Ken

[jussi]

With the festool recon going on now I'd go with a recon ts55req. I upgraded my ts55eq and aside from a small scratch on the systainer it was hard to tell it was a recon.

[os1kne]

Thank you for all of your insight. It sounds like I can't go wrong with any of the brands. I guess it comes down to "soul-searching" to determine if the bells & whistles are worthwhile for my usage.

[BadeMillsap]

I have the Grizzly with the kit that includes the clamps etc... I have two tracks but usually only need one. I am very satisfied with the tool and the price.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[JimD]

I have the DeWalt with the 102 and 55 inch tracks. I highly recommend them. I also have the quick acting clamps which I use for precision cuts. Dust collection is great. Cuts are very smooth and accurate. Cord is nice and long. Case is good quality.

You might want to watch the Wood Whisperer review of the Festool and DeWalt. He says he likes the Festool a little better but didn't find anything it did better than the DeWalt.

I'm sure that the Makita and even the Grizzly are nice tools but the DeWalt is good enough you will not second guess yourself.

[bigstick509]

I went with the dewalt system, and use it on a double Festool MFT top cutting table. Very happy with the track saw.

[LinuxRandal]

The Grizzly has been reviewed here and I think one magazine did a recent review. I do remember one review that was biased a few years ago (Festool didn't meet the price range requirements, but was reviewed because the publisher said they are a advertiser). The Makita I have read some positive comments on but all of this has to be justified by how much your going to use it.
I have had the EZ system since 2004, but they are not a track saw system. They have only recently come out with a saw, and it is just a circular saw, not the long promised, long overdue (promised by the end of 2012) "TRACKSAW". They are a tool track system. (not the same thing) I like the EZ tracks, but am not a Dino fan, after being lied to multiple times (banned from that forum from it and bringing it to their attention).

[Condoman44]

Makita

I have had the Makita SP6000 with two 55" rails, the Makita clamps & rail connector kit for 4 years now. I wish I had it long before.

The only complaint at the time was the cord was to short. I fixed that by taping a dedicated 6' cord to the existing one.

I paid just under $400 for the entire package. The rails & clamps are the same as Festool.

This tool with the plywood cutting platform I made are perfect for the door replacements, cabinet & drawer projects I have done.

[stoli]

Get over to festoolusa.com. They are have a reconditioned sale. There have been numerous TS55's available for 40% off, coming to something like $350. There are none available now, but the list will update sometime on Monday.

[marc82much]

Track Saw

I own and use the EurekaZone system. Highly recommended...
https://www.eurekazone.com/