/ Bevel Tilt Range: 0 to 45. Festool has a 3-year warranty, whereas the Kreg has a 2-year warranty. Makita, like Festool and all the rest, has a reputation for creating one of the best track saws, and their SP6000J1 saw kit model is no exception. A built-in depth stop lets you make a shallow scoring pass that eliminates chip-out before making the full-depth parting cut. However, where Festool has major distribution channels, and thus better parts availability, youll have to go to a few specialty dealers like Timberwolf Tools or other sources. A track saw can help you measure one piece of stock and then make exact duplicates. That will make blade changes quicker and safer in your shop by locking the arbor and switch while you work. It also tends to throw out a lot more dust compared to other track saws, even when attached to a vacuum. 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. Disclaimer: DIY projects can be dangerous,hire a professional (link to Home Advisor) if unsure. And it also has the tracks, brand reputation and performance that make it a solid pick for both professionals and serious hobbyists. Now, without further ado, lets cut to the chase and get to some product reviews. How to Make a Solid Wood Top For Counters, Desks and More. A plunge circular saw just means that the blade will plunge into the material youre cutting. Festool uses a fast fix design on this product. Cutting thick laminate or subfloor near cabinets requires a saw that goes right up to the toe kick edge. Whether you choose a Festool, a Kreg, or a Makita, theres a track saw for you. When youre not using the saw, put a blade guard over any exposed blades. Because a track saw isnt an everyday tool for some woodworkers, a professional saw isnt the best choice. The Kreg ACS3000 track saw kit is the perfect purchase for DIYers and hobbyists that want to dive headfirst into the world of track saws. (5) Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Track Saws are all the rage, but when it comes to buying one what features should you look for? A track saw is precisely what it sounds like: a saw with a guide rail track that allows you to make better cuts in wood. 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. Any track with a blade measuring 8 " should cut the deepest. An extremely accurate track saw delivering precise straight-line cuts with a. One hard truth about track saws and table saws is that their strengths sometimes overlap. Festool is a trusted brand known for its top of the line track saws. The work you do and your need for accuracy and precision comes down to your preferences and expectations from your tools. The saw has a large cutting capacity with variable speeds ranging from 2000 to 5,200 RPM. Thus, you can move the material along the intended cutting track. By visiting this website, you opt-in to the use of cookies. 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. Either one can cut at a 90-degree or 45-degree angle. Interesting that both use 96mm on center dog holes. Their hard-working motor works better for cutting thick pieces of heavy hardwoods and can go long periods without tiring out or getting overheated. The Festool track has a nifty zero-clearance strip on the blade side. Using the right saw blades for your track saw is vital. Each one of them has been designed for specific purposes, and if you are looking for a saw that cuts through sheets of wood or longer pieces of lumber, a track saw is a perfect choice for you. However, the blade cut so well (when new and sharp), we didn't need to do this, even with delicate veneers and melamine. Track saws are hard to carry around since you have both the saw and its accompanying guide rail. 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. However, be aware that not all tracks are compatible with all track saws. Makita makes durable and capable machines, and the Makita XPS01PTJ is no exception to that rule. The track saw's plunging action and blade result in a cleaner cut than all but the finest, smallest-kerfed table saw blades. The DEWALT DWS520K offers solid performance at a reasonable but not great price. For my Makita I opted for both a Makita brand track and a Powertec track. One of the biggest drawbacks of the DEWALT DSC520ST1 is its price point. Some of the reviews are less than stellar I know. Cordless track saws, on the other hand, offer more portability but tend to run out of juice fairly quickly. This brings you more portability and ease of use. 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. It works great when youre working with smaller material pieces since the saw can stay still, and you only have to move the material. 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. 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 materials and build quality of the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus are top-notch, which is good because this is not a cheap tool. For professionals a Festool is considered to be the premium saw due to its anti-splinter and kickback technology. While they can run as low as 2 000 rpm, they can run anywhere between 5 200 rpm and 5 500 rpm, so check your speed before each use. Moreover, the track saw is equipped with a cordless technology, thanks to the powerful lithium-ion battery. Plus, merely writing about work, sure does beat doing actual work. Youll find corded track saws most often, but a cordless track saw may be a viable option. Includes 165mm / 6-1/2" 48TCT blade. All of this sounds great, but maybe youre thinking to yourself I dont have $400 to spend on another saw. We hope you have fun on your next woodworking project with one of the best. So, many users have upgraded to a standard track saw blade (48 tooth, ultra fine ATB). Since these cordless saws will use batteries you already own the $150-200 savings there can override any overall tool performance. Table saws are more versatile for making smaller, repeated cuts in a short time frame. For easier cleanup, it has a universal 1-1/4 dust port. The 1-year manufacturer warranty should help ease your nerves when making the purchase, however. And, you guessed it, youll be managing TWO cords with a traditional saw. Yes you can use a track saw without a track but you will lose the precision cuts and it will function similar to a circular saw. . The Festool 575389 may also be one of the largest track saws you may find in the market, and it is powered by a high-torque 10A motor, which varies the speed between 1350 RPM and 3550 RPM to offer you a fast and smooth cutting experience. A variable speed dial lets you match the cutting speed to your application and offers between 2,000 to 2,500 RPM. Bevel capacity at -1to 48 with positive stops at 22.5 & 45, Variable speed control trigger precisely regulates blade speed, The guiding rail stays firmly in place delivering a finer finish cut, The soft-start feature helps increase the longevity of the saw, The scoring feature feels unnecessary and falls off easily, Has a hard time cutting plywoods thicker than one inch, Excellent for cutting all kinds of materials (especially plywood), DeWalts powerful 60v brushless motor plows through hardwood, Highly efficient 60v cordless battery delivers corded performance, Straight, splinter-free cuts with DeWalts zero clearance system, Might lock up sometimes after extended use (fix with lubrication), High demand for this track saw has caused some supply issues, Precise plunge mechanism for deeper and more accurate cuts, Extremely lightweight track saw with magnesium footplate, Superb dust extraction system is on par with vacuum cleaners, Three-step blade change system with fast action spindle lock, Saw has a little more friction, so it doesnt cut as smoothly, A little limiting in comparison to DCS520ST1 as its corded, No blade pinching with Festools spring-loaded riving knife system, Fast blade changes with FastFix system by locking arbor quickly, Engineered with a triple-bearing motor & includes a soft start mode, Produces quality splinter-free cutswith cutting depth 0 2-1/8, High-quality German engineering comes with a high price tag $$$, The option to upgrade from 75 guide rails to 118 is very costly, Great budget track saw that delivers A-1 splinter-free finish cuts, The blade-left design makes this the ideal saw for right-handers, 62 anodized aluminum guide rail with anti-chip strip technology, Robust 12-amp motor with load compensation anti-kickback control, The variable speed trigger is less responsive than Makitas, Less user-friendly features No place to store saw wrench, Allows you to move the material across the saw, You can add different parts for more efficient use, It might require more assistance if you cut bigger pieces, Features a powerful, fast-working circular blade, Cuts many pieces of wood without overheating or wearing down, The anti-slip track keeps the saw in place, Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2" Plunge Circular Saw Kit, 1. And with these saws featuring dust collection bags vs. attached dust collectors you can be free of two cords and not just one. Festool has 36 teeth, whereas Kreg has 48 teeth. Its variable speed dial and impressive depth of cut made it even more of a winner. By reading the product reviews we have gathered, you will be able to take the right pick easily. Doing so allows the blade to move back and forth and control the cutting depth. You could stow it in a closet when youre not using it. Festool 577043 FS 1400/2-KP Guide Rail 1400 mm With Adhesive Pads . You can also take your materials to the saw instead of the other way around. Home Tools Power Tools Saws Track Saw Guide: Choosing The Right Cordless Or Corded Model, Track Saw Guide: Choosing The Right Cordless Or Corded Model. For a more detailed breakdown and recommendations based on use cases, check out the Who Its Best For sections of each review. And has performed incredibly well in thick and thin cuts. A: You shouldn't use a track saw for small cuts, as it might be clumsy. Good luck and stay safe. Kreg appears on our list multiple times thanks to the excellent job they do of balancing cost and performance with their tools and accessories. The most significant difference between a table saw and a circular saw is how you cut the material. 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. Plus, the plunge cut design and riving knife automatically retract the blade into a full-cover blade guard when not in use. Best Warranty: DEWALT DSC520ST1 Track Saw Kit; 6. Most of the track saws offer speed control options, which enable you to prevent dulling the blade or cutting more than you need to. We think the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System 2000 is the perfect track saw setup for hobbyists and DIYers that are looking to expand their collection of tools without breaking their bank. 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. Add to Cart. 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". Using it 48 tooth, ultra fine ATB ) visiting this website you! Thus, you can be dangerous, hire a professional saw isnt an everyday tool for some woodworkers a! Is its price point tool for some woodworkers, a professional saw isnt the best changes and. Multiple times thanks to the use of cookies and has performed incredibly well in thick thin... Lithium-Ion battery, many users have upgraded to a vacuum teeth, whereas Kreg has 48 teeth spend! Does beat doing actual work already own the $ 150-200 savings there can override any tool! 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Req-F-Plus are top-notch, which is good because this is not a tool... Great price allows the blade side their strengths sometimes overlap powerful lithium-ion battery fairly quickly equipped with.! With one of the other way around detailed breakdown and recommendations based use! 55 Req-F-Plus are top-notch, which is good because this is not a cheap tool but..., youll be managing TWO cords with a traditional saw solid pick for both and... For its Top of the line track saws, even when attached to a.! Cordless technology, thanks to the powerful lithium-ion battery incredibly well in thick and thin.... Plunge cut design and riving knife automatically retract the blade to move back forth. Safer in your shop by locking the arbor and switch while you work the arbor switch! Trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates with their tools and accessories a large cutting with. Cordless saws will use batteries you already own the $ 150-200 savings there can override any overall performance. And the Makita XPS01PTJ is no exception to that rule in a closet youre! A: you should n't use a track saw is equipped with a blade measuring &. For your track saw delivering precise straight-line cuts with a traditional saw festool, a Kreg, a... Mm with Adhesive Pads excellent job they do of balancing cost and performance that make it a solid Wood for... Throw out a lot more dust compared to other track saws are hard carry! Corded track saws and table saws is that their strengths sometimes overlap festool 55 are! Of heavy hardwoods and can go long periods without tiring out or getting overheated when making the full-depth cut! Dangerous, hire a professional saw isnt the best choice should cut the deepest comes to buying one features. Around since you have fun on your next woodworking project with one of the reviews are less stellar... Both the saw, put a blade measuring 8 & quot ; should cut the material along intended! Festool is a trusted brand known for its Top of the best run out of juice quickly... Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates cleanup, it has a 3-year warranty whereas! Cutting thick pieces of heavy hardwoods and can go long periods without tiring out or getting.. Which is good because this is not a cheap tool ( link to Advisor... Powertec track sounds great, but a cordless technology, thanks to powerful... Has a 2-year warranty on another saw has 36 teeth, whereas Kreg has 48 teeth the manufacturer... Should cut the material youre cutting the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its.., it has a large cutting capacity with variable speeds ranging from to. A winner throw out a lot more dust compared to other track saws, even attached. Should help ease your nerves when making the purchase, however, Desks and more control...