Festool Track Saw-Packaging Question

[purplezr2]

So I will start by saying I live in a rural area, and I get about 25% packages damaged/open/missing components/mis-delivered (it has been getting better).

So I'm looking at buying a track saw, more then likely Festool, but possibly Makita.

Wondering how these saws are usually packaged, is it one big box, or multiple boxes, how well is the rail protected.

Reason I ask is if they seem likely to get damaged in transit I will save the headache and try to buy next time I'm in a more metropolitan area.

Just for reference, I bought a cabinet from zoro one, and returned it three times before I gave up on getting one that was not damaged. Trying to avoid headache, and the 55" rail seems likely to get damaged maybe.

 

[GrantCee]

I can't speak for Festool, but I can give you some insight on Makita's packaging. I too live in a very rural area, but I will say my luck with deliveries has generally been better than yours! My damage/missing rate is less than 5%.

I bought a Makita cordless track saw this summer. The saw and track were packaged separately. The saw was in a box with cardboard spacers to protect and give it a crush zone all around. The 55" track was packaged in a corrugated cardboard sleeve, with quad-thickness stiffeners; that was in turn packaged in another corrugated sleeve. Pretty stiff and lots of room around to absorb package damage.

Well, normally it would be. Depending on the vendor and carrier, and if it's bought as part of a package, they might come as separate parcels or be taped together — the result looks like a big "L". My first saw/track came taped together, and there was damage to the track; that heavy weight on one end torqued the whole rail, likely because it was so awkward to handle. I think workers were grabbing the end of the rail, thinking it was a separate item, and the heavy saw end dropped and bent the rail. I refused the shipment.

The replacement saw and rail came as separate packages and were perfect.

The extra long track (118") came in a wood crate of sorts. The track was surrounded by a rim of 1-1/2" thick plywood, about 2" wide, and the sides were double-thick masonite (hardboard) that was stapled to the rim. Given the size of the resulting package it was shipped freight, and despite significant damage to the container (one corner had been ripped clean off!), the rail was undamaged.

 

[riceaterSLC]

I recently bought the makita track saw with the 39? And 55? Inch rails. The 39 was single boxed in cardboard. The 55” was double boxed. I too was worried about damage but both arrived unscathed. Btw the makita is amazing. Wish I had bought one sooner. Wonderful addition to my job site and miter saws.

 

[GrantCee]

Btw the makita is amazing. Wish I had bought one sooner. Wonderful addition to my job site and miter saws.

^^ This. Track saws are awesome (regardless of brand). I wish I'd bought mine years earlier, rather than wasting time improvising with a straightedge and a regular circular saw.

 

[Git]

If you are going to buy the Festool keep in mind that when it comes with the track, it is not really a 'package' type of thing. What I mean by that is a good dealer should be able to substitute another track in place of the standard, 55" track. The 'holy rail' (the track with the holes in it for the LR32 system costs exactly the same as the track without the holes). So you should be able to ask them to substitute the holy rail track for the one that does not have the holes at not extra charge. Same thing if you want to upgrade to a longer track - you should be able to just pay the difference. Amazon is not going to do this for you but there are plenty of dealers that will - like Tool Nut

Personally, I have the Festool and I would suggest you save your money and go with the Makita

 

[acer66]

my makita long rail arrive in a rather simple card box that locked like it had been to hell and back and was about to self destruct.

never seen a festool rail package but I read several times that people keep them because they are so sturdy.

 

[RTM]

Back in the day, an excuse to visit 7 corners. Is it worth the drive to Acme? May have to lighten the wallet before hand, so you don't spend it all there.

How far away is metropolitan areas, and how often do you go?

 

[LeeG]

A Festool rail comes in a pretty sturdy cardboard box with plenty of rigid foam to keep it centered.

 

[rice rocket]

I had the Festool, sold it for the Makita. It's the better saw.

 

[garfieldzzz]

The festool is sturdy fixed in the systainer, the makita is just flying loose in there.

 

[casmurbax]

When I bought the Festool saw for my brother, who helped build my garage, the saw was in the systainer which was in a heavy cardboard box. The 75in track was in a double box as was the 55in track, that I bought as well.

I had no issues with the shipping, there was no damage.

 

[mhejl]

The festool is sturdy fixed in the systainer, the makita is just flying loose in there.

Not that sturdy. Mine arrived with a broken dust port from banging around in the systainer (thanks, UPS). It just has some thin vacu-formed plastic in the bottom and a chunk of poly foam on the lid to hole it in place. Dust port was replaced under warranty.

I don't recall how the rails were packaged but the long one (>8') came from a local Woodcraft.

 

[Dan C]

The festool rails i bought (4 different lengths) all came in sturdy boxes but 2 had to be sent back due to damage in transit. Ironically they were the 2 shortest. Didnt cost me anything, just a little time. I will say that when I ordered the longest, I got it from Woodcraft local

 

[garfieldzzz]

Not that sturdy. Mine arrived with a broken dust port from banging around in the systainer (thanks, UPS). It just has some thin vacu-formed plastic in the bottom and a chunk of poly foam on the lid to hole it in place. Dust port was replaced under warranty.

I don't recall how the rails were packaged but the long one (>8') came from a local Woodcraft.

Ok, thats bad, i had a of1400 in the same, ****** packed box and it’s systainer was broken but the saw was fine.