How long have track saws been around?

[ScottsGT]

Been shopping for track saws. I started with looking at the Grizzly and Shop Fox and all the way up to Festool.
I'm kind lf leaning towards the Dewalt, even though I am a Milwaukee nut. They just don't make one. Kind of middle of the road in pricing and seems to have much better features than the Grizzly or the Shop Fox.
Seems that none of the big box stores stock them, I have a bad fear of shipping one with the 8+' track and having it actually show up usable. And most places are out of stock or back ordered.
Are these tools a new thing? Sorry for the ignorance, I've just recently gotten into woodworking.

 

[Jon_E]

I bought a "track saw" from Eurekazone/EZSmart back about 15 years ago, I think this was just prior to the Festools hitting the US market. It is a really solid aluminum track and a molded base that you supply your own circular saw for. I installed a Hitachi 7-1/4" saw in mine and the saw has been dedicated for track use ever since. I built a house worth of kitchen and bath cabinets with it, and it has made hundreds of cuts in plywood and solid wood. A good Freud 60-tooth blade, or equivalent, is essential for perfect splinter-free cuts.

If I were to do it again: I would probably avoid the EZSmart system only because everyone else's track saws are plunge-cutting. It would be a toss-up between the Makita and the DeWalt, although if I had the budget for it I would get the larger Festool in a heartbeat. The cheaper saws like Grizzly and Shop Fox are OK but I would question their accuracy. There are a few online and print reviews, some fairly recent, that seem to favor the Makita or DeWalt as a "Best Value" and Festool as a Best Buy.

How far are you from these guys: MANN TOOL AND SUPPLY, 802 CHRIS DRIVE, WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169. They are an independent Rockler reseller and carry Triton, DeWalt and EZSmart. There's also a Woodcraft up in Greenville.

 

[ducksface]

I have one(sort of. It's been loaned out so many times that I'm fairly certain I know where it is)
Been banged around d and thrown in trucks for 25 years or more.
Dead straight.
I think it's from the 70's.
Stored outside, unthought of, treated like a trash can.

 

[ScottsGT]

How far are you from these guys: MANN TOOL AND SUPPLY, 802 CHRIS DRIVE, WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169. They are an independent Rockler reseller and carry Triton, DeWalt and EZSmart. There's also a Woodcraft up in Greenville.

They're on the other side of town from me. I go there on occasion, but it gets me in trouble. I'm planning on venturing over there when I get back from vacation. They are big on pushing Festool, and that is flat out of the budget.
I've started looking at the Makita too. Now that I'm seeing features of the Dewalt and Makita, the Grizzly does start to look like I won't be nearly as happy with the investment.
Honestly, this will be the most expensive tool I have ever bought now that I think about it. (Well, other than my tool cabinet)

EDIT: Just gave them a call. They have the Makita in stock. With a 55" rail it is $439 + tax. Real close to mail order, but then add tax. Probably worth not having it damaged in shipping. Pucker factor is the 118" rail alone is $250.00

 

[udderlyoffroad]

Probably not helpful for you; but I just bought the 'Lidl' tracksaw. Lidl is a budget supermarket over here (German food market, like Aldi).

The track was straight enough for my laser eyeball, and the cuts seem way better than I would've expected with the included blade. The ability to plunge is a minor revelation. My biggest complaint is that a standard quick clamp is too big for the saw to slide past it when clamped to the track, you need to use a 'F'-style clamp.

My point is, don't dismiss the budget end of the market, for home-gamer/occasional use. Like most saws, quality of cut will come down to 1) time you take to set up properly 2) a good blade 3) Correct feed and speed.

Just my £0.02

Matt

 

[trekgod3]

I plan on getting the Kreg Accucut:

https://www.kregtool.com/store/c48/saw-attachments/p425/accu-cut/

 

[theoldwizard1]

Someone is going to have to do one hell of a sales job to convince me to buy a track saw. There are so many other "guide" systems out there for a fraction of the cost.

I would rather build the a Ron Paulk work bench and have a multi-use tool that with a couple of extra saw horse could easily rip down 4x8 material.

Actually, for the average DIY, pay the home center the couple of extra bucks and have them make the long rips with 1/2"-1" extra and then cut them exact at home.

 

[signcrafter]

Someone is going to have to do one hell of a sales job to convince me to buy a track saw. There are so many other "guide" systems out there for a fraction of the cost.

I would rather build the a Ron Paulk work bench and have a multi-use tool that with a couple of extra saw horse could easily rip down 4x8 material.

Actually, for the average DIY, pay the home center the couple of extra bucks and have them make the long rips with 1/2"-1" extra and then cut them exact at home.

I said the same thing and used a homemade "tracksaw" for years. Then had a pile of oak faced ply in front of me, about 40 sheets to build a bar for a restaurant and a bunch of bottle racks and other things. After many years being told to just bite the bullet and I won't regret it I finally did. And I wish I would have years ago. If you don't do much sheet good woodworking then ya it's overkill for the average homeowner. But if you are ripping down sheets or building things like cabinets or other things it is well worth the investment. I'm not trying to sell anything to you because I already have one and could care less if you have one or not. But I had the same attitude for years and realize what a fool I was to not buy one a long time ago.

The paulk bench has nothing to do with a track saw. And if you watch any of his videos he built his bench mainly with the tracksaw and uses his track saw with the bench all the time. There is so much more to a track saw then just being able to rip sheets. The clamping system is beyond great compared to anything else out there. The accuracy is great. And the zero tear out is also great. I have used mine for soo many things since I got it that I would have never thought of before. Like most nice tools you don't need it and there are a bunch of other tools to get the job done. But it's kind of like saying I'm not going to buy a skill saw when I can cut it with a handsaw. But you won't know that until you actually buy one.

I bought the makita, was the best middle class one after doing some homework. Also considered the dewalt but there were a few things that lead me down the makita path.

 

[bigdav160]

Yep,^^^^ I love the guy demonstrating his festool ts55 on the Paulk bench.

I have a Jet cabinet saw with a 50 inch extension and 50 outfeed table.
Large sheet goods are still a PITA.

I bought a Scheppach (same as the Grizzly/Shop Fox) on close-out. It was less than $200 with the guides. I think the accuracy is excellent.

Prior to this I had a Tru-Grip (similar to Eurekazone) It was fine as a straight edge but harder to get set on your cut line.

 

[yhprum]

I have the Aldis version and its OK. Cost about 150 AUD.
I found some tune-up videos on you tube, the best mod was cutting down the plunge spring. My gripe is the track is only about four feet long and in two pieces.

 

[ScottsGT]

Actually, for the average DIY, pay the home center the couple of extra bucks and have them make the long rips with 1/2"-1" extra and then cut them exact at home.

So I still have to make an accurate rip with less tear out. I've been using my Milwaukee M12 with a straight edge for shorter cuts. With the Diablo blade I'm getting a fairly clean cut, but still some tear out.

I guess I'm in the discovery stage with track saws. I've narrowed it down to the Makita. Ok, now I have to justify need vs. just being a tool *****.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you don't do much sheet good woodworking then ya it's overkill for the average homeowner. But if you are ripping down sheets or building things like cabinets or other things it is well worth the investment.

And that was really the point I wanted to make. Thanks for doing it for me !

 

[ScottsGT]

Yea, but it's a cool tool where I can make clean, straight cuts without a high end table saw. LOL! I know of one project in the near future I need it. Deciding about others I'm thinking about taking on too.
Many times I've resisted buying something and then kicked my **** for not getting it sooner once I did.

 

[todd_fuller]

I built this with a track saw. I have a table saw but it was just easier and safer with the track saw.

(OK and a Domino, but there's myriad other ways to assemble it.)

 

[ScottsGT]

I think your inspector approves! Looks great.

 

[todd_fuller]

check out the Triton reviews online. They appear identical to the Makita. The other thing to consider is buying the saw from the cheapest place and then sourcing a track locally. It seems that every other brand work but festool is reasonably interchangeable with the tracks. I wouldn't be married to getting a super long track to start with. It's not hard to get alignment with two 55" tracks.

 

[signcrafter]

And that was really the point I wanted to make. Thanks for doing it for me !

Obviously the guy must do some woodworking since he has already made up his mind on a tracksaw so not sure what your point is you're trying to make. If you don't want a track saw great. But "your point" is like saying don't buy a socket set if you don't work on cars. OK. I don't cut hair except my own with a clippers. So it would be hard to sell me on a nice scissors made for cutting hair. That's the same point you are making. Like I said I could care less if you want one but since the guy said he is a woodworking I think your point is null and void.

Also like I said I thought the same way as you for a long time. Didn't think I could justify spending that much money on a saw to cut straight lines. But after buying it I found all kinds of uses for it and regret not buying it sooner. That was my point. If you cut any decent amount of sheet goods then you need one. Kind of like using a crescent wrench and channel locks to work on cars. It will get some things done but if you do much work on cars a socket set will make your life a lot easier.

 

[Cope]

I saw track saws being used at the big box stores at least 1986 if not before. They all had a Milwaukee 7 1/4' saw mounted.

 

[signcrafter]

I saw track saws being used at the big box stores at least 1986 if not before. They all had a Milwaukee 7 1/4' saw mounted.

These most likely weren't the same track saw the OP is asking about. What you are talking about, unless I'm wrong is a panel saw. They still have them in most box stores. A track saw is this, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHN6L74/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[catron44]

The tauton 2017 tool guide had a run down of the available track saws. We have the festool at work and it's awesome. I know it has been around for more than 15 years because it was in use in Europe prior to making across the pond.

I have seen the Makita on job sites but never used it. The others I've known about but have no experience with. To me, it's one of the festool power tools that are worth the high cost.

I've used an aluminum straight edge at home on my circular saw and that works well too. The festool though gives you a zero clearance cut and great dust collection.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[dnschmidt]

I think the Makita is the best buy for the money.

 

[Cope]

These most likely weren't the same track saw the OP is asking about. What you are talking about, unless I'm wrong is a panel saw. They still have them in most box stores. A track saw is this, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHN6L74/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My bad, sorry.

 

[ScottsGT]

Just an update. The Makita will be delivered today.

Now if the wife gets home before me and sees the box....

FYI: Bought the saw only on ebay for $330 shipped. I'll source the track locally at Mann Tool. Still saving $100 even buying track locally.