Panel Saws, recommend DIY instructions or storebought

[A&P mechanic]

Hello,

Did anyone build there own panel saw? If so, I would like to see picture please. Did you use DIY instructions from a magazine or YouTube video? Also, has anyone bought a name brand panel saw? Are you satisfied with your DIY made panel saw and/or your store bought panel saw? Thank you!

 

[Stephenw]

I believe a panel saw is good for breaking down a full sheet into smaller pieces. I do not believe that they are very accurate or that they produce a clean cut.

I use a track saw. I have the Kreg brand.

 

[Skiff Builder]

If you already have a circular saw, try building a shooting board. A strip of 3/8" and a strip of 1/4" ply, whatever length you want for the application. Just use the same saw with the same board.
Accurate and lets you lay the edge of the board right on your cut line. I liked it enough to make few in different lengths- use them all the time. Other nice thing is they are able to be used in place on a vertical wall if needed.

 

[ez-duzit]

My vertical panel saw was sold long ago because it has been eclipsed by my Festool track saw, which is a vastly superior system, making chip-free cuts in expensive veneered plywood.

 

[Kaizen]

Panel saws take up too much space and outdated. As said track saw is better and no space needed


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[slodat]

I’ve had Festool track saws for over ten years. Wouldn’t be without it.

 

[gizardlizard]

Just Google or YouTube: homemade track saws. Lots of great designs out there. I built a 97” and a 49”. Works great for breaking down sheet goods.

 

[Renegade1LI]

A cordless track saw with both a long & short track should handle everything, I have a dewalt flexvolt love it plus I have the router adapter, great set up.

 

[A&P mechanic]

That was useful information about track saws and I appreciate it. After watching some track saw videos, I do believe a track saw would be the way to go as it is smaller and easier to store when not in use. My intentions are to solely use the saw for breaking down 4 ft x 8 ft sheets accurately. I have an older corded Makita circular saw. In the future, I plan to upgrade to a Milwaukee battery M18 circular saw.

Is there a track saw that you recommend for use with an existing circular saw?

I realize Festool makes the best woodworking tools and their track saw does look nice. I would prefer to buy enough track to cut an 8ft length and use a circular saw instead of purchasing a dedicated track saw. This way, I would not have an extra saw. I looked up the Kreg version that was mentioned above.

Which track saw track do you recommend for use with an existing saw? Do you recommend the Kreg or a different brand? For comparison, why would an individual buy a dedicated track saw versus one of the kits that accepts a normal circular saw? Would a track saw do more accurate cuts than a track saw kit that accepts a standard circular saw in a sled such as the Kregg?

 

[Voi]

I'm well out of the loop when it comes to woodworking but way back the downfall to DIY panel saws was with horizontal rips and keeping the kerf from closing in on itself.

Actually this is a problem with any panel saw, although some evidently deal with it better than others.

I can certainly see the advantage of a panel saw. Storing plywood and just sliding it 8' over onto the panel saw and breaking it down into manageable pieces can be an advantage in some situations.

So I would consider the following before deciding about a panel saw over a track saw or DIY shooting board.

1) Is the storage and cutting on edge a significant space and handling advantage?

2) How precise do you need for most of your work?

3) How clean of an edge is required for most of your work?

4) Does most of your work require horizontal rips or will cross cuts be sufficient most of the time?

 

[ez-duzit]

...Is there a track saw that you recommend for use with an existing circular saw?...

None that work well enough. Don't cheap out on this. You will save nothing in the long run.

 

[Toolfool]

If you already have a circular saw, try building a shooting board. A strip of 3/8" and a strip of 1/4" ply, whatever length you want for the application. Just use the same saw with the same board.
Accurate and lets you lay the edge of the board right on your cut line. I liked it enough to make few in different lengths- use them all the time. Other nice thing is they are able to be used in place on a vertical wall if needed.

The above post is a very good solution if you want to use your own circular saw. I've been using this type of set-up for cutting doors down after carpet and tile installations for over 35 years. You can make it any length you want.

 

[Voi]

I have an older corded Makita circular saw. In the future, I plan to upgrade to a Milwaukee battery M18 circular saw.

Is there a track saw that you recommend for use with an existing circular saw?

Eureka Zone was always considered the best but then you're giving up the plunge feature and it requires a bolt on shoe for your current saw.

I believe Milwaukee has teased a track ready saw for the European market. Or maybe just a replacement base for the current saw. Doesn't have the plunge feature of a dedicated track saw, however. But neither would the Eureka Zone product with your current saw.

Metabo, Festool and Makita all have cordless, track compatible saws released if you want to research the concept.

All of these track compatible saws (or the replacement base if that's the direction Milwaukee is going in) allow for the saw to be used like a regular saw and still be track compatible.

Again, in all of these cases there is not a plunge feature and dust collection won't be as good as a true track saw.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Once you use a good track saw nothing else seems good enough, i have Dewalt but festool, makita, bosch any of the main brands are good. It’s just the next evolution of ripping sheet goods plus it’s portable, stores well in a shop or truck and cuts precise. I’ve used a circular saw with straight edge and still do, it just depends on what you’re cutting, you can break down sheets ready for assembly. I started with corded and ended up with cordless, just my preference.

 

[Voi]

Here is the video I watched about the EU market Milwaukee saw.

I don't recall if the replacement base was mentioned up in the video content or the comment section or both.

There was a time in my life where this would have been perfect for me. But now having a corded plunge saw setup with a good dust extractor is what I need.

 

[Stephenw]

Kreg makes a track kit that fits a regular circular saw. This is not what I have.

I have the actual Kreg track saw. I checked it out in person at Woodcraft. It has all the features I needed and is well designed. The cut quality is excellent. At $400, it is a little more affordable than some of the other brands like Festool, DeWalt, or Makita. Great reviews online for this saw too.

 

[A&P mechanic]

I watched the video for the Milwaukee track with the Milwaukee EU battery track saw and I also read all the YouTube comments. I did not see a Milwaukee part number listed. After reading all the comments and seeing the video, it does seem likely that Milwaukee will sell their track and M18 adapter plate in the US. That video is also recent at only a month old.

I looked at the Eureka Zone guides and those actually look more durable than the Kregg. I like those clamps that attach to the aluminum guide and am happy that it is US made.

I plan to either purchase the Eureka guides or make my own shooter boards in 4 ft and 8ft lengths. If and when Milwaukee comes out with an M18 adapter plate to use with their track in the US, I will purchase that. Thank you for all the track saw guidance G.J.!

“1) Is the storage and cutting on edge a significant space and handling advantage?
I think it is great how the track breaks down for easy storage.

2) How precise do you need for most of your work?
This is only for home use, I would prefer to see within 1/16”.

3) How clean of an edge is required for most of your work?
I use a fine tooth blade and I expect the wooden edge will be clean due to the high tooth count.

4) Does most of your work require horizontal rips or will cross cuts be sufficient most of the time?”
I would like the ability to do both cross cuts and horizontal rips.

 

[subroc]

Lot of good choices from homemade to tools that approach a $1000. I am just a DIY guy. I happen to be 66 years old. The days of me horsing a sheet of 3/4" around are pretty much behind me now. Anyway, I use straight edge clamping tool guides and an old Dewalt 18v 6-1/2" circular saw to break down plywood. I have 6 of them. 4 Emerson that I bought from Amazon and a couple others that came with a lot of stuff. I am not recommending what you should or shouldn't do. Too many good options. I am suggesting if you are looking for a reasonably priced option, straight edge clamping tool guides are worth adding to the mix of things to look at.

Good luck finding a solution that meets your needs and fits your pocketbook.

 

[Voi]

“1) Is the storage and cutting on edge a significant space and handling advantage?
I think it is great how the track breaks down for easy storage.

2) How precise do you need for most of your work?
This is only for home use, I would prefer to see within 1/16”.

3) How clean of an edge is required for most of your work?
I use a fine tooth blade and I expect the wooden edge will be clean due to the high tooth count.

4) Does most of your work require horizontal rips or will cross cuts be sufficient most of the time?”
I would like the ability to do both cross cuts and horizontal rips.

I apologize. I posted the above questions while you were posting in reply #9 that a track saw sounded like the way to go. We only posted a few minutes apart.

All of my questions above that you answered were specifically about use of a panel saw, not a track saw.

However, based on your answers, I agree that a track saw is probably the right choice for you.

 

[Voi]

I watched the video for the Milwaukee track with the Milwaukee EU battery track saw and I also read all the YouTube comments. I did not see a Milwaukee part number listed.

https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/en-gb/m...d-plastics,-guide-rail-compatible/m18-fcsg66/

https://www.milwaukeetool.eu/en-eu/guide-rail-gru-1400-1400-mm-long-supplied-with-carry-bag/

https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeeToolUK/posts/3216295845127405

I don't have a Facebook account but can see that there are 37 comments. Maybe something buried in there about a US release.

 

[tarbellb]

Makita all day every day

 

[A&P mechanic]

I ended up upgrading to a M18 circular saw and chose the aluminum Eureka zone guide rails. I did not know this when I bought the guide rails because it was not specified, but this system does not fit Milwaukee. The rails would have been expensive to ship back since the package is huge, so I chose to modify the guide rails to fit my saw. You can see in the last picture how the plastic was ground off with a die grinder. I had to grind the bottom to, which is not shown.

My recommendation is that if you own a Milwaukee saw, do not buy this. However, it is a good system if you own a different brand saw or an older corded saw. I think the least expensive track saw I saw was around 300 and this was only slightly less. If anybody does get this guide rail system, the directions have the wrong drill bit size listed for a tap, so use a tap guide for the correct drill size. Lastly, you need one transfer punch to make this perfect. (I have a full transfer punch set up to ½” but do not recall the transfer punch size). If you do not use a transfer punch, the sled will fit “ok” but it will not be a perfect fit.

Hope this write up helps. It is a good system if you own anything other than Milwaukee. Thank you for the suggestions a few months ago.

 

[tarbellb]

Nice enough setup, at least you will have option to use it as both a std circ and track saw.

I dont suggest using a Festool or Makita anytime, youll quickly realize how much better a true track saw is

 

[ez-duzit]

A--you could have got a real track saw and all its benefits.

 

[Two Door]

2) How precise do you need for most of your work?
This is only for home use, I would prefer to see within 1/16”.

However accurately you can mark your target and position the track relative to the mark is exactly what you will get.

 

[A&P mechanic]

You guys are right. A true track saw would have been better in hindsight. I may get one in a few years but until then I will use the above circular saw and guide rail set up. Cheers.

 

[nadogail]

For 38 years I have used a $20 circular saw, a 2X4, and a pair of C Clamps.