Which track saw would you recommend?

[BioNerd]

Ive used festool t75, t55, Maffell the big and small one, and ive used grizzly.

If I had to buy a track saw again, I would go grizzly and I would use a festool or Diablo blade.

Grizzly outlived maffell cutting thru solid oak doors full depth.

Now, there is a festool ive only used once, its not t55 or 75. It has a similar mechanism than the maffell.
I would buy that if I wasnt going for grizzly.

Ive never seen any high end finish carpenter use either one of the options you mentioned. Even the floor guys use festool. Lol

Sent from my LM-X212(G) using Tapatalk

 

[acer66]

Once you have the track saw, the next step is a track router. Especially on long cuts, I find it much easier than changing the blade on the table saw, get the right number of shims to match the width of the plywood (anyone's guess what the actual thickness will be) and then push the sheet of ply across the blade.

Since I have festool track saw, I bought there 'guide stop adapter' and set it up to work on my Bosch Router.

They all have the adapter - included is a pic of the Makita version

I forgot to add - you can even use a track saw to 'joint' two pieces of board in a pinch. But the two edges together and make a cut right down the line and you should end up with a pretty straight matching edge on both boards

That is great info, I hope dewalt makes one that fits makita/festool rails.

 

[mike93lx]

Riving knives don't matter for sheet goods. If you are cutting lumber, then they are important

 

[Sage55]

Well after much back and forth I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Makita SP6000J1.

Amazon has a $25 off at checkout and I just received a $200 amazon gift card from work today so after everything was said and done I'll have my new track saw by Friday for less than $200.

Hard to beat if you ask me. Thanks to everyone for all your help. There is certainly a lot of good information that I'll be coming back to for sure.

 

[mike_aa]

Congratulations! Makita is a good choice. Have fun with it.

Mike

 

[acer66]

Well after much back and forth I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Makita SP6000J1.

Amazon has a $25 off at checkout and I just received a $200 amazon gift card from work today so after everything was said and done I'll have my new track saw by Friday for less than $200.

Hard to beat if you ask me. Thanks to everyone for all your help. There is certainly a lot of good information that I'll be coming back to for sure.

I still have to use the clamps I bought with my saw.
The rubber on the track does a great job on ply.
Guess they will come in handy with some more rough sawn lumber.

How do you guys feel about the right angle attachments?
I so far just use a speed square.

 

[pault28]

The dewalt tracksaw does fit the Festool and Makita rails. The dewalt has two grooves in the base of the saw so it can ride on the center hump of the dewalt track or the left-ish hump of the makita and Festool rail. I own a dewalt saw and Festool mft with the Festool track.

 

[mike_aa]

Originally Posted by acer66
How do you guys feel about the right angle attachments?
I so far just use a speed square.

The guide rail squares made by TSO Products are super accurate and only take a few seconds to put on or take off. They are pricey, though.

Mike

 

[Git]

The guide rail squares made by TSO Products are super accurate and only take a few seconds to put on or take off. They are pricey, though.

Mike

I have the same TSO square and I didn't think it through at the time, but there have been a couple of times now that I wish I would have bought the PE (Parallel Edge) version, because it lets you work off of either side of our workpiece

 

[Sage55]

I have the same TSO square and I didn't think it through at the time, but there have been a couple of times now that I wish I would have bought the PE (Parallel Edge) version, because it lets you work off of either side of our workpiece

I see they sell a package for both versions. Would there be a need to use both on each side of the track? Wouldn't one suffice?

 

[BioNerd]

Well after much back and forth I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Makita SP6000J1.

Amazon has a $25 off at checkout and I just received a $200 amazon gift card from work today so after everything was said and done I'll have my new track saw by Friday for less than $200.

Hard to beat if you ask me. Thanks to everyone for all your help. There is certainly a lot of good information that I'll be coming back to for sure.

At that price I would have done the same

Sent from my LM-X212(G) using Tapatalk

 

[mike_aa]

I have the same TSO square and I didn't think it through at the time, but there have been a couple of times now that I wish I would have bought the PE (Parallel Edge) version, because it lets you work off of either side of our workpiece

I was an "early adopter" and ordered the first generation of the GRS-16 when it came out. While I do like the compact form factor, I recently added the PE version so I would have the added flexibility if I needed it. If you bought one and want to add the other, give them a call. They discounted the second one since they do offer the two as a package.

 

[RKA]

Sage, I believe the only case for using two is on a long cut (8 ft sheet). But give them a call and discuss before you order. They are really friendly and helpful and pride themselves on not selling a gimmick, but solving *your* problem.

I have the first gen like Mike and only use it on the leading edge of the track. Typically I'm limiting the cuts with the rail square to 2-4 ft and it's fine. Some prefer to put the rail square on the far end of the rail, that's where the PE version is useful, it can be placed in either orientation. I like it on the near end so I can easily see it's flush to the edge.

 

[mike_aa]

I see they sell a package for both versions. Would there be a need to use both on each side of the track? Wouldn't one suffice?

Only one is usually needed. But in some cases you may want to use both. TSO also makes Parallel Guides for repeatable cuts on a panel. The guides attach to the GRS and you can use one at each end. You can see them in this video.

TSO has special offers from time to time so it's a good idea to sign up for their emails.

 

[mike_aa]

Sage, I believe the only case for using two is on a long cut (8 ft sheet). But give them a call and discuss before you order. They are really friendly and helpful and pride themselves on not selling a gimmick, but solving *your* problem.

Totally agree! They are really good people!

 

[Git]

I see they sell a package for both versions. Would there be a need to use both on each side of the track? Wouldn't one suffice?

Yes, I don't see the need for both.

As I recall, the original one was developed (the one with the triangular shape) so that it would fit inside a systainer.

They both just clip on and off so they are easily moved from one side to the other.

The first thing I do when working with sheet goods is cut the long edge off of one side (unless I really need it to be a full 48"). This edge now becomes my 'reference' edge because it is a nice clean, straight cut. I then use the TSO guide to cut the short edge off and now I am pretty certain I am dealing with a good 90 degree cut and I can go from there. I do have a set of parallel guides, but they will only go to about 30". Anything greater than that I use a story stick or just cut thin strips of wood to the right length for repeatability

 

[mike_aa]

Yes, I don't see the need for both.

As I recall, the original one was developed (the one with the triangular shape) so that it would fit inside a systainer.

They both just clip on and off so they are easily moved from one side to the other.

The first thing I do when working with sheet goods is cut the long edge off of one side (unless I really need it to be a full 48"). This edge now becomes my 'reference' edge because it is a nice clean, straight cut. I then use the TSO guide to cut the short edge off and now I am pretty certain I am dealing with a good 90 degree cut and I can go from there. I do have a set of parallel guides, but they will only go to about 30". Anything greater than that I use a story stick or just cut thin strips of wood to the right length for repeatability

 

[Sage55]

The first thing I do when working with sheet goods is cut the long edge off of one side (unless I really need it to be a full 48"). This edge now becomes my 'reference' edge because it is a nice clean, straight cut. I then use the TSO guide to cut the short edge off and now I am pretty certain I am dealing with a good 90 degree cut and I can go from there. I do have a set of parallel guides, but they will only go to about 30". Anything greater than that I use a story stick or just cut thin strips of wood to the right length for repeatability

Great suggestion indeed.

The wife just called and notified me the saw has arrived... can you take a guess who is going to try to make this a short day?

The TSO guide looks awesome and something I'm going to have to add to my wish list for sure. Maybe after X-Mas I can pick it up.

 

[RKA]

Get on their mailing list. I would expect they will run some kind of sale around black friday, but if you're not ready, maybe they will do something for the new year?

 

[acer66]

Get on their mailing list. I would expect they will run some kind of sale around black friday, but if you're not ready, maybe they will do something for the new year?

 

[Sage55]

Well I got to use the new track saw today, cutting down 3/4" birch plywood. Maybe I oversold it in my head, but not terribly impressed at the moment.

 

[signcrafter]

Well I got to use the new track saw today, cutting down 3/4" birch plywood. Maybe I oversold it in my head, but not terribly impressed at the moment.

What didn't impress you? I have the makita track saw and love it. I use it all the time and haven't had any issues with it at all.

 

[RKA]

??? What did you see and what did you expect?

On a different note, here is a short video one of the members of the Festool Owners Group put together which touches on one guide rail square vs. two and the parallel guides. Thought it might be helpful.

 

[Wamsutta]

Does any manufacturer make a track saw that will rip a full sheet of plywood from one end to the other? It would have to go the full 96 inches.

 

[usa#1]

Yep. About all of them. Tracks come in several lengths; you can get a long one that will do the 96 inch cut or you can purchase two shorter ones and join them together. They make track connectors for that purpose.

 

[acer66]

Just in case you want to go the extra “mile”.
https://www.festoolproducts.com/acc...uide-rail.html?SID=rnedjtlheniiu97lj0ce5e2gg5

 

[jar944]

Well I got to use the new track saw today, cutting down 3/4" birch plywood. Maybe I oversold it in my head, but not terribly impressed at the moment.

Something seems off. I picked up the makita in 2013 and its a fantastic tool.

I've buried it straight lining 3" thick hardwood and cut stacks of 3/4 ply with it..

 

[manwithtools]

Does any manufacturer make a track saw that will rip a full sheet of plywood from one end to the other? It would have to go the full 96 inches.

Yep. About all of them. Tracks come in several lengths; you can get a long one that will do the 96 inch cut or you can purchase two shorter ones and join them together. They make track connectors for that purpose.

Most of the manufacturers do provide long tracks that will allow 8 foot cuts. I'd avoid the short tracks joined together. The single piece long tracks assure a straight cut, I know folks may say they are successful with the joined sections, I just have had less than satisfactory results and it's a pain to put them together and take them apart.

 

[Git]

^^^^^ This. Been there, done that (and it was with Festool Tracks)

Fortunately, I was able to sell the 2nd track I bought for about 80% of what I paid for it and just bought their 106" track

 

[manwithtools]

^^^^^ This. Been there, done that (and it was with Festool Tracks)

Fortunately, I was able to sell the 2nd track I bought for about 80% of what I paid for it and just bought their 106" track

There is a reason this product exists:

BETTERLEY Straight Line Connector - For aligning track saw rails

https://betterleytools.com/products/straight-line-connector-for-aligning-track-saw-rails.html

 

[Git]

For people that can't do math?

I aware of that connector from Betterley Tools (by the way, their Una Gauge is a must-have in my opinion)

A second piece of 55" Festool track is $145. (You might as well buy one with the 'holes' in it - why Festool still sells the piece without the holes for the same price is beyond me) The Betterley connector is $110. That's $255 and you still have to fiddle around putting it together and taking it apart, and no sooner do you put it together, you need just the short section again...

So, I paid $285 for a brand new, $106" Festool track and sold off the original 55" track that didn't have holes in it.

Buying the 106" track is a decision that I have NEVER regretted

 

[RKA]

If you have room in your truck or can easily maneuver it in your shop, no doubt that’s the way to go. But if shorter sections of track are required, TSO’s self aligning connectors are probably the easiest way of joining the rails short of jumping into the Bosch/Mafell camp.

Ok Sage, what’s the issue? I’m sure we can figure this out as long as you didn’t drop it in a lake yet.

 

[amguttin]

I own the dealt with both tracks. I have used the festoon, Makita, desalt, grizzly, and homemade. once you learn the ins and outs of each saw, they all perform well.

 

[acer66]

??? What did you see and what did you expect?

On a different note, here is a short video one of the members of the Festool Owners Group put together which touches on one guide rail square vs. two and the parallel guides. Thought it might be helpful.

Man, looks like all the accessories cost more than the saw.

 

[mike93lx]

Man, looks like all the accessories cost more than the saw.

It's all about the "system"

 

[acer66]

It's all about the "system"

Yeah, I was considering the TSO right angle attachment but knowing myself I might gets sucked into the “system”.
So I might just stay with squaring rails with my big speed square.

 

[Chevota Guy]

There is a less expensive rail square out there. I purchased this before I knew about the TSO version. It works as advertised.

A lot of folks who are devoted loyalists to TSO have cried foul on this product calling it a knock off, but my tool supplier has sold many of them (made in Canada) and customers are happy.

View media item 98328

 

[acer66]

There is a less expensive rail square out there. I purchased this before I knew about the TSO version. It works as advertised.

A lot of folks who are devoted loyalists to TSO have cried foul on this product calling it a knock off, but my tool supplier has sold many of them (made in Canada) and customers are happy.

View media item 98328

Was that on FB?

 

[RKA]

TSO made the mistake of not patenting their product in Canada when they released it. Someone took advantage of that and built their version. Lesson learned by TSO and now they don’t talk about their upcoming products until all their ducks are in a row. The people that support TSO do so out of principle. So that’s the back story on these two products.

https://www.toolnut.com/accessories/saw-accessories/guide-rails-tracks/insta-railsquare-track-saw-square-dog-set-for-festool-makita-rails-1.html

 

[Git]

There is a less expensive rail square out there. I purchased this before I knew about the TSO version. It works as advertised.

A lot of folks who are devoted loyalists to TSO have cried foul on this product calling it a knock off, but my tool supplier has sold many of them (made in Canada) and customers are happy.

View media item 98328

Ya, I get it why someone might want to save some money. It's not about being a 'loyalist' (I guess that makes you feel better for saying it?)

The Instal-Rail is a blatant rip off of a 'little guy' manufacturer who came up with it. Also, I doubt if I will buy any more tools from ToolNut for blatantly promoting this product even after they were called out on it

https://festoolownersgroup.com/inde...;topic=new-guide-rail-square-made-in-canada.0