With an integrated spring-loaded riving knife to help prevent jamming and forceful ejections, the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus is relatively safe and easy to use. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2" Plunge Track Saw Kit, 3. A: If you are looking to make long and accurate cuts, track saws are worth it. Kreg Tracksaw It's the Kreg ACS1000 if you google it more pics come up. My saw also follows the track well without burning the wood or doing other undesirable things. Thus, you can move the material along the intended cutting track. The main benefit that table saws have is the ability to cut much deeper than typical track saws. Everything I have bought from Kreg has been money well spent. Tracks can also be connected together using track connectors to allow you to increase the length of your track and cut any length of material with the guide track helping you through the entire job. Goodell David, Founder of WoodWorking Clarity, says, If you do a lot of quick jobs or work mainly from your shop, you dont need a cord.However, you will have to change the batteries from time to time, which can be cumbersome, especially if the track saw dies down in between a cutting job. Our Festool model was a good runner-up, but there can only be one winner here. Chad Stanton explains what he likes and doesn't like in this . The Kreg Saw has a splinter guard, a riving knife, and a dust bag. Cleanup is also easy since you can connect it to a suitable vacuum cleaner for dust collection. Track saws can get closer to walls thanks to their flat blade guard design and they offer much better dust collection. There are so many types of saws to choose from, such as a table saw, circular saw, miter saw, chop saw, chainsaw, and many others. And with these saws featuring dust collection bags vs. attached dust collectors you can be free of two cords and not just one. With this being a Festool, this is a combination of all the best track saw features. Surprisingly, the Powertec track was an EXACT replica of the Makita. Speed: 5,500 rpm. Kreg ACS2000 Adaptive Cutting Track Saw Kit, Use the Right Blades and Take Care of Them, Cutting Studs for Walls or Frame Structures, Super deep cutting capacity allows you to reach larger cutting depths of. Expect to pay between $700-900 for a fully equipped track saw and track. While circular saws and table saws perform similar duties, the track saw is a unique piece of equipment that provides the benefits of a portable circular saw with the reliability and precision of a table saw. And with track saws, the time has come to make the switch. Even if youre an expert saw user, you should still exercise safety precautions. High Points. BEST EXTRA-WIDE: E. Emerson . Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop. WEN vs Kreg vs Festool 731 Woodworks 396K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.6K Save 101K views 10 months ago #woodworking #tracksaw #tools I compared three. Looking for a larger cut capacity? A circular saw, miter saw, or some other saw just cant compete with a track saw for this purpose. Track saws take up a lot less space too. The DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw is a sturdy machine that offers solid performance, but the price is rather high all things considered. The Kreg ACS3000 track saw kit comes with an included 62 guide track and a collapsible project table so you can hit the ground running with a single purchase. 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. There is a fair amount of plastic used in the construction of the DEWALT DWS520K track saw, which is a bit of a drag considering the price they are asking; however, this saw does a great job nonetheless. The primary drawback of the DEWALT DWS520K track saw aside from its price are some issues with its design. Mafell is another German made saw, and is arguably better than the Festool based on reviews and user reports. 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". On the other hand, when you have a cordless track saw, having a 20V battery provides you with sufficient power to operate the blade efficiently. You can't really judge that without putting the saw to use in the field. Cut Precisely. While it wont have the features or performance of a true track saw, combining your circular saw with the Kreg KMA2685 circular saw guide provides you with an inexpensive way to get clean, even cuts. Best Cordless Track Saw: Makita XPS01PTJ Circular Saw Kit, 4. 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). Keep an eye out for the features that matter most to you but remember that more features almost always mean a higher price tag as well. On-board tool storage. Luckily, making a blade change is easy with most models. Best Track for Circular Saws: Kreg KMA2685 Circular Saw Guide, great YouTube video from the WoodWorkers Guild of America, Everything You Need to Know About Repointing Brick, Radiant Floor Heating: The Pros and Cons of Warming Up From Below, How to Install a Light Fixture A Simple DIY Guide. The most portable of all workshop saws, and among the most powerful, track saws work great for larger projects with larger material pieces. Festool uses a fast fix design on this product. Many of the above brands, like Makita, Festool, and Bosch, create great plunge cuts. Dust cleanup is easy too. The Ryobi PTS01K kit adds a charger and 4Ah battery and retails for $399. So, trim carpenters that are looking for a do-everything saw may justify the extra cost and weight. While circular saws and table saws perform similar tasks, the track saw is uniquely designed to bring the best of both worlds together into a single, powerful tool. Well, you can. For best results, connect the plunge release to extend the saw blade, and then press the power trigger before you release the plunge release. The included guide track and project table are also quality pieces of equipment. The Kreg ACS2000 saw kit is one of the most adaptable track saws on this list, able to cut up to 2-1 8 deep at 90 degrees and 1 1 2 at 45 degrees. A standard 6 1/2-inch blade comes with the model, along with a bevel capacity of -1 to 48 degrees. It also rotates 360 so you can work with the jig in multiple orientations. in this guide learn what the alternatives to the popular Festool DOMINO are and why you should invest in this hand-held engineering marvel. Capable of cutting up to 2 deep, the Kreg ACS2000 provides excellent cutting power. The best part of the Makita SP6000J1 track saw is its portability. Bet it's finicky to use. Compare $ 64 00 (63) Model# CT9502. That way, you wont have to measure and mark out each piece individually. In this hands on guide learn how to build a top and follow along with our build of a 2-inch maple butcher block top. The saw has a large cutting capacity with variable speeds ranging from 2000 to 5,200 RPM. Table saws are great for projects that you can do in a shop with lots of extra space for loading the material through the saw. I can see this finding a home in a lot of hobbyists garages. Guide rails clamp to your work, so having to hold the saw down is not as necessary. The large cutting capacity of 2 3/16 inches at 90 degrees and 1 9/16 inches at 45 degrees is perfect for almost any job. A circular saw, for instance, moves the saw blade through the material. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. The low price is extremely tempting for novice users, but the lack of overall quality and performance is likely to be more difficult for new users to accommodate. Below, youll find track saw reviews detailing the pros and cons, but mostly the benefits, of some of the best track saws for woodworking. The track is 62 long and has anti-slip and anti-chip strips to make working with it easy and safe. While Kreg may not be a giant brand name yet, they are certainly making strides in the track saw world with their durable and reliable tools and accessories. Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Kreg is a bit slower than the Festool. It also maintains a constant speed while cutting to provide clean, straight cuts. Table saws need a lot more room to be used effectively and can often necessitate having a person on hand to help hold and feed the materials through as another person guides the cut. The price is reasonable and DEWALTs excellent warranty makes this an easy recommendation for DIYers that have the occasional need for a track saw. The Kreg ACS2000 track saw offers straight, smooth cuts without tear outs. In the last issue, Rob asked for opinions about track saws: if you owned one, if you wanted one - and why or why not. When it comes to cordless tools the decision is first this: do you already own the battery ecosystem? For beginning woodworkers, starting with a circular saw, a guide rail, and some saw horses might be best. Key features: Most woodworkers that own a track saw will also own a dust extractor. And the track quality is as equally important to a great cut as the saw itself. With almost all tools now offering a cordless option, track saws are no exception. Touch device users, explore by touch or . The track saw's plunging action and blade result in a cleaner cut than all but the finest, smallest-kerfed table saw blades. Bosch FSN RS Kickback Stop for Guiderails 1600Z0000M . Kreg. This is another major factor that comes into play when you are considering the best track saw. A few users agree that this latest Festool is light but are doubtful if this will hold the cut. If you know what youre doing and are willing to make some adjustments yourself, the Shop Fox W1835 track saw is a low-budget machine that performs solidly on easier to cut materials. The latter two will be the subject of today's article as we answer the question whether the tracks are interchangeable. . Related Article: Track Saw vs Table Saw And When To Use Each. Disclosures: (1) If you click a link on this site and buy something I will earn a commission. Best Budget Track Saw: Kreg ACS2000 Saw & Guide Track Kit; 5. You can adjust the track so the saw will stop when its done cutting. The work you do and your need for accuracy and precision comes down to your preferences and expectations from your tools. 2) Kreg has 8" wheels to move it around after folding. Circular saws are the more common workshop power tools. Couple differences to know: 1) Kreg uses 3/4" dog holes and Festool uses 20mm. Track saws also called plunge saws, are a reliable tool for getting accurate and clean cuts of wood and sheet materials. But you wont have the design and features of a higher grade track saw like the anti-kickback, riving knife or splinter guards. Another important factor is whether the saw is corded or cordless. Plus, they allow you to align the track with the line you want to cut, and the cut gets finished quickly. To keep costs down, Kreg used a fair amount of plastic in the housing of the track saw and the guide track itself. Some customers recommend adding a 9.0 AH battery to increase speed and cutting power for heavier projects. Track Saw vs. Circular Saw: Whats the Difference? Historically, the plunge-cut tool was first introduced by Festool in 1980. Festool 577043 FS 1400/2-KP Guide Rail 1400 mm With Adhesive Pads . Fits to guide track system for smooth, precise straight and bevel cutting. A plunge cut track saw can also make straight cuts fast and smoothly, despite not having as powerful a motor. 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. The DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw kit comes with an included 59 guide track so you can get started right out of the box. But how did we handpick these options? Track saws are one of the best options for cutting drywall, too, since the material produces a lot of dust. The Festool TSC 55 is almost identical to its corded counterpart with the exception of a dual 18/36V battery system powering the blade. Plus, it also offers you maximum versatility and a smooth cutting experience. As mentioned, Festool's track saws are generally for the high-income bracket. Learn what brands and mounts are best for your project. The Makita SP6000J1 uses magnesium components to provide durability while maintaining the machines light weight. Remember that you must follow specific steps for plunge cuts since they require more care than bevel cuts or straight cuts. UPGRADE PICK: Bora 5-Piece NGX Set. If youre looking for a cheap track saw and you already own a circular saw, the handy Kreg KMA2685 might be a better option for you. 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. Make angles from 0-60 using the included Miter Guide, or cut perfect 45 miters easily using Versa-Stops and the precisely machined holes in the Project Table. The variable speed dial gives users the freedom to adjust and work with different materials. Greetings, I'm in the market for a Track saw/Plunge saw, done a bit of research and arrived between the Bosch GKT 55 GCE and the Makita SP6000 both running for about 350 including Guide Rail which is about as much as I'm willing to spend. A variable speed dial lets you match the cutting speed to your application and offers between 2,000 to 2,500 RPM. The Best Drawer Slides With Soft Close and Full Extension. While I am a dozen tools into the Milwaukee brand they just dont have all of the tracks and reputation in track saws to make a brand-only decision. To activate your track saws power, you need to press the plunge release and the power trigger together. 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