Although this guy is kinda dorky, he is by the far one of the best, if not the best reviewer on youtube I have ever seen. He offer a wealth of useful information about track saws purposes, features and benefits and does so in a impartial way. His ability to deliver information fluently and (seemingly)effortlessness makes for a very enjoyable watching experience. I also really appreciate the (seemingly)high production value of the of the video. Its refreshing to see a review that uses good scene set-ups, lighting, camera angles/shots, an actual script and host that knows what he's doing. Great great review and video WoodworkersJournal.
Love my Makita.The tool is made in UK, the aluminium track in China..Quality built tool, and not too expensive.I use it in different scenarios including with a pair of trestles.Just choose a blade that suits the job and enjoy not being tied to either a table saw or a workbench.And yes I did checkout the other brands including Festool.I use Festool and Makita equipment and both are very good IMO.
Another huge issue not mentioned with 4x8 sheet goods on a table saw... the need to have more than 8' of space both in front of and behind the saw to make the cut. Many smaller shops, like mine, don't have the 20-24 feet required. Wrestling those sheets down into a basement workshop is a huge issue as well. Those drove my need to spend the money and buy a track saw (Makita 2x18V cordless) to break down sheet goods before I can make final cuts on the table saw. It cuts so well I rarely have to re-cut those edges.
I didn't see the Grizzly track saw in that lineup. For the price it can't be beat for most home shops. I've put many miles on my grizzly track saw and love it and the price won't break the bank.
A great video . but i was wondering why you didn't explain how you choose the depth setting , it looked like you had a piece of polystyrene on the floor to prevent cutting into the floor which seemed a good idea ?
Setting depth on track saws would be the same principle as a table top . You want 1/2 of the curf of the blade to extend beyond the materials surface. Thus, he had polystyrene on the floor to prevent damage to blade and floor.
Why at the just over 6 minute mark was the orange saw generating a lot of dust? It was hooked up to the Festool vac. Was the vac not switched on??Just curious, not critical.I don't know if I'll ever get back to this site to find out..
At min 4:08, you take the plywood on a particular "foam", just to absorb cuts and "save" the floor : which is the exact name and type? Thanks in advance
For those of you that have a track saw, do you need the track clamps to make rip/crosscuts for 48" or less? Or does the non-skid rubber strips really keep the track on the cut line? Thanks for your replies.
David Letz I’ve used my Festool track with out the clamps and not once has the track moved or slid out. But the clamps are nice if you don’t feel confident about ruining a 100$ sheet.
I am familiar with all of these brands, except the red saw. Who makes that, and at what price point? I am in the market for a track saw but am very disappointed with the products that Grizzly makes.
The red one is a Mafell here in the uk they are cheaper than the Festool and is a better saw I brought the makita as it does all I need it too and I can get conversion bases for my makita circular saws too.
+Backyard Woodworking Before I got my Festool I'd agree with you but now that I have one and have used it a bunch I'd be lost without it. You can use a regular skill saw but it does not give you the fine accurate cut and there is no dust collection with a skill saw.
I've been using my own tracks for years with the same mindset a couple of difficult jobs recently and I brought a track saw yesterday would never go back. I will keep my home made tracks as there's jobs where the Ali tracks are too good for but I'm now a convert.
When did track saws become a thing? Makes me feel like a Neanderthal for all those years I just clamped a straitedge and had at it. I guess it might de-skill the procedure and speed things up on the job site.
There is an advantage have two instead of one long piece. Storage for one and ease of use. I have use the several times with no issue with a straight cut.
yes no telly me witch him liked boo i not ready n search fer an articullll ///me runs kill saw down 2x4`s stuck to runner board wit 29 dollop saw fer now ;}
If you don't see the benefits of a track saw after watching this video, then I feel sorry for you. However not everyone needs a track saw. Keep that in mind dummies
Any of these saws will make a better cut than a circular saw. ...NO,,, THEY WON`T... About time you realized , it`s NOT the.saw that cuts the wood ,,,,it`s the blade.. same blade on every saw = same quality cut. period.
If you think you can get track saw quality cuts with just a straight edge and a circular saw (even with the most premium blade), you clearly haven't used a track saw. Track saws constrain left/right movement to prevent your cut from wandering, they also have a chip guard to prevent blowout on the top surface, and lastly they typically have really good dust collection which can stop your saw baseplate from riding up on sawdust which is another factor that can affect your cut quality. Oh, plus the edge is exactly where they cut so you don't have to mess with figuring out where to try to clamp your straight edge... you just put the track edge right on the cut line and go.
Although this guy is kinda dorky, he is by the far one of the best, if not the best reviewer on youtube I have ever seen. He offer a wealth of useful information about track saws purposes, features and benefits and does so in a impartial way. His ability to deliver information fluently and (seemingly)effortlessness makes for a very enjoyable watching experience. I also really appreciate the (seemingly)high production value of the of the video. Its refreshing to see a review that uses good scene set-ups, lighting, camera angles/shots, an actual script and host that knows what he's doing. Great great review and video WoodworkersJournal.
Brilliantly explained and demonstrated, thank you.
Man, out of no where, BOOM 5 sweet track saws, great video. Thank you!
Thanks for posting. I purchased the DEWALT track saw and love it. One of my favorite tools for use. Very versatile tool easy operation for one person.
Love my Makita.The tool is made in UK, the aluminium track in China..Quality built tool, and not too expensive.I use it in different scenarios including with a pair of trestles.Just choose a blade that suits the job and enjoy not being tied to either a table saw or a workbench.And yes I did checkout the other brands including Festool.I use Festool and Makita equipment and both are very good IMO.
Another huge issue not mentioned with 4x8 sheet goods on a table saw... the need to have more than 8' of space both in front of and behind the saw to make the cut. Many smaller shops, like mine, don't have the 20-24 feet required. Wrestling those sheets down into a basement workshop is a huge issue as well.
Those drove my need to spend the money and buy a track saw (Makita 2x18V cordless) to break down sheet goods before I can make final cuts on the table saw. It cuts so well I rarely have to re-cut those edges.
Great video, Thanks.
Great job, simple and helpful
Very clear explanation..thanks
Fantastic video with great information. Very clear. Thank you
Thanks mate great help.
Good over view and review of a track saw.
Very informative, thank you.
Great review
Another excellent and informative video.
I didn't see the Grizzly track saw in that lineup. For the price it can't be beat for most home shops. I've put many miles on my grizzly track saw and love it and the price won't break the bank.
A great video . but i was wondering why you didn't explain how you choose the depth setting , it looked like you had a piece of polystyrene on the floor to prevent cutting into the floor which seemed a good idea ?
Setting depth on track saws would be the same principle as a table top . You want 1/2 of the curf of the blade to extend beyond the materials surface. Thus, he had polystyrene on the floor to prevent damage to blade and floor.
Why at the just over 6 minute mark was the orange saw generating a lot of dust? It was hooked up to the Festool vac. Was the vac not switched on??Just curious, not critical.I don't know if I'll ever get back to this site to find out..
Thank you
At min 4:08, you take the plywood on a particular "foam", just to absorb cuts and "save" the floor : which is the exact name and type? Thanks in advance
It's just the rigid foam insulation you can get at any of the big box stores.
Up to 63"? I have a 118" for my matika and i am pretty sure festool has been selling one that long for at least 4 or 5 years.
Bosch have 2.1m and 3.1m rails
So what prevents the saw from cutting into the floor? I saw a pink mat under the track. What was that?
Toughnut it’s a 2 inch thick sheet of insulating foam.
For those of you that have a track saw, do you need the track clamps to make rip/crosscuts for 48" or less? Or does the non-skid rubber strips really keep the track on the cut line? Thanks for your replies.
David Letz I’ve used my Festool track with out the clamps and not once has the track moved or slid out. But the clamps are nice if you don’t feel confident about ruining a 100$ sheet.
Never clamped mine, nothings ever moved on me, just keep the sawdust cleaned off if you can
Very informative. thank you. :)
The man needs some saw horses or a work table
Own one of this saw everyone can make a factory cut.
Track saws work better dust collectors based on personal experience. I love my Festool saw, not sure why I waited so many years to buy one.
I am familiar with all of these brands, except the red saw. Who makes that, and at what price point? I am in the market for a track saw but am very disappointed with the products that Grizzly makes.
+Christian Vale Maffel, german made, mind so, expect to pay a HUGE amount of $$$$$$$$$$$$for this one.
The red one is a Mafell here in the uk they are cheaper than the Festool and is a better saw I brought the makita as it does all I need it too and I can get conversion bases for my makita circular saws too.
Great video, wtf didn't u do a plunge cut? Its a plunge saw!
Can you fix triton saw on makita rail? will fix it with out using any adapter?
Cinturino vivosport
Wh at happens when you need to cut an 8 feet length?
+Richard Love
Buy a second track and connect the two together. I have two tracks for my Festool TS 55
Or buy the 3 metre track. I think festool even sells a 5 metre track.
6:38 WRONG. you must PULL this cut!
Nice saws but too pricey for most home woodworkers. You can make your own for a few bucks.
+Backyard Woodworking
Before I got my Festool I'd agree with you but now that I have one and have used it a bunch I'd be lost without it. You can use a regular skill saw but it does not give you the fine accurate cut and there is no dust collection with a skill saw.
I've been using my own tracks for years with the same mindset a couple of difficult jobs recently and I brought a track saw yesterday would never go back. I will keep my home made tracks as there's jobs where the Ali tracks are too good for but I'm now a convert.
Makita sp6000
Or make a saw board for your circ. That way you get 2 tools for the price of one !
4:02 There's a dust extractor right behind you, but instead of using it, you're spraying dust all over your workshop
When did track saws become a thing? Makes me feel like a Neanderthal for all those years I just clamped a straitedge and had at it. I guess it might de-skill the procedure and speed things up on the job site.
Stephen Richie no less skill than clamping a straight edge
WTF, you have to buy TWO tracks to cut an 8' sheet?
+Richard Both festool and makia have 118" 3000mm tracks, have one can't live with out it.
There is an advantage have two instead of one long piece. Storage for one and ease of use. I have use the several times with no issue with a straight cut.
yes no telly me witch him liked boo i not ready n search fer an articullll ///me runs kill saw down 2x4`s stuck to runner board wit 29 dollop saw fer now ;}
If you don't see the benefits of a track saw after watching this video, then I feel sorry for you. However not everyone needs a track saw. Keep that in mind dummies
What do mean.....IF YOU DON`T HAVE A QUALITY BLADE``.. For crying out loud....
BUY ONE....
Any of these saws will make a better cut than a circular saw. ...NO,,, THEY WON`T... About time you realized , it`s NOT the.saw that cuts the wood ,,,,it`s the blade.. same blade on every saw = same quality cut. period.
Sounds like you don't see the advantages of the track saw. Trust me they make them and people buy them for a reason. It's definitely not a gimmick
If you think you can get track saw quality cuts with just a straight edge and a circular saw (even with the most premium blade), you clearly haven't used a track saw.
Track saws constrain left/right movement to prevent your cut from wandering, they also have a chip guard to prevent blowout on the top surface, and lastly they typically have really good dust collection which can stop your saw baseplate from riding up on sawdust which is another factor that can affect your cut quality.
Oh, plus the edge is exactly where they cut so you don't have to mess with figuring out where to try to clamp your straight edge... you just put the track edge right on the cut line and go.
Zero clearance edge on the track means no chipout. You can't do that very easily with a circ saw
Give up the capitalisation mate .. makes you look like a .........