A track saw is a kind of power tool which cuts wood. Quite similar in function to a circular saw, its round blade rotates to make cuts in wood at a very high speed. At the bottom of this device is an aluminium track on which the saw runs. The track itself is placed on a chunk of wood to be cut. The track makes certain that the device works beautifully and remains aligned with the wood. Else, the wood might just splinter when it is cut. Here are 6 Best track saw reviews for you make an informed decision before you buy one of these:
Which is the best track saw?
If you’re looking for a good device to cut wood sheets without using a panel or table saw, go in for the track saw. This one’s a great device because it’s easy to carry around. The track saw and guide rail combo here is perfect for trimming the bottoms of doors, making plunge incisions in the central panels and cutting plywood sheets.
Features: Its 120 volts, 9 amp (1.1 kW) motor meets the expectations of all your cutting needs nicely. It moves at a good speed of 5500 RPM capability. Its blade rim speed of 9070 feet/minute is also good for all wood cutting jobs. If you need to make bevel cuts at a 45 degree angle, you’re in luck here as this device has a bevel gauge with a lock.
This track saw has a plunge cutting movement and a riving knife that affords complete safety over traditional circular saws. It is extremely accurate, even if not used with the guide rail. It also provides enhanced safety, more than traditional circular saws do. It also has an inbuilt dust port to collect all the sawdust. It is portable and affords accurate cuts.
Pros:
- More affordable than most other track saws
- It has a powerful and reliable motor
- It has a bevel cut capability of a maximum of 45 degrees
- Built-in dust port
Cons
- The saw is not accompanied by the track and vacuum
- For maximum benefit, you will have to buy the guide rail and accessory pack
- Its overall level of functioning and finish quality do not match up to others in this category like Festool.
This track saw is aimed at providing table saw precision, hand saw portability and panel saw capacity. Users can get assured splinter-free incisions due to its zero-clearance track system and double anti-splinter edges. Woodworkers can get a beautifully finished edge due to the precise laser-cut woodworking blade that reduces deflection. Cuts made at any angle, bevel or even inside plunge cuts are possible here. To remove 90% of the dust, a vacuum can be attached.
Features: Wonderful device for finish carpenters and others in search of a portable device for precise and splinter-free cuts. This saw has a 1,300 watt motor that powers most hardwoods and construction and woodworking materials.
Its blade contains 48 teeth and a laser cut plate for fine cut quality. It also has a dust port to collect most of the debris. ng on the hinges
Pros:
- It can cut several pieces simultaneously.
- It cuts the wood precisely on the track line.
- Its smooth track sliding feature helps to cut sheet goods without it veering from its position.
- It is lightweight, portable and compact.
Cons:
- It is expensive to buy replacement tape, saw blades and tracks.
- Each time you make a cut, you need to take a measurement and lay the track for it. So, it’s not meant for freehand cuts, unlike a circular saw.
This track saw is extremely versatile and accurate, portable and easy to use. It provides precise cuts and is perfect for home improvement projects as well as for more complex projects. For flush cutting on walls and other surfaces, it has flat housing and micro-adjustable depth controls.
Features: Using the guide rails, you can get splinter-free and accurate cuts. You can avoid a kickback on the riving knife because it’s spring-loaded. It’s also easy to change blades here.
Pros:
- It’s easy to use.
- It is well-designed.
- It has a fast cutting speed and is very powerful.
- It’s safe to use.
Cons:
- Unless you clamp the track, it will move out of its place.
- To collect the dust, a vacuum works well except when you cut thicker chunks of wood do small trim cuts.
For precise and accurate cutting without any splinters, invest in Makita’s SP6000K 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw. When the saw is combined with the aluminum guide rail system (optional), they work well together to provide accurate cuts.
Features: This saw has a large cutting surface and is combined with magnesium to reduce weight and electronic speed for constant speed while cutting. This ensures smooth cutting and no splintering.
Pros:
- It is extremely accurate with its cuts.
- It has a sharp and powerful blade.
- It can be used for cutting all kinds of wood–hardwood, plywood, etc.
Cons:
- The dust chute rotates very easily.
- The cord is too short.
This product is sold only as the saw. It is ideal for use on several materials like double-coated MDF boards, etc. Its in-built riving knife is good protection for any kickback and pinching, thereby enhancing its safety levels. It is good to use the optional guide rail as it helps in making straight cuts when you have wide panels to cut.
Features: The product comes with a saw blade. It has a continuous cutting depth limiter and an integrated dust port.
Pros:
- The rails are superb.
- It cuts well.
- It’s great value for money.
Cons:
- It has a very stiff plunge spring.
- The track’s guide strips are very close to each other.
- The saw rocks on the track, making it very unstable to work with.
- Dust blows forward while cutting leaves a trail behind it.
This saw can cut straight lines of panels and is extremely versatile. It can be used severally, from exquisite carpentry jobs to cutting steps of spiral staircases and much more.
Features: The dimensions of this saw are 12.2″ x 11.5″ x 15.5″. It runs on 120 volts and weighs 7.7 kg. The blade of the TS 75 EQ cuts in perfectly straight alignment and is always splinter-free.
Being a plunge saw, it can give accurate incisions. The riving knife is spring-loaded, so the kerf remains open. By this, the blade doesn’t get pinched by the wood, thereby reducing the risks of a kickback. The slip clutch lowers wear and tear on the gear case, motor and blade.
Pros:
- It is easy to use.
- It has a powerful motor.
- It is ergonomically designed.
Cons:
- It is heavy and hence difficult to carry around.
Track Saw Buying Guide
Why do you need a track saw? A track saw has several uses, as mentioned below:
- It breaks down sheets of material safely and rapidly without having any trouble lifting the material and laying it on the saw top.
- It joins the edges of wood neatly without leaving any cut marks.
- It can be used to trim doors accurately and well. It also adds back-bevels easily.
- By beveling the saw and setting the guide rail at an angle, precise angles can be achieved without complex calculations.
- The crosscuts made by this device, whether singly or along with Festool’s MFT/3 table, are without splinters, precise and absolutely safe.
- It can cut insets quickly and easily.
Benefits of a track saw: A track saw has several benefits, such as:
- Clean, smooth cuts: In comparison with a circular and table saw, the track saw delivers the neatest cut.
- A straight track directs the cut: Here, you don’t find a clumsy blade guard as in a circular saw, but a riving knife that is set behind the blade that reduces any blade-pinching.
- Rubber strips on the track add to the safety: The rubber strips are slip-free, so you needn’t clamp the track to the table.
- Dust collection system: It traps the dust effectively.
- Instant, exact setup: After aligning the track and you’re ready to cut along the track, you can safely cut and not make any mistakes.
- Compact: If you need to make large incisions in compact spaces, using a track saw is a good idea.
- Very easy to carry around: It’s so light that you can carry it around under your arm.
Conclusion
If woodworkers have been confused so far about making a choice of track saws, perhaps this article clears the fog in this direction. For more information and for a better understanding of track saws, view websites for specific product details and compare with other products in the same category.