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. I agree with others that the Kreg accucut and rip guide are junk. The kit comes with the track saw, a 60V battery and charger, a tool box, blade, and the 59 track. The variable speed dial gives users the freedom to adjust and work with different materials. The motor is also quite loud and doesnt deliver as much power as its competitors. It offers fantastic accuracy and smooth cutting power that can slice through just about anything you put in front of it. If you're afraid of that new-to-the-trade brand you might head back to the Makita. Some quality control issues with the tracks are a deterrent, but the overall build quality of the Makita SP6000J1 is solid, allowing this machine to offer clean, straight cuts. In addition to variable speed control (2,000 to 6,000 RPM), the 12-amp 120-volt motor features load compensation. I use it all the time and love it. Festool is know for innovative and high performing tools. Festool is a reputable manufacturer known for its top-quality power tools, and this unit is no exception. Best Premium Track Saw: Festool 55 Req-F-Plus; 3. This machine also tends to vibrate quite a bit, causing hand fatigue faster than its competitors. However, a table saw is still preferred for ripping wood. Most likely the best track saw youll ever use, Festools track saws and accessories are quite expensive, Provides excellent cutting power and precision, Tends to produce more dust than other track saws, Plastic construction offers less durability than more expensive materials, Offers low dust cutting, with vacuum attached, Everything you need to get started with track saws, Plastic used throughout, reducing overall durability, Incredibly low price compared to competitors, Great cutting performance on sheet materials, Requires some modifications to get better cuts, Backed by a 1-year manufacturers warranty, Quality control issues have led to uneven base plates for many purchaser. Lastly, the Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Guide for Circular Saws was the longest cheap circular saw guide we found. The R185CCSX is a highly reliable and easy-to-use track saw, and it features a powerful 15A motor that helps you saw through numerous materials, including wood, composite decking, ferrous and non-metals, plastics, etc. The Bosch GKT13-225L track saw also comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Also available frominternationaltool.com. A track saw has a guide rail made from anti-slip material, minimizing the possibility of accidents and creating more precise cuts. Learn whats best for your shop in this hands-on guide. Best Budget Track Saw: Kreg ACS2000 Saw & Guide Track Kit, 5. 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. This is an especially troublesome issue if you are working indoors as fine particles of sawdust floating through the air cause a huge mess and can get into your airways. This is one of Kreg's first adventures into tools, but so far reviews are pointing to it paying off. 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. Remember that you must follow specific steps for plunge cuts since they require more care than bevel cuts or straight cuts. Saws consist of different kinds of blades or chains that are sharp enough to cut through numerous materials, and the motor inside them allows for a much faster operation, as well as greater precision and less chance for error. Weve looked at some excellent track saws from Festool and Makita and such, but it all comes back to what you want and need from a track saw. And with more saws each year bringing Lithium cutting capability these brands are where to start: From the high end Festool to popular cordless brands like Dewalt expect to pay a $100 to $200 premium for portability, though. The best track saw is based on your use. Take note that this may vary, depending on where you are buying your Festool track saw. The Best Track Saw For Any Budget! The 1-year manufacturer warranty should help ease your nerves when making the purchase, however. Track saws eliminate the need to clamp your material down since the saw stays in place. To activate your track saws power, you need to press the plunge release and the power trigger together. Never underestimate the usefulness of guide rails. The big issue is that the saw has a bit of vertical play when on the track on 2 corners of the base plate. Ensure they are sharp and the right size for your saw (the best size is a 160mm diameter and 20mm round arbore bore). Makita, like Festool and all the rest, has a reputation for creating one of the best track saws, and their SP6000J1 saw kit model is no exception. However, the 3-year limited warranty may be the deciding factor for buyers that want to make sure their money is well spent. 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. 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. Luckily, making a blade change is easy with most models. However, issues with quality control have left a bad taste in many customers mouths when they received this track saw with a warped base plate. For my Makita I opted for both a Makita brand track and a Powertec track. However, it may require a fair bit of fiddling around with to get it to perform at the level you need. That will make blade changes quicker and safer in your shop by locking the arbor and switch while you work. The Festool track has a nifty zero-clearance strip on the blade side. Battery Powered Plunge Cut Saws With almost all tools now offering a cordless option, track saws are no exception. Well, they are one of the top 3 brands that youll find on big box and specialty tool supplier shelves. At roughly 18 lbs., this track saw is a bit of a honker and can be a pain to lug around. The Kreg is a bit heavier than the Festool. Table saws and track saws are both good at quickly repeating the same cut over and over, but table saws require a lot more room to operate optimally. Disclaimer: DIY projects can be dangerous,hire a professional (link to Home Advisor) if unsure. Table saws are more versatile for making smaller, repeated cuts in a short time frame. Like they always say, measure twice, cut once. Track saws offer excellent dust collection to keep the job site tidy while also offering incredibly accurate and smooth cuts. Plus, its maximum speed 12 amp motor has electric variable speed control. Youll need to define your needs to find the best track saw to suit your purpose. Those who own one are very happy with the purchase. This saw cuts well with accuracy but can also cause a fair bit of vibration during use. This is another major factor that comes into play when you are considering the best track saw. Many of the above brands, like Makita, Festool, and Bosch, create great plunge cuts. While not as slick as the dust extractor, a viable option. When youre not using the saw, put a blade guard over any exposed blades. The Woodsmith Review Teams product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The track saw is equipped with a sharp 48-tooth blade that measures 8 " and cuts deep through a variety of wood and sheet materials that are 2 " thick. Let us go through the differences between Festool and Makita guide rails one by one: Difference 1: Guide ridge width In both the Festool and the Makita rail system, the lateral guiding of the track saw is taken care of by a square guide ridge on the left-hand side of the track top face. Festool vs. Kreg Track Saw- Should You Own It ? The track saw's plunging action and blade result in a cleaner cut than all but the finest, smallest-kerfed table saw blades. Guiding the saw on a track allows for more accurate cuts, and you can pre-measure the cuts for better precision. (Not a Festool fanboy, and too much $$$). You might want to check the recent post history, someone had tried something similar, beveling with the Festool track saw and the angles, while close still needed to be fine tuned by shooting. A track saw that has variable speeds between 2000 RPM and 5000 RPM is generally favorable for your requirements. While other tools can get the job done for less, the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus gets the job done reliably and to an exactness required by professional carpenters and woodworkers. For a more detailed breakdown and recommendations based on use cases, check out the Who Its Best For sections of each review. The DEWALT DWS520K track saw is a solid performer that offers great cutting power and accuracy. The Makita XPS01PTJ offers precision and power with batteries that last for roughly 1-2 hours of constant cutting. If you want to learn why a track saw can be so beneficial, watch this video from WoodWorkers Guild Of America: And that is all we have for you regarding the best track saws of 2023. A table saw stays still while you move the material through the blade. And like most cordless saws the blade provide can be thinner kerf and reduce cut quality. Track Saws From DEWALT, Festool & Makita. Festool uses a fast fix design on this product. Building a wood top for a desk, table, counter or other project can be as simple as gluing, clamping and sanding. Cleanup is also easy since you can connect it to a suitable vacuum cleaner for dust collection. 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. We think the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System 2000 is the perfect track saw setup for hobbyists and DIYers that are looking to expand their collection of tools without breaking their bank. The Bosch GKT13-225L track saw uses overload protection to prevent the motor from overheating during operation. 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 Kreg KMA2685 circular saw guide is sturdy and smartly designed to be easy to use and work with most circular saws. Final Thoughts If you were hoping to get a $500 saw for $230, you will be disappointed. Looking for a larger cut capacity? You just have to consider your projects and how often youll work with your saw. But you wont have the design and features of a higher grade track saw like the anti-kickback, riving knife or splinter guards. This Kreg track saw has a carbide-tipped blade with 48 teeth for ripping and crosscutting. This offers some safety while using it, but also necessitates that you begin cutting materials from their ends. As you may have noticed while browsing our list, not all of the track saws come with included tracks. Capable of cutting to depths of 2 , the DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw offers variable speeds between 1750 and 4000 RPM. Although our list saw some of the best track saws from Bosch and Festool, we have just one track saw we can declare a real winner: the Makita SP6000J1. Kreg appears on our list multiple times thanks to the excellent job they do of balancing cost and performance with their tools and accessories. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. The materials and build quality of the Festool 55 Req-F-Plus are top-notch, which is good because this is not a cheap tool. Triton TTSCS3000 22 x 3000mm Plunge Track Saw Track Cut Strips . Hence the reason youre here today hunting for the best track saw. With this being a Festool, this is a combination of all the best track saw features. The Bosch GKT13-225L saw kit, comparable to a Festool, combines the best plunge action track saw features. ACS Project Table Cordless track saws, on the other hand, offer more portability but tend to run out of juice fairly quickly. By visiting this website, you opt-in to the use of cookies. The Tool Scout is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For woodworkers that live from their garage you know that space is a premium. 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. A dull or damaged blade will increase your work time, create rough cuts on your materials, and it might be unsafe for you. It is an efficient and heavy-duty tool that you would enjoy using for your project. The DEWALT DSC520ST1 track saw kit comes with an included 59 guide track so you can get started right out of the box. The swiveling hose port is particularly nice for allowing for easy dust management without letting the vacuum hose get in the way of operation. You should never run a blade when the cutting path is not clear. 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