Track saws are one of those tools you want to own once you know what they are. Because they are both a safer solution to a table saw AND feature perfectly straight cuts with almost zero splintering they solve a problem you can’t with a table saw. Learn what the best track saws (corded and cordless) are for professionals and hobbyists in this article.
Over the last 20 years sliding miter saws have replaced the dangerous radial arm saw.
And table saws need to be made safer too. With over 10 amputations a day tied to table saw use it’s a tool that is extremely dangerous or all levels of woodworkers.
Which, among other reasons, is why the track saws have exploded in popularity the last few years. Simply put, a track saw can take dangerous plywood cuts and make them safer.
Due to it’s design, a track saw can:
- Deliver table saw caliber cut quality
- Reduce need to lift and muscle plywood sheets
- Provide a serious safety edge vs. the table saw as it reduces kick-back with in-built features and a disappearing two-handed plunge blade design
- Remain highly portable if you need to do occasional ripping on a jobsite or away from the shop with cordless power
- Best Overall: Festool 55 is a high end hobby or professional grade saw with top reviews and excellent performance
- Best Value: Makita SP6000J1 track saw featuring competitive pricing, top performance, excellent blades and a cordless option
- Best Budget: Kreg Adaptive Cutting System is an all-in-one saw at an affordable price that works with the broader line of Kreg attachments
In This Article
What is a Track Saw
In woodworking the tool names tend to take a common sense form. And, that’s no different when it comes to a track saw as it is, literally, a modified circular saw that sits on a track.
But don’t dismiss it as a fancy circular saw.
Because of some major engineering and anti-splinter technology a track saw offers up serious improvements to cutting everything from heavy plywood sheets to thick oak doors with ease.
Features
As you probably know from working with other tools, not all track saws are made the same.
Since tool brands all leverage their own manufacturing techniques and patents to differentiate their offerings you’ll find track saw features vary from saw to saw but include:
- Safety features like spring loaded riving knives
- Splinter guard on the track and saw to prevent tear out, scoring tool built in to slice grain or melamine before the blade hits
- Motor features like soft start, variable speed, electronic speed control and anti-slip clutches to prevent kickback
- Cordless and corded track saws
- Blade sizes ranging from 6.25″ to 8-1/2″
- Setup capabilities including easy blade change, adjustable plunge depth, rail tightening to reduce play, blade tilt with preset setups, Dust extraction port
- Accessories like varying lengths of (optional) rail, a carrying case and dust extractors
Alternatives to a Track Saw
Maybe you’re thinking this saw is just a fancy circular saw that is pre-made to be paired with a track. Well, you’re partially right, and while a track saw is a useful saw there are two track saw alternatives you could consider (or probably own):
- A circular saw with an edge guide is a viable alternative, but you’ll lose the quality controls of a track saw (splinter guards, plunge) and the saw won’t be “locked in” to the track.
- And, the table saw is of course the old standard in both ripping and crosscutting boards and plywood. But, you will need to supply more muscle and safety issues increase on a table saw when crosscutting bulky sheets of heavy plywood.
Guide to Track Saws for Woodworking
Now that we understand the basic features and reasons for a track saw, let’s take a look at what’s on the market.
And I realize not everyone can afford an $800 track saw.
So, with saws ranging in price from just over $100 to over $1,000 we’ll look at these saws in four categories:
- Professional track saws ($600+)
- Hobby track saws ($300 to $600)
- Cordless saws ($400 to $600 with batteries)
- Budget track saws (under $300)
- Makita SP6000J1
- Dewalt DWS520K
- Kreg Adaptive Cutting System
- Festool TS 55
- Festool TS 75
- Mafell MT 55 cc
- Festool TSC 55 (cordless)
- Makita XPS01PTJ (cordless)
- Dewalt FlexVolt (cordless)
- WEN CT1065
- Kreg Accu-cut Conversion Kit
Best Track saws for Hobby Woodworkers
True to this sites namesake, let’s start out in the range of track saws that most home woodworkers would invest in.
And as experienced tool buyers, we all know if you go too cheap you get what you paid for. But if you don’t invest enough you’ll sacrifice a few features that you actually needed.
With that, track saws are no different and with a reasonable balance in budget and features in mind here’s the saws that make the most sense for woodworkers:
- Makita SP6000J1
- Dewalt DWS520K
- Kreg Adaptive Cutting System Plunge Saw
- Triton TTS1400
- Shop Fox W1835
- Grizzly T106867
1. Makita SP6000J1 Track Saw [Best Overall]
Last update on 2020-12-31 at 00:46 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Overview
Makita vs. Dewalt and Makita vs. Milwaukee is a pretty common brand comparison.
New to woodworking and not sure about Makita? Well, they are one of the top 3 brands that you’ll find on big box and specialty tool supplier shelves.
And the Makita saw keeps up their quality reputation with a saw that is highly rated, has all of the top features in this category of tool, and is a tool most professionals would start with if Festool wasn’t around.
But we’ll get to Festool in a bit.
Key Features
Since features are the name of the game, here’s what the Makita SP6000J offers up:
- Motor: 12 AMP motor with 2,000 to 5,200 RPM (adjustable) and electronic speed control for constant RPM
- 2-3/16″ cut capacity
- Bevel cuts with range from -1-degree to 48-degrees (with positive stops at 22.5 and 45-degrees)
- Can cut as close as 11/16″ of an inch from the wall
- Dust port with 1-1/2″ outside diameter for connection to dust extractors
- Soft start feature like you’d find in similar high end routers
- Plunge operated
- …and many more that you can find on the Makita site.
Accessories
Be sure to check around for a bundle, but if you want to start with just the saw and a guide rail you can always buy up other accessories later.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 194368-5 55-Inch Guide Rail | $83.29 | Buy Now | ||
| Makita P-45777 Guide Rail Connector Kit | $19.99 | Buy Now | ||
| Makita B-57613 57-1/2″ PROTECTIVE Guide Rail Bag | $39.99 | Buy Now | ||
| Makita 194385-5 Clamper Set | $35.99 | Buy Now |
Last update on 2020-12-31 at 04:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Dewalt DWS520K Plunge Saw
Last update on 2020-12-31 at 05:12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Overview
The Dewalt is very comparable to the Makita but lacks a couple of important features:
- Electronic speed control
- Adjustable speed
- Soft start that prevents the saw from “jumping” when engage
Otherwise, the general features are similar and with the Dewalt generally running slightly higher in cost.
Key Features
The Dewalt includes all the key features of a high quality track saw:
- Motor: 12 AMP motor (minus the Makita advantages)
- Universal 1-1/4″ dust control
- Cut depth of 2-1/8″, 1-5/8″ at 45-degrees
- Continuous anti-kickback only allows forward motion of saw
- 6-1/2″ blade (48-tooth ultra fine)
Accessories
Like other track saws you’ll be able to buy the tool “bare” or with accessories:
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Track Saw Track, 59-Inch (DWS5022) | $97.49 | Buy Now | ||
| DEWALT Clamp For Tracksaw (DWS5026) | $39.99 | Buy Now | ||
| Makita B-57342 6-1/2″ 56T Carbide-Tipped Cordless… | $38.53 | Buy Now |
Last update on 2020-12-31 at 06:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Kreg Adaptive Cutting System Plunge Saw (Lowest Priced)
