In this post we’re going to talk about the track saw (tools that make life easier). Three years ago, I didn’t even know they existed, and today I cannot imagine doing what I do without one! The first thing I’d like to address is, “What is a track saw?” and “How does it differ from a circular saw?”
What is a Track Saw?
A track saw is a circular saw that is guided on a track or a guide rail (as its often referred to). The track itself has neoprene strips on the bottom which keep it from sliding on the work surface, so, you don’t usually have to clamp it down unless you’re working on something like melamine or UV finished plywood. In those cases it can get a little slick.
In the photo above you can see a splinter guard on the track itself. In the case of my saw which is a Festool, and I believe in the case of most track saws out there, a splinter guard is located on the saw itself.
Track Saw Versus a Standard Circular Saw
There is also some functionality difference between a track saw and a standard circular saw. With a track saw you want to set your depth more precisely. The reason is because you have a sacrificial piece of material underneath the piece you are cutting. You don’t want to cut through a lot of the sacrificial piece. For example: when I set my depth to cut quarter inch material with the track saw, I set the depth so that I would have a quarter inch cut depth. However, I need it to go through the material and just lightly cut the sacrificial material below. To accomplish that, I just bring the depth down an additional notch, and that usually covers it.
A lot of times I’ll just cut on either a 2×6, 2×4 material that’s just sacrificial piece underneath. Sometimes, I cut on foam insulation board, so these are both options. If you need to put the saw at an angle you just loosen the knobs on the front and back and you and then you can move the saw to wherever you need it.
In my track saw, the hose connects here (as shown in the photo above), and it does a decent job of pulling out the saw dust.
With a track saw, you also have variable speed control (as shown in the photo above). In this particular saw they also have what they call “fast fix” if you want to change the blade, which we’ll get into in a minute, but it allows you just to quickly change the blade.
Benefits of Using a Track Saw
- There are several benefits to using a track saw. One of them is that they have essentially a splinter free cut. For example, when you’re cross cutting plywood it has a tendency to splinter. But with a track saw, you can cross cut virtually splinter free. If you’re making cabinetry, it gives you a great clean cut.
2. Another advantage to the track saw is the ease of use. You put your track down on your marks and you know that’s exactly where your saw is going to go.
3. Portability is another great advantage to using a track saw! I take a track or even the table shown in these photos, which is the Festool MFT/3 multi-function table, and I can use it as a workbench on the job site. I can also use it as a cutting platform for using the track saw and many other things. This makes it a lot easier than taking something like a small table saw. With the track saw, you’re dealing with a very accurate cutting system that you might not be getting with an inexpensive job site saw.
4. Another advantage to a track saw is that it is very easy to use if, for example, you want to clean up the edge of a drawer front. If you make your drawer fronts a little bit bigger you may want to come back and trim them so that the style and rail lines line up just right. You can easily use the track saw to accomplish this. In the photo above, I have the track on the MFT table. However, you can accomplish the same goal with just the track and clamps. I’ve done it before. You just run the saw over the area you’d like to clean up and you’ll get a clean edge.
TIP….
Sometimes, I will put a little piece of tape on the end just so that I don’t have splintering. This is because the grain’s running in a certain direction, so using the tape helps to prevent blow-out and splintering. Another thing that’s really easy to do with a track saw is cut something at an angle. For example, if for some reason you had to cut a door or drawer front at a slight angle, it’s really convenient to just put the track where you have a little bit more reveal showing, and just trim this off. You get a very accurate clean line. Again, I find it an invaluable tool that I use so often in what I do.
Should I Buy a Track Saw (Tools that Make Life Easier)?
So the next question is “Do you really need a track saw?” Depending on the type of work you (if you work in carpentry for example) I cannot imagine that a track saw would not be a benefit to you. For me, the Festool ended up being the best choice. I have their TS-55 and for cutting sheet goods as a cabinet maker this works really well for me. They make it in a cordless version as well. They also make another one that’s a little bit larger than the 55. It is called the 75 and it has a larger diameter blade so it cuts deeper and has a little bit more power. In the Festool line they also have one called an Hkc-55 that’s going to be a little better suited for you if you work in framing, building decks, and things along those lines.
What Should I Consider When Buying a Track Saw (Tools that Make Life Easier)?
Having owned two different track saws now, I think I can give you a few things to consider when you go to make your purchase.
- One, is going to be the level of use. Is it something that you use to make your living so it’s going to be something you need day in and day out so you need a high quality tool with a great warranty?
- The next would be what other tools you already have? Do you have a really good table saw? So maybe you don’t need the full table? Do you need to get the table and accessories to go with the track saw? These are just things that I would consider.
- Also, do you already have batteries and tools from that manufacturer? If you’re going the cordless route, would batteries from one tool transfer over to the saw? That’s always something to consider because batteries are very expensive. And, in my case I had some Festool products already and I want to eventually get the router and have that work on the guide rails as well. For me, those were all things to consider.
Track Saw Accessories (Tools that Make Life Easier)
Track Saw (tools that make life easier)-One of the major draws for me for Festool was all of the accessories that are available for it. All of the accessories that I have are from Festool with the exception of the woodpecker MFT square shown above. There are so many different accessories from parallel guides, clamps, etc, that work on the tables. They help to make life really easy and convenient when you’re on a job when and you need to clamp something.
Even the MFT/3 table is a great accessory!
Festool Track Saw Blades
Another thing I would like to talk about with the track saws are the blades. In the case of Festool they have three different blades that are available for my track saw the TS-55.
- They have the one that comes on it which is a “Cross cut/Finish blade.” (In the photo above I am showing the cross-cut/finish blade.)
- Festool has a second blade that is called a “Universal.”
- The company also has a third blade called a “Panther.”
In addition to the cross cut blade I have the “Universal” blade and it makes all the difference when cutting through hardwoods or thick stock. I’m going to show you some examples of cutting through maple and walnut while using this blade.
The maple is 13/16th’s thick and the walnut is 2 inches thick. The Universal blade cuts through these with no issue. I don’t find any problem with the blade. Typically, you would not take a cross cutting blade or a fine finishing blade in a table saw and try to rip hardwood with it. It likely wouldn’t work. You would most commonly use a rip blade instead. In my experience, the same thing goes for a track saw.
Blade That Comes with the Festool TS-55
The blade that comes with the Festool TS-55 Track Saw is the cross cutting/ finish blade. It is a high tooth count blade, which is great for plywood, and crosscutting. The “Universal” blade also works with the TS-55 and is definitely a bit more aggressive. They also make a blade called a “Panther.” It fits the TS-55 and is even more aggressive. I don’t find any issue at all with power or the ability for the Festool TS-55 to cut through thick stock when using the appropriate blade.
Festool TS-55 and Festool TS-75
If you are really cutting through hard, thick material all the time, or if you cut on a bevel (where you’re changing the depth the saw can go) these would be reasons why you may want to go with the TS-75. When you’re primarily working with hardwood that is an inch, or an inch and a half thick, these would be cases where you could use the TS- 55 with the “Universal” or “Panther” blade. Hard maple’s pretty hard. I’ve cut purple heart and hard maple with no issues using the “Universal” blade.
As long as you have the right blade in the track saw, you shouldn’t have any issues. If you try to use the cross cut blade that comes with the TS-55 saw when you are cutting harder woods or thicker material, you will more than likely have difficulty. You may think the saw doesn’t have enough power or that something is wrong with the saw itself. However, if you change the blade you’ll see a dramatic difference!
There are many track saw brands that you can purchase. Below, I have included links to the ones that I have specifically mentioned in this post. I have also included link for the Festool MFT/3 table.
Here you will find a link where you can purchase the Festool TS-55 from Woodcraft. This is the corded track saw that I currently own and use.
We have also included a link where you can purchase the Festool TS-75 from Highland Woodworking.
Additionally, here is a link where you can purchase the Festool Hkc-55 from Highland Woodworking.
This is a link for the Festool MFT/3 table at Highland Woodworking.
We hope this article has been helpful for you and has provided insight into the track saw (tools that make life easier). We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter where we will keep you updated on future posts! Many thanks!
Chris and Lynette
48 Avenue
Track Saw (Tools that Make Life Easier)