Hi All, I am in the market for a track saw to break down sheet goods for an upcoming project. I will be doing some regular rips which I will cut oversized and clean up on the tablesaw.
I also need to do some cross cuts and miter cuts that will be akward at best on the tablesaw… 72″ X 16″ parts that will be mitered on the short edges and glued up into large boxes with dominos for “guidance”. The material is bamboo plywood & I’d like the cuts to be “glue joint ready” of course. I have read that splintering is an issue with the material.
The “F-bomb” (love that Beasely) is one choice, but there are several “similar” saws in blue, yellow, and green at far lower numbers. I’ll spend it if I have to… do I have to?
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I have no experience with other brands, but I love the Festool. I used to break down sheet goods oversize and then trim them on the tablesaw. But there is no need with the Festool. I can cut any odd angles with zero splintering or tearout. Couldn't be happier.
Which one do you have? Which tracks for 4x8 sheets?
I've got the smaller of the corded models. The track is55 inches, I think? When I need to rip the length of the 4x8 I just shift the track down halfway. I haven't had a ridge left behind yet. Remember, you need a few inches on each end to start and finish the cut, so 55 inches is just right for a 48 inch sheet.
Together with the FT vac, there is no dust whatsoever.
I bought the 118” track from Festool years ago for ripping parallel 8’ plywood. I wish I had bought it and the tracksaw 10 years before I did. Many folks like the makita tracksaw, and the track is the same style as the festool. You could always get two short tracks and the connectors to join them. I’m personally trying to make things easier in my life and the 118” track does that.
In 2016 Mark Edmunson rated track saws in FWW issue #255. It's a little dated, but hopefully useful. The Best Value was Makita.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2016/05/31/track-saws
Thanks...anybody have the other ones?
I have the Kreg version. I've used the Festool and while that's clearly superior, I've gotten by just fine with Kreg. I use it both for cutting cabinet parts and on site for things like trimming countertops or the ends of deck boards in place.
I have the DeWalt cordes with both track 55" & 102". I chosed DeWalt over Festool the Price 50% less expencive. It have the riving knive like Festool. I am realy satisfy with my choice.
I too have the DeWalt and am satisfied a significant savings over the Festool. The only downside is that unlike some others the DeWalt uses a proprietary track where other makers use a Festool style track. There are some interesting third party accessories that work with the Festool style tracks but not the DeWalt.
How are they with long bevel cuts? I read some lift up off the track when the motor weight shifts.
I only have experience with the TS55. For those times I've used it for sheet goods, there is nothing better, including dust collection, which I have found with my other Festool tools to be superior to anything else I have used since I became a woodworker a long time ago. I would guess that the other brands are, in fact, less expensive and, given that you will clean up cuts on the table saw, probably work well for you. I doubt their dust collection is as good though. I use my TS55 mostly in combination with the Festool MFT table and my crosscuts are more accurate, precise, and cleaner than with use of any other tool I have owned. I would think, with the right setup, you wouldn't need to do any cleanup on the table saw with a TS55.
Are you set on a tracksaw? I get very nice results from a circular saw and guide. I do have the Kreg Accucut. The track is nice, the sled sucks, the results mixed. I tend to only use if for longer (3'+) cuts and I clamp it down versus relying on the nonskid strip.
PS Glad you liked the F-bomb.
All in all I am leaning towards the F'n saw. The bamboo ply is going to be pricier than the saw and I need the bevel cuts to be spot on. I tried shooting a sample they sent me and it is BRUTAL on the plane. I do have a guide setup for my circsaw and lets just say I started this thread in spite of it.
Another Q: can I get by with a shop vac on horses and a sheet of foam or do I need the F'n table and extractor? I use my domino with a rockler reducer from my dust collector and it works well, but this will be outside, not in the shop.
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.
I don't have the table. I use sawhorses and an old top from a desk, but the foam should work fine. If you have a good shop vac I'm sure it would work fine.
Moving air is moving air, so if you can connect your vac to the saw, go for it. It will not impact the quality of the cut.
As for the table, if the cuts need to be very precise, the table helps. However, anything that holds the work piece securely and gives a good 90 degree reference will work. BTW The saw itself has a nice splinter guard that you may find helpful with the bamboo.
Remember, buying into the F universe gets you two things. High quality tools engineered to save time on repetitive tasks. If you are OK putting the time in on each of the set ups, then you can pass on the table.
Interesting. I’ve been wanting to ask this myself. I need one as well and can’t decide whether to pull the trigger on the green or blue. I’m tempted to go Festool just cause I’ve already invested in the system and the convenience of the systainer system. I’d love to hear from someone who has the Makita.
I have a Makita track saw that I have been very happy with. One thing I liked about it when I was researching was that it has a tab that you slide over on the track to keep the saw from tipping. Supposed to be very useful feature if you plan on using it for cutting bevels. I've used it mostly to break down plywood boards and can get a good cut that barely needs clean up on the table saw.
As I get older, sheet goods are more difficult to break down so I bought the Kreg system using a Makita cordless circular saw. It is a compromise on all fronts and a couple of bad cuts made the lower cost immaterial. So I bought the Makita tracksaw and two, 55' tracks. I use 3/4" styrofoam to cut on and the saw works beautifully. I also bought the new low cost Festool dust extractor which is another fabulous addition to the shop. Every handheld power tool in the shop that doesn't hook up directly has been adapted to it and my lungs couldn't be happier. I still tend to do finishing cuts on the tablesaw. Part of it is habit but with the tracksaw any measurement error gets multiplied as you make additional cuts on the sheet.
I just plunked the cash for the F-tool, 2 tracks, a connector, and 2 clamps. Thanks for all the insight!
Closing this out... I made my first cuts with the new Festool today and I am impressed. I crosscut some HD sandeply and the total lack of top face splintering was a real surprise. Thanks again to all.
It really is a remarkable system. Clean cuts, very precise. Wrestling with the vacuum hose is annoying. But it gets 99 percent of the sawdust, so is worth it.
Festool track saw and rail system have been new to my shop this year, WOW it's nice and should have done it long ago. works with there routers that's been a game change for cabinet work.
You'll be happy with it.
I recommend using the splinter guard and the Festool track miter gauge attachment.
Now you are required to buy a dust extractor :-)
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