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Track Saw?

4/17/15       
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

We do a fair amount of custom crate building for shipping items by common carrier. We use primarily OSB/Aspenite., which ALWAYS has to be ripped to width.

We've been using a hand held circular saw (a/k/a "Skil saw"), but it's a bit of a chore to measure and mark a line, and then make sure you follow it.

I happened to notice the Shop Fox ad in "Woodshop News" this month for a "Track Saw". Basically, an extruded track that a saw with a special base it "tracks" on. It's available with a 110" track which is suitable for up to 8'.

Looks like a great solution, and pretty cheap - about $300. Seems like it would be a lot easier for one-man operation than a small tablesaw, which is the other solution I was considering.

Anyone use one, have any input, suggestions for other brands, solutions, etc?

Track Saw

4/17/15       #2: Track Saw? ...
ML

I've never used the Shop Fox, but do use the Festool, who pioneered this type of saw. The Festool is excellent, we've used it extensively for several years now with very accurate results. It doesn't replace our slider by no means - but it has proved invaluable, especially on the road. Grizzly also sells their own. I believe DeWalt also has one.

Perhaps others here that have used other than the Festool can chime in here on the quality of the other brands. The theory and application of the "track" is excellent, and having a plunge circular saw is the secret to the ease of use for this great method of portable ripping.

4/17/15       #3: Track Saw? ...
ccting Member

I made a track saw, and it works quite well. then i combine track saw with 90 degree, 45 degree, and it works well. perfectly horizontal but not vertically, my makita circular saw is distorted with some degree vertically.

4/17/15       #4: Track Saw? ...
B.H. Davis Member

A used Safety Speed Cut panel saw would be just about your best solution. The saw head can slide vertically for the 48" cross cuts and be turned horizontal for sliding the panel past it on the length wise cuts.

The older saws are very simple in design and not that expensive when you can find one.

BH Davis

4/17/15       #5: Track Saw? ...
B.H. Davis Member

There is another brand of similar saw on Ebay now.

BH Davis

Similar saw on Ebay

4/18/15       #6: Track Saw? ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

A panel saw was my first thought, but I'm not sure I want to give up the real estate necessary for the relatively small amount of time it will be used.

4/18/15       #7: Track Saw? ...
B.H. Davis  Member

Website: http://www.curvedmouldings.com

Safety Speed Cut makes a down sized panel saw for tight space situations. It has the vertical height but is not as long. I believe it is also portable.

The downsides are that it is not as convenient to use as the panels hang off beyond the ends and the fact that you are less likely to find a used one.

BH Davis

4/18/15       #8: Track Saw? ...
JR Rutter Member

I have the Grizzly that I got just for a one-off project. Burned the motor up on a slow and steady feed cut on 1-1/2" maple countertop. They warrantied it, but I still would not reccomend - just a bit too much play just about everywhere for precision cutting.

4/18/15       #9: Track Saw? ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

Power and precision are two things low on my list for this project. We're cutting 7/16" OSB and +/- 1/8" is plenty good...

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

9/28/17       #10: Track Saw? ...
Erik Member

Used festool and switched to mafell. I have a few of their saws but not the smallest. Its the kss300, compact and lightweight but pricey:$1,000 us imported from Germany.


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