Lela Stratton
Makita
Festool
Shop Fox
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If you do professional woodworking or have a personal workshop where you launch your personal projects, then you know the first requirement is having the best tools to guarantee you good results.
The right tool can go a long way to ensuring you have a masterpiece. Track saws have been around for a while now, but people always tend to go for the more popular table saws and circular saws, mostly because of their friendly prices.
But anyone who has tried out a track saw knows very well that it ranks high in performance compared to the other saws. It allows you to cut through various materials quickly and with precision, without leaving any splinters.
They are superior for their ability to use a track that keeps the blade in check resulting in quality and outstanding lines that will just blow your mind away. Above anything else a track saw is extremely fast allowing you to save a lot of time when carrying out your operations.
Apart from their effectiveness, track saws are also equipped to offer you a bundle of other features like safety that ensures you don’t get hurt in the process of woodworking and also portability features that make a track saw lightweight enough to carry around.
But just like any other important product, the market is flooded with so many options and you are to get lost in the murkiness and end up picking a track saw that doesn’t exactly suit your needs or taste.
To avoid this, you can do a bit of background check to ensure you get yourself the best track saw in the market. However, I understand it might be difficult to go through all the track saws, hence I have compiled a list of the best top five track saws for you.
Best Track Saw List
1
Makita
Talk about a powerful tool! The Makita blesses all the woodworkers out there with a 12AMP motor enough to cut through material with precision avoiding any tear-outs. It is also a favorite since it ensures no splinters are left driving forward the impressive record of track saws.
As much as you want to do the cutting really fast you still have to maintain precision and smoothness, it is for this reason that this track saw comes equipped with a speed control that allow you to get a constant speed when cutting, this speeds ranges from 2000-5200 RPM.
The Makita is extremely versatile, it generally cuts a straight line from the point the blade comes into contact with the material. Additionally it can cut at an angle with a bevel capability of -1 to 48 degrees which is quite impressive and also cut near a wall.
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2
Festool
Before you even decide to get a product you can know a lot about it from the manufacture or brand.Festool is an example of this narrative, it comes from a reputable brand and has earned a name in the market as one of the best track saws you can possibly buy.
It has a 13 AMP motor that provides you with a speed ranging from 1350 to 3550 RMP that should be enough to cut through thick pieces of lumber. It also allows you to safely switch and adjust blades with the FastFix system in order to get incredibly clean and precise cuts.
The cut kerf is kept open by a spring-loaded riving knife, this not only prevents the material from pinching the blade but reduces any chances of kickback. It enables you to widely use it for different cutting functions because of a cutting depth of 2 ¼ inches.
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3
Shop Fox
This track saw is compatible with the D4362 shop fox guide rail and the accessory pack that sadly doesn’t come with the deal. But either the work done by the track saw and guide rail is exceptional being able to trim doors and make plunge cuts in no ordinary feat.
It has a 9 AMP and 120 volt motor that can achieve a cutting speed of up to 5500RPM. It is still able to do a pretty good job without the rail, but in a nutshell it cuts a depth of 2-5/32 inches at 90 degrees without the rail and 1 31/32 with the rail. It offers a bevel cut of 45 degrees.
For the plunge cuts, this saw begins cutting immediately the blade comes into contact with the material and with a cut indicator you can be clearly see where the plunge cut will begin and end. Moreover, it has a riving knife to keep the blade from pinching the material and prevent kickback.
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4
Dewalt
If you were to take bits of the best qualities of a table saw, panel saw and a circular saw the result would be a bouncing baby DEWALT. It gives you clear cut precision to make your work easy, effective and above anything else safe, the price isn’t too shabby either.
It has a 12 AMP motor and a no load speed of 1750 to 4000RPM. The diameter of the blade is 165mm, the bevel capability is 45 degrees and it cuts at a maximum depth of 2-1/8inches at 90 degrees and 1-5/8 inches at 45 degrees. With a weight of 11.5 pounds this saw is very portable.
For an anti-kickback protection this track saw has a riving knife and a constant anti-kickback mechanism that is maintained throughout your use. The underside of the track is equipped with friction strips that prevent the track saw from moving when not clamped.
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5
Festool 55
Looks like yet another Festool track saw has made it to our list. Festool 55 is nothing short of a masterpiece and is equipped with state of the art features to prove this. It brings the gift of versatility to any job you are doing with the incorporation of speed.
It has a stunning speed of 2000 to 5200 RPM to ensure your projects are carried out under little time as possible without compromising the quality. With a riving knife to make sure that your blade does not pinch the material, this track saw is definitely a keeper.
It comes with a plastic splinter guard to make sure that your project is clean and presentable after you are done with the cutting. And like other quality track saws I has a bevel capability of -1 to 47 degrees and cut very close to a wall. The blade are easy to change saving you a lot of time.
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Things to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Track Saw
If you are a DIYer of a professional you need the best tools possible to perfect your craft and dish out wonderful projects. And as much as we respect the affordability and functionality of table and circular saws we have to appreciate the powerhouse name of track saws.
They are extremely efficient, providing you with unthinkable precision while relentlessly working to your rhythm with the incorporation of top notch specs and safety measures that you won’t find with any other saw.
Most people shy away from track saws majorly because of their prices, but the harsh reality is that quality is expensive and if you have to give away a few extra dollars to get a durable and quality track saw then it’s worth it.
But purchasing one track saw out of the many other quality options isn’t exactly a smooth sail, given the varying features in every one of them. But here are a few factors to help you rank and choose the best track saw.
Motor Power
Track saws use electricity which means that they are powered by an electric motor. So when you are doing your purchasing rounds, it is imperative you keenly look at the power of each track saw you have your eyes set on.
The motor power determines the speed and effectiveness of your track saw, trust me I have experienced the frustration of using an underpowered track saw and it is not delightful. Especially when you are cutting thick pieces of material, it could result in a lot of splintering.
Typically, track saws differ in their motor power depending on the exact brand. You can find one wit 12, 13, 14 and even 15 amp. If you want to conduct smooth unhindered clean cuts then you could go for a 15amp motor.
Maximum Speed
The measuring unit of motor speed is RPM or Revolutions per minute. Honestly, for efficient woodworking you need a track saw with a high speed, even more so if you work with various materials versatility in speed should be a major concern to you.
When you take a sneak peek at the different track saws I the market you will notice that they generally have a minimum speed of about 2000 RPM , these of course are the ones with a variable motor speed.
Typically, a 2000 amp motor can be able to cut through softwood with ease. But if you work with a myriad of materials that may range from softwood to hardwood you should go for the faster maximum speed options, say maybe 4000RPM to 5200 RPM.
Bevel Capacity
The process of cutting wood at an angle is called beveling. For most woodworkers this is an art form, which can generally be done manually. But this is exhausting and time wasting and to say the least not very accurate.
A track saw is able to cut at an angle with the same precision it uses to cut down the wood. So if you truly want a tool with impressive versatility. Whereby you are able to experiment with various projects without doubting the end results, a track saw with bevel capabilities will do.
You can easily find a track saw with a bevel adjustment capability. It can range from -1 to 45 degrees. So if you ask me, getting a tool that is able to cut down and at any angle is a pretty great addition to anyone’s workshop.
Cord Length
Unless you plan on buying both an electric and battery operated track saw, then the cord length is of the utmost importance to your work. You are going put your tool to the task by doing a lot of woodwork everywhere, name it walls, guard rails and even floors.
So the last thing you want is realizing you’ve run out of cord in the middle of work and now you have to waste time looking for an extension or abandon the work all the same. Don’t be shy, go the longest cord there is.
Guide Rail Length
The guard rail is the track on which your saw operates. Having said that, you should already have a rough view of ow exactly important the rail can be to your work. It basically determines the length of wood you can cut, which equates to the substance of your work.
It is much safer to buy a track saw with a long guard rail. Since it means it can accommodate both long and short planks. But this is only an option if you are perfectly confident you have enough space in your workshop.
Anti-kickback Protection
Kickback can lead to cause traumatizing injuries to you. So this should be a precautionary measure before you buy a track saw. The good thing is that most brands have made preventing kickback in their products their number one priority.
They have installed innovative configurations to their models to prevent friction which leads to a kickback. One of the most impressive ones is a spring-loafed riving knife. What does it do? Well, it carries out one function that is fundamental to the functionality of a track saw.
It is involved keeping the cut kerf open to prevent the material from binding to the blade which could be hazardous. By doing this it reduces the chances of a kickback happening. However, there are different features in different models designed to mitigate the risks of a kickback.
The Blade
The blade is an integral part of the track saw and dictates the overall functioning of all the other features in a track saw. There are two things to consider when talking about the blade; one, is the size of the blade and the other is the number of teeth.
Both of these factors determine the strength of your blade and hence the quality of your track saw. Let’s begin with the size, a bigger blade is much stronger and able to handle thick pieces of wood that would ordinary present a challenge, since it is able to cut deep and fast.
So look for the diameter of the blade to know which size you want, about 7 inches will do. The number of teeth in the blade determines the quality of the cut. You can find blade with 24, 30, 35 and even 45 teeth.
So my take is that you go for the top dog, 45 teeth is going to do wonders for your carpentry. Characterized by smooth and clean cuts, qualities every DIYer and professional would accept with open arms.
Accessories
Accessories are some of the features and equipment that make your track saw a whole package with proper functionality. Now, you have to understand that a track saw isn’t cheap and these brands aren’t exactly known for their generosity.
So you possibly will come across many models that don’t come with a track. This then adds an expensive burden on your shoulders, since you will have to incur the extra cost and waste time looking for a track.
Other accessories can include a cramp, spare blade, dust port etc. So what do you do? If you happen to come across a good track saw with the necessary accessories then you are fortunate and that will be a steal for you.
Price
When talking about quality power tools you don’t really have the freedom of deciding if you want to splurge around some money since they are pretty expensive. So naturally you are going to be out there hunting for the cheapest option.
But at what cost? The quality? Durability? These are some of the questions that should swirling around your mind when you are planning your budget for a track saw. At the end of the day a good investment will eventually pay back.
Frequently Asked Questions of the Best Track Saw
What Are the Benefits of Using a Track Saw?
There are so many benefits of using a track saw, for instance track saws use a track or rail for cutting wood. It is a surface upon which you place your plank and trace the cutting with a saw.
It offers stability for both your wood and the track saw leading to the cutting or smooth and clean pieces. A track saw also you to cut different types of material at an angle with a constant speed of your choosing.
What is the Difference Between a Track Saw and a Circular Saw?
These two power tools are very similar in their appearance so no one would blame you if you confused them. But a track a saw uses a rail while a circular saw doesn’t have one. Hence a track saw is able to produce splinter free projects unlike a circular saw.
Conclusion
Whether you are a DIYer or a professional woodworker fully dedicated to their work you deserve to have a powerful tool at your disposal. And a track saw is that tool, it will improve your work and put a smile across your face!
So this is your chance to spend your hard earned money on a power tool that guarantees quality, precision and safety. If you are still worried about picking out a track saw from the many options in the market then the list will definitely help you.
The Makita SP6000JI is the best model out of the five and for good reasons. I has an impressive motor power of 12AMP, a speed that ranges from 2000-5200 RPM to ensure fast cutting while maintaining precision
Its bevel capability ranges from -1 to 48 degrees which allows you to work on different materials with ease. Trusting a model or brand can be difficult since you have no idea about the tribulations this trust brings, well with the Makita SP6000JI it brings joy!
Why don’t you get this product today!
