Track saw

kadman · 16-05-2020 4:11pm #1

Any one own one, use one, or any experience of a reasonable

valu one,

Thanks

16-05-2020 5:06pm

kadman wrote: »

Any one own one, use one, or any experience of a reasonable

valu one,

Thanks

If you can justify the expense, a Festool TS55 really is the business.

Macker · 16-05-2020 5:44pm

kadman wrote: »

Any one own one, use one, or any experience of a reasonable

valu one,

Thanks

I got the lidl one, made about 10 cuts all very clean but I won't be putting it under too much pressure.

kadman · 16-05-2020 5:59pm

Festool is definitely out as it would not get the work to justify it.

Its really going to be for a one off project , for ply carcases for my

workshop.

FrancieBrady · 16-05-2020 6:12pm

Bought the Titan as seen here...has done all I asked it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSY9EWsF_3w&t=525s
I think the MCAllister Screwfix sell is the same.

16-05-2020 7:09pm

kadman wrote: »

Festool is definitely out as it would not get the work to justify it.

Its really going to be for a one off project , for ply carcases for my

workshop.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/erbauer-erb690csw-185mm-electric-plunge-saw-240v/3875p

€157.95 including VAT.

Comes with a 48T 185mm TCT blade and a pair of 700mm tracks. Electric brake, 6 speed, looks like a decent enough option IMHO.

FrancieBrady · 16-05-2020 7:18pm

JayZeus wrote: »

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/erbauer-erb690csw-185mm-electric-plunge-saw-240v/3875p

€157.95 including VAT.

Comes with a 48T 185mm TCT blade and a pair of 700mm tracks. Electric brake, 6 speed, looks like a decent enough option IMHO.

Actually that one is identical to the Titan I bought of them.

chillyspoon · 16-05-2020 11:33pm

JayZeus wrote: »

If you can justify the expense, a Festool TS55 really is the business.

I have the Triton TTS1400 - it does the trick but it's a bit noisy and the dust collection isn't great.

If I could find some magical way to justify the TS55 I would

blackbird99 · 16-05-2020 11:49pm

makita sp6000 is a lot cheaper than the festool, it's every bit as good if not better than the festool.
i've used both regularly.

kadman · 17-05-2020 9:20am

I've seen a few vids on the Makita, and it looks ok.

Spoilt for choice really. And I suppose its the age old question,

if I go cheap now am i wasting the money, so should I up the budget

a bit more to protect the value of the amount I am spending.

mm....?

Calahonda52 · 17-05-2020 9:33am

One thing I picked up on tool reviews lately is the ergonomics of the tools: It was a track saw review and the cheaper options just don't cut it.
The other thing about the FS track is that it has other uses.
I have an older non plunge saw rig from Hilti, I have the 3m track, which is a single piece, which is a wonderful piece of work: {its my second one, the first one came off the car roof on the M50 and an 18 wheeler did a number on one end of it so its about 1400.]

One useful idea I saw on screw tube is using a foam or rigid XPS sheet as a backing sheet on the ground, makes supporting the big sheets v easy.

Th plunge is obviously safer than the non plunge

kadman · 17-05-2020 10:24am

Jaysus herself would hit me with a 3m or 1.5m track if she thought I was going to get a Festool.:D

But I know i would have the stamina to take her out in the second round:P:P

And no way can I work it in as an early birthday present, as its a bit far off,

but its a 65 so its a biggie.... it might just work:P:P

17-05-2020 11:31am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/271591243937

A new TS55 doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

I’ve found myself using mine fairly often, in preference to getting the tablesaw set up at times.

glynf · 17-05-2020 12:39pm

They can be got for reasonable money. I got a TS55 2.5 years ago on special for about €320 exVat from sautershop.de, they have sales every so often-however I think the most you will get on festool is about 10%. I picked up two rails on amazon, one new and one second hand-needed a new splinter guard (about €25 for 5M) but perfect otherwise. Delighted with it as it's dead on accurate, cuts clean-rips 40mm hardwood no problem-and the blades are decent and last (apart from the laminate blade I got which was useless IMO).

At the time the Festool worked out €70 or so more than the Makita Sp6000, and I was leaning towards the Sp6000 as I have some other Makita tools and am v. happy with them; plus the Sp6000 can be locked to the rails for 45° cuts which the TS55 can't do.

The only other downside is the connectors for Festool tracks are not great, bit of play in them (I have 1400mm & 1080mm rails which are ideal for cutting up 8 x 4 sheets when connected) and the grub screws bite into the rails and get lost easily. I think the Makita ones are similar...

The Bosch/Mafell connector's seem to be the best method out there, Bosch make a well revciewed tracxk saw as well-Mafell if you get 6 numbers in the Lotto

awec · 18-05-2020 3:13pm

I have the Erbauer one linked earlier, it's good.

kadman · 22-05-2020 8:18pm

This is turning into a never ending story for me.

I finally decided to go Makita after pinning down a 3 year old one little used

by a hobbyist, 110v for 250.

Job done and paid by paypal last Sunday at 3.30pm. I thought its located in Ireland,

so should be with me by Wednesday.

Wednesday came and went, no saw, despite me sending 2 e mails during the day.

That evening I got an e mail saying I had not paid, so the saw was not posted. Confused to say the least.

I checked my paypal details. They confirmed I had paid, but the seller had not accepted the funds.

All this time wasted, and the possibility of more messing. I cancelled the payment.

During this time, I also paid 85 euro for a Makita 1500 mm track, which landed today.

I hear Lidl are selling a parkside plunge saw this Monday, complete with 2 700 mm guides,

all for 90 euro. Great stuff. So I will buy the saw, and use the Makita track.

But Makita track is not suitable for the Parkside saw it seems:P:P

The Duk · 22-05-2020 11:33pm

Bought the Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Saw & 2 x 1.4m Rail - 230V for £330 from Axminster, December 2018. have to say it hasn't missed a beat. I did however have to the send the first back as it seemed like it was used, saw dust in the case and marks etc.

kadman · 23-05-2020 8:23am

The Duk wrote: »

Bought the Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Saw & 2 x 1.4m Rail - 230V for £330 from Axminster, December 2018. have to say it hasn't missed a beat. I did however have to the send the first back as it seemed like it was used, saw dust in the case and marks etc.

Which is now north of 400 euro, which is not bad for 2 guides as well.

But this is for a once off project , and now that the lidl one is up again,

it makes sense for me to go this route.

I already have an original 40 year old Skil saw in perfect condition, that out

performs other modern skilsaws I have used, and now that there are 3d

printers at home I will draw up an adapter fitting and print off a 3d solution

to match the saw to the Makita gude rail.:)

kadman · 25-05-2020 1:29pm

Went with the Parkside plus 2 rails for 90 euros. Hard to beat that.

I might flog on the Makita for 65, cost me 85, if the parkside does all i need it to.

I was in Lidl at 8 on the dot, but only 2 saws in the store

glynf · 25-05-2020 4:21pm

I was passing the Arklow one earlier and nipped in (mostly for the cookies :pac:)and they had 2-3 of them if anyone is looking for one.

edit: track saws, as opposed to cookies....

..Brian.. · 25-05-2020 7:48pm

I have the makita and it's a fantastic bit of kit. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another one tomorrow if it broke.

Tedious Bore · 26-05-2020 12:14am

kadman wrote: »

I might flog on the Makita for 65, cost me 85, if the parkside does all i need it to.

think I've heard both Parkside and Makita fans recommending Evolution rails for their tracksaws... Have you checked to see if the Parkside saw fits the Makita rail?

kadman · 26-05-2020 8:00am

Tedious Bore wrote: »

think I've heard both Parkside and Makita fans recommending Evolution rails for their tracksaws... Have you checked to see if the Parkside saw fits the Makita rail?

I did, and it does not fit.

I could mill off the offending small aluminium edge to make it fit,

but failing that I could 3d print a plate to fit my existing saw if i wanted to.

And if the parkside works well, I might just flog the Makita rail and take a small

loss, but remove any hassle.

Kerrydude1981 · 26-05-2020 8:32am

Has anyone tried the Kreg Accu Cut??

https://www.kregtool.com/store/c48/saw-attachments/p465/accu-cuttrade-xl/

chillyspoon · 26-05-2020 11:36am

kadman wrote: »

I did, and it does not fit.

I could mill off the offending small aluminium edge to make it fit,

but failing that I could 3d print a plate to fit my existing saw if i wanted to.

And if the parkside works well, I might just flog the Makita rail and take a small

loss, but remove any hassle.

I believe the little edge in question is for Makita's anti-tip feature to stop the saw from overbalancing when doing bevels.

kadman · 26-05-2020 12:08pm

chillyspoon wrote: »

I believe the little edge in question is for Makita's anti-tip feature to stop the saw from overbalancing when doing bevels.

Correct, but the Parkside does not have that good feature.

Tedious Bore · 26-05-2020 4:07pm

not sure but I think Peter Millard's next video is going to look at rail compatibility. might be helpful

Ryath · 26-05-2020 7:42pm

kadman wrote: »

Went with the Parkside plus 2 rails for 90 euros. Hard to beat that.

I might flog on the Makita for 65, cost me 85, if the parkside does all i need it to.

I was in Lidl at 8 on the dot, but only 2 saws in the store

Was the dust extractor adaptor in yours? Picked up one yesterday and it's not in it. There was still 4 or 5 left. Shouldn't have picked the top one think it may have been opened! Was in a different lidl today only one left, box was open and the adaptor missing too.

kadman · 26-05-2020 8:26pm

Ryath wrote: »

Was the dust extractor adaptor in yours? Picked up one yesterday and it's not in it. There was still 4 or 5 left. Shouldn't have picked the top one think it may have been opened! Was in a different lidl today only one left, box was open and the adaptor missing too.

Its already attached to the saw guard, check yours:)

Ryath · 26-05-2020 8:39pm

kadman wrote: »

Its already attached to the saw guard, check yours:)

Hoover wouldn't fit on for me and seen it was listed separately in the manual so was assuming it was required. It was loose in the box in Peter Millards video!
Hoover fits fine without it now!

26-05-2020 9:29pm

A review would be great fellas for others who happen on this thread, when you get around to trying out the saws.

Mr Crispy · 26-05-2020 9:57pm

Feck. Missed the news about the Parkside being back on sale this week. :mad:

oinkely · 27-05-2020 12:36pm

I have the parkside one a few years and find it to be great. The blade is a bit poor and blunted quickly so replaced it with a makita one.

Also, the bolt holding the blade got totally jammed in the spindle so had to drill it out but ordered a new one from lidl spare parts for a few quid. While i was at it i also ordered a spare set of tracks to give myself a longer one if needed.

I subsequently ordered the evolution track set and it fits the saw perfectly. It gives two 4 foot tracks that go together for ripping 8 foot sheets and like all evolution products they are great value for money and work really well. Also comes with clamps to attach the track to slipper bits of timber!

I have an evolution circular saw and a mitre saw with leg stand and find their tools to be fantastic.

For my use i couldn't justify the festool and this works so well that the festool would not really be any benefit for me. I have used a mafell in the past which was brilliant for cross cuts as it attached to it's short rail and could be lifted with the rail attached to the saw. Carpenter friend also has the festool so have used that in the past too. The lidl saw works with the festool track also.

I wouldn't be without a track saw now.

Tedious Bore · 28-05-2020 1:12am

oinkely wrote: »

While i was at it i also ordered a spare set of tracks to give myself a longer one if needed.

==================

I have an evolution circular saw and a mitre saw with leg stand and find their tools to be fantastic.

Hey, thanks for helpful feedback on those! Would you mind me asking how much those extra Parkside tracks cost, and do Parkside offer anything longer than the 700mm ones that come with it?

Also, is that Evolution circular saw you bought some kind of hybrid type that can with the tracks as well? and if so, then how do you find it compares with the Parkside tracksaw?

Macker · 28-05-2020 8:53pm

Mr Crispy wrote: »

Feck. Missed the news about the Parkside being back on sale this week. :mad:

Still have a few in Lidl Drogheda, probably elsewhere too

Mr Crispy · 28-05-2020 9:07pm

Macker wrote: »

Still have a few in Lidl Drogheda, probably elsewhere too

Checked the ones nearest me, but no luck alas.

glynf · 29-05-2020 12:16pm

A relevant video went up about today re. rail compatibility:

oinkely · 29-05-2020 2:29pm

Tedious Bore wrote: »

Hey, thanks for helpful feedback on those! Would you mind me asking how much those extra Parkside tracks cost, and do Parkside offer anything longer than the 700mm ones that come with it?

Also, is that Evolution circular saw you bought some kind of hybrid type that can with the tracks as well? and if so, then how do you find it compares with the Parkside tracksaw?

I cant remember now how much altogether but it wasn't a lot. Maybe about 25 euro including postage for two tracks and the spindle bolt. The bolt also came with a new outer cover for some reason!

Lidl (compernass) only do the 700mm tracks, which is why i bought the evolution ones.

The evolution circular saw I have predates the tracks and the lidl plunge saw, so doesn't go on the tracks. They have a circular saw in their range now that will go on the tracks. i don't think it's a plunge saw though, but could be wrong on that.

Just used my lidl saw with the two evolution tracks joined this morning to trim down a kick board. Reminded me how brilliant they are! Straight cuts every time! Whic is great for me as i could never cut straight with the circular saw, and am even worse with a jigsaw.

the_pen_turner · 29-05-2020 2:43pm

glynf wrote: »

A relevant video went up about today re. rail compatibility:

Anyone looking for videos on using a track saw should look at Peter millard other videos. Some great ideas and videos on how to use them .

He compared a few cheap ones as well

Tedious Bore · 30-05-2020 2:14am

oinkely wrote: »

I cant remember now how much altogether but it wasn't a lot. Maybe about 25 euro including postage for two tracks and the spindle bolt. The bolt also came with a new outer cover for some reason!

Lidl (compernass) only do the 700mm tracks, which is why i bought the evolution ones.

The evolution circular saw I have predates the tracks and the lidl plunge saw, so doesn't go on the tracks. They have a circular saw in their range now that will go on the tracks. i don't think it's a plunge saw though, but could be wrong on that.

Just used my lidl saw with the two evolution tracks joined this morning to trim down a kick board. Reminded me how brilliant they are! Straight cuts every time! Whic is great for me as i could never cut straight with the circular saw, and am even worse with a jigsaw.

Thanks for all that! very helpful

Tedious Bore · 02-06-2020 12:00am

Maybe a silly question, but if the Parkside saw fits Evolution rails, then can a 700mm Parkside rail be connected up to 1400mm Evolution rail ok?

oinkely · 03-06-2020 1:23pm

Tedious Bore wrote: »

Maybe a silly question, but if the Parkside saw fits Evolution rails, then can a 700mm Parkside rail be connected up to 1400mm Evolution rail ok?

Probably, however I will check this if it's not raining when I get home from work later on and report back.

seannash · 11-06-2020 12:32pm

After watching this review/comparison I bought the Titan saw and honestly its performed amazingly well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTAtdwThiko

I did go and buy an evolution rail which has also gotten good reviews and fits most Tracksaws.
Take a look at the video, it might convince you. I'm very pelased with my Titan.

Ryath · 26-07-2020 3:38pm

Put down a laminate floor in bedroom a last month with with the Parkside tracksaw worked well but the 40 year old nilfisk I was using wasn't up too much as a dust extractor. Nearly all cross cuts only had 3 boards to rip length ways. Cross cuts were a doddle once I had my station set up. 2 700mm Tracks joined were just was just about long for the rips. The clamps I had were getting in the way a bit. I can see the rails that clamp underneath the track would be much handier.

Had to do a few mitre cuts with skirting it did struggle and burn a bit with that but I think the blade was a bit knackered by that stage. Laminate was 12mm AC6 rated so pretty tough. I also nicked the splinter guard a bit on one section of track doing the mitre cuts on skirting. I had thought the saw would tip away from it.

The ends are still ok though so I can still line it up for longer cuts.

As you can see from the saw dust on my work station the hoover wasn't up to much!

Skirting wasn't perfect but good enough when caulked!

Fitting a kitchen this week so few fillers and cover panels to fit. Cut one filler with the parkside blade but it burned a bit, cut wasn't bad it but was under counter so didn't matter. Knew it wouldn't be good enough for cover panels so ordered a new Trend 48T blade for £16 on amazon and got the Lidl Wet/Dry Vac with power takeoff(so much better) Also seen tip about using silicon spray on the tracks which I had somehow missed before. Cut a few Cover panels for wall presses much easier with the thinner blade and extra teeth than the old blade and the silicone spray made it much smoother. Millimetre perfect and I'm a not much of a carpenter.

I have a few cover panels to do for the high presses now. I'd been intending to buy the Evolution 2800mm rails but other things took priority to buy and they're out of stock now on amazon. Not sure whether to just use my 1400mm track and move it carefully or wait till I can get the longer Evolution. Possibly better to wait. The track is cheaper than a cover panel if I mess up moving the short track!

Over all with the new blade and decent dust extractor with auto-start I'm very pleased with it. I've used borrowed circular saws and jigsaws a bit over the years and while I can cut reasonably straight enough for bits that will be hidden out of view with this I can actually think about attempting some proper carpentry.

Mitre saw is something I need to invest in I think. I have a good bit of pelmet and cornice to cut so would be better. I need a new tenon saw anyway and a small mitre box so possibly better putting the money to it. Probably going to end up doing flooring and skirting in two more bedrooms so thinks it's a worthwhile investment. I've jobs around my own house that I'll need it for in the future anyways. Availability and pricing of some of the cheaper recommended saws doesn't seem to great though at the moment.

Track saw

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