How to Make Repeated Accurate & Square Track Saw Cuts - Woodworking Tips!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Next week I'll be covering bevel cuts and parallel cuts.

[@keithbee47]

Good morning Andy, that seems a pretty accurate and fast way when you have a number of boards all the same length, no mistakes with misreading the tape.Really enjoy your informative videos even after 55years in the trade,there is always something we can learn.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers, yup I do everything I can to avoid the tape measure. 👍😀

[@richoliveria9829]

Really finding your videos informative. I lived in a motorhome for about 8 years and had sold all my stationary equipment before leaving. Now we have moved into a much smaller home with a very small shop which I just remodeled. So I bought a track saw but the wife will not let me spring for a table so I like your videos best as you do not have an MFT. Only thing is my saw is a Kreg and it is left hand so I have to flip every instruction in my head.. Keep it up.

[@toddferguson549]

Think about buying a Parf Guide II from Axminster in England. Then you can make all sorts of useful cutting and clamping sheets or tables with a drill. Check out New Brit Workshop on KZbin as Peter is the inventor...

[@deanowright359]

Simple , easy , to the point . Thank you

[@jeffharmed1616]

Thanks for that. Useful for large jobs. I’m adapting my Screwfix portable chops stand for repeatable cuts to a full sheet. The rollers at each end enable easy lifting the full size 18mm thick sheets but I still have to checks the reliability of the two stops

[@Robe999]

Hi Andy , Thanks so much for taking the time to share this tip ,

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

Hi there jolly good video..just one thing.. felt you missed a step which I wish you also showed , the initial cuts to the board sizes (you got them square I presume) before you used the story sticks (Think that is what they are called sometimes) ,

[@JoelAaargh]

That's a great tip for anyone without an mft setup, thanks! The most important lesson I've learned about woodworking is that consistency is often more important than accuracy, although it's nice to have both!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Exactly! 👍

[@motosnape]

Another great video. I concur on the Festool quick clamps, I have a pair and they’re awesome. For anybody that likes the idea, but is allergic to buying anything that’s Festool branded, I believe the original manufacturer is Bessey, although if you buy it in Bessey colours, it’s unlikely to be any cheaper. Thanks again Andy. Have a great weekend, take some time for yourself👍

[@bighands69]

There are a lot of weird counter hipsters who will go against something for the sake of it.

[@johnnock8084]

I have a couple of the Axminster variant of the clamps which I use with my Festool guide rail and home made MFT top. I haven’t seen the Festool version to compare but the Axminster ones are very well made and are about 25% cheaper. John Nock

[@DepakoteMeister]

@@bighands69 And there are some people that just don't like being sheep. Some people that don't like fanboyism. Some people that place value above fashion/trends. It's called individuality. Every piece of progress that mankind has ever made is because of people who didn't follow the crowd.

[@dewalt2211]

Hello, thank you for your illustrative videos, that a lot helps us for people who are starting in the woodwork or that as I am a fanatic or we have this beautiful hobby, regards from Veracruz, Mexico.

[@davehughes4953]

If you cut your ‘guide pieces’ a bit longer you could fit a stop to them with brads/tape/CA. That way you wouldn’t have to line them up by eye/feel and you could move the stops making them reusable. You could also run a thin strip along the outside edge to make placing them foolproof. Great idea if your boards are bigger than your MFT or longer than the fence on Peters system...

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo - CA glue works great for this. 👍

[@bighands69]

You can make a jig if you want to. But if you are only making a few cuts say for example 5 cut which are repeat cuts on a site is it worth making a jig to do that.

[@onlyme7939]

Great tip, it’s like the Andy and Peter tips

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha ha - cheers bud! 👍

[@onlyme7939]

👍

[@davemaynard3826]

Quick question. Your first cut to get it square. Using a speed square would the sides of the piece also have to be straight too?

[@graemescott990]

Another great video Andy. Keep them coming.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Graeme! 👍

[@AshB911]

It would be nice to see how you tune up your track saw to get the blade 90 to the reference surface. Also how the angle can change when you put it on the track.

[@Brentlythomas13]

Super video! Thank you!!!

[@JGV_IX]

Great video!

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

Hi there, do you bother with a MFT table for 90 degree cutting?, sorry just got right to the end of your video which answered my question :), but to get big sheets square all sides you do not use anything like a square clamp etc that clicks on to the track?

[@michaelkaye4998]

Excellent video. Easy to follow. I was wondering why you haven’t invested in any of the various “repeat cut devices” mad e by fest took, woodpecker, etc?

[@raysmith1992]

Really good video, why don’t you put a stop on your strips of wood so they hook over the board which would fit perfect every time.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Sometimes do but doesn't make much difference time-wise. 👊👍

[@davidletz9123]

Andy, I can't imagine you'd let an income-producing job get in the way of a "Test Tuesday" video. :)

[@GosforthHandyman]

😂😂

[@timhalcomb4041]

Thanks again great advice appreciate it have a blessed day

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Tim - and you bud! 👍

[@josehmaru]

Spot on and in .. 1m dolar idea.. thanks

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Also eager to see how to get the two beveled edges parallel! Just subbed.

[@Bob_Burton]

When you make the initial squaring cut how do you know that the two long sides are parallel ? If they are not then the 1100 mm measurement on one side is invalid because it will not be at 90 degrees to the starting point.

[@stephensteel341]

Hes already cut the width, you can use the exact same method to get your parallel size needed.

[@paulmcfadyen689]

He checked square from both sides

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, probably should have mentioned but covering more in next week's tip vid - I've already cut perfect parallel bevel cuts on this board. 👍

[@Bob_Burton]

OK. If you know that the two long edges are parallel then the "1100 mm up each side" method will work. But you can't get the two long sides parallel using the same method unless the two short edges are parallel. egg/chicken/egg/chicken/etc/etc Looking forward to next week's tip to see how you got the two long edges parallel !

[@bighands69]

@@Bob_Burton There are hundreds of methods that you could use including a T square for alignment. If you cut one edge on the long side that is completely 90 degrees with say a T square for alignment then get to rails cut to the exact same size for the width so as to set up the track saw. Or you could use two T squares cut to the exact same length that you can use to get the width correct and set up the track saw with. This would be especially handy if you have a standards size that you are cutting to but there is no reason as to why you could not have 10 sets of T square jigs made up to allow you to cut different sizes. You could also make a parallel guide that you could use to set up the track saw with. You could also get a large construction square and get a complete flat reference length of wood and then bolt that wood on to the square and use that as a means of alignment. I could go on and on and on.

[@peckelhaze6934]

Great tip.

[@WelshRabbit]

Sir Walter, I love your name. I live just outside your namesake city in the New World. Remember use track saws and to watch out for sharp axes.

[@peckelhaze6934]

Thank you, kind sir.

[@venriceallman5146]

do you cover the cut quality on this saw in any of you vid's , im looking to buy one of these to cut sheets of ply(sometime these have thin veneer) , cheers. i used to live in gossy just off the high street ,

[@gavjav1]

Hi Andy, sorry for the random question but I’ve just getting a festool track saw today. Whilst fitting the green splinter guard on the saw I’ve noticed the blade is going to catch it as I plunge down to cut, is this normal or I’m I doing something wrong

[@toddferguson549]

Blade will cut into the splinter guard relative to the depth of cut set for the cut. The splinter guard should be lowered to ride on the top of the material being cut. Festool sells replacement packs of 5 splinter guards. The only real need to change them is if you use blades that cut a wider or narrower kerf in my experience. I do my cutting with the standard 48 tooth blade...which is 2.2mm kerf width.

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

Cracking tip mate 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍

[@harvey19750]

Awesome 👏 thank you

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍

[@bikematesuk6460]

After a bit of advice if possible pal. Just started woodworking in my shed its only 14x6 and ive got a evo table saw mitre saw cordless circular saw and router table and loads of other stuff. Do you think id be better of flogging most of gear and get the festool and mft. Thanks . no worries if no reply i know you mustbe busy and keep it going pal love yours and peters videos

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hey Daniel - I always advise don't buy tools until a job pays for it 😀 - if you want to save a few pennies I'd be tempted to go for the DeWalt track saw and just make your own MFT. 👍

[@bikematesuk6460]

Thanks for advice pal much appreciated

[@bighands69]

@@bikematesuk6460 It depends on what you are doing. If you are only starting out I would say building your skills would be the most important thing right now. Even though you have a mitre saw and table saw there is no reason as to why you cannot have a track saw as well. It depends on what you can afford. What you may find is that you are doing projects and then find out that you like to have another tool to help.

[@grahamocarroll9052]

Great video thanks for your time I noticed the tape on your clamps, now that's a useful tip that I will definitely use! One that could save you a trip to an A&E!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - learned the hard way too many times! 😖😂👍

[@adamandlorraine]

Good tip. Got anything for if you want say, 10 X 100mm repeat strips out of one sheet?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I'd use the table saw for that. 👍

[@adamandlorraine]

@@GosforthHandyman that's handy as I've just cracked open the box of a new dewalt dwe7491 table saw here 😁

[@rlevitta]

Why do you have to turn the dust collector on with a remote? I figured you'd have your ts-55 plugged into a CT or other with auto on features?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I also need to switch the air cleaner on so no extra hassle to do the dust on remote. 👍

[@laurav6585]

Hello, I really enjoy your channel. You have always brilliant ideas. Considering that you do not have an MFT, how do you go about thin rip cut with your TS55? In other words, when the stock is less wide than the track guide width. I have seen few ideas (Leon for instance) but I am still looking for the perfect solution. Thanks

[@GosforthHandyman]

Must admit I mainly use the table saw for thin rips. 👍

[@lutzhegemann5103]

Simple and handy. Thank you

[@andyburns]

Having never used a track saw, is there really no need to clamp the track down to stop it moving about? e.g. on your first squaring cut

[@pintastic5876]

It has grip strips on the bottom and you really don’t need to clamp it usually

[@GosforthHandyman]

As pintastic says, generally no need - the grip strips are incredibly grippy if you keep them clean (see my 6.5 track saw tips vid). 👍

[@DRJMF1]

a pallet against a wall. with a plasters1m long troll as a guide. when needs must. or us Makita sp6000 track saw.

[@gileslaycock-brown7603]

Hi. I have the same track saw as you. I was surprised to see you didn't have to worry about the track slipping. Have you modified it as mine may as well be coated in silicone lube. It slides all over unless I keep my hand on it.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Do you clean the strips on the track? I give a couple of tips for that in the 6.5 tracksaw tips vid I did. 👍

[@gileslaycock-brown7603]

Yes I do. Even from new the rubber strips were closer to plastic so very slick. I wondered if you'd replaced them with something better.

[@elvisoshaughnessy1255]

Hi would you be able make a video on how to clean dewalt 745 table saw

[@GosforthHandyman]

Rag n Bone Brown just did a vid on this - search him up, great channel 👍

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

02:03 One of the *key* things with regard to MDF is wearing a respiratory face mask. You *don't* want these particles in your lungs. 07:48 Talking about precision - can I stack two boards, one on top of the other, cutting two boards with one cut?

[@simonh73]

If your feeling cash rich or breaking down lots of sheets the TSO products GRS-16 from Axminster is a great way for making square cuts quick and accurate with the Festool track

[@GosforthHandyman]

Really like the look of it but just couldn't justify the £180 to replace a £20 framing square. If Axminster wanted to send me one I wouldn't complain. 👍😀

[@elusivemite]

Wouldn't say that's quick myself. Mfslab with a spacer to set to depth and crack on Use a spacer on the track for squaring cuts. Flip and cut to size. No mf slab. Just use a sheet of mdf with guides pinned on. Less setup. Slap the board on and cut.

[@800Viffer]

👏👏👏👏

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍👍

[@jasoncrome5163]

Hello mate, I’m sure I heard you talk about a Podcast you do on one of you’re vids but I can’t find it anywhere? Am I going crazy? Also; how would I go about getting a quote for a job from you?

[@davehughes4953]

measuringuppodcast.com hope that helps, I can’t help with the quote though :-)

[@GosforthHandyman]

What Dave said 😀👍. There's a link to my business site from gosforthhandyman.com/ but I'm afraid at the mo. I'm booked up until mid-2019. 👍

[@jasoncrome5163]

Gosforth Handyman thanks mate, being booked up is a great problem to have, I’ll get in touch on the business site it’s not an urgent job

[@marquisbois990]

I’ m not going to be able to concentrate today unless you tell me why you have tape on the end of the bar on those first 2 quick clamps you used!

[@thesmallshed]

Probably there to stop him poking his eye out, - Don't ask me how I know.....

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - the ends are razor sharp - too many clamp related injuries! 😂

[@munkytaint666]

i've got a really huge MFT that i built.... it's multi-function, alright, only on *my* table, the MF stands for something else... ;)

[@GosforthHandyman]

I'll be turning my assembly table in to a giant MFT at some point. Did you use the parf guide system or something else?

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

👍😄

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍😀

[@Theosplaytime]

Late to the party...Ohhh those MFT's looking nice i'll get one....£500!!!!! for a table with holes in!! nah mate

[@alanmullock381]

I bet I could make a complete arse of it! Good tip Andy👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

😂😂👍

[@EscapeMCP]

Medite MR?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I think I did the demo on standard but the stuff stacked up is Medite MR 👍

[@PeterEller]

so this is what you do if you didn't have or want to get a set of parallel guides? www.woodpeck.com/parallel-guide-system.html

[@JimboJet737]

I missed something here I think, if he wants multiple cuts to the same dimensions, why hasn't he made one "oversized" board to allow for the clamped edge scrap guides and his stock width. Then he only has to clamp the scrap guides once, and can simply place each stock piece down for multiple exact sized cuts. In this video, it appears he has to reclamp his scrap guides on every new piece of stock - hardly time efficient imo.

[@GosforthHandyman]

You've lost me - do you mean an oversized sacrificial board under the piece to be cut with stops on? It takes about 20s to clamp the guides on. I might have the wrong end of the stick.

[@reversegreenpotato]

I was thinking the same thing as a version 2. A bit like an oversized tablesaw sled but for the tracksaw. Imagine almost the exact same thing you have at 2:50 except the piece you're cutting now slides in between those two clamped rails (and the rails are attached permanetly to the bottom sheet). However your way means one less jig to have to store somewhere!

[@tom_davis]

mashed potato that does sound like a good idea - give the cross cut functionality of the MFT without having to invest. Could even clamp a block to the top strip to get repeatable cuts. Definitely going to try it!

[@bighands69]

jimboJet737 What you are talking about is a jig that can be used to size wood. You can do that or choose not to do it. Clamping down only takes a seconds.

[@carlospina9611]

I expect an easier to use jig. It's a lot of work to be assembling and disassembling with each cut. I didn't find anything practical.

[@Dazza19746]

At first I thought, ‘that’s a good idea! 💡’ THEN you pulled it all apart! And I seen the system you were using 🤦‍♂️ Why wouldn’t you make up a jig, almost like you did but FIX the mdf length strips TO the base sheet, which will obviously need to be a bit wider as you want the space between them the exact sheet width. Then have the track fixed on top maybe a mm or so higher. All you have to do then is slide in the sheets and dock an end square, flip it round a flush square end to length stop ( your mdf strips) and bobs your uncle! You’re not farting around disassemble/ reassemble’ and constantly ‘checking square’ The time it will take to make, will be saved on first two cuts 👍🏻 You’ll thank me later 😉🤣

[@spongebob91-g2o]

Why are you not measuring in miles per hour if you are so british? You and your left hand drive and imperial measurements

[@centralcaravanrepairs9635]

couldn't watch it. too long winded

[@willielabuschagne1208]

Lame video and he takes a full six minutes to say exactly f all