Lidl Parkside or Screwfix MacAllister? [video 454]

In this video I take a look at a pair of entry-level £70/$99 plunge saws, the Screwfix #MacAllister and the #Lidl #Parkside, to try and help you figure out where’s best to put your money. Enjoy!
Extra Parkside rails are available through Lidl customer services, or directly here -
www.kompernass...
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Other videos mentioned in passing:-
Festool vs Cheap P 1 - • Festool vs Cheap tool:...
Trascksaw workshop P1 - • TW P1; What's a tracks...
A Lidl blade upgrade - • A Lidl Blade Upgrade [...
Which rails work; a guide to guide rails - • Which Rails Work? A Gu...
Tracksaw workshop & all tracksaw-related videos playlist - bit.ly/Tracksaw...
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Heads up; as an Amazon Associate, and an eBay Partner Network member, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
Wherever possible links are to actual products used, but this is not always possible e.g. some products are not available in the US, so something [similar] has been linked to instead.
Amazon UK - www.amazon.co....
eBay UK - bit.ly/Buy_eBay_UK
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Used/featured in this video:-
Lidl Parkside plunge saw - www.lidl.co.uk...
Screwfix MacAllister plunge saw - www.screwfix.c...
Triton 48t blade - amzn.to/2EQgUMJ
Evolution guide rails - amzn.to/2IhI149
Festool lever clamp - amzn.to/2pOohLD (US: amzn.to/2pnFZIM)
Festool MFT - amzn.to/2x49HHE (US: amzn.to/2J25aKy)
Festool Midi extractor - amzn.to/2tCIN3Q (US: amzn.to/2rKNIOx)
Hultafors Talmeter tape measure - amzn.to/2pHwnbH (US: amzn.to/2oqLQc9)
Moldex 6810 in-ear defenders - amzn.to/2P2c5nP (US:amzn.to/2LgIsye)
Mirock square - etsy.me/2MC0RT
Mirock 500mm T-ruler - etsy.me/365P0KE
Bahco 6” combi square - amzn.to/2oumhX4 (US: amzn.to/2ouSg9k)
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[@negotiableaffections]

If you [the viewer] know the pain-in-the-A of searching youtube for a good tutorial on anything, only to find the video you try is not of any use, and your search resumes; then let me assure you, Peter's guide to tracksaws is the real deal. A playlist of 7 episodes but every aspect is given Peter's critical but fair eye. An invaluable, primer if the tracksaw method appeals to you.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Keith! 🙌👍👍

[@davidsneddon2242]

Peter fantastic series, just wonderful in both detail and delivery. This is BY FAR the BEST track saw series on the whole of KZbin. First class mate.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

@@davidsneddon2242 Thanks David! 🙌

[@davidbray6515]

@@10MinuteWorkshop you've saved me a lot of money and hassle looking for a cheaper alternatives I have a mcalister and the titan bothe with top quality blades and a 2 and 3 metre makita track and couldn't be happier with them thanks again Peter for the heads up

[@CJDavies]

I bought my MacAllister this time last year after spending an afternoon watching your Tracksaw Workshop series & as somebody who previously had zero experience working from scratch with sheet material I'm amazed at the quality of the cuts I get with it & how safe it feels using it. I've made speaker cabinets, a 19" rack enclosure & even a tiny shelving unit for bolt/nut organiser trays by using the score setting to cut slots for 5mm plywood shelves to slide into. Now if only I didn't live in a 3rd storey flat & have to use my kitchen for doing it!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Really pleased to hear the videos helped! Thanks! 👍👍

[@jcoul1sc]

Amazing

[@stevenho2311]

After using the MacAllister saw a few times and struggling to cut even 12mm MDF cleanly without burning I put it down to bad choice of blades as I had put in a Trend 48T. After watching some generic plunge saw videos I decided to check the toeing of the blade and realised that it was actually toeing out which meant that the rear of the blade was actually rubbing against the wood causing the burning. This saw is not particularly well designed for toe adjustment as it cannot be done from the top but only from below which is obviously not accessible when it is on the track. You will need to loosen the 4 screws and the 2 outer set screws, this will allow the base plate to move just a little and at this point it is really trial and error and luck. After 'adjusting' I have a very slight toe-in, think should be a little more but it will do for now. Now it glides and cuts much nicer and no longer burns any of the wood. I did consider returning for a replacement but there was no more stock around and I had already gotten rid of the box etc so would be too much hassle. For anyone else getting one for the first time, do initial trim of the strip then check the toeing, get it replaced if it is out...

[@johngratton467]

Well you made my mind up for me Peter, bought the Mac and collected yesterday also ordered the Triton blade you recommended (ordered yesterday afternoon and arrived this morning amazing delivery from FFX, one of the few places with any stock btw), my Sunday evening is now booked to binge watch your tracksaw series again for the 3rd time, many thanks for your excellent videos, no hype, straightforward and honest advice, an added bonus no annoying music to distract from the topic at hand as well

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks John! 👍

[@johngratton467]

Quick update fitted the Triton blade, trimmed the rubber strip off and cut some 18mm Contiboard with the Mac using the scribing feature first then a full thickness pass, cut is as clean as a whistle with absolutely no tear out, I'm so pleased with this Mac plunge saw system, unbelievable clean cut

[@KeithMountifield]

I bought the MacAllister about a year ago and cannot say enough about how pleased I am with it. Though I did get Evolution tracls and usd the Mac Tracks with a couple of different cross cut jigs. Couldn't have got to grips with it without your vids. Thank You!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Great saws; I've said before, I'd have killed to have anything like this around this kind of price-point when I was first setting up ~20 years ago.👍

[@davidsneddon2242]

Peter fantastic series, just wonderful in both detail and delivery. This is BY FAR the BEST track saw series on the whole of KZbin. First class mate.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks again! 👍

[@milkman5038]

Came back just to thank you. Bought first plunge saw and first time tried it. After few your videos decided to go with cheap version and bought macallister. What i can say. Im very happy, saves time and cuts 18mm ply as butter.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! Enjoy your saw! 👍

[@BrightEyes808]

Great video as normal! I just bought the MacAllister about two weeks ago and I've spent the last 3 days hemming and hawing about what tracks to go for! This video dropped just at right time!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

👍

[@gooseholla1]

My cheapo rubbish table saw died this past project I was doing and bought the mac plunge saw and better blade today after considering all your track saw videos and comments carefully. Woodyard do most of my cuts but every so often need to cut something down or trim a couple of cm off when plans change so seems perfect for occasional use. Thanks.

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

Thanks Pete for the time, effort and honesty you put into your tutorial/review videos. I respect your opinion 100 percent and I think I'll take the plunge ...... get it the plunge 👍🤣 and go for a macalister. Cheers Mr Millard 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Dan. Looks like the 2021 Parkside model may be an upgraded version, just FYI. Will try and get my hands on one tomorrow. 👍

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

@@10MinuteWorkshop great look forward to hearing your verdict 👍

[@whatworkedforme]

I bought the Mac Allister which is similar to the Triton and many others. I bought the Triton blade before using it at all. One very nice feature of the Mac is the scribe function. it cuts a 2.5 mm groove by the special setting. it leaves a very clean cut and then I plunge to the set depth after. Admittedly i didn't try the stock blade to see if that was as good but over all very pleased with the Mac.. one down side on the Mac is the Black depth gauge with black raised numbers .. like looking for a black cat down a mine. I bought a white £2 paint pen off eBay and touched up the raised numbering and scale. Fixed! Thanks Peter for your YT videos.

[@TheOriginal_BigMac]

This is the first time I've seen one of Peters's vids. Instantly subscribed

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks James, and welcome! 👍

[@jonty2020]

TITAN and Mac Allister etc , are all brands used by Kingfisher group - owners of Screwfix and B&Q in the UK and Castorama in France. I think they rebranded a lot of tools from TITAN to Mac Allister to unify the range across all their outlets - as I believe TITAN was specific to Screwfix in the UK to start with.

[@shifty277]

All the above correct!

[@allthegearuk]

I've just got a MacAllister saw and I was surprised to find out it has a little flip up bit on the depth stop to account for the depth of the track. Wasn't expecting this and nice to have. Thanks for the review.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Nice! 👍👍

[@MyGrowthRings]

Great review, Peter. The Mac looks identical to the current WEN saw, sold here in the USA. Here in North Carolina we are fortunate to have a few Lidl stores, but I haven’t seen the Parkside saw in the store, so I finally gave in and ordered a WEN just this week. I was surprised that the saw came with a tag attached that says that the anti-kickback knob is removable, if not desired. That sort of message isn’t common in our litigious country. Scott

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Interesting, thanks Scott! No, we don’t get Wen products here either; it wouldn’t surprise me if the’s one factory making 110v products branded as Wen and 240v products brands as whatever anyone wants! 👍👍

[@dannelfalkner5285]

i purchase the wen saw and they are exactly the same

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@dannelfalkner5285 I think the only difference besides the 110v is the depth scale is in United States customary units (Imperial).

[@mandyleeson1]

A comprehensive review Peter, as always. Thank you.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Mandy! 👍

[@sebastiantreloar6045]

I love the macallister. Ive had mine a couple of years now and altho its the only track saw I’ve used I don’t feel the anti kickback annoying, i have had the chip out strip come loose and i need to replace it but I really like that i can use the accessories with the track.

[@999pez]

Have just found this video researching the parkside plunge saw which is being sold this week in Lidl. I've never owned a plunge saw but use my circular saw a lot for DIY so thought I's get one. The parkside is now £80 but the macallister is £135! Looks like it's the parkside for me then.

[@jimmcgill9296]

Hi Peter Just watched your new tracksaw video, if you look it the Parkside website the last pic No.7 You can just see the riving knife it's looks very small. Cheers Peter

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Have to take your word for it - I looked really hard and couldn’t see it! 👍🤷‍♂️

[@daiburt1833]

Yeah I have the big Mac and now I know how it works .but the Aldi band saw met a sticky end .I spent a few minutes hitting it with a sledge hammer before running it over a few times then I left it out for the pikeys.

[@normanboyes4983]

Peter, you are a gentleman, scholar and THE Tracksaw soothsayer.😀👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Haha, thanks Norman! 🙌👍

[@Siderod]

I continue to be envious of your choices for a cheap track saw. I’d own one by now if I could have one for that kind of money. Great content as always, Peter!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Yes, we’re spoiled for choice at the budget end of the market, here! 👍

[@tazmaniandevil1503]

Great review Peter. I was on the verge of buying one of the Parkside saws, but went to my local Screwfix at the weekend and picked up one of the MacAllister saws instead. TBH I have never had any issues with Parkside tools, but had to return an Aldi Workzone tool recently, and they would not accept the return in-store because it was on the 366th day after purchase and had to be returned to the manufacturer despite them having the tools in stock. At least with Screwfix exchanges are much easier.

[@yuriflynn2477]

Hi Peter , I can confirm the new model ptss1200 c2. Has a riving knife now

[@rickorider]

Just picked a Parkside tracksaw from Lidl this morning. Yes it does have a riving knife!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Me too! 👍

[@bobminchin]

Just looked at Screwfix website, they say 12 month warranty on the Macalister Saw and currently £79.99. Thanks for a very timely video. I nearly went for Lidl but now think I'll go for Macalister.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Says 2 years on the box; 12 months is usually parts & labour, the extra 12 months defective parts only, but in practice if there's any issue the saw's replaced. 👍

[@Wattswood]

Great as always Peter. I recently bought the Erbauer ERB690CSW 185MM from Screwfix. I wanted the extra capacity for a job but couldn't justify the larger Festool saw to add to my TS55. I am quite impressed with this saw and notice it is very similar to the MacAllister you review. The knob for adjusting the plunge to change the blade and do a scribe cut has the same graphics and overall looks much the same. I have already removed the anti-kickback feature. It uses the same track as the Mac A too. Thanks again!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Stuart! Yes, I took a look at the Erbauer a few weeks back, nice saw! 👍👍

[@jackleg693]

I’m 0:53 seconds in and 🤞🏻 the Mac Allister comes out well… I bought mine 2 weeks ago!! 13:30 phew. As always thank you Peter for such a great video.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

🙌👍👍😂

[@DaveGDesigns]

nice video Peter, I bought the parkside after watching your review of it and although I don't cut a lot of sheet materials when I do it now feels a lot easier and safer than my old circular saw which I never felt comfortable using.

[@gaz740]

Thanks for the review Peter. It's come along at just the tight time as I was trying to decide between these two..... my money will definitely be spent on the McAllister.

[@ciaranokelly3693]

Great series of videos Peter. Since I started my van conversion build I knew I'd be wanting a track saw. So, Metabo stepped up nicely with a circular saw that runs on a track. I got 2 tracks both of which cope admirably with full size sheets of ply. Am really pleased with my cuts and equally pleased with the quality of the tool.

[@theduftmeister]

Just flicking through the Toolstation catalogue. Looks like their saw ( Draper )is another copy of the scheppach ones ( possibly?!? ) Am only going via the photo. Can't be sure, but thought I'd mention given all your analysis on various saws, and in case it helps any other viewers. thanks Peter.

[@fgcvhhbvjhbj]

Always wanted to see a channel that compares the Lidl and b&q cheap stuff with the actual brands. Thanks 👍

[@You-are-right-but]

I totally recommend the Track Saw/ Plunge Saw series. It set me up perfectly. Note though: My McAlister saw has a soft start

[@huwwilliams3664]

Great Video. I need to build a bookcase and usually use a router to rip large sheets but feel one of these is probably better. As MacAllister don't appear to do this one any more, which would you recommend?

[@tallmaris]

I bought my MacAllister a year ago at "covid" price, which was 99 pounds... Still a great purchases and used a lot, but it's good to see prices going back to normal finally!

[@NomadMakes]

To anyone bothering to read the comments, Peter's Tracksaw series is THE BEST learning documentation available for the use of tracks saws. If you haven't seen the entire series, you are missing out!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Goran! 🙌

[@NomadMakes]

@@10MinuteWorkshop Oh my god the typos I make. Edited the post above. Should make sense now :D

[@davidbray6515]

The McAllister fits my makita track a treat I fitted a fraud blade its amazingly good peter

[@ollie9199]

‘Fraud’ 😆

[@davidbray6515]

@@ollie9199 yes fraud sorry cuts like a dream

[@gordysevenzero3244]

Excellent as always - it might be worth noting that the Mac comes with Makita joining bars, which are in two parts, so they don't rely on the grub screws biting into, and therefore marking, the T-slots, as Festool do, for instance. I have two extra Makita rails - a 1m at under £40, and a 1.5m at just over £50, and have ripped full sheets of MDF, OSB and plywood. Great saw! (Although I may have just bought a TS55 as well...)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

I hadn't noticed that, thanks! And new Festool eh?? Nice! 😆 👌

[@BusbyBiscuits]

IN terms of Q&A, I would probably also raise that as a point of contention with the Evolution rails. They definitely have issues in this regard if you read the Amazon comments. Being a novice, I learned this the hardway after ripping through a bunch of material (Makita Saw) without checking the rails were totally straight. Mine were all kinds of wonky.

[@StrawbyteWorkshop]

I would agree - I've had 2 sets of evolution rails and had similar issues with both. I can't recommend them either.

[@moodophile]

@@StrawbyteWorkshop Hmmm, satisfied Evolution Rail (+Parkside Saw) customer here. No issues. But I did purchase my rails at the Screwfix 'Live' show (and won a free Evolution T-shirt. Ohh the generosity) and checked them carefully using the AVE patent'd 'calibrated laser eye-ball' before struggling to the car with them. Obviously not an option in these disease-ridden times.

[@BigDan1190]

7:45 hehe, always good that line! I did a ton of research on this and categorically the best solution is a MacAllister / Titan saw with a 1.5m Makita track. And the 3m track if necessary. Remove the kickback thing altogether. The reasons are thus, the anti tip function on the Makita / MacAllister / Titan saws is brilliant and very helpful for angled cuts, and the Makita tracks are the best all round purchase - the Evolution rails might be cheaper but messing about with joining rails is absolutely not worth the saving of just buying a full length track. the 1.5m track from Makita is also better as that little extra really helps when cutting 1220mm sheet goods.

[@andyg9847]

Hi Peter, there is a riving knife fitted on Lidl's new Parkside Plunge Saw, just picked one up this morning. Brilliant videos BTW... 6/6/2021

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Andy! I picked one up too - update video out later on, I hope! 👍👍

[@WhiteDieselShed]

Watched the older clips and found most of the cheaper units out of stock. Found this and thought great only June last year so products should be the same, sadly not the MacAllister is also out of stock at Screwfix with B&Q saying one maybe in stock almost locally but over £100 now. That grey MDF you use how does it fare cost wise compared to undercoating and painting? Cabinet the size of a small wardrobe, 70cm wide 180cm tall sub 40cm deep. Seen a lot of US clips where they use it like its disposable, although some spend $5k on a machine say its flawed and stick it in the corner and buy another one for more money. Jealous oh yes. :) Great channel love the content.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Yes, the Macallister started going out of stock not long after this video - not claiming any credit for that, you understand... The fibracolour was around £170/sheet, but it's a big sheet (2850 x 2100 or thereabouts) so I'd say it compared favourably to priming and painting - certainly a lot less effort than spraying, unless you're 100% set up for it!

[@SpareroomWoodworking]

Found your channel through Keith Brown - what a find! Great stuff, really enjoying your content.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks And welcome! That’s another pint I owe Keith! 😂👍

[@BKWarren]

I modified a Makita guide rail slightly to fit my Parkside. I cut off the anti-tip lip with an aluminium cutting blade so the Parkside would fit in the channels. But then found the splinter guard ended shy of the blade, so replaced it with a 2mm x 25mm rubber strip and trimmed to size. Now I have a Makita guide rail that can use all the aftermarket jigs on my Parkside.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

How to Trim a GuideRail - and why you’d want to! [video 468] - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6K3e2eJp7d3Z68 👍

[@BKWarren]

@Peter Millard Not sure how I missed this video of yours, but well done and glad you were thinking along the same lines. I used a 10mm support/fence which made moving the Makita rail slightly more fiddly than yours. You're a great source of ideas well conceived and well executed.

[@xinixxagnix201]

Great content Peter, from 6-6-2021 the Tracksaw is available in the UK lidl ..., not here in The Netherlands, maybe a week later xD....Maybe you will or can make a how to to align the blade, i have a Makita SP6000 and out of the box it was not 90 degree and blade was not aligned to the base rail (burn marks)

[@mingueyox]

Wow. These saws have becoming so affordable. I love your channel Peter 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@harveytr7106]

By lucky coincidence, I’m a total novice when it comes to track saws but have an impending need for one (in fact, I suspect I should have bought one a week ago for some jobs I was doing with a circular saw). Very much looking at the bottom end of the market. This has been more helpful than anything else I’ve found on KZbin, not least because it’s not targeted at high end trade stuff or “professional” DIYers. Thank you. (And if the Triton works for you then I’m happy to go with your MacAllister recommendation- Screwfix should put you on commission)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! And that'll be the day! 😂

[@adamirish4370]

Hi Peter , was looking for a plunge saw for quite some time and after watching your tracksaw workshop videos I decided if I won't find good second hand one I'll go for mac allister (£135 now) and when doing groceries in Lidl I bought a parkside D2 for £80 which I thought it's a bargain at this price , will upgrade blade and thinking of buying st2800 track's

[@adamirish4370]

At a time of your comparison video price difference between them 2 was minimal and I'm wondering if now Mac allister is wort that extra £55 over parkside?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Hi, sorry, old vid; I think you'll struggle to find the MacAllister these days. Pafrkside is great for the money if you can get your hands on one, albeit with the reservations mentioned in this vid and previous. Macallister not worth 50-odd quid over the parkside, put your money into more track. 👍

[@hansdegroot8549]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. As a hobby woodworker I gathered quite a few Parkside electric tools over the time. All bought in the classic shops, not online. But now with the LIDL online shop available also in Slovakia (and in the UK as well, I guess) all the LIDL/Parkside tools should be available more or less all year around, I suppose.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Hans. No, unfortunately, LidlGB lags behind our European neighbours, and we’re still on an annual cycle. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@10MinuteWorkshop One is never too old to be surprised. That's a pity.

[@terryoconnor2173]

I found your channel by a happy accident a couple of weeks ago and thanks to your tracksaw series I bought the MacAllister last week, ( so it's your fault). I got it from B&Q Ireland and it cost 122 Euro (about 105 Sterling). Later the same day it popped up in the Screwfix Ireland catalogue for 97 (83 Sterling). Apparently, B&Q price match policy doesn't apply to Screwfix, so I returned it (hassle free) and got it from Screwfix. Happy days. (Still your fault though)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂 Always happy to take the blame, that’s me! And welcome! 👍👍

[@davidhull1610]

I like the anti kickback feature on the dewalt plunge saw...you can lock it in the off position for normal use, and then engage it with a simple twist of the knob if you need it. I engage it only when plunge cutting or if I'm ripping solid wood, but whether it's necessary or not who knows?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

The DeWalt anti-kickback is the one to beat tbh - best all-round solution as it's easy to engage/disengage. 👍

[@electricman5010]

Peter , Excellent content ! Always enjoy and look forward to your video's

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! 👍

[@woodysoft3585]

Excellent video as usual. I'm considering the Mac but just had a look at one in B & Q and noticed the baseplate is plastic. This has put me off a bit as not sure how robust it will be.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Baseplate on the MacAllister I bought from Screwfix definitely isn’t plastic. Never seen any plunge saw with a plastic baseplate tbh. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@woodysoft3585]

@@10MinuteWorkshop thanks for update. I'm going to e-mail screwfix for confirmation, it may be a 'new' version. I hope I'm wrong as this is ideal for my needs / budget.

[@stevenliu1070]

During depths of lockdown I couldn't find anything and plumped for an Excel saw, which I'd never heard of. It looks similar to the MacAlister though, must be the same manufacturer. Came with two long rails so I could cut sheets right away. Pretty chuffed with how it works.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Haven’t used one, but very impressed with the excel rails when I used them 👍

[@animationcreations42]

I have the older Parkside and now you mention it 'may' have a riving knife I'm considering upgrading. I've had the blade get jammed a couple times, plus I can probably flog my old saw on Facebook for the price of the new one judging by the demand every year! It's not just Festool that you can get for 'free'!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

True! 👍👍

[@nikolagsi]

@@10MinuteWorkshop it should have riving knife rs.cat-ret.assets.lidl/catalog4media/rs/article/361911-05/gallery/preview/lg/361911-05.jpg

[@hwood9783]

Is that a plunge or circular saw?

[@digiscream]

How do you choose between them? Well, my local Lidl had one left in stock from the promo a few weeks ago, and my local Screwfix had none. Guess I'll find out if it's any good over the weekend...

[@paulwestlake4278]

Remember folks, you NEED to buy a cheap plunge saw because the stuff you are going to cut is so blooming expensive... 1 sht 18mm birch ply, last year £42, this year £67. A good review as always Peter. Thanks very much.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Great point actually Paul - two saws that are cheaper than the Birch ply you're cutting them with, lol! 👍

[@ciptrofin]

I noticed the same about OSB, however the price for particleboard sheets looks similar.

[@BigHenFor]

I eatched a video on why prices are going up 1) Sterling's 20% fall in value 2) The Pandemic with global lockdowns caused a lot of containers to be stuck in Europe and North America because of their massive demand for PPE and other anti-covid supplies. But they weren't being returned with exports because of their closed borders and lockdowns. China and other big production centres are making things but can't ship them anywhere because they havent enough containers to meet demand until some arrangements can be made to send those containers back. So, until the global shipping container problem is fixed, prices will keep on going up on the high street as the world's two largest economies starts to reopen. It's summer snd people will want to do DIY. So... might have to wait, because timber prices are exorbitant right now.

[@grahamhine3782]

I have had to retire my Titan saw. After chewing up 3 sets of brushes I realised that metal contact strips on the armature had fallen away causing the brushes crash into the remains strip. I would have bought the identical Mcalister but these were out of stock. The only cheap saw available was a Einhell which require their own unique track, which were £45 extra. It has no anti kick back and no scribe setting but is remarkably well put together. The base is cast aluminium and the blade shroud is painted metal . Apart from the motor body there is very little plastic. The downside is the terrible blade which burns everything I have cut and it blows out more dust in front of the saw than through the vacuum outlet causing the saw to vibrate. I will try it with a new blade and see if that improves the performance. I was thinking of taking it back but there is nothing else around right now. This was the last saw that Toolstation had in stock anywhere in the UK.

[@davidsneddon2242]

First class as always Peter and for me very timely. I am a great Lidl fan but I am so glad I noticed your video coming in as a subscriber. Looks like the Mcallister is a safer bet.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks David! The Parkside is a great saw, but I think the MacAllister edges it slightly this time - unless Lidl surprises us all,on Sunday with something special, of course! 🤔👍

[@davidsneddon2242]

@@10MinuteWorkshop I’ll certainly be having a look anyway Peter. Love the Lidl 20v system for their battery tools as well as my REAL stuff from Dewalt.

[@neilheslop5786]

I was gearing myself up to go queue up at Lidl first thing in the morning until I’ve just seen this video. Now I’ve ordered the Mac one instead, the extra tenner is well worth the convenience of been able collect from screwfix at my leisure and know that if I have any problems they will be able to replace it, as I doubt Lidl will have any stock after tomorrow morning! Thanks Peter, great video as always.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Neil! 👍

[@hewpewdenbigh]

Same for me Neil - was ready to Parkside but now won't. Funny you think this will sell out in Lidl - after this video it may well not! Hehe.

[@neilheslop5786]

@@hewpewdenbigh haha maybe your right. Lidl will be after you now Peter!

[@recloakedworkshop]

‘The Mac Allister is a Lidl bit more expensive’ 😂. I’ve got the Mac and think it’s great for the money. I paid £99 for mine from B&Q and as you advised, changed the blade immediately.

[@alistairstanger2940]

Thanks Peter. Been waiting for this as I have the MacAllister and Evo rails but have not used them yet (just finishing my version of your portable bench which I cut with a cordless Scheppach which I hoped would fit on Evo but doesn't). So if I understand correctly the Mac runs on Evo rails perfectly and would also be good on Makita track. I'm going to get the Benchdogs rail square for Evo if this is the case and it seems that then that square works on the short Mac rails too which is a bonus.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

That’s correct Alistair. There’s a video of mine called ‘which rails work’ - link in description - that covers this in quite nerdy detail! The Schepoach/Aldi saws have chosen a very odd path to take with their rails and (lack of) compatibility. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@alistairstanger2940]

Thanks again. I've seen all the tracksaw videos several times but I was not 100% sure if the Mac was definitely a Titan replica in every way and did not want to splash out on the Bechdogs stuff until I was sure as I can't return them from here. So this is great and I'm off to make Ralph a bit richer right away :-)

[@jcoul1sc]

@@10MinuteWorkshop suppose they are testing to see what works best and has features that can be seen as a USP (Unique selling point) over other saws (I have no idea ! )

[@essentialhandyman]

A track saw is one of three tools I think I need still. This was really helpful. Next stop... check out your 7 part track saw tutorial. Thanks Peter.

[@trevorb1239]

I recently purchased a scheppach cs55 it's got a 160mm blade 55mm Dept of cut is 1200 watts & came with a 1200 mm guide rail it would be interesting to have a comparison between the scheppach cs55 & these 2 saws 👍👍👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

The Aldi workzone saw is essentially a rebadged Scheppach, and I’ve covered them in detail before. 👍

[@trevorb1239]

@@10MinuteWorkshop thanks for letting me know I'll have to check out your other videos on it cheers 👍👍🇦🇺

[@MartinDeHill]

"I would never condone removing a safety feature, which you can do right here" hahahahha Reminds me of the bricks of grapes that came packaged with yeast in prohibition America "We would never condone making wine with this by putting it in a bucket of water and storing it in a warm place for three weeks"

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂🤔🤔🥂

[@recloakedworkshop]

First thing I did was remove the bl@@dy awful thing. Took me ages to work out why I couldn’t move the saw on the rail! 😂. Second thing was to change the blade for a triton.

[@heavymetallife398]

just got the new lidl track saw, it seems the red rail snugging toggles act as a kickback arrester aswell on this one ( if tightened a little harder) without hindering forward movevent

[@danhaire3064]

Hi Peter, I enjoy watching your videos and came across these budget tracksaw videos which are great however the products you reviewed only in 2021 seem to be no longer available - Screwfix doesn't sell the Titan, MacAlister or Evolution plunge saws anymore. What budget tracksaw would you now recommend?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Screwfix doesn’t, but you can get the MacAllister from B&Q I believe, and I’d still stick with that as the go-to budget offering over say, the Parkside, for all the reasons given in this vid. 👍

[@chriswakeman6237]

I was wondering if the extra tracks come with 1 or 2 connectors. If any can advise that'll be great 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

You don’t typically get a connector with a length of track; seems like an obvious thing to include, doesn’t it? But nope, it’s an added cost (admittedly not much) with all rails as far as I know.

[@diyengineer811]

Another great video! You must have about 500m of track in your workshop now :-)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

About that, yes! 😂 And thanks! 👍

[@ciptrofin]

Thank you, great video! MacAllister has 2 pros: - scribe function - the rails have 2 channels and allow use of 2 connecting bars - this really helps with rail alignment. To improve vacuum efficiency, both should use duct tape over side hole.

[@planespeaking]

Good to know re zero cut. Thanks!

[@stevenliu1070]

The anti kick causes problems with the scribe function. Once you've scribed you have to very carefully manually disengage the kickback and lift the saw off, then carefully put it back at the start of the rail, else you'll move the track and wreck the cut.

[@martyjoiner4668]

parkside has scribe function .just set your saw to the second line lol

[@allthegearuk]

Hi Peter, do you know if the MacAllister track rib is the same size as the Festool or Makita rail? In a previous video you said the makita was a bit smaller than the festool so you couldn't snug your TS55 saw up to the Makita rail. thanks

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Honestly, there’s tenths of a mm in it, I certainly wouldn’t want to live by the difference, and there’s probably that much variation between batches. 👍

[@funkyuk1]

You’re taunting me Peter. I got hacked of with waiting months, checking weekly for Lidl to announce their tracks as, and went out and bought the macallister last weekend, only for Lidl to announce for this weekend, and now your comparison/ review 😂👍🏼

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Timing is everything! 😂 Solid choice though, and for exactly the right reason - availability! 👍

[@colinascott4705]

Bought the excel 1.5m rails and they're Identical to the Macalister rails to the point where I'd be surprised if the Macalister rails wasn't made by excel as they're exactly the same.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

As I say in my 'which rails work' video they're the closest copy of the Makita-pattern rails I've ever come across.👍

[@billah18]

Can you review the Kreg system? I like the table offering and would like to fit other brands on there if the actual saw from Kreg doesn't meet the mark.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

If Kreg ever decide to sell it outside of the US I’d be happy to take a look, but until then, no chance I’m afraid. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@j.thewoodcraftninja3918]

I like those "book of words"...🤣

[@cornwallonline]

After watching your reviews, I bought the MacAllister. I then ended up getting a second one!! I needed more track and decided that for £80, I'd end up with a flexible track system (I couldn't find a 1 metre Makita track plus joiners for less than about £55) and also a spare saw if (and when!) the first one breaks/wears out. So far, I am more than pleased with it, even when using a cobbled-together joiner.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Have to be honest, considering the price of alternative guiderails before the Evolution landed on the scene, it's not a bad idea at all. And like you say, you now have a spare... 👍

[@paulwestlake4278]

@@10MinuteWorkshop Out of pure curiosity, did you check the straightness of the joins? or did I miss that bit?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

@@paulwestlake4278 I did, but not on-camera (ie it was cut) - mine were fine, and I've honestly never received a set of rails that weren't, but I appreciate not everyone is as liucky as I am. 👍

[@mrvincefox]

Was waiting for this since your last video. Thank you, just bought the parkside one today before I watched ur review

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Great saw! 👍👍

[@mrvincefox]

@@10MinuteWorkshop thank you taking the time to review the McAlister, I think for the sake of Makita track comparability, I may refund the parkside and grab the Screwfix option

[@Hawthorn-nz]

I found out about the track saw through Peter's vids. I decided not to get one based on price and the fact that I already had a good 10" table saw. I recently took up a new job and discovered a brand new Makita track saw, (with track), hidden in a cupboard. I asked the boss if I could borrow it to try it out. I was very, very impressed! I'm now borrowing it again to build a new kitchen - I use it to break down full sheets in the carport before moving into the garage for further processing. I made an edge bander using a windscreen wiper motor, a few skateboard wheels and a hot air gun. I kid you not, a few months ago I turned down a $60k job because I didn't think I could cut the panels cleanly - that Makita is mint, I could have done it but just didn't realise how capable these track saws are. If I couldn't borrow one, I would buy one without hesitation. I'm in New Zealand so can't get Liddle/MacAllister, but if you can't afford, (or borrow), top of the line, I suggest getting one of these. It changes the way you work and cutting a straight, accurate, clean edge becomes super easy.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Great story, thanks Chris! Hone made edgebander sounds amazing! 🙌👍👍

[@Hawthorn-nz]

​@@10MinuteWorkshop It's naff looking. I wouldn't share any pictures of it - but it works 😁

[@jammymuir]

Hey there ! I nearly pulled the trigger on the Erbauer, but now not sure! Made some alcove cabinets with nothing but my jigsaw and clamps and levels and pleased with it. But moving onto some wardrobes in the bedroom and wanted to upgrade my cutting ability. Thoughts on cheaper track and spend the money on longer rail or the Erbauer setup ?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

I looked at the Erbauer here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5WQm6V9ZpVngdU Long story short, nice saw but the oddball blade size is a hindrance, for not much benefit IMHO. Soft start and a brake are nice to have, but is it worth twice the price? 🤷‍♂️

[@dermotcullen5263]

Is the manual that comes with the MAC Allister a Mac Book?🤪😂 Sorry Peter, couldn’t resist it. As usual it’s another well made and very informative video from the Maestro.👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂😂

[@davemcmaster1998]

Many thanks Peter for another great video. I bought the McAllister track saw a few weeks ago and am very happy. Would love some extra rails but not sure which way to go. I noticed a previous video from you recommending Excel 1.5m rails. They are currently selling at £42.99. Would these be compatible with the McAllister saw?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Dave! Yes, the Excel rails are 100% compatible with the Mcallister - they're the closest copy of the Makita rails that I've seen. Hadn't realised they were 'only' £43 - that's a pretty good option to add to the 2x700mm MacAllister rails! 👍

[@brethren4life152]

Hi peter, thanks for your great reviews, how does the mcalister stand up against the titan and erbauer?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Hiya. Macallister is holding up fine; it's the current version of the Titan, which went out of production a while ago I believe, and the Erbauer is a different animal - decent saw but a weird blade size and lack of spare parts, I looked at that and the equivalent Triton in the '2 big saws' video a while back. 👍

[@johnclements6614]

The B&Q MacAllister has gone unavailable for home delivery in the last day. There are still some available for click and collect at some stores. I do not know if they have stopped this saw or it will be available again.

[@RemusStoian]

it would be more interesting to see the quality of the cut compared to Makita, De Walt, Bosch and Festool. And maybe to see if the if these saws have some issues with maintaining the perfect line while cutting (side moving while sitting in the rail). Does it worth to buy such a low end product or not?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

The Tracksaw Workshop playlist - bit.ly/TracksawWorkshop - has all that and more. No need for me to repeat myself. 👍

[@SMee67]

Great comparison video, mate.👍🏽 Really not a lot in it. however the availability is a pretty big factor, and one you obviously went with.😉👌🏽

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Bill! 👍👍

[@sidneygarcia9852]

Great vid, as usual, in comparisons. Soooo helpful. Peter can u suggest best upgrade in blade for the MacAllister or Titan? Want to get a good quality cut.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Best budget blade is the Triton 48t - should be a link in the description. 👍👍

[@allthegearuk]

Hi Peter, have you used either of these saw with bench dogs? I was wondering if the motor body fowls on the dogs? I know this is an issue for the bosch track saw on the bosch track. The MacAllister is currently £80 in screwfix with a 1 year warranty or B&Q for £100 but with a 2 year warranty. With lack of parts worth considering the warranty as you have mentioned before.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Another great vid , thanks Peter, hope you're well and staying safe, have you retired from site work completely now? I'm trying to but my customers won't let me!! Keep em coming, and thanks again

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Paul! Yes, my last install was over a year ago. No regrets. 🙌👍

[@takanardy75]

The tracksaw's from Triton, Titan, McAlister, Batavia and Holzmann are all (from the) same Chinese factory in my opinion/experience/research. Only difference are extra's like a softstart, a better blade or safety kick-back. And Triton is only in 1400 watt and in 165 and a larger diameter. Wich is also is avail.at Holzmann. Had the Triton and have a Batavia 1200 watt.

[@paulwestlake4278]

Have to say, I'm very happy with my Triton, now I've taken a safety feature off.

[@markware85]

Had my Mac for a while now. Does me. Bought an evolution track which cuts up to 2.4m which makes it usable on sheets. Any track saw is better than none but bang for your buck the Mac is a no brainier.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

👍

[@esskayrepairrestoration8265]

I had the Titan version for a couple of years, using it for fairly moderate DIY use, but the motor blew last week sending sparks flying up in my face. Have now bitten the bullet and spent some decent money on a better quality plunge saw, ya gets what ya pays for.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Indeed you do. But it’s remarkable what £70 will buy you. My Titan is still going strong, just FYI 👍

[@theduftmeister]

My Titan is about to die too so I just ordered a makita cordless as an upgrade. Got a lot of hours use out of my Titan for £70 + Tracks a couple of years ago. not even sure £70 will get an extra strip of track the way prices have gone recently. :)

[@theduftmeister]

@@10MinuteWorkshop My Titan's about to bite the dust but thanks to your first tracksaw vid, it's got to be the best £70 I spent for a while! cheers Peter.

[@esskayrepairrestoration8265]

@@10MinuteWorkshop Totally agree, I got some decent service from mine but they don't seem to be terribly robust. Mostly used mine for making some built-ins for the house and some bits of shop furniture. All mainly 12mm or 18mm ply and MDF. I'd say I got my (think mine was around £100 a few years ago) money's worth.

[@GianmarioScotti]

MacAllistar's compatibility with Makita rails makes it a no-brainer choice - or at least, a very strong indication that it's the better of the two.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Yep. The Parkside's a nice saw, but I don't understand why the made the base plate that little bit too wide. 🤷‍♂️

[@GianmarioScotti]

@@10MinuteWorkshop maybe they think they're in the razor blade industry/business model. They might be, too.

[@carter83419]

I noticed Phil Collins is one of your patrons. Wonder if he watches in his ssssstudio …just a thought

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂👍

[@theduftmeister]

Carter wins today :)

[@nicowilson]

Clear and concise. Thank you Peter.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Nico! 👍

[@MrDuck59]

Great video Peter! As always! Last year I bought a parkside track saw in the Netherlands, it was the new version with the riving knife. Overall pretty pleased with the saw however I have issues with beveled cuts and I'm wondering if others have similar problems. When I make a beveled cut the pivit point of the blade is not at the bottom of the splinter strip. As a result, the blade cuts a bevel in the splinter strip, making it less effective and hard to align when the saw is used without set to a bevel. Changing /moving the splinter strip after each beveled cut is not very practical and expensive. If anyone has similar problems or a solution I'm very interested to hear from you.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Good point Ruben - I haven’t tried a bevel cut with these yet. 👍👍

[@frederickwood9116]

Thanks for the review and comparison. As always it’s very informative material.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@frederickwood9116]

@@10MinuteWorkshop credit where it’s due. Re the Mac machine. I can’t find the reference but some time ago someone pointed out an amount of lateral play in the lowering/raising bracket arrangement. Can you see any play/slop in the alignment between the blade and the shoe or track ? I imagine this would be more visible at shallow blade depths but I don’t have the saw so I’m speculating. I know on my older and bigger parkside circular saw that bracket is a weak point. I don’t have slop but it’s what absorbs the impact of a knock. The main reason I still use that parkside is I like it’s variable speed feature as it helps reduce noise.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

There's a few folks who've found this and reported on it - Goran @nomadmakes and Tim @Timshowtomake both had this issue. My saw didn't, though. 👍

[@RpR_Makes]

Does Mrs. Millard know just how many plunge saws you must now have in your workshop, about as many as you have routers I think. Great videos, great channel.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

I think it’s 11 now. And about 22 metres of track! 😂🤷‍♂️👍

[@parrot340]

Intresting. Does the mcallister have the 3mm scoring facility as well? I have 2 of the old TITON I put a 48 tooth trend blade in along with that and 3mm scoring feature (not found even on the festool). Its fantastic.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Yep, identical,to the Titan, other than the colour scheme. 👍

[@jwatkins123]

Given the price has jumped to £110 for the Mac Allister, would this still be your choice of entry level saw Peter? Or would you recommend another?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

The Parkside is still decent, but only occasionally available, so yes, I still think it’s a solid saw. Using right now actually, for the next in the ‘basic build’ series. 👌👍