Track Saw vs Circular Saw Gimmick Or Gold?

[@davidnewton3064]

I thought this was a great breakdown for those of us just getting into woodworking. Thank you.

[@davidseigo7978]

Love your emphasis on safety. It blows my mind that more people don't value the safety aspect of tools. Safer can mean quicker. At least for me. Something a track saw has over a table saw is the product stays still. If it's a fiber cement product like hardie.... You have way less damage and chance of cracking. Also one man job instead of feeding a sheet through with 2 people. I didn't know track saws had the kickback protection. That sold me. Good video!

[@sopissedoff]

Safety ,he's holding the blade with the battery in ,he's distracted talking he doesn't know what he's doing

[@douglasrasmussen480]

As an amateur woodworker of many years, cheap tools end up being more expensive in the long run and I understand the track saw is the preferred tool for cutting sheet goods if you must do so frequently. That said, I would strongly recommend purchase of a quality circular saw as a first investment for a beginning woodworker. Its versatility for applications across a variety of cutting needs makes it a more universal tool than the track saw. There are a large number of jigs that can be made to increase accuracy and reduce setup time such as a sacrificial piece of hardboard attached to the guide with the excess cut off. This allows the saw to both track accurately and provides the same two mark reference speed of set up as the track saw. Except for rare circumstances, setting the blade precisely is not a requirement for cutting sheet goods or wider boards. An eyeball setting of the circular saw so it passes through the stock to be cut is sufficient. As far as splintering, the circular saw can have a plunge cut guide board to minimize splintering. Additionally, the blade shown on the Dewalt circular saw is for rough cuts. A good plywood/melamine blade would also reduce splintering. My point here is a track saw is a wonderful tool for a specific application whereas a circular saw can be equally accurate and almost as speedy through use of jigs while providing greater versatility for the beginning woodworker.

[@CrimpKeeper]

How long does it take to figure out how to use jigs? Time is money….

[@douglasrasmussen480]

@@CrimpKeeper - That is a question with a high degree of variability. I have decades of amateur woodworking but am not a professional. A professional may very well justify a track saw given the demands of their profession. An amateur is quite a different matter. I made my guide from available scrap plywood and hardboard in about an hour and have used it on several occasions with good results. It took me less than an hour to make. Purchasing a specific track saw unit will run from around $400 on the low end to well north of $1000 for a Fess Tool unit. Spending an hour making a functional circular saw guide compared to even a low end track saw equals that I made $400 an hour!

[@slowride5633]

@@douglasrasmussen480 I am an amateur who struggles with cutting things straight, plus I'm an idiot in general. I need to remove as many failure variables as possible, and the track saw removes quite a few of them for people like me. For example, measuring things with 5/16 and 3/8 and all that, I have no idea how that all works, and I am especially not going to be measuring off a blade and hoping I clamped my bar in the right place AND I hope my hand doesn't wiggle and ruin this cut like the 200 before it that just never come out right. I'm terrified of table saws since I had one kick back and almost impale me with a splinter...went right off my shoulder and into the wall like a movie scene. I would maybe get that hot dog saw, but that is still more than I need now that the track saws are proving so accurate and easy to use. I mean, mark my line, lay the track on the marks and go...I could finally even square boards by simply lining up my track and perfectly fixing my mistakes. I don't see ANY downside to it?

[@douglasrasmussen480]

@@slowride5633 A track saw is a wonderful tool and if it works for you I have no argument against its functionality. My point is that with a few basic materials, a circular saw guide can be made (or purchased) that is every bit as accurate with many of the same features of a track saw - for hundreds of dollars less in some cases (e.g. Fesstool). By the way, I believe you may be misinterpreting inexperience for idiocy. Every craftsman struggles through mistakes, getting used to tools, etc. Those can certainly make you feel dumb, but are part of the progression.

[@Zack16Fair]

There's actually an adapter you can buy to add a dust port to that circular saw, it fits on both the 60v and 20v cordless versions of the sidewinder. I got it recently and it keep my garage a ton cleaner vs not using it

[@SJ-mn5cz]

Very good comprehensive video. Thanks for making!

[@typhoontim125]

Excellent video/demo....well thought out! Very helpful.

[@j0rzeh]

I just bought a Dewalt 54v track saw to build my wooden garage, ended up sheeting the entire thing in about 45 mins with my track saw and framing nailer, it made cutting the osb easy and then I just taped the 1mm joins up and used liquid rubber to finish the roof, entire thing was done in 3 hours.

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome video!! Great teaching about the differences on the types of saws!! 👍👍

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Thanks man I really appreciate it.

[@byniasofficial2567]

The realtime playback kept me on the edge of my seat. Btw. another great feature of the circular saw is that it takes longer to set it up so you spend more time not being around your wife.

[@gabrielgullbergh9225]

Theres a directly opposite correlation with my wifes happiness and my time spent in shop. Maybe ill get a track saw haha

[@rannellconesco1754]

Lovely video content! Excuse me for the intrusion, I would love your thoughts. Have you tried - Schallingora Dexterous Programme Scheme (search on google)? It is a great exclusive product for building any shed in no time with no experience minus the headache. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my buddy finally got astronomical success with it.

[@phoearwenien4355]

Thank you. This was very informative. All my questions about the difference between plunge and circular saws were answered.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I'm glad to hear it

[@gerryabbott]

Thanks for the video. Not sure why you did'nt mention the integrated 'Clamp-guides' which can be clamped to the work quickly, come in sizes up to 50", and not expensive. Much more efficient, and safer, than the g cramps you used in the video. A piece of wood cut accurately can be used to gauge the offset between the guide and the cutting line. (though wont work with very thin boards).

[@zod6250]

Each tool is good for a specific use. One is not trying to replace the other.

[@st7650]

Thanks for the wonderful comparison I have a DWE575SB circular saw but am in the market for track saw. Always wanted to see the comparison. Love DEWALT tools

[@Mursici]

What about a circular saw compatible with a track system? ( like DEWALT DCS579T2-GB 54V XR FLEXVOLT )it will be in this setup as precise as a track saw. Does anyone know if such a system will have the anti kick back feature? Thank you.

[@erikdills4815]

Great video. I have a Kreg track saw and don't know how I ever lived without one. Keep up the videos

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Thank you

[@johnellis8271]

I’ve got a dewalt table saw and a dewalt circular saw and I’ve just brought a dewalt track saw and I can tell you the table saw will be sold and I don’t think my circular saw will get used much yes the track saw was expensive but in my mind well worth it totally agree with you

[@jayvadgama5663]

Brilliant video. I need to cut plenty of plywood, this video has helped me to decide which is the best tool for the job.. Thanks.

[@armandotorres9618]

I have them both, I use the track saw for more of a finish cut since it won't chip the edges. The circular saw is my go to for quick cuts. Great video but you forgot to mention the less chipping with the track saw

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I did I realized after it was edited but I did mention it in the article I belive.

[@rowey1992]

I've been using a jig for years with my circ. saw. Slap the jig edge against the line and you are good to go. Dead straight cuts every time, and only need to mark the cut position, no need to calculate distance to blade etc. In fact it works so well and is so quick, I just can't see why I would ever need a track saw other than dust collection. Plenty of jigs found on YT.

[@johnhui1082]

I have just transformed my non-track type DWE575 to a track type DWE576 by replacing the base plate with a base plate (N472354) from UK. It allows me to use the DWE575 as a track saw. DWE576 is only available outside North America.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

O OK nice sounds like that might be a good option outside the US

[@irishRocker1]

A circular saw jig helps too. You just line up the edge like with the track saw rail

[@michaellionart4841]

Good discussion thank you. However if sheet material is not your thing then which option?

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I use my track saw on way more than sheet goods. Breaking down longer sections of lumber, getting a straightedge to cut dimensional boards from live edge and cutting table tops to a final edge all can be done with the track saw

[@VengD]

I'm not a diy guy... Nor a builder... But I had to cut a whole lot of plywood for some renovation. And was wondering whether to pay up for the more expensive track saw or just go with, what seems more versatile, circular saw. Glad I went with the track saw, based on this video. I'd say I'm below newbie level at this, and the track saw was just so fucking easy and quick to use, when I didn't have an option to use full sized tablesaw.

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear Sir, thanks for the informative video. You showed me several new things. I have a small workshop and don’t have a sliding table saw. You have convinced me that to break up sheets, the track saw beats a circular saw. Cheers.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I'm glad it helped thanks for watching

[@1heart7seas1moon]

Siding pro here , I like the idea of 99.9% straight cuts but it just takes too long setting up the tracks , by the time it took to layed the tracks I’ve went out to a friend’s cook out met the love of my life had 10s of dates got her pregnant, had my baby boy named him “tracklessSaw” watched him grow up put him in school, watched him grow up more and now he is in high school etc etc

[@pimpinondemhos101]

😂😂

[@VerdeRiccardo]

I have a very small workshop and budget and I need one tool to cut through long wood planks and sometimes large panels. With a jig on the circular saw you essentially change it into a track saw but without the encumbrance of the track, so you can cut pieces with very small size, ease of effort and especially very quickly. Also you can use the circular saw in reverse position on a table, to double as a bench saw, with limits of course. With the track saw I guess it's more precise and fast to operate without having to create jigs in the beginning, but once you have these, I don't see much of an advantage. Surely it's safer, but circular saw + jig for me doesn't compair with the track saw.

[@herrpauk]

If there is no room to use a table saw reasonably, then track saw/circular saw is the best way!

[@wilkbor]

Thank you for the video.

[@AxelSVK]

And what about option of circular saw + rail guide? Then I see only one problem, which is starting in the middle of the plate. But I never do such cuts...

[@Lorichs]

I the middle of desiding if i should buy a track saw ir a circular saw. It seem like you can’t cut notches with at track saw so i might go with the circular 😊

[@scottishjimmy9813]

One of the greatest videos on this topic I have seen.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Thank you

[@edrijver]

Great video, always nice to hear from a craftsman. I've used some circular saws and recently a Festool Track saw. The track is a game-changer for me. Now I'm considering getting a DeWalt DCS570 (love the 20V Max system), but replace the shoe with one with track support (from the 576). It would end up as a circular saw but with guided track support like the plunge saw. Since time is your biggest (though not only) difference, would this equalize that factor?

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

So the Tim is a bug factor but also the accuracy and quality of cut. The track saw is much more accurate with so much more easy of use. Also the track itself helps to reduce tear out.

[@JohnSmith-ws7fq]

Looks like Dewalt heard you with the DCS572

[@edrijver]

@@JohnSmith-ws7fq Indeed!

[@xo_dre0728]

Curious to know ur opinion on DIY tracks for ur specific circular saw

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

They work they do. They can be pretty accurate but that comes down completely to the accuracy of how well it's built. The don't have the safety features like kick back protection and stops like a standard track saw and they are not designed as a plunge. And they are usually a good bit heavier so if your transporting them that can become an issue. With all of that being said it's a good option of you are in need and cannot get a manufacturered track saw. Quality all comes down to how well and precise you build it.

[@xo_dre0728]

@@jpaynewoodworking7510 thanks for the response, much appreciated

[@michaelcarroll4330]

Love the clarity of explanation - as a beginner I found it really helpful... thank you 👍👏

[@cooper1101]

What about the dewalt circular saw that has track compatible base plate like DCS576?

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I did not mention or say anything about those as I have never actually messed with one. So I don't know we wanted to give out information on things I had first-hand knowledge of.

[@prass9735]

Great comparison with demo!

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Thank you

[@MZ-so2cn]

thx for sharing ur own opinion. i ll buy track saw

[@TarlochanSingh]

Thanks a lot, really helpful video.

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

By measuring from right to left and cutting with track saw is your board not short of the thickness of the blade. If it's a finishing cut. Thank You

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

These were not finishing cuts just demos but yes you are correct on that.

[@MrMalzers]

Thank you

[@ligngood3787]

Great video! You made that circular saw cut a lot faster than me. I tend to re-adjust and re-measure, and recheck and take forever... and I'm never quite happy with the results. I own half a dozen circular saws (Dewalt, Milwaukee, Porter Cable) and lots of different blades. I am looking forward to getting my first track saw. However, I'm worried that the Dewalt rails are not "grippy" enough and will move unless clamps are used. Do you have that problem?

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Hey I haven't had that problem. So far the tracks grip really well. I will say they could slide if you have an extremely dirty surface with lots of sawdust but as long as you're using a clean surface for the most part I have not had any trouble with it.

[@rookiexreviews]

circ saw can hook up vacuumme and arranged to start when you start cutting or by a small outlet control Also you not using right tools you should use 2 small quick clamps they're inexpensive seem like the c clamps really what slowed you down .... with the cost of a track saw you can get a real nice circ saw annnd make or buy a nice track system for it .....plluuuss you can get a rip cut guide as well making your circ even more versatile I never had a track saw though so if I'm missing something I honestly like to know I mean the track saw might still be faster even with the changes I mentioned but how much faster? track saws are not cheap is it worth the investment ? *and I'mnot putting anyone down I'm really trying decide if I should get a track saw

[@killawee118]

Thanks, This is good knowledge. In the vast expanse of KZbin I thought it would be easy to find this info, but it wasn't.

[@cinnreds18]

Dear lord, It seems this man had a severe collision with the dewalt “master” catalog. 😂 I hope your checking account survived.

[@davesims1100]

Good video - I like the track saw - you can hook up dust collection!

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Thank you

[@rookiexreviews]

circ saw can hook up vacuumme to start when you start cutting or by a small control so id say results absolutely dint really speak for them selves because you not using right tools you should use 2 small quick clamps they're inexpensive and the c clamps really whatb slowed you down the most with the cost of a track saw you can get a real nice circ saw annnd make or buy a nice track system for it .....plluuuss you can get a rip cut guide making your circ even more versatile I never had a track saw though so if I'm missing something I honestly like to know I mean the track saw might still be faster even with the changes I mentioned but how much faster? track saws are not cheap is it worth the investment *and I'mnot putting anyone down I'm really trying decide if I should get a track saw

[@bboyyutaka]

thank you for doing this video, it was very informative I'm actually deciding to just stick with my circular saw for my mobile cutting services instead of track plunge saw . after seeing this video I'm happy I made my upgrades. damn I can't stop buying tools hahaha, get the TSO square jig and you will be way faster in your cuts hoorah

[@michaelwilkes0]

2 minutes, dang your fast. i go back and forth several times getting my straight edge set just right. takes me 5 minutes at least.

[@davidlane9724]

Great video, I have a tract saw in the mail on the way to me. I can imagine its going to be great at breaking down sheet panels. I do love my circular saw but it has other jobs it will be better at.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

They are a great tool to have that is for sure.

[@ikeo8666]

personally I wish I bought a tracksaw instead of a circular saw. Circular saws are dangerous for beginners, you'll waste wood trying to get a straight cut etc etc. Tracksaws are mighty expensive but if you gave me a doover 3 years ago, tracksaw all the way. They cut perfectly straight, you can do plunge cuts and it has a riving knife and antikickback

[@frankbazadier]

Amen on wasting wood w/ a circular saw

[@Reid0225]

Like that Graceland Building you're working in.... I'm a dealer! lol

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Hey should see what I'm doi g to the interior now. Would love to get Graceland to sponsor some videos.

[@scottnever8732]

get a straight edge, attach it to ply, make a cut with circular saw, as if by magic a track saw

[@MarktMorris]

You can also get a track-compatible circular saw from DeWalt. I love mine, best of both worlds! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5XMnYKboauWb5o&ab_channel=Toolstop

[@grove8967]

Hi Mark. I'm looking at buying the Xr circular saw with track shoe. Wondering how your gettin on with it. Does the blade gard get in the way when putting it on the track? Do you find the shoe a bit big when not using the track?

[@MarktMorris]

@@grove8967 I love it. It works well on the track or off it. Highly recommended!

[@Robert8455]

I think the best tool is a "Saw Track" or basically a DIY JIG like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJSaaJaCbbeYeLM Sure is a whole lot cheaper than a fancy track saw and will get the job done.

[@noseyfuker]

Try using the dewalt DWE 576K then you will kick yourself on that track saw

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I dkn lol I'm using the circular saw that is extremely clost to the 567k from whst I can tell. The circular say I use in the video has a ton of power that was never an issue with it for me. It comes back to accuracy, speed of an accurate setup, dust management and in no small part safety. Not saying one is truly better than the other they are used at different times but I really prefer the track saw

[@ooltimu]

You just demonstrated that you don't know your circular saw too well. Most if not all circular saws come with dust extractor adapter that fits that hole and you can hook up a vacuum cleaner to it. Also all the circular saws have a marked depth gauge in the back that you can use exactly as the one on the track saw. Also, you can use a track with a normal circular saw. All these make it just a gimmick for me. The only useful feature of the track saw that I've seen in this video and you didn't mention is that the track saw has a splitting wedge.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Wow so that was a lot to unpack so let me do my best. For one most circular saws especially cheaper circular saws and most battery operated do not come with us ports that are meant to be plugged up to vacuum. While some companies do offer them as a option that you can purchase it is something that most people do not do as the circular saw is meant to be a quick cut method for most people and they just deal with the door. If you have one of the adapters great. The next part is that most tracks unless you were using it with a specific circular saw all designed to be used on it can not to be used with a circular saw. Tracks are designed to be used with the exact track song because of the distance from the center of the track which allows her perfectly straight cut and no binding also is designed for a specific distance from that track on the base of the saw to the inside portion of the blade. If you are able to use a track like that with your circular saw it might be able to be pressed against the side of Indy raised portion of the track and give you a straight cut but offered none of the advantages of the safety features of the tracks all that stop things like kickback. The next part is I have never heard of any saw having a splitting wedge. That is a riving knife to stop the wood from closing down on the back of the blade causing kickback. Is the similar setup that is used on a table saw. I appreciate you chiming in and it's fine that you think it's a gimmick but there are many advantages to it hope that helps thank you

[@ooltimu]

@@jpaynewoodworking7510 Yeah, I meant riving knife, but English is not my first language and that was the first thing that came up on google. Regarding the ports, all the circular saws that I've seen here (Romania) have those vacuum cleaner adapters included, even dirt cheap ones.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

I can understand that. Here in the US you can get dust port attachments for a few brands of circular saws but they are not standard by any means. Especially on battery powered and also cheaper priced saws. I appreciate the info though.

[@Ps3t]

I must say that the test was pretty unfair. There are much faster ways to make a straight cut with a circular saw. You just need to make a better guide for it and set it up just like you did with the track saw. The only difference is that you need to clamp one or both ends. The deal breaker In track saw vs circular saw is in how precise the cuts and angles are, not how fast you can make the cuts.

[@jpaynewoodworking7510]

Yes you can make a guide to essentially turn the circular saw into a track saw but not factwr in that time, material and effort lol. As far as quality of cut by far the track saw far out classes the circulate say the track itself helps to reduce the amount of tearout. Most tho are not doing finishing fine cuts with there unless needed and then the tracksaw far outshines the circular saw

[@atomictyler]

All those steps increase the chance of mistakes. You also need to hope your home made "guide" is perfectly straight. Having to clamp it down at all means you need to, at the very least, double check it's still lined up with your marks. By the time you make your guide you've damn near spent the same amount of money as if you had just bought the proper track saw to start with...assuming your time is of any value, and you get the comfort of knowing it's going to work every time. Technically you can build everything on your own if you want, for less money even. If you don't want to consider your time to be of any value then sure, you'll "save money", but for almost every one their time is of some value. Heck, if you're looking for the cheapest way to wood work you could build your own hand tools and make everything with those. It'll take you a year to make a coffee table, but you can do it!

[@Ps3t]

"All those steps increase the chance of mistakes." -Yup "You also need to hope your home made "guide" is perfectly straight." -If you make it straight then it is straight. " Having to clamp it down at all means you need to, at the very least, double check it's still lined up with your marks." -Yup " By the time you make your guide you've damn near spent the same amount of money as if you had just bought the proper track saw to start with..." -Plywood and screws are not that expensive and it takes 10 minutes to make. " assuming your time is of any value, and you get the comfort of knowing it's going to work every time." - Yup " Technically you can build everything on your own if you want, for less money even. If you don't want to consider your time to be of any value then sure, you'll "save money", but for almost every one their time is of some value." -Yup " Heck, if you're looking for the cheapest way to wood work you could build your own hand tools and make everything with those. It'll take you a year to make a coffee table, but you can do it." - I don't do that, but some people do and its their hobby. I don't see how your comment contradicts what I wrote. I never said that a circular saw makes anywhere near as good cuts as a track saw. That is why I have both. The guy In the video was making the cuts with the circular saw the most complicated and time consuming way you can imagine and then based the superiority of the track saw on the fact that it is so much faster and that's what my criticism was about.