Track Saw vs Table Saw - which is faster in my workshop?

I'm often asked when setting up a joinery business what should you buy first - a track saw or a table saw? Today I'm putting my trusty DeWalt DW745 table saw up against my workhorse Festool TS55 track saw. Two identical cuts and you'll see why the table saw wins for speed but the track saw wins hands down for versatility.
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DeWalt DW745 Table Saw
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Festool TS55 Track Saw
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Freud Pro LP40M 60 Tooth 250mm Saw Blade
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Freud Diablo D1060X 60 Tooth 10" Saw Blade
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Advent Vice-Versa Double Sided Metric Tape Measure
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#TrackSaw #Woodworking #TableSaw

[@GosforthHandyman]

A couple of folk have mentioned that they think this test is unfair. Just to confirm, here's a link to where you can buy joinery related merchandise: teespring.com/stores/gosforthhandyman Worldwide shipping available. 👍

[@akinarif7798]

Gosforth Handyman A couple of people have mentioned the test is unfair.yep here’s a link to my t shirts 😂😂😂😂

[@TakamiWoodshop]

Best response ever! 😆👍

[@warwickwoodshop8358]

😂😂😂

[@gileslaycock-brown7603]

I think some of the commenters have forgot or no idea of the "measure twice cut once rule". Obviously the fence to blade on the table saw once it's set up is a single measurement. Track saw you have to measure, mark and check the piece.

[@TakamiWoodshop]

@@gileslaycock-brown7603 I think you are correct. And let's not forget also that many commenters have their heads in their asses when they make their comments.😲

[@christianpetersen1782]

A very timely video for me as I want to buy a saw. Thank you. Thank you for all the points you mentioned especially the safety aspect. An open bench saw accident would be horrendous, very painful and possibly life changing. Time spent isn’t always an issue, if one’s not working professionally on a job. Sometimes its nice to the take time to just enjoy the process. A small workshop is an issue for me so a track saw wins there too. Thanks again.

[@TheKhirocks]

excellent concise summary. I bought a circular saw as one of my first tools as i started dipping my toe in the woodworking game (as a hobby). I ended up getting an adapter so it will run along a track like a track saw. It doesn't plunge like yours but it does the job well. I had wondered if i should get a table saw but as i have a small shed to work out of i didnt. I think you have just confirmed for me that i still don't need a table saw, so thanks!

[@ssmith954]

This was really helpful, many thanks! Time is not a big issue for me (I'm a hobbyist), but I also have limited workshop space. I was thinking of getting a circular saw, a table saw and a small jointer, but thanks to your video and other demos realised that most jobs can be handled by a good track saw. Dado joints will be a thing to solve, but this video was super helpful, so thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@ThePhilandPam]

Great video and very useful, but think I’m still going to need both lol I still can’t decide, thanks for sharing 👍

[@harleystud]

Hi ya Andy totally agree with you I have both the table saw and track saw .I have had the table saw now for 3yrs and used it loads in my job as a kitchen fitter in Newcastle but this year got my self a track saw and to be honest the table saw has been left in the corner of the van unused ...of the two if I had to choose it would be the track saw all day long ..looking forwards to the next vid Andy

[@louiesworkshop2023]

Brilliant comparison mate, I have the excellent TS55 and I have a SIP 10 cast iron table saw, both simply wonderful machines however as I sometimes asked to go to site I have been thinking of the DeWalt745 so your video was very helpful, thanku for taking the time and putti g together a very insightful and clever comparison, keep up the great work, kind regards Louie from Northern Ireland Ulster Workshop

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Hi Andy, I have been doing DIY for as long as I can remember and track saws weren't even invented when I started. I have only recently bought a track saw and I now use them both for different uses. As you said you cannot beat a track saw for breaking up full sheets of plywood but I still prefer a table saw for other cuts unless I am not in my workshop as the track saw is so portable.

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

I sometimes recycle used/castoff wood furniture/cabinets. The track saw shines there. Much of the wood in that furniture, including the plywood is much better quality than what I can buy today and the tracksaw makes easy work of it once you've done some disassembly. I might use a table saw to do repetitive cuts once it's all broken down, depending on the use. Most of my shop furniture was made from recycled. My tracksaw is set up on a table (going to make a parf top soon) with the dust collection right next to it. I'd rather use it whenever possible. Main reason is safety and flexibility.

[@robbristow]

Hi Andy, Yep the track saw would be my first choice, having seen this comparison. I would have a table - a little bigger than the table saw - with the foam, track, saw and dust collection all set up, I expect it would be as quick as the table saw then. As it is I got the Table saw first!

[@jeremywhite6248]

Excellent review. You have certainly helped to make up my mind. Thank you

[@sandman2651]

Great vid,i have both and its like you say they both have there own positives and negatives i had my table saw first which suited my needs and track saw came later and its great o have both

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - same here 👍

[@sandervandijk2373]

Great video. I agree, they are both good tools. I use edgebanding for zero clearance and saw small stock on my 745.

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👊

[@cdmix2709]

When I was at my old house with a separate workshop I used my cabinet saw constantly I didn’t use the festoon tracksaw much, but I moved into a smaller home and since space was an issue I was Forced to sell my cabinet saw and kept my tracksaw and I don’t regret it. Though I will invest in the mft 3 here shortly. Since it can be folded up when not in use

[@markrowland5393]

Excellent comparison and video, thanks.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Mark! 👍👊

[@peterfido8735]

I have both machines and love them both , just fitted a kitchen and the track saw was brilliant for cutting out openings for the sink and hob .

[@GosforthHandyman]

It's awesome for that. 👍

[@andylogan3718]

Excellent video. Good information and very helpful. Thanks.

[@markbryan9989]

Nice evaluation! I do think that the table saw is better for small pieces. Final cuts shorter than a couple of feet (609.0 MM for you over the pond). Cutting down large sheets of course is easier and probably safer with the track saw. Having both is really the ideal. Thank Andy!

[@jamesosullivan5096]

Good video, i have both also, for breaking down full sheets its the tracksaw all day, but like you say for smaller pieces i like the table saw. Horses for courses i suppose!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Indeedy! 👍

[@jasonhook6657]

Really enjoyed that, as I’m just starting out this sort of video really helps and has confirmed the track saw is the way to go for me!

[@dalailager]

Jason Hook me too, going to start with an mft/track saw combo in my new shed/shop

[@jasonhook6657]

dalailager yeah totally agree, Peter Millard at the 10 minute workshop uses that setup and it seems really great! just need lots of £££££ now 🙄 All the best 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo the best starting point. Live with just the track saw for a while and see if you can live without the table saw. 👍

[@Andrew-kk2ry]

Great video. Plenty of content. Well-presented. Not too long. Way to go!

[@rickneil9651]

i never thought about that, so now the track saw is off my wish list, Thank you so much.

[@fiddleronthebike]

??? because of this nonsense????? So you will take your saw out of the systainer before every cut and install the dust collection, and after every cut vice versa? I would recommend to look for a different hobby...

[@otallono]

@@fiddleronthebike 1. I'm pretty sure the guy said "The TRACK saw is off his list." and 2. Did you even watch the comparison of the cut, and then the recommendation afterwards, saying to buy a track saw? It doesn't take 4 minutes to set up a track saw, like he demonstrated, it took him a minute to plug the tool in for christ's sake, if you're that slow you are the one who needs a different hobby. And if you are going to rely on a track saw instead of a tablesaw, it would already be at the ready! You don't set up a dust collection system just for one cut that isn't generating much dust! Der, if it were a real hobby you'd be making more cuts than that and again, the saw would be at the ready because it's replacing the tablesaw, not being used as a secondary tool. The tablesaw takes up more space than a tracksaw that is ready to cut.

[@monteglover4133]

I agree with you that a jointer is almost redundant with good saw blades. I mostly do casework it would be impossible without a table saw and a hand held circular saw. I do not currently have a track saw, it walked off, currently use a handheld circular saw with cutting guides.

[@jimcoogan1529]

I did something similar except the track saw was faster to use. That's because I have a jobsite saw, a Hitachi, that is kept up against the wall in it storage mode. The track saw is a Festool and is kept in its systainer. Both use the Festool CT36 I have. So when I start from that position for both the track saw is way faster to use. Thanks for a great video.

[@davidbrewer7937]

Now cut that from an 8'x4' of 1" board...The tracksaw would beat on time, safety & quality every time

[@HepauDK]

That depends entirely on the size of the table saw. The ones we have at work are sized to handle full 8'x4' sheets. :) On the other hand, try ripping an 8" board to 4x 1 1/2" strips with a track saw. Trust me, you will have to get VERY creative (been there, done that, went out and bought a table saw)...

[@hassanal-hasnawy5746]

You right , safety first. Track saw is more safer for DIYs.

[@byronservies4043]

Thanks for the laugh, it was a nice way to start my Saturday!

[@Daynaleo1]

Track saw first, and that is not how I did it, but 35 years ago, there were no track saws, only table saws. If you had a track saw, you made it. Love your channel and I am a Texan, so your info is good round the world. Something else I thought of was cutting stacked layers of plywood or mdf. The track saw will cut multiple layers while a table saw is one at a time unless you are daft as you would say. Thanks again for all the content.

[@johnbenson9009]

Haha I'm with ya on the track saw. Used a plywood home made track for a good few years but the versatility of a good track saw in tight spaces ya can't beat.

[@rganderson9337]

Yes great video & I really like & appreciate your videos, thank you sir

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍

[@JW77]

I haven't turned on my cabinet saw for a while now. Most of the times track saw works better and it's a lot less intimidating. Table saws shine when making some special cuts especially when combined with jigs. For cabinet making I prefer track saws. Repeatability isn't an issue if you have parallel guides.

[@SamValiant]

Sheet goods > Track Saw. Smaller manageable pieces or repeat cuts > Table saw

[@markbushinski1198]

Thanks for posting this Gosforth. I’d like to see this again with plywood.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I use these saws a lot for cutting ply - they're both great! 👍

[@MichaelMajeran]

Great comparison! Thanks!

[@kevinblair2882]

I think you've done a solid comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of both saws. Individuals will have to determine which tool best meets their needs and budgets, but you've given all of the information they need to make an informed decision. Several folks (Peter Millard, Izzy Swan) are showing what the low cost track saws can do, so for those just starting out the low cost track saw may be the best way to get going.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Kevin - great comment. 👍👊

[@prakti1231]

When i first started i bought a circular saw, it was pretty versatile to say the least, but the tavle saw opened up so many possibilities and made the job so much faster and much more accurate. I now only use my circular saw when i have really big boards or when i have no straight edge as a reference. Life is so much easier with the table saw

[@HepauDK]

Same here. If whatever I'm cutting is narrower than about 70mm after the cut is made, I can't clamp the track to it, making the cut sketchy at best. That is where the table saw truly shines, making rip cuts on narrow stock. The table top on my assembly table was made by 42 42mm strips of reclaimed 21mm formwork plywood from work with the hard surface removed on a thickness planer, ripped down to 40mm after being glued together 3-4 at a time and then glued together for a finished top that's 84x124cm. Each pair of 60-80mm sections were alligned with 5 10x40mm dowels to make the final glue-up easier to control. After sanding it down, it got 5 coats of satin clear flooring laquer. It was one heck of a tedious job making that table top, but the finished result looks absolutely amazing, every single ply being visible on the full width of the top. :) It would have been nearly impossible to make with a track saw.

[@riba2233]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Great comparison review, there mate👍 As you say, they both have differing advantages, and in the end, you'll end up with both anyways...👌

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Bill! 👍👊

[@mfcosi]

Lovely. Many thanks.

[@grkuntzmd]

Nice comparison. Thanks.

[@Pistol_Knight]

Very good comparison, its swings and roundabouts on that one for me, I don't have a tracksaw (and not a festool at the price!) I made a jig for my Circular saw in different lengths (see youtube) and I always use a steel rule (have 3 in different lengths) against a speed square (I just think they are more accurate than a tape measure, tough one to call

[@wilhelmmatthies5921]

I have looked and listened to several comparisons, this one is the top one for me.

[@dahakaled6118]

thank u friend , i want to know if the table saw cut the metal if i change the cutting disc

[@a-carpenter9229]

Did that blade guard with dust port come with your table saw? We have a Dewalt dw745 here in the states but it doesn't come with a guard like that. I'd be interested in getting one for over table dust collection when cutting mdf

[@jameshumphries4310]

Very good informative video Andy, but unfair set up time. I have the same Dewalt 745 saw but the TS55 is way out of my reach of my budget so I bought a cheap version of track saw from Rutland's a month ago for £68.00 (special offer) best money I have spent this year!!!! and an mft top for £45.00 now I feel a whole new world has opened up to me. You are absolutely right both is great.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Don't think set-up time is unfair as I always keep my TS55 in the box - so this is 'as is' for me. 😀👍

[@Garywxm1]

I have both of the exactly the same two you have and I couldn’t be without either of them

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👊

[@BillHartCooks.]

My first power saw was a Makita sidewinder. I bought a simple aluminum straight edge guide. Nowhere as good as either option here, but I was able to build hundreds of projects... I then bought a cheep table saw. It would work but the fence was hard to setup, and it was underpowered. I up-graded to a better table saw... i would love to have a really good track saw, but I haven't broken down and bought one yet. I make do with my battery powered circle saws and my 25 year old cutting guide.

[@Chris-pv2ht]

Thanks for the comparison. I am knew to joinery, have a few assorted powered saws but I am looking at getting my first table saw, there are lots to choose from the cheap route they start at around £90-£200 most look very similar. Past few day though I am swinging towards a track saw on a budget probably screwfix one cant justify a expensive one as I wont be using it every day. Still undecided though I will have to make my mind up soon as my wife wants to get me it for xmas.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I think you'll regret getting a cheap table saw unless it's just for very occasional use. All the best! 👍

[@travelswithbilbo7526]

Morning Andy if you pulled your saw away from the wall it would cut 613mm, mine does, 😊. I tend to use my tracksaw for the big cuts and cut the more manageable sizes on the table saw also rebates and grooves are easier on the 745. I had 2 1400 tracks but bought a 2700 then cut 1 of the smaller tracks down to 800 and 600. Great vid.

[@GosforthHandyman]

It's not hitting the wall! I could move the guide pins closer to the edge of the aluminium bit but I think the official limit is about 500mm. Cheers bud! 👍😀

[@travelswithbilbo7526]

Perhaps your saw is older than mine, it has 2 rulers for the fence and 2 guide pins and you move the fence to the second pin and then use the second rule to get 600+ mm.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Gagh, sorry Ian - I'm reading the US specs (20") - you're right - 610mm! That was me looking online since I couldn't be bothered to find the instruction manual . This was the one I glanced at... www.dewalt.com/products/power-tools/saws/table-saws/10-in-compact-job-site-table-saw-with-sitepro-modular-guarding-system/dw745 This is the correct one... products.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/DW745/ 😂👍

[@ScottishSkipper]

Respect your channel enough to subscribe to your Patreon page... great business advice buddy. Agreed with 90% of comments here, especially stating the set up times a bit unfair and you'd need to move a tad faster if you were working with me 😂 I have an 8'x4' table built in centre of workshop with 1" insulation board to protect worktable surface from cuts from my TSC55. Expensive track saw but as others have mooted, 'tis so adaptable and if if left out its extraction attached, it's nowhere near as slow to use as your experiment showed. Regardless great vid, great patreon business downloads... more power to your elbow mate 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@GosforthHandyman]

I could work quicker but the cuts would be less accurate. If I left mine out and connected up it would end up in pieces on the floor. If you've got the space though! 👍👊

[@HepauDK]

I DID get the track saw first, well kind of, I got a Bosch GKS 18V-Li cirkular saw and matching traks (FSN 140 / FSN 70). All was fine and well, until I needed to rip some 200mm boards to 40mm strips for a project. As soon as the board gets narrower than the track, or at least narrower than needed to clamp the track safely to the board, it becomes extremely hard to make the cut safely. The project mentioned before was the reason why I decided to buy a table saw in the first place (I also ended up with a Dewalt DW745), and it has proven invaluable to me on numerous occasions since. When timing the first cut on the table saw, I also have to factor in the time it takes me to move my assembly table out of the way, move my Metabo sliding mitre saw (sitting on one of those portable stands with folding legs), release the locks on the casters on the table for the saw, pull it out in the middle of the garage, lock the casters, move the trolley with my shop vac and cyclonick seperator into possition, plug the power cord of the shop vac to an outlet, attach the hose from the shop vac to the table saw and plug the table saws cord to the shop vac. Setting up the rip fence takes only a couple of seconds, as I have the scale calibrated, so no need to fiddle around with a tape measure. That being said, I still use the Bosch for cuts that exceeds the table saws capacity, and for straightening edges before running the boards through the table saw. :) Aaaand the mitre saw takes care of the cuts that neither of the others does well, at least without a jig. Oh, and the clamps I use for the tracks are from Makita. Also, I had to replace the splinter guard on the tracks, and being the old model, the original from Bosch is no longer sold in Denmark, so the new ones are from Festool, matches the original in width and thicknes, and were fairly cheap and in stock at the local hardware store. :)

[@rayredrup6649]

Excellent shows, I come across your channel via Peter Millard channel . Both very useful shows, I own a Flour mill which I have converted into a bakery business with a workshop at the back of the building and the Trade 10inch Table saw was my first purchase along with a bandsaws and miter saw. After watching Peter’s show on track saws I have just purchase one. My question is i am Setting up a small woodworking shop at home, i was wondering if a show on how to mitigate noise especially on the table saws in such a small home workshop. I have looked for noise comparisons between small table saws with not much success. i am thinking about the Axminster Craft AC216TS 216mm Table Saw at 81 dB(A) any ideas or suggestions.

[@canuslupis3343]

I found that a very useful comparison, another subscriber

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud - welcome to the channel! 👍

[@phillamoore157]

Interesting. The quickness seemed to be more due to the track saw not having been setup prior to the cut. Price being of not concern, and knowing that I'll be working on my own, I would want to know which tool would be better. It seems to me that the track saw would be the way to go. I'm not sure what other pieces of equipment you would need to go with the track saw. But, it seems to me that the track saw is great for saving space, even if a bit cumbersome to use. There are some really great tables out now that are "saw-friendly", as well. I think you sold me on the track saw. It's just me in my own DIY setup, cutting plywood. GREAT video. Thank you for taking the time 👍

[@jeffreycohen8511]

Great video Andy, so many less than positive comments, must have you scratching your head. A huge benefit to the tracksaw is the ability to do a tapered cut easily, that last piece of flooring, door bottom, work tops, filler strips, and on. Bevel the strike side of a door, fit it into an old opening....how did I live without it

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha ha, was always going to be a contentious one - table saw lovers and track saw lovers! 😀👍

[@StrawbyteWorkshop]

Really enjoyed this Andy. The time comparison was fair as setup time is a factor and like you my table saw waits patiently with everything set from the last cut. I’ve only recently begun using a track saw and love the versatility. You can’t easily safely make half the cuts where your using the plunge cut on a table saw. Like you if I was starting again a track saw would be my first purchase. I’m not sure if you mentioned it but you were comparing tools of a similar cost. I’m not sure a cheaper table saw would have produced a similar cut to a cheaper track saw. Cheerio.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍

[@tlangdon12]

Great video. Lots of useful information. Great accuracy from both saws, but the table saw should always win because you are setting the cut at one reference point. With the tracksaw you are setting the cut from two reference points, not withstanding your point that the workpiece needs to have a straight edge to get an accurate cut on the tablesaw. Wish I could afford a TS55...

[@Parkhead_workshop]

I saw a tracksaw in Aldi the other day - but I'd already bought a (Evolution) circular saw on sale a couple months ago. can't justify having another saw int house 😬

[@trieditusedit5846]

I’ve just purchased the Bosch tracksaw. Mafell would have been nice but the cost!!!! It’s accuracy and cut quality are essential when it comes to worktops, doors etc. Done a couple of doors today and was so pleased I’d moved to the tracksaw saw. Time saved, clean cuts and the job done. I love em. Keep the tracks clean. Give the grip rubbers a wipe to clear any dust or resin and clamping shouldn’t be needed.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - air gun works great for cleaning the tracks. 👍

[@TheRealGreg]

I've only had a table saw for most of my career. Finally decided to invest in a Makita cordless track saw and I was wow! Where have you been all my life! I find it a lot faster than a table saw for most tasks. Especially when trying to cut a 16" or so wide rip down an 8' sheet of ply. Usually would have to incorporate a helping hand to do that at a jobsite, but can be performed effortlessly by myself with the track saw. The track saw is an ecosystem and you'll need several size tracks, clamps, and an array of accessories to fully utilize it's benefits, so the cost of entry is high. If you're just starting out you can get a decent table saw for under $200 and a pretty good one for $500 to $600. Also, in my humble opinion any carpenter worth his salt should have mastered using a table saw. Plus you'll appreciate the nuances of the track saw when you graduate to one.

[@combsone]

I'm just a homeowner who just started out building a patio dining table using pocket holes. I really enjoyed the process and would like to start building more things around the house. In researching this very table saw vs. track saw topic, I settled on a track saw (space concerns and breaking down sheet goods) and I was able to get the Makita cordless + bonus 39" track for $429 at HD. I now realize that I think I'd end up needing a table saw also for ripping smaller pieces and for the other advantages it has. I probably would use it more than the track saw I think. So my question is: Should I keep the Makita and buy a lower end table saw ($200-400) or get a good jobsite table saw ($500-600) like the Dewalt and get a budget track saw like the Wen? I still haven't opened up the Makita so I can still return it and pay the difference for a table saw.

[@hughtattersall7583]

Very fair, all the best

[@grahamocarroll9052]

I have both but to be honest my workshop isn't set up correctly for either. I'm intending to do a refit, build a new bench etc and because of space I will have to design and build around either the table saw or track saw, at the moment I think it will be the track saw. Thanks Andy great video as usual.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Graham! 👍

[@Tensquaremetreworkshop]

You can have both. I have my table saw (same one) and router on a wheeled base. An MFT lookalike (like MFT/3 but a bit bigger) top fits over the top of this. Best of both worlds, and takes no more space than either. Takes 30 seconds to swap.

[@duncanabbot8352]

Thank you for this review. I would endorse your comments re safety. I had a Dewalt 745 and I found it quite terrifying . It had so much torque and I had kick back on a number of occasions. I lost it when I had a fire in my workshop and it is a tool I am hesitating about replacing. Hence my interest in your views. I think I am going to go for a track saw with an MFT/Parf top set up

[@HepauDK]

If you ever experience kickback on a table saw, it's because you have done something wrong, or the saw wasn't set up properly. I urge you to head over to Stumpy Nubs and watch a few of James' videos on table saw safety. The only time I have ever experienced kickback on my own DW745, was when I tried to use a scrap piece of plywood as a sacrificial push stick. When the stick hit the blade, it was ripped out of my hand, flying through my garage. I know now why it happened, and I will NEVER make that mistake again! Now I have a PROPER push stick. :)

[@duncanabbot8352]

@@HepauDK thank you. I will take a look.

[@normanbott]

Thanks Andy - I've just unpacked a DeWalt 745 now the price has dropped below £400 (well only by a penny, but that's good enough for me !) I've struggled along without one for too long. The ratio of times in the video reflects my experience with long guides and hand-held circular saw. I don't have room for a MFT anyway.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff - take care with it! 👍

[@chriskane9230]

Great test and good topic to talk about! ,But you can get a dewalt table saw that can now cut up to over 620mm so you can now cut any size of a sheet, Also if you do alot of finishing work i would suggest the track saw , I mostly build extensions which is mostly roughing work which I find the table saw great for cutting rafters and plywood, But I do use the track saw for cutting MDF doors and worktops( I have the dewalt), Hope this helps someone , I would say they are both critical pieces of equipment if you are a builder!

[@cuperman]

Really useful video. I'm obsessed with accuracy - would you recut that TS cut if it was for a cabinet or alcove shelf, or is 0.2mm acceptable?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great question! It depends on where the wood is being used. The key thing is that you cut everything to exactly the same size whether it's 380mm or 380.2mm it normally doesn't matter too much as long as they're the same (depends!). Natural expansion / contraction can be as much as 3mm per metre depending on humidity so for shelves I generally wouldn't go tight to the walls anyway. But for bookcase fronts etc. that 0.2mm could cause a problem. Hope that makes sense! 👍👍

[@24revealer]

I made a 3x5 foot top with the UJK Park Guide system and it is dead on. My first project was a kitchen cabinet for my wife's boss. They had a new kitchen installed and decided they wanted another cabinet. It was going to be expensive to order a single cabinet so he asked me to make one. This was my first project on my new top and it was super nice to use. When the installers showed up, they couldn't determine which cabinet was from the factory and which one had been made. They told him they had never seen a custom made cabinet turn out so square and fit right in the hole. I'm going to add some dovetail slots for Matchfit dovetail clamps to hold the material as the melamine is really slippery. I also purchased the UJK rail clamps from Lee Valley Special Order and they really make things easy.

[@VirTERM]

Great video, congrats. Quick question, where did you get Dewalt made over the table/ over the blade dust collection part? My saw did not come with it...

[@GosforthHandyman]

Mine came with it! 👍

[@VirTERM]

You guys are very lucky in Europe.....:) I just ordered one from the UK

[@thesmallshed]

Interesting comparison, not quite sure how fair the time methodology was, if you've got room for a table saw you've got room for a permanently set up TS55, so the time difference is a bit unfair, but on the whole pretty much in agreement, wonder what mmmmmmdf will think!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

That's Mr MmmmmDF to you, Peter! 😂

[@GosforthHandyman]

Personally I would never leave my TS55 set up. Just too much risk of tripping over the cable / dust hose and dropping the thing on the floor. Happened once - luckily no damage. Peter - out of a matter of interest do you have yours out and ready all the time? ...so to speak.

[@thesmallshed]

If I'm using it for a big project yes, but otherwise its in a systainer, similarly the table saw is put to one side unless I'm using it for a particular big job, hence the comments regarding setting up. I have, however got all my plugs up high on the wall behind the bench, so tripping is less of a worry Manor Wood used to have a shoe on the end of his MFT lifting rail that parked the saw when not in use. - One other thing I have found with the tracksaw is that the tracks can slide slightly unless you're directly over the saw, as you note the table saw is more consistently accurate.

[@mangothejuice6348]

the small shed I agree with you 100% that comparison was so fishy. I don’t trust this video

[@bartbug1]

Is there a difference in the blades ie; tooth count and size? I ask as I'm looking at purchasing either one. Love your channel btw. Thanks for the review. Peace 🇦🇺👍

[@jaistanley]

I was just about to say: build an MFT as you said it! I made my own copy of the UJK Parf system from metre rules and a 3d printed plate for my router, which was a pain in the ass. Its definitely worth buying a ready made parf-guide setup from Axeminster.

[@neilgillies6943]

Did pretty much the same thing except I laser cut my router template. Ruined a big 1200 board LOL (stack errors due to pretty much unnoticeable angle error on laser) so bit the bullet and bought a 'seconds' parf guide on fleabay from axminster - absolutely dead nuts on and saved 40 quid just because the 'gold' anodising was a $hite colour :-) ! I also have a great dw475 - came with a free hernia lol.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - defo on my to do list for next year. 👍

[@Mrfreezeee1]

I think its safe to say they both have there likes and dislikes,closet organizers ruff cut with a track saw ,final cut with a table saw ,in north America,ruff cut with a circular saw /final cut with a table saw ,but like with any tool you buy ,it has to pay for itself other wise it will just sit there gathering sawdust ,and i havent seen anybody cut an arch with either saw ( track or table saw) where as ive seen /cut a few myself with a circular saws ,if you ve got the room and the need ,well they all make life easier and less time consuming,which means more profit in the end ,have you ever had or tried Rockwell's 4 1/2 inch circular saw yet,small but works pretty good in tight spots and you can plunge cut just as easy as a track saw , great video Ghostford Handyman : )

[@cuebj]

Haha. Bit of fun. Unfair since using table saw as permanent installation; track saw all packed away. Could just as well have had track saw as permanent set up and table saw packed for van. So, the lesson is.. ...whichever option you take, if you have to go one way or t'other, have a permanent set up in a well arranged workshop with separate tools for site work

[@TheLippyL]

I was so happy when you said 'millimetres'! Finally, I've found someone using the metric system (which obviously made sense knowing you're from the UK)! I'm from Malaysia (Commonwealth Country) so I can never understand the imperial system, especially when they use fractions! Anyway I've just bought a Stanley table saw and I'm trying my best to watch as many related videos as possible before using it. I've discovered your channel when I've watched your video about Table Saw safety. Such a great content. I've also wondered about using it on the side but I've never seen any KZbinr do that...Just one question, I saw you using a self-made PUSH BLOCK which looks huge, can you make a video about it? Couldn't find a video about that from your channel though. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SAFETY LESSONS!!

[@AJ_Lucas]

I've got some 100mm wide boards that I want to edge joint to make a tabletop. I was wondering, is it possible to 'joint' the edges with the tracksaw? Or are they too narrow? Thanks.

[@cjhification]

I have been toying with getting sliding table kit for my 315mm Axminster trade saw or getting a track saw. Very useful video, thinking the track saw is the better addition now.

[@lapisredux]

get the sliding table they absolutely transform a table saw.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Sliding table kits are great - but you'll still run in to cuts you can only do on a track saw. 😀👍

[@TheSemtexCow]

I’ve just started my own joinery business. I do own an old table saw, but it scares the life out of me. I was making do with a circular saw and a home made see guide. After watching your videos on making the display pedestal, I splashed out on a cheap variable speed track/plunge saw. Ain’t looked back, its so easy to cut perfectly straight and on the mark. Perhaps the correct tool for the job is to watch your videos, for which I’m eternally grateful. Especially the painting, my god was I getting annoyed with painting MDF till I watched those videos. Thanks again, you’ve put me so far in front of where I was.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thanks for the kind words bud - best of luck! 👊👍

[@blackadder1966]

I bought my track saw then later a table saw. For simple straight cuts a track saw is more versatile. For example trimming the bottom of a door. If you get more into joinery then the amount if jigs you can make for a table saw is endless.

[@gileslaycock-brown7603]

Not knocking any of your comments as I agree its horses for courses. I also own a job site saw, track saw and circular saw for rough cross cuts using a framing or speed square. As you can guess I'm not a beginner but I only went all in on joinery and woodturning about 3 years ago. However for a startup it's also a good idea if you don't plan on being mobile and you have space (large garage for example). It's easy to make a cabinet makers grade table saw from a site saw and you learn a lot along the way building the bench and underneath storage. My first shop saw was made from a site saw and I simply built around the job site saw. Then made my own fence system and so on. Later I bought a cabinet saw and well...………. I sold it a few weeks later as the one I built was more accurate. Yes it involved a lot of work and problems being ironed out including completely rebuilding the site saw several times to align the blade with the mitre slots and remove slop in the factory build probably learned more from building my own saw than I've learnt since in such a short space of time. The same saw still lives in my home shop and used for big rip cuts when breaking down sheet goods due to the (L)4ft x (W)8ft outfeed I built (outfeed is also the assembly table too as and when needed). Yes they are by far more dangerous however they can be more versatile than a track saw as you can make custom sleds etc to fulfill special jobs or just to replace the need to have a sliding mitre saw (Notice I didn't say compound mitre saw). It's also hard to get hold of special blades for the smaller saws whereas its easy if you do your homework to buy specialist blades for a table saw (NOT Dado stacks I'm not opening that can of worms). Blades such as a finishing blade as we call them in the UK or a flat grind in the USA for example for trenching work using a crosscut sled do the same job and better in my opinion. Again it's not a one size fits all when it comes to setting up your workshop or mobile platform. Keep up with the videos look forward to them each week on both channels. Kind regards. Giles.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Really depends what you're doing but good comment 👍. Gaagh... you mentioned dado stacks!!! ... 😜😜

[@alexnosheds]

Started with table saw, then got a track saw, and at that point realised that I should have begun with a sliding mitre saw. If your main material is dimensional lumber and sheet goods, track & mitre saw is the way to go if you are in a budget or have little space. I use table saw and mitre saw the most, and track saw mainly to break down larger sheets.

[@alexnosheds]

Forgot to say, great video 👍 Noticed you were tape measuring on the table saw, I have the same model and have recently calibrated the fence so that I can actually trust the reading off the saw directly- does trusting this make you nervous? Found it to be very reliable now.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I've never found the in-built measure accurate enough - keep meaning to have another look at it but don't think I could get stuff accurate to sub 1mm. 👍

[@pleaseusernamework]

Great video! I need to cut drawer fronts for my kitchen in the same height as my old ones. Being a beginner doing research I feel like a table saw, no matter how inferior to track saw, is the best for that specific job. Cutting repeated same size boards. Am I thinking right?

[@michaellionart4841]

Greetings from NE12. I’ve watched this a few times now. I’ll be working in the shed, not on site. Unlikely to be cutting much in the way of sheets -BnQ could do that for me. I like the idea of making sleds so it’s a collapsible table saw for me. Thank you

[@GosforthHandyman]

Greetings to NE12! Great stuff and best of luck! Andy 👍👊

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

Great Vs video Andy, back in the day, I only had one saw for ripping, it was my Distin Rip Handsaw. No cordless drills, it was a Milly hand drill, brace and bits, and a Yanky screwdriver 😄

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

@Jim Hope ....and they didn't have t'interweb either... and everything was black & white ! I know this because TV showed me ! 😅😅😅😅😅 Actually me dad was a cabinet maker & I remember him leanin into that Distin too... loved hangin around the bench as a kid, then went on to make a livin in engineering, 4 boys & 5 girls & no one followed in his footsteps 😔 .... its only in the last 5 years I've got into the woodworkin, better late (60y.o.) than never... 😅 Re. Andys vid here ? Unless u have a "real" cabinet saw , I think there's not much difference in the tracksaw / contractors saw.. 😞 I have both.... but.... I WANT a cabinet saw !!! 😣 ( but I don't really need one ... 😏) Greetings from the West of Ireland 👍😎☘

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Gary! Ripping with a handsaw is a killer. 😂👍

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

aye Jim, those were the days you would use a hammer to put a nail in 🔨😄

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Pleasure to to "meet" a craftsman with genuine "tools".

[@jayrutan3495]

Track saw 1st in my estimation. I have both the Festool 55 and 75 and absolutely would go to the 75 1st. The power and capabilities are better than the 55. I also have a Powermatic 65B table saw. I use it on occasion. I don't own a jointer and I don't see any use for one. My track saw does an absolutely great job. I just got done gluing up a 40"x80" table top and the boards came together just great without the jointer, and that was from rough cut lumber straight from the saw mill. I highly recommend buying the Festool TS 75 as your 1st saw. Very pricey, but worth every penny you spend.

[@HepauDK]

I started out with a cirkular saw that supported tracks (Bosch GKS 18V-Li), but soon realized its limitations. Try ripping an 8" (200mm) board to 4 strips of 1 9/16" (40mm), you'll see what I mean. Been there, done that, went out and bought a table saw. Kept the Bosch for breaking down larger pieces of sheet goods...

[@davidporterrealestate]

I never thought about the track-saw as a joiner, but makes sense to just reference off of the track, thanks. So, I guess for a handyman on site the track saw is the preferred. But can you cut small strips like 3-1/2" from a 4" board?

[@johnclements6614]

I have ripped a 140 wide by 1100 long board in half. I had the same thickness stock to support the track that was clamped down and touching the peace I was ripping. The track and the stock was also clamped down to the bench. You most likely could not make a waste side cut off 12mm off a 100mm board if it was long enough to be held in place by the clamped down track. I would not cut 82 off 100 as I don't think it would stay under the track. Most likely move and then jam the blade at best. A table saw would be safer.

[@josephkennedy284]

Great point on safety. Track saws are way safer, even if you know what you are doing with a table saw.

[@marquisbois990]

Cant agree with that. My wife works where they rebuild people, mainly hands and facial injuries, and she cannot recall an injury due to a table saw...same can’t be said for saws that are held in the hand tracksaws, jigsaws, etc all send people to have pieces reattached or repaired regularly. One guy managed to chop off privates with a circular saw....ouch!

[@cjhification]

Don't know about where you are but in the UK according to HSE tablesaws account for over 50% of serious injuries to woodworkers.

[@marquisbois990]

Craig Hastie yes but the hse only reports on workplace injury, where saw bench is going to be widely used over hand helds, and most of those accidents were put down to missing guards/riving knives in which case negligence and stupidity are playing the major role rather than the machine itself. Here in France i’ve noticed that companies take their employee safety more seriously.

[@Clinueee]

@@marquisbois990 circular saw is not a track saw. In circular saw the blade is always exposed except for that annoying guard that in practice is often defeated anyway. In track saw you have to actively push the saw down (and you need something to push against, cannot be done mid air) to expose the blade. As soon as you either stop applying force or lose whatever you are pushing it against (e.g. dropping the saw) the blade retracts in a fraction of a second. In fact many manfacturers like mafell and makita don't even put riving knife on the track saw because the plunge mechanism is so much superior safety feature and a riving knife would make it harder and less reliable. Basically the injury you are referring to is very hard to imagine happening with track saw.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - not saying it can't happen but you'd have to make a really sustained effort to injure yourself with a track saw. 👍

[@andrewmarnell5315]

Great video. I'm looking to buy a track saw and some of those within my budget range come with 24 tooth blades, would I be best buying a 48 tooth blade and fitting that?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I would say so - I use the 48T for everything. 👍

[@andrewmarnell5315]

@@GosforthHandyman Thanks Andy

[@jobandknock427]

I often use a plunge/rail saw to break-down 12mm plywood for pattresses in MF stud walls and for 18/22/25mm chipboard or plywood sub-flooring - for tasks like those the 24 tooth blade is way better - longer life, less strain on the motor, faster and cleaner cutting with less scorching - cheaper, too! 46=8t and 54t are reserved for laminates, veneereds and the like

[@louiesworkshop2023]

As a bespoke cabinet maker I can say I love both, the track saw really feels right when resizing sheet material, but repeated lengths are faster and more accurate via my table saw. If you can a place for both machines deserve their place within your workshop.

[@mpbootcamp7009]

Ever tried Woodpecker guides?

[@louiesworkshop2023]

@@mpbootcamp7009 I have never used the woodpecker guides, they are very well made and pretty accurate, I like to use the festiol long rail and then if possible rely on the extreme accuracy of the cabinet saw, both used together right results in highly accurate cuts and joinery buddy.

[@mpbootcamp7009]

@@louiesworkshop2023 I dont have room for a huge cabinet saw; also dont have 2 or 3 phase power. i think huge cabinet saws are overpriced for what they do.

[@louiesworkshop2023]

@@mpbootcamp7009 They do indeed require alot of space, I really do not have a large workshop so I had to place the saw carefully as to maximise its use, for example plenty of feed room in and out, are they overpriced? I would have to agree, effectively it's really only a cast bed, induction motor and a sliding fence but over the years I have found that what you pay for is what you get! The saw is very heavy so offers a very stable platform even with long heavy stock, the saw is powerful and when ripping oak this becomes very important, and let's not forget the fence, a good fence offers great accuracy! I have been blessed to have a few cabinet saws and my verdict as an owner and user is a very necessary practical and accurate machine that makes life alot easier, offers repeatable solutions and stability, over priced? Maybe, Nice to have, Yes! As I live in the U.K we have as standard 240ampa at single phase so,the saw runs happily on this power supply, so 3 phase is not really necessary, Hope this helps mate. Regards Louie

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Mate, I am trying to choose between the two, my questions is I see that tablesaws can get a wider blade for dados , can you get similar for a tracksaw or do you not need them, is there another way with a tracksaw, looking at general carpentry as opposed to joinery.

[@GosforthHandyman]

In the UK we don't really use dado blades. No, never seen anything like that on a track saw. I'd use a router or router table for dado cuts. 👍👊

[@HepauDK]

@@GosforthHandyman The arbor on the table saws sold in the EU are not designed to take dado stacks. EU regulatives require saws to be able to stop fairly quickly, which they can't with a heavvy dado stack, so the arbor is designed to be too short to take a dado stack. That's also why the DW745 sold in the EU (Type 4) isn't identical to the ones sold outside the EU.

[@Digmen1]

The table saw is obviopsyt the best and fastest. But you could have done without the sawdust catcher on the tracksaw! I love the split screens - well done! And the music is good too.

[@luct3368]

Its fair to say that a tracksaw that is intended for workshop use only (not onsite), would be ready to go: set up as part of a system, perhaps with parallel guides, and a few MFT tables, with more integrated overhead power & dust extraction and perhaps not all packed up. For this reason including set up time and pack down for the tracksaw isn't really equivilent.

[@Matprice75]

I have the dewalt 7491rs it's a beast for ripping anything. It falls on its face for cross cutting. A cross cut sled adds little to the width you can cut. For me the track saw is the answer for very wide cross cuts for example I can rip a 4x4 sheet to 34.5 inches but I need a cabinet panel so now I have to cross cut 34.5 x 48 to 34.5 x 24 you can't safety cross cut that on the dwe7491rs. Even with a large cross cut sled the infeed is just to shallow

[@RpR_Makes]

Could i ask about your dust extraction for your table saw. I have a SiP versions of the same 50l dust and chip collector which to me has no power to pull the dust or chips from any of my power tools i.e. mitre saw or table saw. How do you find the one you have in terms of power and should i always be using the 100mm hose as opposed to using a smaller 32mm hose. Great channel by the way.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Mine is fine but I'll be adding the cyclone soon and switching from 100mm to I think 50mm for the tablesaw connection so we'll see how it goes. 👍

[@RpR_Makes]

Gosforth Handyman thanks Andy. Can you do a video on that as i think i may too go down this route.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hopefully! 👍

[@robertphillips4155]

Nice job and good info thanks. I noticed that you use a jobsite saw and was curious why. I’m a DYI and do some handyman work and am going to purchase a table saw. I’m trying to decide between the jobsite or the contractor saw. I only have my garage to do work in so when I use my tablesaw I take it outside and use it. I understand that the contractor saw is probably more powerful and more stable at the cost of size. Do you find that your table saw does everything you need, and accurately? Do you wish you had a bigger one?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - does everything I need. Perfectly accurate. Don't have space for a bigger one and I can take this to jobs. 👍

[@robertphillips4155]

@Gosforth Handyman thank you for your reply. Sorry for all of the typos in my original message. A follow-up question then, if you had a little more space and could afford the cost, would you prefer a contractor saw?

[@webchimp]

One other consideration is space. for a table saw you need at least double the length of your work piece plus the width of the blade, for the track saw you only need enough space for the work piece plus enough at either end for the saw.

[@jakobhovman]

Great video as allways and yes versatile tracksaw wins, but Tablesaw was Cheating...Had dust collection on already...! PS: Festool track is 185mm. (All measurements in mm) Board 380 Measurement: 380-185=195. Measure 195 from alu-Back on track to get precise setup and cut. PPS: Cutting long thin pieces Off a sheet, where the Offcut is used: Measure from Alu-Front edge of track, rubber edge is not precise. Rubber edge + sawblade = 5 Strip: 20 Measurement: 20+5=25 Measure 25 from alu-front. PPPS: Idea for a new video...?! Weekend greetings from chill Denmark...Jakob

[@Clinueee]

I do this but I use hultafors talmeter instead of regular tape measure which would require separate readings, insane accuracy. I actually cut my splinter guard completely with router because it is so useless method to get accurcate cuts.

[@jakobhovman]

Yes, me too Petka...! The Talmeter tape is best for most work. Old original Talmeter has slightly better base.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers and big welcome to Denmark! Very rainy in Newcastle today. 👍🌧🌂

[@davidmoore2308]

Sorry why are you not fixing the dust extraction to the table saw to be a fare and pluging it in or have the plung saw all ready connected to the dust extraction and pluged in.?

[@adamandlorraine]

I have to agree, track saw more useful unless you have a big workshop and huge table saw and outfeed to handle full sheets. I recently bought a dewalt table saw for a big project but didn't end up using a great deal, but for the things I did do it was excellent. Repeat strips and small thin cuts.

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍

[@Cormack88]

Well your table saw was all set up.. and for those doing work on site.. have to set up a table saw takes a lot longer and you need to make a support system such as an out feed table for big sheet materials.. you still need a table/flat surface for the track saw to work.. like you mentioned the track saw is a huge help for large cuts! I think that's where it shines. Plus you don't need as much space for a track saw..

[@HepauDK]

The Dewalt DW745 fits in the back of my Yaris. My 1400mm tracks doesn't. ;) That being said, I do all my woodworking in my garage, so portability isn't an issue, and my Dewalt sits secured in a table with a router extension. :)

[@adamandlorraine]

I am lucky enough to have a permanent 8 X 4 cutting bench central in the workshop, with a resident ts55 and extractor with boom arm ready-to-go-go. Sacrificial mdf top gets renewed every now and then.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I don't even have room for an outfeed table... 😭😭👍😂

[@adamandlorraine]

@@GosforthHandyman ah well with the huge cutting bench I haven't room to set up the DeWalt table saw permanently so I have to wheel it out, plug in power and dust, do a few cuts then put it away!

[@catspaw3815]

Sometimes ya need the tracksaw to get a straight edge on a piece, so that ya can use yer table saw!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Exactly! 👍

[@BDJappe]

I only have a track saw (makita) but really struggle with smaller workpieces. Like 4/20 cm. It’s not impossible but the setup time takes forever. I make a lot of custom moulds for concrete countertops , windowsills, etc I’m on the fence to buy a table saw or built get me an MFT-table.. decisions decisions..

[@PeterM0911]

I have to cut some boards stuff around the house. A tracksaw is much more benefiacial for me, since I'm not a carpenter and I wouldn't like wasting space to set a tablesaw up. For DIY projects or very rare use I say tracksaw is better.