Track saw kits, possible cordless circular saw, which ones?

[zzr1200]

I will later on this year hopefully, be transforming from replastering/rewiring and the like to wood bothering duties, replacement kitchen units/doors/wardrobes and various other jobs.

I like/fancy the idea of a track saw for accuracy/straightness/ease of use, but I already have a 9" and a 3"circular saw with various blades, both mains powered saws.

Has anyone come across a decent track saw kit that adapts to a larger/smaller mains power unit.

or, I may be forced to go down this route, but I don't really want to:-

Buy another power head/blades, a Cordless Milwaukee Clone Saw (18v), being as I already have some of their kit.

I'm not opposed to AliExpress or Temu, mainly because it will get limited use once the house is sorted...

Quality/price ratio is important for this purchase, has anyone taken a gamble before and been impressed???

Any links or suggestion for the above???

Please...

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've got a bosch system.
Not the cheapest but decent value for money.

If you can find the long tracks locally they normally work out cheaper than the short ones as people can't post them.
I've bought several long ones and cut them down to make shorter ones.
The connectors are expensive but very quick to use so save setup time.

I've got both battery and mains saws.
Battery is obviously far more convenient but it eats through the blades if you run it as the battery is going flat/slowing down.
Adding dust extraction helps blade life massively as well and if you are dragging an extraction hose you may as well drag a cable and gain the benefit of automatic power on of the extractor.
I've got a little 3" saw that came with the track adaptor. That's good for cutting thin sheets, use it for plastic sheet a lot.

Tracks are also good for using a router and I've 3d printed a bracket to hold marker pens for marking out sheet metal.

I also want to make brackets to use the rails with a metal saw and some adjustable brackets to set the rails at angles etc. at some point.

Maybe start with the saws you have.
Can you get track adapters for them?
Maybe parts from another model from the same manufacturer will fit?

Normally with track systems, the first time you use them, you cut the rubber guide strip so it perfectly lines up with the cut.
All 3 of my bosch saws are identical in that respect (and the router is adjustable) so that's something to watch out for.

 

[Craig-S]

Dont ask me, Ill just tell you to buy Festool. Ive had 2 of their tracksaws and they are fantastic.

 

[roofman]

funny this as i am after a track for my cordless dewalt saw and wondered if they are available

 

[hotponyshoes]

There is nothing complicated about any of the ones I have seen.
Should be easy enough to make an adaptor to fit pretty much any saw to any type of track.

 

[Dapph2]

Look on Temu and Ali express IIRC there are conversion kits but the track might be a problem as it is often only sold there in 300mm length that clip together .. you need joiners strips and clamps as well .
I had one ordered from Temu .. described as having two 1200mm complete with joints and clamps guide strips ....6 week estimated delivery time

It failed to arrive and after investigation Temu refunded me the full cost .

I'll bide my time it might be available once more .

 

[Dozzer]

As @hotponyshoes says.
you can find guide adaptors for mot of the rail systems, i have a Makita rail saw, but have an adaptor plate for my Bosch router.
Most of the rails systems similar. so just buy the one you like the look of, the better ones will have front lips as spares

 

[Kayos]

I bought one from Aldi, it's the only Aldi power tool that actually worked for me

I got some clamps from @bigegg that after a little tickle with a grinder fit perfectly

I used it for installing wall boards on a project, much faster and easier than my old method of clamping a level to the piece then using my battery circular saw

 

[richie00boy]

The problem with trying to use a circular saw with some kind of adaptor is that they are never as stable/rigid as a proper plunge (track) saw, i.e. if the saw is not cutting very deep there is a little bit of sideways give/slack. Plunge saws work on a different principle and are rigid. Also, plunge saws have closed sides and dust extraction is vastly better.

If you value the most accurate and niggle-free job then buy a proper track saw with 2x 1.5m rails (1.4m are just a bit too short when dealing with full sheets). As said by hotponyshoes go for mains power and use with a dust extractor which will turn on/off as the saw is used.

I've got a Lidl one but I don't think the current ones are as well made. I use a copy of Makita track (Excel brand, look on Tools4Trade website or ebay) but had to use the router table to remove the anti-tip lip on the track. Have a look at the Erbauer one on Screwfix with these tracks, or the Excel one on Tools4Trade.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Dont ask me, Ill just tell you to buy Festool. Ive had 2 of their tracksaws and they are fantastic.

+1 for festool...i have their track plunge saw, chop saw and vacuum. Made my kitchen fitting so much more enjoyable...being able to cross cut a worktop without it chipping was impressive.

Not a cheap option but I've never regretted the purchase.

 

[Other Daniel]

Festool
Brings so much pleasure back into the job....

 

[zzr1200]

Dont ask me, Ill just tell you to buy Festool. Ive had 2 of their tracksaws and they are fantastic.

Festool= Rolls Royce pricing policy....

 

[gaz1]

the answer is yes and its homemade

now i dont like screwing into new circular saws i prefer dual use with the same circular saw

laminate floor is a good guide

 

[Craig-S]

Festool= Rolls Royce pricing policy....

I never said it was cheap, but i stand by the quality.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Festool= Rolls Royce pricing policy....

Yea not cheap...but still value for money when I look at how good the end results were and how easy it made the job.

 

[Smallfry]

My Makita works very well, just as good as Festool.

If you want an excellent finish or item has a value, Just buy a track saw. Even more so if plywood.

Circular saws are for cutting up pallets.

 

[Welderpaul]

I've been using a Makita one all day. I'd recommend Makita

Think of a circular saw as having the accuracy halfway between a chainsaw and a track saw. Night and day difference.

Get a decent one, especially if you are cutting expensive panels like kitchen and wardrobe pre-finished material.

 

[Welderpaul]

the answer is yes and its homemade

It's really not.

Look out for Peter Millard on YT, he's a Festool nut, and has done a review of them all. Even the cheapest middle aisle tracksaw does the job, the limitation being getting hold of matching longer tracks for some models bearing in mind the ones they come with are only short - 600 ish I think.

 

[zzr1200]

Yea not cheap...but still value for money when I look at how good the end results were and how easy it made the job.

If I was 30/35 and using them for work I'd agree, but at 70 and trying to finish of the house restro cheapish by doing the work myself, it don't make sence.
That why I asked regarding lower priced options.

Even my sons probably wouldn't get the value out of an expensive track saw, one is a fab/structural
/welder the other a cnc lathe/mill operator.

Id like a 2440 and a 1220 length track.

 

[zzr1200]

My Makita works very well, just as good as Festool.

If you want an excellent finish or item has a value, Just buy a track saw. Even more so if plywood.

Circular saws are for cutting up pallets.

No, chainsaws are for cutting pallets plus other stuff and I have 14 of them......