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

[Other Daniel]

Another, less publicised, aspect of Festool's service, is that they
guaranty (?) parts availability for 20 years following production
of their tools.

 

[Agrismith]

We had a Mafell at work, I have got a Makita, and have used Festool saws, and I would say the edges are much the same. I don't remember any noticeable difference TBH

This is more in relation to the budget brands. My parkside one definitely isn't great it's quite hard and brittle and doesn't stick to the workpiece great

 

[northwest]

I saw this a while back and I thought it was a great idea, the price would push it to the back for me though:

MAFELL KSS 40 18V BL CROSSCUT SYSTEM WITH 2 X 5.5AH LI BATTERIES, 1.4M FLEXIRAIL, PARALLEL FENCE, DUST PORT & BAG

www.toucantools.co.uk

It doesn't say if or how you could extend or add onto the track.

 

[MattF]

Circular saws are for cutting up pallets.

A tracksaw is a circular saw.

 

[TEO]

I have the Festool track saw, had it for years it's been great but I wouldn't bother with the brand again, not worth the premium. Mates, also in the woods trades have Makita and Bosch both of which have lasted well & do an excellent job.
If I have to replace it I'll probably go Makita

 

[Agroshield]

+1 to the Erbauer at the budget end.

Blade quality has a big influence on cut quality, so a budget saw with high end blade might be an option.

Blade sharpness has a big influence on cut quality so have a spare blade ready and don't be mean with trying to eke out blade life. Modern non-woods are abrasive.

PCD tipped blades are available for tracksaws and are good for difficult materials (tile backer board, recycled plastic decking, laminate flooring with anti-scratch) but generally only have 4-6 teeth so cut quality is not the best.

What has not been discussed so far is dust collection. This is especially important for MDF as the dust is deadly and messy. Again, here, the Festool score highly. Other brands, especially at the real low end do not do so well.

But on any track saw, if you shave off less than the blade width dust is bad.

 

[Smallfry]

A tracksaw is a circular saw.

Pedant

 

[Smallfry]

Dust collection is certainly a consideration if working in a customers house, or an enclosed workshop. Luckily, I have not had to worry about that, as we had our own workshop with a big roller shutter door that could be open, and weather permitting would do dusty work outside. At home, not really a problem.

The other aspect of dust, for anyone who is considering buying one of these machines, is that you MUST always wipe all the dust from the bottom of the track before laying it, and also the surface of the piece to be cut. This prevents the track from slipping. I have never had to use clamps for anything laid horizontal.

Other thing for potential buyers, is that it is essential the tracks are not damaged or bent, so no chucking them willy nilly in a van, or burying them under other things, and then impatiently trying to yank them out.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

This prevents the track from slipping. I have never had to use clamps for anything laid horizontal.

I really like the under track clamp system...I tend to use the clamp when cutting thicker pieces...or anything that's expensive!

Agree the rubber track grip is excellent though.

 

[Misterg]

That why I asked regarding lower priced options.

If you can live with corded, the Lidl / Parkside one is excellent for the money. I've used mine a lot cutting up expensive laminated ply and it gives an excellent finish. I did buy a (Freud?) blade for it, but TBH the original blade was pretty good too. It will run on other tracks - Peter Millard did a video on it.

Only trouble is, you don't know when they're going to be available... :-/

I tried using a home-made version first (batten fixed to a strip of ply) and there's no comparison. A proper tracksaw is just so quick, easy and accurate.

 

[Agroshield]

Dust collection... ...a big roller shutter door that could be open, and weather permitting would do dusty work outside.

Could you show us where this is written in the HSE best practice guide for dust control?

 

[skotl]

Could you show us where this is written in the HSE best practice guide for dust control?

Don't think it was suggested that this was part of HSE but certainly common sense. I'd always try to do sawing (especially if the tool is portable like a circular / track saw) outside, weather permitting.
In fact, even my table saw is on a wheeled cabinet for this reason (and I still use a portable sawdust extractor).