What is a track saw?
Track saws can also be sometimes called as plunge saws or plunge-cut saws. They are a special type of hand-held circular saw whose function is to slide on a guide rail during a particular operation. They are used by the operators to make long and efficient cuts.
They are not similar to hand-held circular saws, they just plunge into the material to a certain depth which is pre-determined during the cut. It enhances the safety of the operator and thereby allowing for reduced splintering and tear-out. Generally, the depths are not fixed and it can be easily adjusted. It also has the capability of cutting shallow grooves into the workplace if it is required.
There are a variety of track saws available in the market but it all depends on you that you are looking for which type of saw and what is the purpose of buying that saw. Every saw has its own set of advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Each of them specializes in a particular task.
In the end, what matters is your objective. Some of the track saws are best and some of the track saws are average. Some saws are very lightweight and highly efficient in doing the jobs perfectly.
Things To Consider When Buying A Track Saw:
Whenever you are looking to buy a saw in the market, you must consider some of the important factors so that you can have the best product in your hands. The saw must be durable and reliable so that it can work efficiently for a longer duration of time. We have several saws in this market.
But we need to select the best and the most suitable among them and for that, we need to compare the features of all the saws available in the market. While buying a track saw always keep some things in mind. The necessary things to keep in mind are described below:
- Maximum speed: The track saw has a particular speed associated with it and it is known to be measured in a unit called revolutions per minute. It has been concluded that if the RPM of a track saw is small then it will be very hard for the saw to cut through thicker materials. So, always look for the speed of the saw. It is the main factor to be considered.
- Bevel capacity: Next comes is the bevel capacity. Bevel is basically an angle at which your saw can cut a particular material. Try to select a saw with a bevel adjuster as this will helps you in cutting various materials easily.
- Power of the motor: A 9 Amp motor is sufficient for most of the wors.
- Corded or cordless: Always look after this feature and select accordingly. As per the reviews of the customers, a cordless saw is easier to handle.
- Durability: The product should be durable so that it lasts for a longer duration of time. If a product is durable then you can rely on it more.
- Clean-Up: A dust collection system should always be there in a track saw.
- Track length: It basically defines the length of your cut.
- Blade: Always look for a premium blade in any saw.
Benefits Of A Track Saw:
A track saw has a lot of benefits associated with it. But we must buy a perfect one for us and look after all the necessary factors associated with it.
- First of all, it will help in easier and efficient cutting. It is not just a circular saw with a straightedge. It does not have a clumsy blade guard.
- This saw is considered to be suitable in various situations because of the rubber strips it has on the bottom.
- It also has a dust collection system which helps in easy cleaning.
- The setup of this saw is also very easier as it doesn’t require measuring or guesswork.
1: Dewalt track saw
Dewalt track saw is basically known for delivering straight, splinter-free, and precise cuts. Dewalt is providing very good quality tools due to which they have created a great competition in the market.
Their tools are very durable and genuine. They are made from high-quality material due to which their wear and tear are not possible easily. They also give the provision of Dewalt saw blade replacement. Dewalt has offered its customers a strong product which will last for years.
They provide a huge range of contractor’s hand tools which are very useful like adjustable wrenches, saws, hammers, utility knives, and pliers. Along with this they also have a wide variety of mechanics’ tools like sockets, wrenches, and ratchets. Dewalt track saw has dual-edged tracks which help in making perfectly straight cuts.
A continuous Anti-mechanism and riving knife are also there to prevent the kickback when the saw is engaged. For optional ergonomics, we also have the provision of a straight plunge mechanism. It has a 90% dust extraction capability because of the enclosed low profile guard it has.
The maximum initial battery voltage of the Dewalt track saw is 20 volts and the nominal voltage is 18 volts. Dewalt track saw is the most recommended saw if you are looking for efficient cutting. Its amazing features make it different from all the other saws in the market. You can easily rely on this for better performance for a longer duration of time.
This saw is an accurate and toughly built product. You can easily rely on this brand for your construction equipment. This is a very lightweight product which comes in handy always. You can carry it very easily as compared to the other heavy equipment.
2: Shop Fox track saw
Shop Fox track saw comes with a speed of 5500 RPM. The blade rim speed of this saw is 9070 feet per minute along with a blade size of 160mm diameter and 20mm arbor. Shop Fox track saw is the most recommended saw if you are looking for efficient cutting. Its amazing features make it different from all the other saws in the market.
You can easily rely on this for better performance for a longer duration of time. There is 1-1/2 inches dust port in this saw for the collection of dust. This saw also witnesses a high degree of portability due to its lightweight property. And the cuts made by the saw are known to be highly accurate. The voltage required is 120 volts and the current is 9 A.
3: Makita track saw
Makita track saw comes up with a powerful motor of around 12 AMP. This is in order to ensure optimum performance in a wide variety of materials. The cutting done by this saw is very precise and it delivers a splinter-free mirror finish.
Electronic speed control is a special feature present in this saw which mainly helps in maintaining constant speed under load for smooth cutting. We also have a variable speed control dial enabled in this saw which helps the consumer to match the speed of the application.
The bevel capacity associated with this saw is at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees with positive stops. This saw is very easy to use and the cuts made by this saw are very precise. There is a wide range of convenient features associated with this track saw.
Makita track saw is the most recommended saw if you are looking for efficient cutting. Its amazing features make it different from all the other saws in the market. You can easily rely on this for better performance for a longer duration of time.
The accuracy of the cuts made by this saw is very high and no adjustments are needed when bevel cutting is done. It is very versatile and it can even cut very close to a wall.
4: The grizzly track saw
A grizzly track saw is considered suitable for a variety of materials like double-coated MDF boards, solid wood workshops, etc. And it also has the capability of infinite variable cutting depth up to 2-5/32. It also has a built-in riving knife which helps in anti-kickback protection.
The master pack of this saw includes the saw, guide rail, and accessory pack. It is basically known for supporting plunge-cutting action. A grizzly track saw is the most recommended saw if you are looking for efficient cutting. Its amazing features make it different from all the other saws in the market.
You can easily rely on this for better performance for a longer duration of time. This saw is considered to be very safe. As per the reviews of the users, there is no more worry about the over-extended reaching and poor balance in the cutting.
What is the Difference Between a Track Saw and a Circular Saw?
The main feature which makes them different from each other is that track saws are mainly cordless circular saws that operate along a track to deliver maximum accuracy and cordless circular saws are just handy because of the mobility they support.
Track saws are mainly used to make longer and precise cuts and that too at a faster speed. The cuts made by them are way more efficient than the circular and table saws available in the market. Both of them have their own set of advantages and disadvantages associated with them. Track saws are used by the operators to make long and efficient cuts.
They are not similar to hand-held circular saws, they just plunge into the material to a certain depth which is pre-determined during the cut. It enhances the safety of the operator and thereby allowing for reduced splintering and tear-out. Generally, the depths are not fixed and it can be easily adjusted.
Can we use a track saw as a replacement for a table saw?
A track saw cannot replace a table saw entirely but it can do most of the jobs done by a table saw and in many of the scenarios, it works better than the table saw. It is because the efficiency of the cuts made by the track saw is higher. It is also very safe and easy to use.
How to change the blades of a track saw?
For changing the saw blades, first of all, you must remove the saw blade and then replace them with a suitable saw blade. Retract the riving knife and along with this insert a blade into the saw and over the arbor flange. You need to make sure that the teeth of the blade are facing forward. Place the arbor washer properly over the arbor flange and rotate it accordingly.
After this go for the replacement of the arbor bolt and then tighten it. After this press down on the auxiliary handle, and simultaneously lower the FastFix latch and then release the plunge of the saw very slowly. This procedure needs to be carried very carefully as it should not disturb the other functioning parts of the saw.
What materials can you cut with a track saw?
As we know that the track saws are also known as the plunge saws and they are commonly used for cutting through the wood-based materials like plywood, lumber, trim, and melamine. It is not considered suitable for non-wood materials. As using it on the non-wood materials will make it lose its efficiency. And this will also decrease the life of the saw. A track saw is considered very efficient for cutting wooden materials.
They are used by the operators to make long and efficient cuts. They are not similar to hand-held circular saws, they just plunge into the material to a certain depth which is pre-determined during the cut. It enhances the safety of the operator and thereby allowing for reduced splintering and tear-out. Generally, the depths are not fixed and it can be easily adjusted.