Finally caved and tried a track saw after years of using a circular saw and a straight edge

I've been framing and doing rough carpentry for about 12 years now, so I always thought track saws were just for fancy cabinet guys with too much money. Last month I had to cut down 8 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood for a built-in shelf unit in a tight bedroom in Denver. My straight edge kept slipping and I was getting tearout on almost every cut. Borrowed my buddy's Makita track saw for the job and it was night and day. Every cut was dead straight, no chipping at all, and it took me maybe 2 hours instead of 4. I'm still not buying one for everyday framing, but for finish work I totally get the hype now. Anyone else make the switch and find it worth it for specific jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_cole1mo ago

Track saws are alright for finish work but let's not act like they're some kind of miracle tool. Ripping 8 sheets of plywood in 2 hours instead of 4 sounds like you're either slow with a circular saw or your straight edge setup was just bad. A sharp blade on a good circular saw with a clamp-on straight edge can get you 95% of the way there without dropping $500 on a track saw setup.

davis.noah1mo ago

You sound really worked up about a power tool, man.