After a few years of going back and forth, I just ordered a Dewalt Track Saw with the 52" and 102" tracks. After reading a number of reviews, it did not appear that there was any real difference between Dewalt, Festool, and Makita track saws. The Dewalt saw can even use Festool tracks. The primary difference was the price, though they were closer than expected, the Dewalt was the winner, especially considering the versatility of having two tracks. The 102" track for ripping plywood meant that I would not have to run around bolting tracks together for long rips, the take them apart for crosscuts. If the prices had been closer I was interested in making my first Festool purchase - maybe next time.
There was a lot of discussion in the forums about replacing your tables saw with a tracks saw. I just don't see that happening, at least not in my shop. My two table saws are just too versatile to try to replace them with a track saw. I can't imagine running a dado or making box joints with a track saw. Still, there are things that you can do with a track saw that are difficult do perform with a table saw. Cutting tapers on long pieces of wood is difficult. Cutting long tapers on a heavy sheet of plywood or MDF on a table saw can be just about impossible for one guy, not to mention a bit dangerous at times. I can see a track saw really shining when doing that sort of work.
My experience watching other people use track saws, both Festool and Dewalt has been that if the carpenter had the basic skills that he could be very productive making all sorts of woodworking projects from built-in's to cabinets to fireplace surrounds. The only fellow that I though was way out of his depth was a framer who was cutting roof sheathing with a Festool track saw. If you can't cut sheathing, propped up on a 2x, on a roof using a chalk line and a circular saw freehand, then you probably should be in another business.
I'm looking forward to the new saw arriving. I have to build a new out-feed table with drawers and two rooms of built-ins with desks and remodel a big pantry with pull out shelves. All of this would could be done on my table saw, especially with the new power stock feeder, and a lot of it will be, but there is plenty of work for the track saw too.
Do we have many track saw users in the group? Do you have any tips, suggestions, or pitfalls to avoid as I start using the new saw?
There was a lot of discussion in the forums about replacing your tables saw with a tracks saw. I just don't see that happening, at least not in my shop. My two table saws are just too versatile to try to replace them with a track saw. I can't imagine running a dado or making box joints with a track saw. Still, there are things that you can do with a track saw that are difficult do perform with a table saw. Cutting tapers on long pieces of wood is difficult. Cutting long tapers on a heavy sheet of plywood or MDF on a table saw can be just about impossible for one guy, not to mention a bit dangerous at times. I can see a track saw really shining when doing that sort of work.
My experience watching other people use track saws, both Festool and Dewalt has been that if the carpenter had the basic skills that he could be very productive making all sorts of woodworking projects from built-in's to cabinets to fireplace surrounds. The only fellow that I though was way out of his depth was a framer who was cutting roof sheathing with a Festool track saw. If you can't cut sheathing, propped up on a 2x, on a roof using a chalk line and a circular saw freehand, then you probably should be in another business.
I'm looking forward to the new saw arriving. I have to build a new out-feed table with drawers and two rooms of built-ins with desks and remodel a big pantry with pull out shelves. All of this would could be done on my table saw, especially with the new power stock feeder, and a lot of it will be, but there is plenty of work for the track saw too.
Do we have many track saw users in the group? Do you have any tips, suggestions, or pitfalls to avoid as I start using the new saw?