Bought a Wen track-saw, some PowerTec track (2x55"?), and a pair of Wen 6" clamps (for tracks). Here are a few new user impressions and comments.
EDIT: Model is WEN CT1065 10-Amp 6.5-Inch Plunge Cut END EDIT
I chose this on the basis of the value (performance / cost) and after seeing some reviews and video reviews. I liked that the PowerTec track is compatible with Festool and Makita (but not DeWalt, if I recall correctly) in case I decide to upgrade the saw itself .
1. Saw is mostly plastic construction (exterior and controls) - and once you get past the perception that gives, it works as a saw.
I do not expect to use this tool often, so this is a trial. If, like some other tools (impact driver, cordless osc. tool) I find I have real uses for it, then I can justify an upgraded tool. I expect this saw will work fine for me.
2. The plunge depth control knob can be somewhat awkward for the 'fat-fingered' like me.
3. The anti-kickback cam (in the track) caused me difficulty with both seating the saw and moving it in the track.
A tag on the saw describes this as removable (at more risk), and so I did remove it; the saw seats more cleanly and runs in the track much more smoothly without that feature installed. I had been 'fighting' to move the saw along the track, and that was much more of a safety issue (to me). Smooth operation within expectations is a great 'safety' feature.
4. Since I did not have #3 figured out on my first few cuts, the rubber splinter guard is not exactly cut to the line now.
I presume these are replaceable - as now that I know how to use the system, I would like new ones. I should have FIRST run the saw on the new tracks without cutting any wood (to cut the splinter guard ; that may be in the manual (which I must have missed when I read it through 3x - haha!).
5. Dust collection is quite good for 'buried cuts' using backer foam sheet, AND covering the blade access hole with tape. I used my existing Ridgid shop vac and current hose (a non-Ridgid extension), which has a rubber end that fit nicely over the saw port.
- For a cut that 'skims the edge' dust is thrown laterally, just like on a TS, and dust collection suffers considerably.
6. PowerTec (sp?) tracks linked together seamlessly - the few times I have done this.
7. Saw does not (seem to) have the power to cut 2 stacked sheets of 3/4" plywood - bogs down and motor heats up. Of course I was simultaneously having tracking issues, but even once I cleared the tracking (see #3) it balked at the 1.5" depth. However my first cut on a stack worked OK, but the second one did not; maybe the hot motor due to tracking issues was the issue(?). I may retry, as stacking sheets makes for decent 'identically sized pieces'. The saw cut cleanly once the sheets were separated and the cut was only a 3/4" sheet.
8. Cutting slowly resulted in a (near) splinter free cut on the top side where the blade emerges. Moving the saw faster resulted in some significant splintering. The material being cut is pre-finished maple plywood. All cuts were very clean on 'the show side' - the bottom side, where the blade/teeth entered the cut (rather than where teeth emerged on the top).
EDIT - the material being cut was pre-finished maple ON ONE SIDE only, with a very thin veneer on the back side. End EDIT
Overall: From a casual and uninitiated track-saw user, this saw gets a thumbs up from me (especially in terms of value); the longer term performance is of course still an open question.
EDIT 1 Update 2/8/21 - Posts below indicate that Amazon price has tripled. When I was looking 4-6 weeks ago, HD listed these, but had no stock. All this may indicate supply issues.
At $329 price I likely would not recommend this saw, unless the savings over a bigger brand name was really important to you. Recall that this is a polymer saw body, plate, and adjusters - the only metal here is likely in the motor and wires... that may be better than cheap pot metal parts, but only time will tell.
End EDIT
EDIT 2 Jim posted below that there are 2 models, a 6.5" blade model that I purchased, and now a 7.25" blade model. The larger blade model is the $329 saw. The smaller blade saw is now difficult to find - not in stock at HD and Amazon does not list it (for me, today).
END EDIT 2
EDIT: Model is WEN CT1065 10-Amp 6.5-Inch Plunge Cut END EDIT
I chose this on the basis of the value (performance / cost) and after seeing some reviews and video reviews. I liked that the PowerTec track is compatible with Festool and Makita (but not DeWalt, if I recall correctly) in case I decide to upgrade the saw itself .
1. Saw is mostly plastic construction (exterior and controls) - and once you get past the perception that gives, it works as a saw.
I do not expect to use this tool often, so this is a trial. If, like some other tools (impact driver, cordless osc. tool) I find I have real uses for it, then I can justify an upgraded tool. I expect this saw will work fine for me.
2. The plunge depth control knob can be somewhat awkward for the 'fat-fingered' like me.
3. The anti-kickback cam (in the track) caused me difficulty with both seating the saw and moving it in the track.
A tag on the saw describes this as removable (at more risk), and so I did remove it; the saw seats more cleanly and runs in the track much more smoothly without that feature installed. I had been 'fighting' to move the saw along the track, and that was much more of a safety issue (to me). Smooth operation within expectations is a great 'safety' feature.
4. Since I did not have #3 figured out on my first few cuts, the rubber splinter guard is not exactly cut to the line now.
I presume these are replaceable - as now that I know how to use the system, I would like new ones. I should have FIRST run the saw on the new tracks without cutting any wood (to cut the splinter guard ; that may be in the manual (which I must have missed when I read it through 3x - haha!).
5. Dust collection is quite good for 'buried cuts' using backer foam sheet, AND covering the blade access hole with tape. I used my existing Ridgid shop vac and current hose (a non-Ridgid extension), which has a rubber end that fit nicely over the saw port.
- For a cut that 'skims the edge' dust is thrown laterally, just like on a TS, and dust collection suffers considerably.
6. PowerTec (sp?) tracks linked together seamlessly - the few times I have done this.
7. Saw does not (seem to) have the power to cut 2 stacked sheets of 3/4" plywood - bogs down and motor heats up. Of course I was simultaneously having tracking issues, but even once I cleared the tracking (see #3) it balked at the 1.5" depth. However my first cut on a stack worked OK, but the second one did not; maybe the hot motor due to tracking issues was the issue(?). I may retry, as stacking sheets makes for decent 'identically sized pieces'. The saw cut cleanly once the sheets were separated and the cut was only a 3/4" sheet.
8. Cutting slowly resulted in a (near) splinter free cut on the top side where the blade emerges. Moving the saw faster resulted in some significant splintering. The material being cut is pre-finished maple plywood. All cuts were very clean on 'the show side' - the bottom side, where the blade/teeth entered the cut (rather than where teeth emerged on the top).
EDIT - the material being cut was pre-finished maple ON ONE SIDE only, with a very thin veneer on the back side. End EDIT
Overall: From a casual and uninitiated track-saw user, this saw gets a thumbs up from me (especially in terms of value); the longer term performance is of course still an open question.
EDIT 1 Update 2/8/21 - Posts below indicate that Amazon price has tripled. When I was looking 4-6 weeks ago, HD listed these, but had no stock. All this may indicate supply issues.
At $329 price I likely would not recommend this saw, unless the savings over a bigger brand name was really important to you. Recall that this is a polymer saw body, plate, and adjusters - the only metal here is likely in the motor and wires... that may be better than cheap pot metal parts, but only time will tell.
End EDIT
EDIT 2 Jim posted below that there are 2 models, a 6.5" blade model that I purchased, and now a 7.25" blade model. The larger blade model is the $329 saw. The smaller blade saw is now difficult to find - not in stock at HD and Amazon does not list it (for me, today).
END EDIT 2
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