Dewalt track saw..

[Kyle]

Yes the moving image at the top of the website are tempting me..That looks as slick as the festool but I bet it is a tad less costly which make my wallet start moaning because money may soon leave it to buy one..

Anyone had experience with it yet?

 

[jerrye]

Did a bit of research today...it costs MORE than Festool, not LESS!:tinysmile_cry_t:

 

[ptt49er]

That's the same thoughts I was having Kyle.

Looks like Dewalt has put a lot of effort into promoting it. Did you check out their website on it?

 

[Outa Square]

The corded model starts at $500 and goes up depending on the rail length. the cordless model is well... more...

How does that compare to the festool?

i think one of the m-companies is coming out with one, maybe it's hitatchi...

either way i invited my whole family to watch the videos... everyone left me but the two year old... but she wants a pink one.:gar-Bi

 

[Kyle]

ouch more than festool?....the festool is a super rail saw..a buddy of mine has one and loves it.

 

[Tarhead]

Pretty good review/comparison here: http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=5400.0;topicseen

Some of the parts for the DW rail are interchangable w/Festool rails (like the T-square attachment which Festool needs). Looks like a solid system. The blades are not interchangeable (without modification on the Festool saw) but Tenyru is developing a new line of blades for the Festool saw and will be welcome...especially a standard kerf ripping blade. I like the smooth side with runners for doing horizontal cuts near the floor...think doing jamb cuts installing floor trim with very good dust collection!
Festool should be flattered and motivated to do even better.

 

[Bas]

ouch more than festool?

New products are always expensive when they come out. Those that just "have to have" it will pay the high price. It will probably drop a bit to be just under Festool, eventually. At least, that's my guess. Plus, DeWalt doesn't prevent dealers from offering discounts....

 

[Travis Porter]

I believe the DeWalt was made/used in Europe for a while.

Figures, I get a Festool and then DeWalt comes out with one.

 

[PeteQuad]

I don't like the idea of a saw you have to hold down to cut with.

 

[Tarhead]

I don't like the idea of a saw you have to hold down to cut with.

Why?

I like knowing the blade is safely tucked away when not engaged in the wood.

 

[Outa Square]

I like the idea of a track saw for breaking down sheet goods. I am seriously considering the purchase of a dewalt or the festool. One thing i am concerned about is the cost of blades. Now i have a few higher priced blades for my table saw and my circular saw. If i need one to cut a few things for something i'll only do a few times, i'll buy the cheapest i can fine, so what i'm saying is now i have a choice in manufacturers and ultimately cost. In looking last night, it looked as if the blades were just supplied by the manufacturer, hence you had to buy dewalt blades for the dewalt saw and festool blades for the festool saw. Now there are some folks that would say would you put ford pinto wheels on a Mercedes and my answer would be yes if it was a one time thing or a once in a blue moon... and if no one was around to see.:embaresse

what the thoughts on long term operating cost? i.e. blades and accessories.

 

[scsmith42]

I don't know about the Dewalt, but I owned the Festool saw and track (before it melted in the fire), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I intend to replace it with the same model as soon as my shop is dried in.

The quality of the cut clearly was in the same league as a table saw, and the system was easy to use.

I had the smaller model, for my needs the reduced bulk was desireable.

If the Dewalt is anywhere near as good, it will be a winner.

Scott

 

[nelsone]

Here is a review that was done on the FWW site. I didn't really pay too much attention since both are out of my price range!:sad11:It looks pretty detailed though!

 

[Tarhead]

They're taking over:
http://www.virutex.es/producto.asp?idioma=eng

http://www.5gutegruende.com/

http://www.makita.co.jp/global/product/category/sawing/sp6000/sp6000.html

 

[PeteQuad]

The reason I don't like the plunging saw is that you have less reach, and there is the possibility of it unplunging or changing height during cut which could cause kickback. Rails good, plunging bad, in my opinion.

 

[Tarhead]

I have a set of cheap blades on a rebuilt Hitachi circular saw for dealing with PT lumber and general construction duties. Okay to drop it, bang it, get paint/liquid nails/blood/etc on it, hit a nail, drop a ladder on it, etc. Together they cost less than one Festool blade. On woodworking projects needing a near perfect edge I use the Festool saw/combo blade for most of my crosscutting and sheetgoods cut out.

As I mentioned earlier...there are options to the Festool or DW or Makita or Mafell or Virtuex OEM blades. Tenyru has them now: http://www.prosawblades.com/products.php?cat=33

 

[Travis Porter]

If you are going to get a DeWalt or Festool to break down sheet goods you are going to want a good blade in it. You may just put a dull blade in for rough work, but for good stuff like hardwood plywood you are going to need a good blade to get a good clean cut IMO.

 

[zapdafish]

http://www.eemersontool.com/Accessories.html

wonder how it compare to the all-in-one clamp with the saw plate. I don't know about backing up with this but it seems to be a real fancy version of this.

I've got a circ saw and picked up the 4pack of clamps awhile back when rockler had them onsale. I just haven't gotten around to getting a saw plate or router plate yet.

also curious as to how loud it is, my circular saw is a pretty cheap model and screams like crazy whenever i use it, hehe.

 

[Tarhead]

Pete-different strokes (or saw/saw guides:gar-Bi) I guess.

Personally, I've used the heck out of my plunge saw for the last 3 years both on and off a Multi-Function Table (like you do for a tablesaw replacement) and know lots of others here, in Europe and Aus/NZ with many more years than me. I've never had any of those problems nor have I heard anyone else having those problems in real everyday use. The safety features of these saws outweigh the potential negative for needing to press down for me. An unguarded, spinning saw blade without a riving knife is a danger I don't have to deal with in the shop.

Looks to me like the market is expanding to include plunge saws. They're not just an elite, one-off item anymore. Competition will drive the price down. Conventional circular saws will always have a place. I have both types...one for rough work and one for fine work.

 

[CarvedTones]

I have a PC circular saw that can plunge cut (it is a documented operation, not just me playing with the depth as a work around) and a Tool Trolley rail system. Each of those cost over $100 (I think; I may have paid less), so I am not quite as miserly on my cheap option as I have been on other things. The PC saw will also connect to a vacuum, but it is not as effective at getting the dust as a sealed system. It gets more than you would think though.

That's a photo I had lying around of it not on the rail.

Anyway, it is very accurate and at one time it was my plan to use it instead of the TS. But it is more trouble to get it set up, especially for repetitive cuts. I am not at all sorry I have it though.

I am not saying this is as good as the Festool or DeWalt. With a standard shop vac attached it's about as loud as 10 Festools. But it is a reasonable option.

I also have the rail mount for my router. I used that a lot more than I do the rail mount for the saw.