The Best Track Saw For the Home Workshop

By Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond Home Decor Contributor

Candace Osmond is a #1 International & USA TODAY Bestselling Author and Award-Winning blogger and screenwriter. She spends her free time testing and reviewing top quality products for Homedit while she resides on the rocky East Coast of Canada with her husband, two kids, and slobbery bulldog.

Learn more about Homedit's Editorial Process

| Published on Mar 4, 2021

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Kreg ACS2000 Adaptive Cutting System Saw + Guide Track Kit

TACKLIFE Circular Saw

Bosch Tools Track Saw

DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw

Makita SP6000J1 6-1 2 Inch Plunge Circular Saw Kit

Best track saw

The Best Track Saw For the Home Workshop

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Track saws are a wonderful tool for cutting into a wide variety of materials, provided that they are not too thick. Choosing a track saw that’s suitable for your needs might turn out to be a confusing process.

In an attempt to aid you, we’ve put together a comprehensive shopping guide that will teach you a little bit more about this power tool, and a list of the best track saws that money can buy.

How to Choose

If you’re looking to purchase a track saw, the following list will teach you what are the most important features to look out for, making sure that every penny is well-spent and invested in a product that you’re actually going to benefit from.

• The size of the blade is important because it helps determine the thickness of the material that it will be able to cut. You will notice that most track saws come with 6 ½-inch blades that can cut materials up to two inches in thickness. If you opt for a track saw with a larger blade, you can cut materials that are around 2 ¾ inches thick. Miniature track saws are equipped with 4 ½-inch blades and they can cut materials that are around one inch in thickness.
• As you’re browsing through different types of track saws, you will notice that some have adjustable bevels. This makes the track saw more versatile and flexible. Generally speaking, a track saw is mostly responsible for making 90-degree square cuts, but bevels might be required in certain situations, especially if you’re looking to build furniture and need a track saw to help you out.
• The power of the motor is also a relevant factor in your purchasing decision. Corded track saws usually have more power because they are always connected to a source of electricity. However, it’s not that easy to explain the power of a track saw in terms that everyone can understand or find relevant in any way. All that talk about amperages is usually something that manufacturers turn to in an attempt to impress shoppers with the high-power of their products. For cordless saws, things are a little easier because you can judge the power based on the voltage of the battery. A 20V battery will always be more powerful compared to an 18V one.
• When it comes to the available track saw types, it all boils down to two major options: corded or cordless models. This is one of the greatest debates around track saws, and one that can’t easily be settled by picking an absolute winner. Corded saws tend to be more powerful and they offer the possibility of continuously working since you never have to worry about the battery running out of power. This is even more important when you have to perform tough cuts, as it would set you a little off track having to wait for the battery to charge because it died out in the middle of the cut. Cordless models also have their advantages, especially because there is no actual cord that can get in your way while you’re working. Stopping to adjust the cord can become a real nuisance at some point, and you might notice unsightly marks if you do so.
• The track length is yet one more decisive factor to look into. This might be a little difficult to explain for people with no experience in what the components of a track saw do, so let’s try to simplify the explanation. If you want to cut a plywood sheet, you don’t need a 4-foot track because you’re going to have to reset it halfway. Whenever you have to reset the track, you will add a certain degree of error to your cut, ending up with a surface that’s not cut as straight as you had hoped, and that makes a track saw pretty useless. The right length depends on what you’re going to use the track saw for. Having a 2-, 4-, and 8-foot track is great for workshops, while on-site work benefits from modular tracks.
• If you opt for a corded track saw, you also want to take a look into the length of the cord. This can severely impact its usability, regardless of whether or not you’re using an extension cord to supply it with power. It is not uncommon for carpenters to choose to replace the given cords with ones that measure up to 25 feet in length, but remember that you might have to manipulate long tracks, and that’s when the length of the cord becomes truly important.
• Lastly, consider the safety features that a track saw is equipped with. One of main differences between a track saw and a circular saw is the fact that track saws have bases that ride along a track. It is that same design that usually makes track saws safer to use when compared to circular saws. Saws that come with cam locks are useful in situations where the saw kicks back.

Pros & Cons of Track Saws

Next up, we’re going to take a look into the advantages and drawbacks that a track saw can provide, so that you can determine whether or not this product hits your sweet spot:

Pro: It’s easy to use. Designed with a track metal attached to it, this particular type of saw requires putting that metal track on the surface that you want to start cutting and make the cut. That’s it.

Pro: It helps make accurate cuts. This is something that you can’t achieve with a circular saw, for instance. A track saw is designed to eliminate multiple steps that are normally needed to make a cut, and simplifies the process considerably.

Con: Don’t work with thin surfaces. In other words, a track saw will be most efficient when the surface you’re trying to but is stiff.

Pro: It can cut large boards. If you were to try and use a circular saw with a large board, you will notice that it’s difficult to keep it straight to make an accurate cut. A track saw allows you to cut even large boards at a high level of accuracy, as the saw remains stable throughout the entire cutting process.

Con: The cutting surface needs to be flat. If you’re trying to use a track saw to cut a surface that isn’t flat and shows lots of irregularities, you will notice that making precise cuts won’t be that easy.

The Best Track Saws

Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2 Inch Plunge Circular Saw Kit

Designed to be a saw with a guard rail, the Makita SP6000J1 is a kit that functions based on a 12-amp motor that promises to perform really well on a wide variety of materials that you might attempt to cut. It is equipped with a variable speed control dial that will help you adjust the speed to better suit the cut that you’re trying to make. This model comes with a bevel capability of -1° to 48° and makes positive stops at 22.5° and 45°.

It is a saw that delivers great accuracy in terms of cutting precision, and offers versatility in a tool that has close-to-wall cutting (11/16-inch). The cord measures 7.9 feet in length, which could be enough for workshop projects. When you purchase this kit, you are going to receive the saw, together with a tool case, a 55-inch guard rail, a hex wrench, and a 6-1/2″ 48T carbide-tipped saw blade.

DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw

Thanks to its zero-clearance cutting system, this DEWALT saw is another product that promises to deliver straight and clean cuts with not that much effort on your behalf. It operates whilst drawing power from a 20V battery, so there are no cords that can get in the way of your operation, allowing greater flexibility in terms of where the saw can be used. It has an anti-kickback mechanism that works continuously to make sure that you are never set off track while performing all sorts of cuts.

It is designed with a brushless motor that can cut through hardwood pieces that are up to 2 ⅛ inches thick, thus increasing the application and making sure that you can work on various types of project even if you’re limited by the battery life of a cordless saw. The kit includes the track saw, a compatible battery, a blade, a wrench for switching blades, and the kit box.

Bosch Tools Track Saw

Bosch is no stranger to making high-quality power tools, and this saw right here is an example that shows you the brand rarely fails in their attempt to make good products. This track saw with plunge action promises an easy setup and the ability to cut through all kinds of wood boards. It has a plunge mechanism that’s there to make sure your cuts are clean and at the proper depth each time the saw is being used.

The single bevel pivot point allows the track to maintain its position regardless of the type of cut you’re trying to make. It has an overload protection system that will prevent the motor from overheating and thus preserving it in the long run. It comes with an efficient system that helps extract dust, allowing you to connect a vacuum cleaner for a healthier working environment.

TACKLIFE Circular Saw

There are a lot of different features that caught our attention when we came across this Tacklife saw. It is designed with a metal handle that reduces fatigue in situations where you have to work using a single hand. The clamping force of this saw also makes it easy to use it because it offers greater stability. The laser guide is a really useful feature that will guide your cuts to make them straight and on point.

The pack delivers a series of six blades that will help you make wood cuts, metal cuts, and even tile cuts with great accuracy and a strength delivered by the 5.8-amp copper motor. Allowing in-depth cuts, this saw allows you optimize the left-sided blade so that you can get a clear view of whatever surface you’re trying to cut. The ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold the saw as you’re cutting.

Kreg ACS2000 Adaptive Cutting System Saw + Guide Track Kit

Our last suggestion for today is a track saw that comes with a guide track kit and that helps you make clean cuts even if you’ve literally never held one of these products in your hand before. It is useful for cutting plywood, but also works with other types of sheets. It is an excellent product for beginners, and there are plenty of customers that can stand by this statement. Its accuracy and ease of operation make this product suitable for just about anyone looking for a track saw that’s easy to use.

It has a 12-amp motor and a guide track made from anodized aluminum. The box is very generous as well, including a 48-tooth carbide-tipped blade, a dust-collection bad, a 62-inch guide track, a cord manager, and even a cool carrying bag.

FAQ

What is a track saw good for?

A track saw has many different uses. It is mostly used to cut different types of wood at a variety of different angles. It is a tool that’s commonly found in woodworking, as it helps slice down a variety of wood types into smaller sections. It is a tool that offers mobility and is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it.

Is a track saw worth the money?

If you tend to work with wood on a regular basis, a track saw in an invaluable tool.

What is the difference between a circular saw and a track saw?

A circular saw is a tool that offers a lot of portability and occupies very little space, but it sacrifices accuracy in the process. If you’re interested in a tool that cuts wood surfaces with higher accuracy and is also a lot safer to use, a track saw is your best bet.

Which track saw is best?

The one that meets your needs. You might notice that we always avoid picking an absolute best product because our years as reviewers have taught us that shoppers are different from one another, which means that their needs also are different. When it comes to track saws, some people might prefer corded models, while others see cordless units as being better. It all comes down to what you need to do with a track saw and that will help determine what features are needed in a product for you to consider it as the “best”.

Bottom Line

If you’re out there looking to buy a track saw, understanding the features of such a product is really important before actually investing your money. Keep in mind that some track saws work for certain situations, such as home or workshop projects, while others are more suitable for contractors. Consider what it is you’re going to need a track saw for and start determining what features are important for you.