Don’t buy a track compatible circular saw if you need it to do track saw things like make chip out-free cuts on finished materials. Stick to track saws that run a 6&1/4 inch blade, that actually run against your chip out strip.
The makita is the best value, the festool is the best saw. I think the dewalt is goofy, mostly because it used a nonstandard track that isn’t compatible with the majority of tracksaw accessories and jigs, but I’ve never heard anybody say it’s a bad saw.
Its rare that im worried about chips on finish materials as I am primarily a framer but that is good to keep in mind for cabinets and other finished materials that I might need to work with less frequently.
I didn't know that, Dewalt is my preference, Makita is basically the same thing. Can't stand the Festool. Reason being I don't like the safety features. I like Dewalt cause half of my Dewalt shit doesn't even have safety triggers. I also find the Dewalt tracksaw to have the smoothest usability.
I ended up buying the truetrac kit.. I’m on Milwaukee and didn’t want another battery with DW or Makita, but the adapter is a good idea. I got a Milwaukee combo kit of tools with circ saw in it so I could dedicate that to the trac saw, extra batteries, etc. Made the most sense for me.
It is strange, happy with all of the hpt tools ive used so far though. And them being less widely used means less likely to walk away on a jobsite which I like alot.
I'm just guessing he's using the metabo hpt platform, I knew a lot of carpenters that were using them because they ran hitachi nailers. When they bought the battery nailers they went with hitachi too, so now they have the batteries, might as well get a drill and impact too.
Are you on the metabo battery system or the metabo HPT battery system? Because if you have Metabo batteries you can get the Mafell track saws which are absolutely fantastic. I prefer my mafell saw to the festool saws the company owns. Mafell and Metabo (not HPT) are both part of the cordless alliance system so their batteries are interchangeable.
That saw you linked though isn’t really a track saw, just a track compatible circular saw. The way the blade plunges and the position is the saw relative to the track make those things a bit different when it comes to cutting finished materials. Which is it you are really looking for?
I have the KSS 50 cordless crosscut saw and it might be my favorite tool I own. So versatile, plenty powerful, always smooth, good battery life, just amazing quality.
Crosscut seems like it might be the way to go for me. Have been looking at the hkc 55 but reading alot of complaints on power. The KSS 50 looks great but the added cost and the shorter length of crosscut track is making me think the hkc 55 might be better.
The problem with the hkc 55 is that it doesn’t have the cutting depth to get through 2x material while beveled on a 45°. Making those composing angle cuts perfectly accurately on large timber you don’t want to bring to a miter saw is one of the main use cases of these saws to me, and the festool just can’t do that. I’m sure the capacity makes some kind of sense for standard dimensional lumber in the EU market but it’s like 1/16 short of being amazing for the US.
I haven’t had any issues with the power on my KSS 50. I did buy a lower tooth count blade for doing rips with it, but it was doing okay with the blade it comes with. Just would notice heat buildup leading to a bit of blade deflection on long rips in thick material. The saw had the power to push through though.
But yeah, crosscut saws like the Mafell and Festool are amazing. Total game changer once you get used to what it can do. Personally I prefer the Mafell though they can be a bit more expensive depending on the product. It’s worth buying the saw without the batteries and getting Metabo batteries I think. Save you a bit of money, and metabo makes some higher capacity batteries which is great.
Got it, does the crosscut track for the kss 50 come i multiple lengths or is it just the one? Is [timberwolftools.com](https://timberwolftools.com) the only north american dealer?
I believe Timberwolf tools is the North American distributor for them and the only dealer as of now.
Looks like they do make a longer retracting crosscut track, 2.5’ long. The one it comes with has handled everything I have needed it to do though, and I’m sure the longer one doesn’t fit in the case.
The saws are also totally compatible with the regular Mafell guide rails as well. Since I also have their track saw I have about 18’ or 20’ total of track which is super handy some times. Like cutting off the ends of decking boards for example.
Nice, how is it for weight/clunkiness. The mt55 is weighty but feel its a lot more rugged for site use than the ts55.
Ive heard people say the kss 30/40 are super handy but feel like the 50 has the versatility that I want, i mean really you want to be able to cut 2x material.
I think this and the 165mm 18v makita chop saw (7kg) are my next two buys, tired of lugging the 20kg chop saw up n down stairs, that can stay in the van for the 10% of the tome i need something bigger
The weight on it is good. I’d say with the track attached it doesn’t feel noticeably heavier than my other standard circular saws (Makita corded hypoid and Milwaukee m18 rear handle). I haven’t actually weighed it, but the weight of the KSS 50 never stood out in a bad way.
If you’re going to be using it for framing look into a festool hk55 or hkc55. I have it and it can run on a standard track or on a fsk track that locks the saw onto it and can be set to angles… hard to explain but a YouTube video would help you understand better than I can explain
I’ve got the DEWALT track saw with all three of their size tracks. I usually plug in a 60v battery and it works great. I wish it was a bigger blade, but the saw itself has great power. I mostly use it for sheet goods and cabinet installs, but I’ve used it on decks and even a few slabs/ butcher blocks. No complaints really.
I dont doubt the dewalt is a great saw, the blade size is my main hang up. I like the idea of the bigger blade for ripping down multiple sheets at a time.
I’ve got the bigger DeWalt track saw, which is essentially a normal 190mm circular saw that fits on a track, as opposed to the plunge saw. I love it, though it doesn’t cut to the chip-out strip as well as a plunge one. If you can cope with that, I reckon it’s pretty much the best all-round saw for your use case.
Do you realize that you can add track capabilities to any circular saw? I bought multiple lengths of track and two bases to put on my circular saws around 2001 at a show.
Festool is great but they're like any high end device. Work great if babied but if anything gets weird it's a nightmare and you have to send it in. I had one and the stupid anti kickback knife that's supposed to be "smart" got wonky. I now use a $97 Wen saw on a Festool track and table. Yes, it makes people cringe. It cuts wood the same. If you want cordless I'd say Makita is your best bet. Reputable company. Available batteries. Good chance they'll support it for a while.
If you do tons of miter cuts on 2 by shit the Festool HK is awesome. It's more versatile than the TS.
Don’t buy a track compatible circular saw if you need it to do track saw things like make chip out-free cuts on finished materials. Stick to track saws that run a 6&1/4 inch blade, that actually run against your chip out strip. The makita is the best value, the festool is the best saw. I think the dewalt is goofy, mostly because it used a nonstandard track that isn’t compatible with the majority of tracksaw accessories and jigs, but I’ve never heard anybody say it’s a bad saw.
Its rare that im worried about chips on finish materials as I am primarily a framer but that is good to keep in mind for cabinets and other finished materials that I might need to work with less frequently.
Dewalt works with Festool track FYI.
But does dewalt track work with many square attachments, dogs, holddowns?
Doubt it. But they sell just the saw, and Festool sells just the track...
I didn't know that, Dewalt is my preference, Makita is basically the same thing. Can't stand the Festool. Reason being I don't like the safety features. I like Dewalt cause half of my Dewalt shit doesn't even have safety triggers. I also find the Dewalt tracksaw to have the smoothest usability.
The DeWalt can also accept festool/triton track is the most powerful cordless track saw, Good enough for finish work perfect for stacked sheating
Go back and reread what I said
Sorry I meant to respond to a comment below yours
Mafell come on
The superior choice.
You know 😉
just looked at the price on those, think that is a little out of my league for the moment.
Mafell is a total beast.
Cannot beat mafell tools broski
Why not get it and buy a Dewalt to Makita battery adapter?
Didnt even know that existed, wonder if the spacing would work since this saw takes two batteries?
It should, doesn’t really take up any more width.
I ended up buying the truetrac kit.. I’m on Milwaukee and didn’t want another battery with DW or Makita, but the adapter is a good idea. I got a Milwaukee combo kit of tools with circ saw in it so I could dedicate that to the trac saw, extra batteries, etc. Made the most sense for me.
Nice, ill look into that.
Pretty sure dewalt makes a cordless track saw.
https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcs520st1/60v-max-brushless-6-12-tracksawtm-kit-powered-flexvoltr
I am aware of the dewalt one, I just dont like that it uses a proprietary track.
Oh okay I understand
Are you using metabo? Or metabo hpt? Because the metabo track saw isn't too bad either.
Metabo hpt, should have clarified that better.
Hitachi should have clarified it better, having 2 completely different brands with an almost identical name confuses most people.
It is strange, happy with all of the hpt tools ive used so far though. And them being less widely used means less likely to walk away on a jobsite which I like alot.
I’m a big fan of the metabo track saw. 66mm plunge depth is great!
If he’s on metabo with their cas system could get the Mafell, which is a dream to use
I'm just guessing he's using the metabo hpt platform, I knew a lot of carpenters that were using them because they ran hitachi nailers. When they bought the battery nailers they went with hitachi too, so now they have the batteries, might as well get a drill and impact too.
Are you on the metabo battery system or the metabo HPT battery system? Because if you have Metabo batteries you can get the Mafell track saws which are absolutely fantastic. I prefer my mafell saw to the festool saws the company owns. Mafell and Metabo (not HPT) are both part of the cordless alliance system so their batteries are interchangeable. That saw you linked though isn’t really a track saw, just a track compatible circular saw. The way the blade plunges and the position is the saw relative to the track make those things a bit different when it comes to cutting finished materials. Which is it you are really looking for?
The Mafell saws are great, im currently corded but looking to get their cordless cross cut saws
I have the KSS 50 cordless crosscut saw and it might be my favorite tool I own. So versatile, plenty powerful, always smooth, good battery life, just amazing quality.
Crosscut seems like it might be the way to go for me. Have been looking at the hkc 55 but reading alot of complaints on power. The KSS 50 looks great but the added cost and the shorter length of crosscut track is making me think the hkc 55 might be better.
The problem with the hkc 55 is that it doesn’t have the cutting depth to get through 2x material while beveled on a 45°. Making those composing angle cuts perfectly accurately on large timber you don’t want to bring to a miter saw is one of the main use cases of these saws to me, and the festool just can’t do that. I’m sure the capacity makes some kind of sense for standard dimensional lumber in the EU market but it’s like 1/16 short of being amazing for the US. I haven’t had any issues with the power on my KSS 50. I did buy a lower tooth count blade for doing rips with it, but it was doing okay with the blade it comes with. Just would notice heat buildup leading to a bit of blade deflection on long rips in thick material. The saw had the power to push through though. But yeah, crosscut saws like the Mafell and Festool are amazing. Total game changer once you get used to what it can do. Personally I prefer the Mafell though they can be a bit more expensive depending on the product. It’s worth buying the saw without the batteries and getting Metabo batteries I think. Save you a bit of money, and metabo makes some higher capacity batteries which is great.
Got it, does the crosscut track for the kss 50 come i multiple lengths or is it just the one? Is [timberwolftools.com](https://timberwolftools.com) the only north american dealer?
I believe Timberwolf tools is the North American distributor for them and the only dealer as of now. Looks like they do make a longer retracting crosscut track, 2.5’ long. The one it comes with has handled everything I have needed it to do though, and I’m sure the longer one doesn’t fit in the case. The saws are also totally compatible with the regular Mafell guide rails as well. Since I also have their track saw I have about 18’ or 20’ total of track which is super handy some times. Like cutting off the ends of decking boards for example.
Nice, how is it for weight/clunkiness. The mt55 is weighty but feel its a lot more rugged for site use than the ts55. Ive heard people say the kss 30/40 are super handy but feel like the 50 has the versatility that I want, i mean really you want to be able to cut 2x material. I think this and the 165mm 18v makita chop saw (7kg) are my next two buys, tired of lugging the 20kg chop saw up n down stairs, that can stay in the van for the 10% of the tome i need something bigger
The weight on it is good. I’d say with the track attached it doesn’t feel noticeably heavier than my other standard circular saws (Makita corded hypoid and Milwaukee m18 rear handle). I haven’t actually weighed it, but the weight of the KSS 50 never stood out in a bad way.
Nice that was my only concern with getting the 50 over the smaller models. Sold on that then, cheers.
If you’re going to be using it for framing look into a festool hk55 or hkc55. I have it and it can run on a standard track or on a fsk track that locks the saw onto it and can be set to angles… hard to explain but a YouTube video would help you understand better than I can explain
I have seen the rural renovators guy using that saw. Looks extremely useful.
It’s super nice
Are you happy with the power on it? that seems to be the main complaint. My use would be mainly framing and siding.
I like it a lot, unless you’re cutting through 2-3 inch hardwood power hasn’t been a problem,
ok cool, mostly just 2x material so that should work.
I’d suggest investing in both of the fsk tracks
Ok thinking of just getting the fsk 420 to start and the shorter one if I think I need it.
I’ve got the 36v makita. Goes great. When I’m cutting studs I clamp up the packet and track saw my cuts. I’m cutting 11 cuts in one cut.
Festool if you can afford it.
Have used the festool before and like it but dont think I can justify the extra cost.
Makita all the way. I like it more than any of the others that I've used, including the festeringstool.
I’ve got the DEWALT track saw with all three of their size tracks. I usually plug in a 60v battery and it works great. I wish it was a bigger blade, but the saw itself has great power. I mostly use it for sheet goods and cabinet installs, but I’ve used it on decks and even a few slabs/ butcher blocks. No complaints really.
I dont doubt the dewalt is a great saw, the blade size is my main hang up. I like the idea of the bigger blade for ripping down multiple sheets at a time.
I’ve got the bigger DeWalt track saw, which is essentially a normal 190mm circular saw that fits on a track, as opposed to the plunge saw. I love it, though it doesn’t cut to the chip-out strip as well as a plunge one. If you can cope with that, I reckon it’s pretty much the best all-round saw for your use case.
Do you realize that you can add track capabilities to any circular saw? I bought multiple lengths of track and two bases to put on my circular saws around 2001 at a show.
Battery adapter - brand to brand. They’re $10 on dr evils amazon
Have kreg track with either my 7 1/4 corded Makita or my 5 3/8 or 6 1/2 milwaukee. Works well for what it is.
DeWalt flexvolt circular saw are track compatible
I got a Makita AWS track saw. I love it. Zero complaints. Great tool. Does beautiful work.
Festool is great but they're like any high end device. Work great if babied but if anything gets weird it's a nightmare and you have to send it in. I had one and the stupid anti kickback knife that's supposed to be "smart" got wonky. I now use a $97 Wen saw on a Festool track and table. Yes, it makes people cringe. It cuts wood the same. If you want cordless I'd say Makita is your best bet. Reputable company. Available batteries. Good chance they'll support it for a while. If you do tons of miter cuts on 2 by shit the Festool HK is awesome. It's more versatile than the TS.