Working with wood can be incredibly rewarding; however, if you’re not using the right tools it can quickly become challenging. One of the most important tools to have in your arsenal is a track saw.
Not only does it help ensure accuracy when making straight cuts and curves, but it also increases safety as it helps reduce splintering and blowouts.
As a result, there’s no doubt that investing in a top-quality track saw is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone serious about working with wood or other materials.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the most important considerations to keep in mind while shopping for a track saw, as well as provide a list of some of the most highly regarded models currently available and our expert opinions on them.
So let’s dive in!
Top 9 Best Track Saw Models To Buy (Our Picks)
If you’re planning to get a track saw, then here are some of our favorite track saw models to consider:
1. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2″ Track Saw Kit
The Makita SP6000J1 packs a lot of punch in a sleek package. It has a 12-amp motor that makes short work of hardwood, flooring, and just about anything else, making it the best in its class.
The electronic speed regulation keeps the blade moving at a steady rate regardless of the load or the difficulty of the material being cut.
You may adjust the cutting power to suit the task at hand and the material you’re working with by using the variable speed dial, which allows for speeds between 2,000 and 2,500 RPM.
This magnesium-bodied track saw from Makita, widely regarded as one of the best on the market, features a rail guide system made of anodized aluminum that is both sturdy and easy to modify.
In addition, there is a 3mm scoring setting for accurate sawing of guides and shallow tracks, as well as a bevel setting with 22.5-degree and 45-degree, presets and the option to bevel cuts between -1 and 48 degrees.
The Makita 62-centimeter track saw boasts a rubberized handle that is both sturdy and comfortable enough for extended usage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong 12A motor | Moderately costly |
| Settings for varying speeds | |
| Featuring a cozy rubber grip |
2. DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch Track Saw Kit
DeWalt is the most well-known brand in the industry. The company’s 6-and-a-half-inch track saw is the latest addition to its line of high-quality power equipment.
The motor can reach speeds of up to 4,000 RPM and draws 12 amps. You can cut close to the edge and in confined spaces because of the blade guard’s low profile.
At a 90-degree angle, it has a cutting depth of 2.1/8 inches, and at 45 degrees, it has a cutting depth of 1.5/8 inches. Even better, you can use the depth scale to keep an eye on your progress and maintain uniformity as you cut.
The rail may be mounted on either the left or right side of the blade, allowing you to cut from both sides without shifting your workpiece.
With its four glide strips, the saw will move smoothly as you cut. The 6.2-inch track saw is a high-end model, and the kit’s main body is sturdy and well-made, but the plastic parts and extras are flimsier and more prone to breaking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly effective 12A motor | Pricey |
| Slip-resistant strips ensure a comfortable ride | Physically Weak |
| Protective shield for preventing kickback | |
| With double incisions |
3. Festool TS 55 REQ Circular Track Saw
When compared to its bigger brother, the Festool TS 75, the TS 55 is much more compact. With its unique blade design, even the toughest cuts may be made without the risk of kickback.
The blades are spring-loaded, so they won’t pinch while you cut. The rail is compatible with many other Festool products, including the circular saw, and is 55 inches in length, allowing for cuts of up to 49 inches.
Not as sharp as the TS 75, but still a professional model thanks to its high price tag. Although it is overkill for the average user, pros may find that it lacks the necessary strength and cut because of this.
In spite of these flaws, this track saw is of excellent quality. The fact that it is rail compatible makes it a good choice if you have already invested in the Festool brand and have a workshop full of other Festool tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blades with springs built into them reduce kickback | Expensive |
| A 55-inch-tall safety fence for use on deep cuts | Insufficient power compared to the TS 75 |
| Safety rail works with other Festool products | This does not come with any clamps |
4. Festool TS 75 EQ Plunge Cut Track Saw
Festool saws are widely regarded as the most potent plunge-cut saws in the world. There will be no burn market or swirls when using this type to cut through thick fabrics.
It’s not just a circular saw replacement; it also guarantees clean, splinter-free cuts. With its small size and lightweight, this model is ideal for travel. An enclosed dust-collecting system further guarantees post-process cleanliness.
The Festool track saw comes equipped with a guide rail, allowing you to make precise cuts every time. By doing so, you can determine exactly where the cuts will be made.
It can be trimmed to 2 inches and 1 eighth at a 45-degree angle, or 2 3/4 inches and a quarter at a right angle. Especially when trying to produce precise bevel cuts, this is of paramount importance.
The guide rail allows you to keep the tool above the cut line at all times. The rubber lip carved in the rail also helps prevent splintering. Clamping the guide rail won’t be necessary as often if it always remains in the same spot.
The additional connections can be used to join the join rail sections, allowing you to continue working with even larger amounts of material. Additionally, there are no sharp edges or splinters to worry about when cutting.
A perfect blade with 32 teeth and 8 1/4-inch carbide tips may be found on this 13.6-pound tool. As a result, it can handle speeds from 1,350 to 3,550 revolutions per minute (RPM).
In addition, the FastFix technology, which facilitates swapping the blades, makes this instrument more user-friendly and secure than competing versions.
During operation, the power switch and arbor are locked together to prevent accidental disconnection.
The blade has a detachable splinter guard on both sides, allowing for clean cuts without the risk of splinters. While the knife is making a clean cut, you’re safe from stray threads of fabric.
Avoiding splinters in this way is beneficial for the cleanliness of your work areas and the health of your fingertips. If you do this, you won’t have to spend a lot of time sanding or filing down the rough edges of your cuts.
Using the riving knife adds an extra layer of security to any cutting task. Whenever a plunge cut is performed, this component is retracted back into its housing.
To further make sure the material is not damaging the blades, the kerf created by the cut is further opened. By so doing, you may keep an eye on everything without worrying about receiving bribes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Superior Quality | Expensive |
| Exceptional 13A motor power | Excessive for the typical user’s requirements |
| Anti-kickback |
5. SHOP FOX W1835 Track Saw
If you’re looking for a track saw that won’t break the bank, go no further than the SHOP FOX W1835. While its 9-amp, 120-volt engine isn’t as powerful as that of the 12-amp Makita, it does make the SHOP FOX a more wallet-friendly and portable option than some of the more powerful but heavier models.
It makes effective use of the power available to it, reaching a maximum speed of 5,500 RPM (revolutions per minute) when under no load, and at just 11 pounds, it’s surprisingly light and easy to move around.
It has a 45-degree and a 90-degree cutting capability. You can avoid constantly cleaning up sawdust by plugging it into the dust port and connecting it to a workshop dust collection system.
You may take this one up with the complete assurance that you won’t hurt yourself, as it contains an anti-kickback mechanism designed to avoid just that.
One of my favorite portable solutions, Shop Fox is packed with many features. As a stepping stone to a more expensive plunge circular saw, it is ideal for amateurs.
The move from gardening to carpentry was a major life change for me. Therefore, I bought this inexpensive but quite effective track saw as a first step. A 9-amp motor provides power, which is typical for circular saws of this size.
To begin with, I would advise caution, especially when cutting thicker pieces of cloth. When making regular plywood cuts, the saw is incredibly effective.
The Shop Fox model’s maximum blade diameter, strong motor, enclosed dust port, and variable rip capacity are just a few of its many great qualities.
The blade on the saws sold by Fox Shop is 6.29 inches in length, which is significantly longer than the blades on most other saws on the market. The 0.78-inch arbor on this model is likewise larger than the standard.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less expensive than the majority of competing models | Lacking strength |
| Dust exhaust for a more hygienic environment | Heavy |
| Maintains 5,500 RPM |
6. WEN CT1065 10-Amp 6.5-Inch Plunge Cut Sidewinder
This track saw won’t cost you a fortune. The tool’s value engineering has made it so cheap that it’s useless.
The depth may be set to between 14 inches and 5/8 inches, and it also has a complete depth stop. The standard depths for ripping and crosscutting decking are not any of them, but rather 1 inch for dismantling plywood and 114 inches.
Those materials can be cut with the Wen, and they will be sliced, but the substrate will also be hacked away.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost can’t be ignored | Implacable in the workplace |
| Acceptable level of cut depth | Depth limits are too shallow for 3/4-inch plywood or 1-inch decking |
7. Worx WX530L ExacTrack 20V 6-1/2″ – Circular Saw System
The ExacTrack flush-cut technology has further solidified its superiority. With the ExacTrack flush-cut feature engaged, the saw is always a sled, even when the tool is locked.
Once released, it gives the saw a perfect edge for going around the edge of the guideboard. For even more precision in your cuts, the ExacTrack allows you to clamp up to 1″ above the guide.
By deducting the saw guard’s width from the overall dimensions, less time is spent measuring. Before you set up the guide and make the final cut, you should do this. In comparison to a table saw, this function is fast and accurate.
In the abstract, the ExacTrack model may appear to be the pinnacle of cordless circular saws. However, under the base, two crucial pieces are separated.
A huge center section results, functioning as the base, while the other section is set to the right of the blade at a somewhat higher angle. When making cuts, it also rises so that the saw blade is close to the straight edge.
This convenient addition eliminates the need to calculate the gap between the base and the surface before fastening straight edges for precise cuts. To continue, draw a line on top of the guide using the straight edge as a mark.
Next, position the saw above the board and put it next to the board guide, then raise the ExacTrack section of the base. To ensure a flush cut with the guide, the equipment can sight over the raised piece of the base to align the blades with the cut line.
This is a welcome improvement; previously, I had to clamp the cutting guide multiple times before making straight cuts with the circular saws. However, with the ExacTrack, this process is simplified significantly.
These days, if I need a straight, precise cut, I get out the table saw. However, if you don’t have a table saw in your garage, a circular saw with straight guides clamped on can do the trick.
The circular saw’s built-in rip fences are another time-saving feature thanks to ExacTrack. Keep in mind that if the edge of the guide board is not straight, they won’t be able to make cuts in a straight line. This is the method I favor when reducing the width of a straight edge.
In order to operate with wider widths, the saw’s rip fence can be used to create a clamped straight edge. As a result, the saw ends up becoming an indispensable tool. This seemingly insignificant improvement is in fact one of the few factors that make this saw useful in a wide variety of contexts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The capacity to cut through tough materials | The blade is quite little |
| Skillful use of angles | Reduces low accuracy |
| The edge may be moved and adjusted as a guide | |
| Easily transportable and not very heavy |
8. Evolution R185CCSX 7-1/4″ Circular Track Saw Kit
The Evolution saw is a novel addition to the tool class. It’s great for resizing a hollow core door and other similar construction tasks thanks to its track-mounted design, but make no mistake: this is a circular saw first and foremost.
Its 40-inch, screw-together track is compatible with its shoe also known as a base or plate. That it virtually never produced a clean cut in anything else is thus not a drawback.
Even though it can be used to make a straight cut in finish stock on occasion, this tool shines when used for other tasks, such as sizing metal roofing or cutting square tube steel, PVC pipe, or plastic roofing.
This is not a delicate jigsaw; it’s a full-on circ saw. It does not plunge, and the safety mechanism must be elevated in order to make contact with the cutting track and material. But it serves the job for which it was intended.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| a substantial amount of power | Difficult in assembly |
| The blade’s 7 1/4-inch length allows for a maximum 2 1/2-inch cut | |
| Crosscutting boards may be easier to work with on shorter tracks |
9. DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60-volt MAX Cordless TrackSaw
The DeWalt unit performs easily and leaves clean cuts in the tested materials, and its cordless design is a nice bonus.
Changing batteries and charging the saw every so often won’t hold anyone down if they’re using the track saw for occasional but required tasks like letting in deck boards, trimming doors, or knocking down birch plywood for a kitchen or mudroom remodel.
In some situations, especially if additional 60-volt Max batteries are available, this could actually simplify tasks.
The saw’s operation was quiet and slick, and it produced precise slices. In order to achieve perfectly smooth edges when cutting oak, the unit’s speed must be reduced to 4. Pine showed saw marks, suggesting a need for increased pace.
There was some tear-out in the maple ply at the highest level, but once I dialed it down to 4, there was virtually none.
It may take some practice to become used to the tool’s unconventional design features, such as its top-mounted handle, its arcing plunge, and its long, slender throw on the release switch.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek, high-powered engine | The top handle makes it slightly more challenging to make cuts at a distance |
| Sharp edges | The release switch has a long throw |
| Quiet |
How To Choose The Right Track Saws: Buyer’s Checklist (Explained)
The following are different factors that the visitor can rely on to choose the best Track Saw:
Variable Speed Trigger
Nowadays, even the most basic saws come with a variable speed option. Consequently, you can tailor your strategy to suit the specifics of each task. More flexibility in cutting materials is achieved with a larger range.
Hardwoods benefit from faster speeds while creating a flush cut, whereas softer, more delicate woods may do better with lower speeds.
You won’t be able to get as much done if you don’t have this function.
The Power
Extra authority is never a bad thing. A powerful motor can handle a wide variety of materials. When pushed to its limits, a saw with insufficient power would generate splintered and ragged, unsightly edges. The density of some hardwoods can even cause the motor to overheat and burn out.
Having more available power makes such issues less likely to arise. The amount of energy required is highly context-dependent. You’ll need all the muscle you can muster if you’re processing a lot of rough stuff.
We think you’ll enjoy a 12-amp device. You can get away with using less effort while working with softer, simpler materials.
What is inside the Box
Knowing what features come standard on the saw you’re considering is also helpful. Are you sure it’s not the instrument itself? What else are you getting besides a guide rail? blades? a case?
It will be less of a hassle to get started with a tool if it comes with as many features as possible. You need something with at least two blades.
Even though you’ll eventually need to buy new blades, including a few in the box can help you save money and save hassle on the day you take possession of the saw.
RPM range
The number of rotations the blades of a saw make per minute (RPM) is a measure of the motor’s strength.
The minimum RPM of the typical cordless track saw is 2,000, which is more than adequate for cutting through thinner materials without jamming.
However, a track saw must serve as a versatile instrument for a wide range of tasks, thus improved RPM characteristics are something to seek out.
Look for models with a wide range of RPM to ensure your plunge cut track saw can cut a variety of materials and sized pieces.
Many high-quality tracks saw models can easily cut through heavier materials because of their RPM range of 3,000 to 5,000.
Track length
Different versions of track saws have tracks of varying lengths, which determines the depth of your cut.
But if your track is too short, you can always buy an extension. A 48-inch track isn’t necessary for cutting 12-inch boards, but resetting the track in the middle of shredding a plywood sheet can be a hassle.
The potential for cutting errors also rises if tracks need to be reset. Track saws with modular tracks that may be used to cut smaller sections and snap together are an excellent choice for usage on the job site.
Selecting track saws with blade lengths between 25 and 100 inches is ideal for the workshop.
Size of the cable
An additional aspect of track saws to think about is the cord length. Sawing requires you to go over the floor and walls.
it would be a major hassle to discover midway through the cut that you were unable to complete because of a lack of cord or technical difficulties with a specialized extension cord.
This will be time-consuming and give you something to do before you return to your regular duties.
To find the best track saw for your needs, you need first to determine the ideal cable length you’ll be using.
Numerous track saws come with 96-inch cords, but if you need something longer, some models have cables that go up to 170 inches.
More Saw Tools:
| Best Portable Table Saw | Best Miter Saw Stand |
| Best Mini Circular Saw | Best Cordless Jigsaw |
| Best Corded Circular Saw |
Bottom Line
To end things off, a track saw is a versatile tool that can be used to cut through various materials with ease. Its ability to cut with precision is unmatched and it eliminates the need for sanding, filing, or chiseling afterward.
We would recommend the Makita SP6000J1 track saw kit as the best track saw of the year. Naturally, there are also excellent options for thrifty shoppers.
That was all for this guide, we hope you found this helpful. Thanks for reading.
Stay awesome (:
Cheers!
