TW P1; What's a tracksaw & why use one? [video #277]

#cheaptracksaws #tracksawworkshop #tracksaws
TWP1: tracksaw basics

Finally! It’s the Tracksaw Workshop, a new users guide to track saws and plunge saws, covering everything from initial setup and routine maintenance to best practice and blade changes, plus some simple jigs to make life easier. Oh, and I make a 2440mm / 8’ long rail for less than £20. Enjoy!

This video is Part 1 of 7

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Used/featured in this video series

Other blades:-

[richardmathew]

oh my days how useful is this video!!! Days and weeks deciding to buy either a tablesaw or tracksaw and Peter shows just how versatile a track saw can be. Peter you are (still) the man!!

[barix]

Several years too late for this comment but - I think for me the biggest benefit of a track saw is breaking down big panels into a safer configuration. I can't tell you the number of times I needed an 8 foot sheet of plywood broken down into a 6ft piece (off the top of my head). Running a large panel through the table saw with such a large amount of unsupported or tenuously supported material is just not safe, nor is it often very accurate. I have a nice big table saw - even still I would consider a track saw an endlessly valuable piece of equipment for any shop. Add to that the mobility of a track saw vs a cabinet saw it's my go to for projects outside of the home. This channel is a HUGE part of why I made the jump and I absolutely do not regret it.

[atexnik]

It was long before I came across this video when I decided to invest in a track saw and a pair of guiding rails over a table saw for my home use. Since I have no dedicated space for my hobby, track saw is a real space saver, as I can put it away into my tools cabinet along with its rails as soon as a finish using it, unlike a table saw, which requires permanent storage room. And with a track saw I can easily build a compact DIY table saw for working with small parts or non-sheet material. Glad I've made a right decision.

[georgemoirbarrettbarrett]

thank you i inherited the cf55 from a deceased family member with no instruction your video has helped me no end.

[HighlandCowWoodWorking]

Thanks Peter, I’ve only just discovered your channel, I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot.

[theduftmeister]

Many thanks Peter. As a result of your comparison videos, I purchased a Titan about 6 - 8 months ago from B&Q. £70 on sale, guessing end of line but £70 including the track!?! WOW. A lot of bang for your buck. I'm only a new amateur/hobbyist/weekend woodworker trying to work out of a 4ft by 10ft shed, so I can't justify £500 on a festool. Now embarking on your Tracksaw Workshop playlist with keen anticipation.
Whilst it's impressive to see our friends over the pond making 15 foot epoxy river tables in their double garages etc, you content keeps it real for the vast majority of us. Thank you!

[natacus]

@peter Millard Bought my first track saw, a MacAlister one - wow to think the time I spend trying to set up straight cuts with my bosch circular saw, clamps, guides. The track saw just does it! Never knew about them till this channel and Scott Brown, great thing. Thanks for the tutorial series.

[k.b.woodworker]

Excellent video! I've used a tracksaw for quite a while, but never thought of using it for rebates and trenches! No need to pull out the router for a small job.

[stuarthossack]

Truly grateful for all the videos you put out, but this series is the one I need in my life from tomorrow onwards. (so being able to watch the whole series in one day is just the ticket). Completing a loft conversion I started too long ago and using 12mm ply to screen water tanks etc. and access doors. I'd never heard of this exotic piece of 'quip before I saw your videos but I bought a Makita SP6000 last week, with two tracks, and I don't know how I've ever managed without one now. Thank you for all the vids you do but especially bringing TSs to my attention.

Thank you for converting me to plunge saws. The cut quality is absolutely second to none: no matter how much effort I put into the best cuts on the table saw - the effect was rather mediocre. In the case of glue-ups, pristine, straight-cut lines are paramount and the track saw does offer this feature.

[rogerdevries]

Well that's an eye opener for sure !!!!

[pwojcikster]

Thank you very much Peter.
Again you surprise me about yours way to introduce tools for everyday DIYers.

[bernardlaherty]

So glad I saw this video. Thanks mate, you're a legend.

[TheJonkilleen]

Great video Peter. I wish I'd bought a tracksaw before I bought a cheapo table saw years ago. That thing used to frighten me to death and I was really relieved when I sold it (to a professional chippie by the way, not to another unsuspecting newbie). I took the plunge (no pun intended) and bought a Makita tracksaw 6 months ago. It was a big investment but I've never regretted it. Used it last weekend to build a shaker style cabinet door using your method and the whole thing worked a treat. Thanks Peter. Learning loads from your channel.

[whitedoggarage]

Just did a binge watch of all seven parts of this series Peter, mate, what a lot of work! My hat goes off to you, thanks very much :-) You are quite right about the table saw, it has its uses, but you can get by without one generally.
I do like the new channel logo, nothing wrong with the old one, but in the small icon it made you look like you were wearing a black pork pie hat and dare I say it, a bit more Arthur Daly like than Inspector Frost :-)
I will align the rest of my comments with the relevant parts, but thanks again for all your work on this it will be a very useful Youtube resource.

[anniedca]

Thank you so much for your clear explanations. I don’t have space for a table saw and need to rip a lot of materials for a project so a track saw interests me.

[thewoodjunki]

Superb series this.. I’m new to the tracksaw.. this is fab content.

[lukelu]

I will follow your suggestions to buy a good track saw, I always have trouble with my small cheap table saw. Thanks so much Peter!

[mturel]

Hi Peter and followers, i've recently purchased a 800mm rail/track from Festool for my lovely plunge saw of Makita. Works fine in my tiny workshop in combination with my (dutch invented) walko. For horizontal or (on an angle some 75 degrees) vertical use. Great to see you working and explaning all you insights, the hilarious bloopers included. we all could share a bit more of those easily made mistakes. I got a ton of it if fear. Michael from Amsterdam

[mikeuk]

Just watching all 7 episodes. Great tips especially for me and my tiny workspace.