Super Simple Track Saw

How to make a super simple, yet very accurate track saw!

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[tedfritsch]

I just spent the better part of an hour researching Track Saw guides, along with all the not so good reviews on any one of them. So how I stumbled on to your video is a God send. Just saved me $100.00 on buying something flimsy and cumbersome. This is a great idea, thanks for sharing.

[oot]

This is by far the best diy track saw I've seen on YT that prevents the saw from veering off. Thank you.

[jlexon]

A suggestion to consider--let the extra width of plywood extend beyond the second side guide (don't cut it off). It would allow a place to clamp the jig that will not hit the motor (on a standard circular saw--not a clearance issue with the worm drive saw). Very quick and useful design!

[davekirby]

Great design and clear instruction, many thanks. A word of warning for others, I made a school-boy error and assumed that when my Black and Decker circular saw was in the 0 degree mitre position that the blade was 90 degrees to the foot of the saw; it wasn't, which was discovered when I measured the first test cut made with the track! Zero degrees corresponded to one or two degrees out, which translates to a couple of milimetres over the width of 18mm material. Lesson: CHECK YOUR BLADE IS SQUARE TO THE FOOT OF YOUR CIRCULAR SAW BEFORE YOU START TO CUT!

[SignMe]

Love the idea! Thanks Tommy!

HERE'S A SUPER SIMPLE UPGRADE SUGGGESTION: Route one dovetail groove lenthwise down the approximate centerline of the bottom face of the guide. Position isn't critical but just keep that groove well clear of the saw's cut line. You'll need to use 3/4" plywood for the base to have enough thickness to accomodate the dovetail groove.

Now use 2 Matchfit Dovetail Clamps, one slid in from each end of the jig into the bottom-side dovetail groove to clamp the guide securely to your workpiece. The sliding clamps will easily adjust to any workpiece cut length and the jig will be solidly attached to the workpiece during the cutting operation! Using this method of attachment, you also won't be limited as to where on your workpiece you clamp your jig. Because the clamps exist ONLY underneath the jig, they will never interfere with the topside saw travel. Simply slide both clamps out of the groove for storing your jig. I'm making one! Keep up the good work Tommy!

[jessesparks]

I've checked quite a few track saw guides on YT...this is by far the easiest and most effective I've come across. Great, simple design. Will build one for my shop. Thanks for putting this together.

[Ktdt]

Thank you so much for this video. I have macular dystrophy, so cutting a straight line is no longer possible for me. With what you've shown here, I'll have a couple of these made for the small circular saw and the jigsaw I have. Now I really feel like there's hope for me to make some projects!

[kathywinn]

I came on YouTube today looking for reviews so I’d know which track saw to buy and found this video. You just saved me some major money. Thank you for taking the time to make and post this tutorial!

[Viewsonic]

I’ve watched loads of videos on making the ideal track saw and yours is by far the most simplistic but effective design. I’m so glad I didn’t make one before I saw yours. I’ll be making one tomorrow. Thanks for posting.

[dazamad]

I made it. Thanks for this. I made very light first cut like scratching the wood. This gave me alignment to drill the sight holes after.

[pemtax]

I made something very similar back in the day that gave me the advantage of the blade edge being readily available to clamp on a panel, but it surely didn't have the saw containment that a track provides. Your solution is both cost effective and beautifully simple ... one that will open up the track approach to a lot of us on a very strict allowance. Thanks for sharing this ...

[daveclarkson]

This is my first project for my new workshop, my table saw bit the dust yesterday and I was thinking of replacing it, now there’s no need. Thanks for your video & tips.

[kalaimaganperakasam]

Brilliant work. Even allows a novice to cut straight with a circular saw. Being someone just taking up woodworking as a hobby, I've personally had problems doing straight cuts. But this simple track has solved the problem. Thanks bro.

[madmikemakes]

Great design. I have a very simple guide that allows the blade to drift to the right if I allow it to. I use it mainly to trim doors so sometimes I have to cut twice. What I really like about your design is that the frame can be quite thick but the panel at the bottom can actually be as thin as 3mm Masonite or Mdf. Big thumbs up.

[kevglaz]

I made this and used it to cut a premade laminate countertop and it worked perfectly. You made my life sooo much easier. Thanks for posting this one.

[mikechapman]

I watched this last week and made one over the weekend, built a large plywood cabinet and it worked awesome. Wish I had it a long time ago. Thanks!!!

[MHTutorialsD]

By far the best design I have seen. Thanks !

[kelvingstrachan]

Excellent. Thanks. I will be making one tomorrow. This is probably the best tutorial I have seen on YouTube about how to make and use a homemade track.

[rjb]

Excellent! This is how instructional videos should be made --- crisp, quick-paced, clearly explained, and valuable.

I occasionally need a guide rail like this and have jury-rigged quick solutions, but this is the way to go!

[barbaracipiti]

What a great design, Tommy! I made this out of 1/2” plywood since I was using the Rockwell versacut hand saw (small circular saw and light weight). I also put paste wax on the wood and the saw shoe plate to make a smooth gliding action.