Festool doesn't want you to see this DIY track saw

Simple way to make a DIY track saw jig to guide your circular saw. This creative homemade skilsaw tracksaw is perfect for beginner woodworking projects when you need a way to break down sheet goods without a table saw. I'll show you how to make a simple jig to cut straight lines with no clamps.

You don't need to spend a ton of money on a Festool, Makita, or Wen track saw guide rail. This simple build works with any circular saw. The best part is you don't have to make any modifications to your saw.

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[daveydave]

You don't need to resort to bogus claims like "Festool wants to ban this" type titles for your videos - Festool couldn't care less if someone makes their own jig - You can just say "great idea for a DIY tracksaw" and people will still click on it because it legitimately is a great idea for a DIY tracksaw. Thanks for sharing the idea

[jellyg.]

I made the other type of DIY track, instead of a channel where the saw glides, like this one, the guide just have a straight edge on the same side of the motor of the saw and the other side the saw disc cuts flush with the edge of the board, eliminating the need to plunge the saw to make the initial cut and drilling those big holes to see and align the track to the line you will be cutting. Another advantage is that you can easily make the track longer.

In my case I tried to use sandpaper to make the track stay on the surface, eventually it failed. My solution was to add a strip of wood to the track with some pocket holes and made it wider. Now I can easily put some clamps and the saw doesnt hit them.

For the ones criticizing and saying it doesnt do the same as a track saw, well, first you deserve some prize for being captain obvious... you nailed it. Of course isn't the same as real track saw but I can tell you it does almost the same work, cuts straight like a track saw and works just as easy as a track saw. If you're worried that the cut "won't look as good" as a cut made by a real tracksaw then there's a good solution for this. Get a disc for your circular saw with a high teeth count, that will give you a cleaner cut. After I made my jig I stopped thinking about getting a track saw, no need for a tool I will use occasionally, all are overpriced and doesnt have the many uses a circular saw has.

[umakegoodcookies]

I've seen a few of these. One issue is that you have to drop into them all of the time. With a small modification it can be shorter, cut farther, be more stable, and allow you to cut from the end. What you do is, at the end instead of more of the aluminum, put a thick piece of wood on the underside, perhaps 2x2. That will act as a catch at the end of your piece to allow it to be even more stable and not slip. Then, as long as you don't cut down into it too far, you can start your cuts right at the end in a conventional manner.

[majinkakashi]

This has got to be THE best cirular saw jig ive ever seen, thanks bud

[christianlegewie]

I'm a Festool-representative and the Company has no intention in getting this video banned!

[jeffshaffer]

Thanks for the idea. I built one today and it works great. I was a little hesitant to trust the grip tape, but I made a few long cuts with no issues with the guide slipping. I made a few modifications: 1) I made mine 7ft long because I have a project needing 6ft cuts 2) I added a dab of construction glue every few inches to the "mesh" area of the tile edge, just to make sure it doesn't move in the future 3) I used small 3/8in plywood blocks at the ends rather than the metal - I wanted a hole on one end from which to hang the guide when I am not using it.

[glashoppah]

I used to watch my grandfather use his "track saw", which was any circular saw with a bottom plate and a nice piece of 1x1.

[christophercharles]

The tile edging is a good idea. You could fancy it up any way you want but the basic concept is solid to build on - or use as made. Good work!

[Svanevej]

I have used string for getting a straight line when tiling, but never thought of using it for wood. Thanks for that idea.

[JB-tovy]

Honestly I've been contemplating a track saw my whole house build so far but couldn't justify it. This tho sir is stellar and will be seeing use in Paradise. Thank you for sharing!

[stevem]

I came across this video and it was exactly what i was looking for. I got the tracks at my local Lowes and ordered the tape. After i installed the tracks and the tape i put some Johnson paste wax on the plywood to help the saw slide. Thanks for posting this.

[alphaomegalives]

Glad i bought festool, all the issues are solved and the dust collection is flawless. Worth every penny

[sevenisprime]

I had no idea where this was going but by the end, I'm convinced of it's geniusness. I super appreciate the "bootstrapping" here without much additional other things, e.g., table saw. This is a total win, and I'll be building this myself. Again, GENIUS.

[qmoonwalker]

You are full of a lot of great ideas!!! Thank you! Never bought one of those because they seem so expensive. I'm either clamping down my level or looking for a straight piece of wood when I need to cut something with my worm drive. Thanks for aonther great idea!

[BrilliantDesignOnline]

The best part is the find of the aluminum tile rails; I will be building this.

[godzilladestroyscities]

This reminds me of reading old Popular Mechanics magazines.

[Monkey_Snot]

I made one pretty much the same a few years ago, what I did differently regarding the saw was, I dedicated an old yard sale saw to the track, removed the spring loaded guard, installed a spring in the height adjustment slide and now have an old saw that acts like an actual track saw, also depending on the make and age of the saw, you can utilize the fan air and direct that air down a small Polley tube to blow the dust away from in front of your saw, it looks janky, but it works.

[Adam-oxzy]

Great stuff! Will be making one very soon. My last attempt at one was no where near as good as this and I see where I went wrong. Thanks so much.

[billabram]

Excellent DIY Track saw that you can use your own saw you already own rather than buying an expensive specialty saw with track!

[kipfleming]

I’m a finish carpenter. This exact build wouldn’t work for me when dealing with a finished product but it has given me some good ideas for building something similar. Thank you!