Makita Track Saw (Why Every Builder Needs One)

A must-have tool for Builders!
It doesn't have to be Makita, but in this video I go over my thoughts and experience using this Makita saw on the job. I've found it super useful for trimming doors, decking boards and cutting finished sheet material like hardwood ply.

My Tools

I'M ON INSTAGRAM TOO

[AJ_Lucas]

As a British lad, I left my heart in New Zealand 11 years ago. NZ was my home away from home. Rainy day in London today, brand new Makita tracksaw at home, waiting for its first cut. Thank you brother for your videos.

[staceyjohnson]

A little tear fell out of my eye when you cut that track down :)

[kickpublishing]

If my memory serves me: Mafell invented the saw and then licensed it (or the tracks) to both Festool and later Makita - hence the near identical tracks. Of the 3 the Mafell is the slightly better made but Festool made theirs just right in terms of quality and its cheaper than Maffel who tend to over-engineer stuff so that most joiners cant or wont pay for them. Makita, as always find the perfect balance of quality and price and the only real difference between it and the Festool is the lack of the riving knife - since only finish joiners and cabinetmakers tend to rip full boards of solid hardwoods (and they often choose Mafell or Festool) that was a sensible trade off for the jobby carpenter and builder who mostly will be cutting ply and MDF etc. The riving knife is VERY much a plus if you are using this saw with natural hardwoods though because they will quite often release stresses as cut and pinch the blade and cause a kickback without it - even with the riving knife oak boards will bind so hard the saw wont move without clamping the board open halfway through.

[hammerandhome]

I remember when i finally bought the festool track saw, my whole world changed! now I have the makita and the dewalt as well. game changers!

[arhherro]

Thanks for the info about the rubber edge of the track needing trimming with your first cut 👍 ive recently bought this saw and a brand new track and thought the blade setting on the saw was faulty or missing some spacers as when I lowered the blade to the track it was hitting the rubber

[carpenterone]

The big difference between the festool and the Mikita is on the larger festool (TS75) it has a 8 1/4” blade and cuts Significantly deeper than any other tracks on the market that I’m aware of.
You should keep that track cut off you’ll be surprised how handy it will be when you just need to plunge cut a small hole in a floor, vent for example.
As always love the videos Scott!

[koaasst]

my days of throwing up whole sheets on the table saw are getting closer to the end. this is a pretty logical step. i have some straightedges to run my circular saw against, but i like that fancy track. a fine edge indeed.

[bannockchief]

I use a straight piece of 1x3 ripped down on a table saw and screwed to a piece of 3/8 plywood. Run the saw along the ripped board cuts the plywood the first cut and from there I line that edge up to make cuts. Haven't tested it for cabinet making though.

[doktorzli]

that moment when you realize there are other who's fascinated by this piece of tool equally as you were since the first day you bought it. cheers!

[dpbusby]

I ALWAYS clamp the the guide rail to make sure there’s no chance out of it getting misaligned during a cut. Makita do neat clamps that don’t get in the way. Or else use quick clamps. Don’t trust the non slip back!

[installer]

Out of all the hundreds of Makita tools that I have my battery track saw is the best it's brilliant and a pleasure to use

[mikerish]

just got the makita 2x 18v cordless plunge saw. Best tool ive bought

[PhatSimey]

I've done a fair bit of kitchen and bathroom fitting over the years (personal and as a sideline), and only found out these existed a couple of years ago! Went out and bought one straight away, never looked back, it's a game changer... and I live in the UK, so no excuse for not having one much sooner! :-(

[MrCasualhero]

Love the Scotland rugby top at the start mate!! Always thought you were a legend!

[deniskeat]

This has been the best bit of advice that I've ever had from your channel I am just wishing I had bought one years ago it would have paid is self off by now

[nitsan]

Good video.
I want one but I'm not a pro builder so I'll just be making a nice little guide rail for my jigsaw. With the right blades it actually gives a really clean cut.

[bigchiefbear]

Would of made hanging brackets to have rail hanging from van roof. Then no need to cut rail down. Im a festool user.19 yrs same track saw.1 repair.carpenter for 33yrs.
Good videos

[peterfitzpatrick]

I'd have traded the van in for a long wheelbase job... you had the perfect excuse ... 🙄😂

😎👍☘🍺

[rafemaxwell]

I've owned this saw for a long time and use it in pretty minimal applications. The clean straight cuts and dust collection are superb, but rarely required in builder or site work applications. Love mine and wouldn't be without one, but I know a lot of builders that don't need one of these and as such, don't own one.

[clintspoon]

you can get clamps for the track which are great when using the saw on an angle. great tool, good vid.