This Track Saw Accessory Might Replace Your Table Saw | Deep Dive

Full sheets of plywood…either 4' x 8' or 5' x 5"… are hard to manage accurately on a table saw. In this 13 minute video Jeff Farris shows you how a track saw and Woodpeckers Parallel Guide System team up to make sheet good cutting safer and more accurate.

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CONTENTS OF VIDEO:
0:00-0:37 Intro
0:38-1:51 Why Track Saw
1:52-7:12 PGS Setup
7:13-8:28 Adjustable Track Square
8:29-10:07 Make Crosscut
10:08-11:29 Repeatable Cuts
11:30-13:23 Short Rips
13:24-14:00 Closing

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[fredberger]

I admire this man's passion, no criticism. I've worked several decades in carpentry and furniture building; used all the expensive machinery . . . then decided one day - no more. I have two 18" tool bags that carry all my equipment including a drill, circular saw and router; if it doesn't fit in those bags, then I don't use it. I have a knockdown bench that house's my circular saw in a table saw format. I have a 4 foot and 8 foot straightedge piece of plywood for guiding my saw. It all fits comfortably in my vehicle. I've never fallen short of tool necessities, and have always completed the job to a very high standard. The real challenge, but also the real pleasure, of woodworking is doing the job well without $20, 000 worth of tools.

[RBandMB]

The thing to remember is the real value of this system - even with the setup time - is for those of us that have a limited space that cannot accommodate a big table saw and outfield. I'm working in one bay of a 3 car garage. I often have to set up and take down each day and sometimes even each step. I don't do remote work like at a job site but I can see a similar value for transport etc. I'd most certainly have the big table saw and outfeeds as a preferred choice but if that is not possible, this is excellent!

[irakopilow]

I initially owned the Festool parallel guides. When Woodpeckers first came up with their product (and you didn't need a 2nd mortgage to buy a sheet of plywood), it seemed like something worthwhile. Never mind the metric/imperial difference, the Woodpecker has a far more precise method of setting the width of cut. The fact that it knocks down and stores in a systainer means I no longer need to devote precious wall space to hanging the Festool. I have never regretted getting the Woodpecker.

[robertocortez]

This is the best explanation I have seen on how to use a system. There is a lot of moving parts but the explanation is so clear that I already learned how to use it after watching this video.

[brucefoote]

I was curious so I watched, now I'm pleased to see that there's absolutely no end to the inconvenience. Remember that name WOODPECKER'S ! ! !

[frosiaburlakova]

I can't lift a sheet of 3/4" ply, not to mention maneuver it on a table saw. This tool worked great for me to break down sheets of plywood with minimum waste, especially the 8'-long pieces. I agree that the cost of buying this tool is high, but after building a few built-ins, it suddenly doesn't seem so bad compared to the cost of hiring someone. I also used this tool to cut dadoes using a makita router guide + track. Once it's all set up and calibrated, the cuts are fast and precise, as long as the stops are tightened properly. Woodpeckers, you are welcome for the free ad.

[catmando]

And here, I've been using a simple straight edge, two clamps, and running my saw along the edge. I've been wasting 3 minutes of my time when I could have spent $400 to $500, and 20 minutes. Oh, I'm such a fool.

[scottposey]

good god I could just wait for my toddler to grow up and help me with that sheet on my table saw.

[stuncleslam]

I have an older track guide with built in clamps that has a base that attaches to a circular saw. I just dedicated a circular saw to this set up so that the base is always attached to that saw and just use it with the track. It does as good a job as a table saw with sheet goods and I would be finished with all the cuts you're looking to make here long before you finished setting that up.

[Fredrik]

Hi there, I think for a hobbyist this is a good way to go. For someone who doesn’t have a table saw and no room for one it fits the bill. An excellent honest presentation with all the features shown and no effort to hide the setup time. Your company produces well made (expensive) tools and I enjoy watching your videos.
Best Regards
Fred Thomas

[Smedleydog]

Under Dunn (YouTube) made a track saw guide and a set of these about a year ago for about an eighth of the price. I built them using his plans and they work very well.
The guide rails just clamp to the saw guide. Once calibrate initially it remains calibrated and is quick to set up and use.

[dienekes]

This is pretty slick. Too bad it costs $600. I made a 4' and an 8' "track saw" out of scrap plywood that works great. The only cost to me was buying the non-skid tape that I put on the underside so I don't have to clamp it down. Works like a charm and cost me 1/4 of what a track saw does INCLUDING a new Dewalt circular saw.

[-MacCat-]

This kit is more an exercise in engineering than an alternative solution to a problem, i.e. a need for a square cut.
Overall, complexity for complexity's sake.

[sandyadams]

I’ve been using mine for about a year and love it. I do accurate narrow rip cuts on maple, etc as well as plywood. This capability helped me avoid buying and making room for a table saw. I keep a couple of lengths pre-assembled in the top drawer of my husky for quick access.

[Cynicallia]

Your videos are so well done! Thanks for the inspiration. Here I was, just looking for reviews on adjustable T-squares, but now I'm sorely tempted to take out a loan and build the woodshop I've always wanted.

[aisa]

Saw the thumbnail....clicked just for the comments. They did not disappoint :)

[fult]

Super handy. Just don’t have money to spend $479 on a tool that helps out my $400 Makita track saw.

[biggest]

I always wondered what they did with the vast mountain range of components in the retired space shuttles. They made a single parallel guide system.

[jimswigart]

I bought this when it first came out. I wish this Deep Dive would have came at the same time. This system is GREAT!! Very accurate and makes repeatable cuts to perfection. GREAT tool as is ALL the Woodpeckers products. You get what you pay for.

[thisbechris]

More expensive than my DeWalt table saw, which of course comes with a saw...