DIY Circular Saw Track Saw Guide | Limited Tools

Today I'll show you how to make an MDF jig that turns your circular saw into a fully functioning Track Saw. You don't need any expensive tools.. in fact all you need is a circular saw... duh, a thread tap, and some spring clamps. Let me know what you think about cool shop / woodworking jigs and if you're interesting in more of these shop - based projects. For more info, be sure and check out the written article linked below.

Thanks to RZ Mask for sponsoring this video.
Use the code "modernbuilds" for 15% off!

Stuff I Used:
1/2" MDF (about half the sheet for 1)
1/4" MDF (for base plate)

Written Article Coming Soon:
___
DONT FORGET TO LIKE COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE.
___
ADD ME ON:
___
Thanks for watching! -Mike Montgomery
MODERN BUILDS

[willwyatt]

Great project. I think I'll build one. One pointer for you: When you tap holes, turn the tap 1/2 turn, then back a 1/4 turn, then forward 1/2 turn, etc. This will clear the teeth of the tap and will make the hole cleaner, with less chance of breaking the tap. This becomes REALLY important in thicker/stronger material. Also use some oil when tapping to make the cutting easier.

[neuhaus]

I have a small shop but a ton of tools. I don't have a lot of high dollar tools, like Festool, but some nice stuff. What a lot of people don't understand when they get into woodworking is that your big tools aren't where your money goes, it's in your drawers. For example I have a $99 Craftsman router table but I have about $600 worth of router bits. Sandpaper alone is about $200. I love your limited tool series, it gets people into it that couldn't afford everything else. It also shows that you don't always need all of the extras. Great Job Mike !!!

[kitoespiritu]

Great idea. I made mine from 1/2” ply. They took a bit of sanding and waxing to make the saw slide smoothly but now they work great. Thanks!

[Bbendfender]

Good job. When you don't have a shop full of big tools, it is nice to see guys who have the enginuity to do it another way. Almost as good. Nice track saw jig.

[gillgetter]

Been a carpenter for 30 plus years . Great idea for track saw I’m going to make one using 1/4 for everything

[jchan]

Hot glue and wood glue idea is brilliant!

[IlijaPavlic]

I would add some high-friction tape to underside to prevent slippage and low-friction tape to grooves and runners to improve glide.

[guyh.]

Way cool! My dad & I are combining our "arsenal" of power tools as we basically have 2 of each. I decided to make a track saw & was looking for way to do it. This is absolutely perfect for what I want. THANKS!

[msoverstood]

I enjoy your show. Every thing is easy to understand and follow. It makes woodworking easier for folk like me who may be apprehensive.

[Liazon]

This by far is one of the more simple builds!

[Dominatoruke]

There are so many DIY track saws, guides etc out there but this one works great and I didn't need to run to the hardware store for a bunch of parts. I used 3/8 MDF and it is still heavier than heck. Thanks for sharing your design.

[cartman]

you have strong positive energy it makes me get up and do all sorts of things. thank you very much!

[soundboy]

Love it man, thanks so much. I like how the ***runners*** will keep the saw in a tight straight line more accurately than a simple regular edge jig will do (something that most smartass commenters here seem to not get). Love shop and jig projects, keep making these!

[cardsfanbj]

I enjoy Ben popping up in the background screwing around. And the shop projects, too.

[nagendravc]

Wow you made it so simple and easy to work with a circular saw

[mykolashatkovskyi]

Quite simple (in a good meaning) and fancy guide - saved for my own inspiration when I'll doit myself. Thanx

[geraldfouts]

Please continue these. Always looking for good ideas.

[markgershman]

Just when I thought I've seen every Utube on a Track Saw Guide. This design seems very simple. Thanks. Prettty good Jig!!

[circuitlessons]

This is one of the most useful, practical and needed videos on Youtube.

[ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Glad you addressed the thickness issue at the end of the video. In addition to the other limitations cited with this design is weight. All that thick stock, while strong, is *heavy*.

The design is way over built. ¼" material is plenty strong; especially considering the rigidity contributed by the rails/tracks.

Some additional considerations:
1. Material - Use quality sheet goods. No A/C-grade sheathing.

2. Material - The use of either plastic (HDPE, UHMW) or aluminum would make wonderful runners for the saw plate.

3. Finishing - If using wood, regularly waxing the tracks and runners will definitely contribute to smoother operation.

4. Design - Symmetry provides bi-directional operation; an often overlooked consideration.

5. Design - Overhang/starting pad. Make the track long enough to allow for alignment *before* the blade contacts the material to be cut.

6. Design - A key capability of true track saws from Festool, Wen and others is...plunge. This is critical for interior cuts. To allow for this (somewhat) leave 2" to 3" of the runners cantilevered in front of the saw plate. Additionally, cut the at a shallow angle to allow the runners to engage and align with the track *before* the blade plunges into the material being cut.

7. Design - To counteract thewood track from slipping and sliding, a) make the track no wider than 2½" to 3", b) route two shallow parallel dadoes in the underside of the track and c) apply friction tape to the dadoes. This will keep the edge of the track in contact with the material being cut, thus minimizing tear-out while keeping the track in place without the need for clamps.

8. Design - To minimize sacrificing depth of cut, consider cutting down, rather than building up. Instead of fastening rails on top of a track, cut dadoes into the track.

9. Lastly, and in the same vein as #8 above, consider mounting runners directly to the factory saw plate. Many models have slots perpendicular to the blade for attaching accessories, such as edge guides, etc. Some models even have precision-drilled holes in the factory saw plate that would be perfect for fastening runners.

While all this may seem like a lot of work, consider the cost of s true track saw (north of $800 or $900), or even lower cost alternatives from the likes of Kreg (Accu-Cut), Bora (Clamp Edge), Wen and others ($100 and up).