I got to see the new dewalt track saw
I got to see the new Dewalt track saw today. I stopped by ACME Tools on my way home this evening. I popped in and to my surprise they were having a sale. All the tool reps were there doing demos and promotions.
I had to get a look at the new saw in action. Well sort of anyways he made one cut for me. he then went into the sales pitch of course. $500 and they were throwing in an extra extension for the track. Makes it almost 20′ long. I did really like its capability’s. You could cut down doors without removing them.
About a year ago I had helped a friend take down some window sills with the festool and was rather impressed with it but I have to say I would hands down buy the dewalt before the festool.
I explained to the rep that I was more looking for a new table saw setup and he said I wouldn’t really need it with the track saw. granted there are a few things I could see still needing the table saw for but I wouldn’t need to hall it around very often. I was kinda hoping to here some others opinions.
I am not trying to bash the festool by any means I just prefer the Dewalt over it. The festool is probably a better made tool but I believe the Dewalt has more capabilitys.
Jeb
Replies
Jeb, could you fill us in on these further possibilities of the track saw v. festool?
thanks
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Calvin,I think I may have gotten ahead of myself. That will happen to me when I get to lookn at tools on the wish list. You can use both sides of the track though. That is something you can't do with the festool I believe.
Both sides meaning left or right. That is really the extent of what I know of the tool.Jeb
I understand your initial excitement. The only thing that tempers my enthusiasm is when price is mentioned. Depending on the amount-either raises or lowers my expectations.
Since you saw a demo-does the blade zero out at the same place on the edge of the track when the bevel is changed on the saw-similar to the festool?
thanksA Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Calvin,That is a question you will have to get answered somewhere else Because I didn't even think to ask. I am relatively green to carpentry and is just not something that comes to mind when looking at tools of This sort.That is why I try not to impulse buy and do more research on new items, technologies and tools before jumpin in. Breaktime has been a great resource for this.Jeb
Definitely something to find out b/4 purchase are all the answers to all the questions you can dream up. Pity it doesn't happen all the time.
I have both the festool and ezguide set ups. With the festool, the angle rips register in the same place on your guide edge. With ez, using an old rockwell 315 saw, not so. The pivot point is higher in relation to the guide rail. So, one edge for straight and one for 45. Anything in between and you don't have the complete antichip protection.
Best of luck in your carreer. Keep learning every day.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I think it does, if I remember the video correctly. I've had mine about a week, and haven't even opened it yet! Been busy with other stuff. But next week I should have opportunity to set it up and use it.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
does the blade zero out at the same place on the edge of the track when the bevel is changed on the saw-similar to the festool?
YesView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I made a Festool TS55 and Dewalt Tracksaw review shortly after getting mine. It is listed on a couple sites, one of which is at the Festool Owners Group.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=5400.0
If you want a more info of just the tracksaw I have that posted as well.
http://tinyurl.com/6eycux
Next time I will post my tool reviews here on BT as well (if they seem related) if you are interested.
Mikie
Edited 12/15/2008 7:32 am ET by BloomingtonMike
I love my new tracksaw, but don't like the cheesy way that track sections are connected, so I've ordered an 8' section (at what I consider an inflated price). Overall very happy with it.View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
If you have the room to store the 8' that HAS to be the way to go. I am also thinking it could be setup in some kind of verticle fashion and act as a panael saw.
I like the EZ-system bridge dead wood concept as well (you guys familiar with Dino Makropoulos and his EurekaZone EZ-smart systems?) and am waiting to see what Dino releases that is compatable with the Dewalt saw or track. His tracks are known to be much more ridgid than the Festool tracks. He is a great guy and has what seems to be infinite ideas on how to make these tracksaw systems at least as good or better than tablesaws. I am sure not giving up my tablesaw though.
Dino is well regarded around here, and gets great reviews on his setup.
Edited 12/15/2008 1:41 pm by kenhill3
Has anyone had problems with the Festo going backwards? I've haven't, and in fact often need to in plunge cuts. The Dewalt feature seems strange to me.
Well, it does allow for near flush on it's side cutting - that'd be handy.
And having close to 20' of track'd be cool too.
I guess the big questions are: What's the maximum depth of cut compared to the Festool?
What's the warranty? What's the case like?, Where's it made, anyways?
Biggest other if is the lack of Dewalt price fixing like Festool stuff, so will we actually see it getting sold a big discounts?
I already have a TS55 Festool and I really have no complaints with it's use.
JT
One big consideration is customer support. Dewalt support is very poor where as Festool is very good. A couple of years ago I had mostly Dewalt, thousands of dollars of Dewalt & every time there was a problem Dewalt dropped the ball. Now I have mostly Festool & within a year I'll have dumped all my Dewalt.
What's the problem with Dewalt support... ha ha - you go in there and the first thing you see is a sign letting you know it'll be $99 to refurb your cordless hammer drill... they obviously fix a lot of them.My buddie's burned out two of them.You're right though, I've not had to use Festool support yet, but I have had great luck with Bosch's factory service centers.JT
you go in there and the first thing you see is a sign letting you know it'll be $99 to refurb your cordless hammer drill... they obviously fix a lot of them.
Julian,
I've been using cordless drills since the first 9V Makitas came out in the early 70's so I'm definitely a cordless fan, for certain applications
But I'm wondering if we're getting too dependent on cordless tools. A hammer-drill draws an awful lot of power so it makes sense to me that a corded model is going to last longer, if only because the power supply will remain constant.
Edited 12/5/2008 1:11 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Mathewson,This is why I started the post. I wanted to see others opinions on the topic. Customer service is big with me. I have some dewalt tools a large cordless set and some add ons. I have had no problems with my dewalt stuff yet going 6yrs or so.I even have some of the original battery's that came with the set still working. I also have Milwaukee, Makita, Porter cable, Crapsman etc... I have had no serious problems with any of m,y equipment todate. I had some tiger saws some years back that gave us problems but you can't beat the Milwaukee sawzalls. Just lucky I guess. :) Jeb
I have the EZ, have used the festool, I'd bet the dewalt is nice too. For speed and ease,none of them replaces a good Table saw.
I don't know jayzog. I'd rather wrestle a saw through a sheet of MDF than the other way around.--
James Kidd
http://www.carpenterconfidential.com
I saw Makita's track saw yesterday, didn't even know they were coming out with one. It was at Hardware Sales in Bellingham, where prices are sometimes good and sometimes high, so it's hard to know, but at close to $500 for the saw and a 5' track they are not undercutting Festool by much. There is so much more info out there from actual users about the Festool that it would be hard for me to get interested in a Dewalt or Makita given similar price points.
Didn't spend much time looking at the Makita but I did notice side to side play in the saw on the track. The salesman seemed to think you could adjust that out but I had to keep moving.
I think they all have an adjustment for the track rails.
It would be kind of useless with out one ;)
I think it won't take long and rigid will have one for 299 and then Dewalt and Makita will drop to 399.
I can wait this one out.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I can wait this one out.
Amen. I have a nine foot aluminum straight edge which works quite nicely for ripping sheet stock, as it was intended to do. It breaks down in two pieces. Cost...about $20, some years ago.
I have the same $20 aluminum rail ... and the EZ. Prob sell the EZ and get the Festool eventually, but noticed the aluminum rail on sale last week and will buy another since I have used it for 1000 different things. Not as precise, but dang it works! Might even buy two of 'em.
In addition to the aluminum rip rail, I also have one of these excellent portable table saw stands by Skil. It's a drop-in unit that works with various small 10" table saws.
Read the attached reviews for details.
http://www.amazon.com/SKIL-80092-Folding-Table-Stand/dp/B0007DFX34
Track saws are great for breaking down sheet goods, although I still prefer the unisaw, but ripping lumber, trim or just about anything else, even portable tablesaws IMO are much easier.
The one thing I do know about the track saw is how nice it wold be for sheet goods. If your surface is clear of dust and debris they claim it isn't necessary to clamp it. For ripping trim not a very good deal.I would imagine depending the types of projects one does the track saws are more beneficial to some than others.Jeb
i dig my ez still, use the router base constantly and dino is a call away if I happen to need something or have a question, that alone (quick personal customer service) has me content and satisifed.
Too bad thats all he produces
Woods favorite carpenter
Hey you.
Stan won the Dewalt Best Finish Carpenter Contest.
Cool huh?
How's things? and the wife?
Merry Christmas!A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
things are ok, getting snowy and cold here but Im sure your getting your fair share of it as well.
I just read about stan and his achievement, too bad he didnt listen to us all a long time ago. =) hopefully now he knows.
Woods favorite carpenter
i like the ez for breaking down sheet goods, but thing i have found it great for that can't be done easily on a table saw is straightening curves. i had to build some porch columns out of treated 1x6. i cut off the outside of the curve with the ez, then cut the inside straight on the table saw. worked very well and easy