Track saw - worthy investment?

[JimLoskot]

I'm looking to buy a track saw primarily for fitting a new kitchen but will also be needed for lots of other DIY around the house.

Is a track saw worth buying?
Can you get a decent one around the £250 mark?
Any recomendation please?

Many thanks

 

[noseall]

What's a track saw?

 

[JimLoskot]

a plunge saw or circular saw on a guide rail system.

 

[joe-90]

Just use your existing along a straight edge.

 

[big-all]

track saws worth every penny

2 marks lay the track and cut the rubber edge is trimmed by the first time and virtually eliminates chipping
you can trim laminate floor edge in situ before fixing the skirting
you can undercut the skirting before laying the laminate floor
you can trim doors before laying the flooring in situ to save removing them

i have the dewalt 18v battery version and love it

if you are doing more than around 5% worktops or 2" timber then don't get a 18v as it will need around 6ah worth off batteries to keep going fairly continuously
but for thinner timber and sheet material its 100%

 

[JimLoskot]

Thanks for the feedback.

What the price difference between the corded and battery versions?
I'd be tempted to get a corded saw.
Can anyone recomend a corded one please?

 

[joinerjohn]

Festool TS55, A tad expensive (and you can't really shop around on price, but might find some retailers will throw in extras for free) Makita and DeWalt also do plunge saws with guide rails. Certainly cheaper than Festool and probably just as good for cutting worktop etc.

 

[catlad]

I have the bosch GKS 55 GCE its very accurate, It cost if I remember right about £160 but the rails can set you back another £100 depending on size. The rail system saves time and you can take a mm of something accurately which is not easy with guide arm.

 

[Norcon]

Axminster sell the Bosch GKT GCE and 1.6m rail for £359 inc vat.

The TS55R is £398 and a 1.9m rail an extra £116.

The bosch looks similar to the festo. Though the bosch has no upper consumamble chip shoe which is about the only difference I can see.

 

[big-all]

battery kits will always be far more than corded equivillent
as i had several dewalt 18v tools and batteries and it was only £235 for the saw naked 2x1.4m rails and a joiner i couldnt resist

 

[nickjb]

Great bit of kit if you have the cash. I used this cheaper DIY option for many years and it works well:

http://garages.about.com/od/toolsmaterials/a/circular_saw_guide_long.htm

 

[gregers]

as above,like anything eventually if 1 comes my way i may well be singing its praises.but at the mo i will continue using a couple of straight edges clamped down.

 

[JimLoskot]

my circular saw is in desperate need of renewal

 

[gregers]

if you can afford it then fill ur boots

 

[big-all]

i think i have already asked you where you live gregs but cant remember halsted comes to mind lol
where do you actually live then
any way if you are ever near to redhill please come and try the track saw and any other tool porn i have