Tracksaw advice

[evdamadiynot]

Thats a good point re cutting services.
I have a good saw,angle iron already and could knock together a setting jig easy enough and I can tolerate the cut edge not being mirror flat,but what I am finding is a slight reticence in the critical infomation I need ie what advantage would a tracksaw have above all this.

 

[lostinthelight]

Blade kerf is not so important if the track is placed on the finished piece, it's the method I use but does involve having some pieces of the same material under the unsupported edge when cutting narrow strips

 

[ETAF]

but what I am finding is a slight reticence in the critical infomation I need ie what advantage would a tracksaw have above all this.

maybe time , it should be quicker to setup with a tracksaw for repeatable cuts
i guess safety
otherwise as mentioned watch the youtube videos

And the saw is on the track , so you are not reliant on pushing against the guide, with any chance of drift

as mentioned watch the videos - loads also comparing circular saw with track saw - NOT sure what else to say -

I also use a 40/48tooth blade to get a reasonable finish on the material - NOT the usual 20/24teeth blade

BUT i have had to cut a lot of sheet material for a lot of projects accurately , and been happy with the circular saw , BUT would not use PAR timber as its not straight enough for accuracy in my opinion - but i have already nswered with all that

 

[^woody^]

No.

2.4m feed in one side with 2.4m the other.
You need a 5m long area..

How would you get a 1200mm wide sheet on a small table saw?...

We have a massive table saw at work to cut sheets.
Table saws aren't very useful for DIY unless you hobby making small things

He cuts it in half first with his circular, and then he sets up another bench or suchlike, or buys a roller stand to deal with the output support.

It really is not hard to work out.

 

[^woody^]

Woody - I have a cheap table saw- one of my most regrettable purchases.

Right. I said cheap because your OP seemed to indicate cost sensitivity. Buy a good one then. Or hire one.

My best tool purchase ever (and i have way too many) has to be a Dewalt table saw - especially for the rack and pinion guides. Precise. Throw in various fences and guides from Ali Express and it is a god send.

Bottom line is that you don't want to be ripping long lengths of timber that you propose with a track saw

 

[evdamadiynot]

Thanks guys
Thats some good points to make a decision upon.

 

[Scally-Ho]

As soon as you've tried a trackie, you'll be hooked, then you'll wonder how you managed without one.

 

[evdamadiynot]

I suppose wherever you would use a regular circular saw you could use a tracksaw for a more accurate cut but thinking back,its been around four years since I used mine because all my projects have been 18"square and done on table and mitre saw
Need some solid justification for the expense.
Verdict is still out for now

 

[Scally-Ho]

At my age all conventional saws are out of the equation unless a junior. I rely on everything electric these days.

 

[foxhole]

Ive got a job coming up which involves cutting lots of 8x4 osb into strips of identical width
I have absolutely no knowledge of tracksaws in use

Ive previously just clamped a nice piece of par to guide the circular saw for similar smaller jobs
I could fabricate a setting jig to reposition my timber guide rail after each cut

My question is would a tracksaw be significantly easier / more accurate than that?

Of course we all love new toys but not having ever seen one in use I dont know if I can justify the price given that it wouldnt get used that often afterwards
Any thoughts?

What dimension are you cutting ?

 

[foxhole]

As soon as you've tried a trackie, you'll be hooked, then you'll wonder how you managed without one.

I hate using track saw, cutting lots of narrow 8’ strips means you have to reach right across sheet or cut left handed.

 

[aveatry]

You'll be better off with a cheap table saw

Not really with 8x4 sheets. Unless he is getting them from a place that does free cutting - could get them to cut down into 4 pieces and then but on his bench. Do not know if B and Q still does it but it used to be first 3 cut free and then 50p each after which would be a cheaper than a one off saw use

 

[aveatry]

Table saws aren't very useful for DIY

I disagree - they are extremely useful I cut down kitchen doors and 20 shelves for kitchen units once the guide fence is set and I have my run off table then its one after the other in quick succession accurate and repeatable and quick.
Also I can cut down say 4x1 and such like where you could not attach a guide or not enough width for the sticky track to adhere.
I have built a platform for it from a workmate for big jobs and lots of cutting but mostly I use it on the floor so its easy to set up a run off.

 

[lostinthelight]

I hate using track saw, cutting lots of narrow 8’ strips means you have to reach right across sheet or cut left handed.

Not if the track is on the piece you want

 

[big-all]

Not really with 8x4 sheets. Unless he is getting them from a place that does free cutting - could get them to cut down into 4 pieces and then but on his bench. Do not know if B and Q still does it but it used to be first 3 cut free and then 50p each after which would be a cheaper than a one off saw use

first 3 cuts free can give you loads off strips
first cut 3 boards cut in half
second 6 strips
third another 6 so 12

now what you can actually do will depend on machine capacity [thickness wise ]
and the operator being willing to restack the bits but worth a thought