Thread: Looking to buy a Tracksaw

I just bought the ozito. Loud as but seems to be pretty good. Certainly good enough to break down sheets.

I had a Makita and it was great. For straight vertical cuts it was hard to fault

I bought the cheapo unit that is sold under a couple of brand names - mine was the 'Diva' version from total tools, but Sheppach also sell the same saw (CS55?) In all honesty, for breaking down any sheet goods, it's been great. I reckon the right blade is more important than the saw manufacturer for hobby use. Struggles at full depth in composites - I've just cut a benchtop to size, with a brand new TCT blade, and it didn't enjoy it - 30mm ply laminated to 18mm MDF - but still did the job.

I'll replace it later this year, and it'll be the tradetools offering. My concern with the Ozito is that the track seems flimsier and less 'compatible'...

For anyone considering the cheaper end of the track saw market - one consideration is availability of additional rails.
Many of the cheap brands do not offer additional rails, which is likely to be a major drawback. And for those that do offer additional rails, often these are only available in a single & quite short length (about 700mm).
Joining multiple rails, particularly of lower quality, will result in inaccurate cuts, negating a major benefit of a track-saw.

The more established brands such as Makita, Bosch, DeWalt etc (& Festool & Mafell if you have the money) offer additional tracks, and these are available in various lengths. Festool has the biggest range of tracks, accessories & compatibility with other tools in their range - one value proposition if you buy into their "system" approach.

Even if the cheap brands do happen to offer extra rails, you should not assume these will always be available in the future, so buy a few at the same time as you buy the saw.

Peter Millard did a video recently on compatibility of rails between brands, which might be of interest. Also, he has done quite a few videos of track-saws from cheap to top-end. (Check out his YouTube channel for these)


I also saw these bundles from Sydney Tools - no idea of the quality, but the bundles seem pretty good value:
NOTE: I am not endorsing these - I've not seen them so can't comment on quality)

Sydney Tools
$499
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Or for a few buck more, bundled with a shop vac - total $539 (that's a $40 vac!)
Sydney Tools

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The Scheppach rails are 1400mm but the single joiner rod is not enough. I made another out of key steel and the joined track is now rock solid.

a) Lappa's point is correct, but there is a remedy (I have the Sheppach kit under the other brand). If using 1 joiner, sight down the tracks along the cutline, and tap them into 'straightness' - your eye should be good enough for this, in normal use. If really concerned, put a 2m spirit level or straightedge against the edge to check. I have 2 joiners, but rarely use both, and have had no noticeable accuracy problems within my tolerances.

I use two joiners with my Festool track as well as one is not enough

My understanding is that Festo/Festool tracks originally had one joiner. Hence why today in the product there is a /2. eg FS1400/2 FS Guide Rail 1400 mm to indicate two joiners.

Originally Posted by Handyjack

My understanding is that Festo/Festool tracks originally had one joiner. Hence why today in the product there is a /2. eg FS1400/2 FS Guide Rail 1400 mm to indicate two joiners.

Yep - I still have 3 of the original Festo tracks (sold the saw a long time ago, mounted in a Triton MkIII) The good thing is that the old tracks are compatible with the new ones - albeit only one joiner - but it helps to have the extra capacity with long rips when super accurate straight-line cuts are not a priority.

Well, ended up buying the Makita cordless with an extra 1400mm rail. It was an absolute delight to use, don't know why I didn't have one of these sooner. Overkill for what I needed but hey, you can't have too many tools aye.

Originally Posted by Henrioliver

I have a Bosch track saw. Very good product.

Only issue is Bosch in Australia are terrible, if
You need to get attachments and accessories is a nightmare whereas Makita is readily available.

Also Makita uses the same track as Festool I think.

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I've not had to deal with Bosch directly here in NZ, and I get most of my tools locally just for the convenience, but Bunnings and Mitre 10 have limited stock of Bosch Blue and don't carry the GKS 18V 57G saw (the one that works with the Bosch FSN Guide Rail). So for specialist Bosch tools I use TestnTools. They seem to have the full range, but more importantly, their customer service is as good as any I have come across. Great communication, and they'll go after Bosch on your behalf if you have any problems. Their prices are OK as well.


Testntools - Tools that work for you

make your own from MDF there are plenty of YouTube clips.
I have a 1400 and a 2600. straight and flat as Aunt Maudes chest

Originally Posted by Tonyz

make your own from MDF there are plenty of YouTube clips.
I have a 1400 and a 2600. straight and flat as Aunt Maudes chest

I was going to suggest that.
It's what I did - made mine out of formply.
The saw sits on the formply and I line the edge of the formply up with where I want the cut to be.
A second piece of timber screwed to the formply is what the base of my circular saw hugs.
I feel like I have cut miles of sheet stuff with that solution.

I made and used my own for years and didn't even realise there was a proper tool for it. However the track saw is a definite improvement on DIY. I bought the Sheppach. Which is actually OK but the rails etc are crap. And I haven't figured out a connection to my shop vac for it so I only use it outside. I wouldn't buy it again. Of course it all depends how often you use these things but I'd recommend going one better than these budget options if you can.

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