Thread: Makita Plunge Cut Circular Track Saw V Regular Circular Saw

My thoughts on the size of the circ saw are that if you get the biggest possible you are less likely to run out of cappacity, but as has been said, how often would you use a circ saw to cut more than 60mm? You may end up lugging a bigger heavier saw and only using it's cappacity rarely. I used a Hitachi 1700w 185mm saw to cut my bench top to length, a 80mm cut, I simply cut from both sides using a home made zero clearance straight edge.

You really need to figure out how and for what you'll be using the saw and guide.

Ben.

hi andy, let me make your decision for you!

buy the festool ts-55, if you still cannot choose, upgrade to the ts-75.
trust me you will not be disappointed, if you find yourself needing to cut more than 75mm deep, you should be using a table saw. i reckon this is something you might do once a year, but i am only guesstimating here!

when i am doing diy around my house and also building kitchens for clients in my garage/ workshop, the ts-55 is more than enough for me.

when i am working on a construction site butchering wood every day and also when i am making timber slab furniture, the deepest and heaviest timber i have had to rip has been 50mm, i cant imagine anyone wanting to make heavy slab furniture thicker than 50mm.
if they do want it thicker, they can get some one else to make it, because i sure as hell dont want to lift it!

that is why i recommend buying the ts-55. you will not need anything else after you have invested in the festool system.

the great thing about the festool is that you can resell it on ebay in 1-5 years and you will not lose much money, trust me on this, its a win-win. been there done that quite a few times!

good luck, justin

I think you have just sold it to me Justin!

I think i might continue using my crappy ozito circular saw for another few months (going away for a month on sunday for work and wont be spending a cent) so this will help me financially!

Is there much difference between the festool and the makita??

honestly mate , i have never used the makita track saw.

all i can tell you is that festool is on their third version of the track saw, (first version in 1964), makita are on their first prototype, (first version 2008). i reckon makita have a little catching up to do here!

like anything you buy these days, there is normally bugs in the system that need to be worked out, we as consumers at the bottom of the food chain end up paying for these bugs.

i love makita tools, i use them every day of my life without fail, you cant knock em, great tools, but.......

when you cross over that thin green line (which is the festool line), trust me, you will never go back.

i recently upgraded my festool track saw to the latest version, i also did the same with the festool ets 150 sanders and the routers.

i loved using the older versions but when you use the new tools for the first time, you know in an instant why you spent that crazy amount of money.
an instant later and you forget why you spent that amount of money, IMHO, its money well spent.

btw. i do not work for festool, but if they want to donate some cash to my account for this blatant advertising, i will be happy to accept all donations!

regards, justin.

Originally Posted by justinmcf

all i can tell you is that festool is on their third version of the track saw, (first version in 1964), makita are on their first prototype, (first version 2008). i reckon makita have a little catching up to do here!

Nothing wrong with releasing a 1st version especially if you have a decent pedigree. Plenty of time to learn from the competition and see what works and what tradesmen require without being tied to being backwards compatible etc. Not saying which is better because I don't know, festool may have the edge but I think you just need to go to the shop and let the salesguy do his job and demonstrate both and chose the best. 1st version or 10th version wouldn't be much of a deal breaker as long as a reputable brand is behind it which the two are. Another factor to look into is how much additional tracks cost and how readily available they are. It's also good if they don't change every 3 years the design because it sucks sourcing extra tracks. Festool may have the track record in that regard.

I wish I knew about track saws a couple of years ago when I was doing a project. Would of been very worthwhile investing in it..