Thread: track saw reviews

This is a copy of a post I made in 2012; I was going to link to it but the photos disappeared in the big data dump a couple of years ago so it wasn’t worth it… I still use this constantly and as yet STILL haven’t needed to trim down the beams to get rid of the saw marks… I’ll try & get photos during the week if I have time…




One of the best things I ever made was a panel cutting frame. It is basically two stands with five 90 X 35mm beams laid between them. I can place a full 8' X 4' sheet of anything on top and rip it to width along a straight edge using a circular saw, or cut across it. As a properly set up saw only has the depth of a tooth gullet sticking out the bottom of the workpiece the beams end up with a score of only shallow cuts running across them. When they get too numerous I can just run the beams through the table saw to take 10mm off their width and start again, but 6 years of work so far isn't enough! When ripping, it is stable enough to allow you to actually crawl on top of the panel as you push the saw along.

The frame also gets used as an assembly table, painting stand and once as a spare outdoor table; just throw a cheap sheet of MDF on top. I often use it for routing outside so I don't fill the shed with dust.
When I put it in the carport and throw a sheet of 19mm MDF on the top it is solid enough to use as an extra large workbench and will happily cope with club hammer "assembly techniques"

This frame allows me to use the great outdoors as my 2nd shed; all I need is a power point nearby. It's sheer size allows me to assemble things like bookcases or cupboards without having to resort to the floor but at the same time it disassembles down to practicilly nothing; the two stands can stack on top of each other and the 2m long beams can be laid down anywhere. Plus my outdoor workspace is convenient for others to bring me cool drinks, snacks and simply observe the master at work. Theoretically.

Working at height is also much easier than cutting on foam on the ground.

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

This is a copy of a post I made in 2012; I was going to link to it but the photos disappeared in the big data dump a couple of years ago so it wasn’t worth it… I still use this constantly and as yet STILL haven’t needed to trim down the beams to get rid of the saw marks… I’ll try & get photos during the week if I have time…




One of the best things I ever made was a panel cutting frame. It is basically two stands with five 90 X 35mm beams laid between them. I can place a full 8' X 4' sheet of anything on top and rip it to width along a straight edge using a circular saw, or cut across it. As a properly set up saw only has the depth of a tooth gullet sticking out the bottom of the workpiece the beams end up with a score of only shallow cuts running across them. When they get too numerous I can just run the beams through the table saw to take 10mm off their width and start again, but 6 years of work so far isn't enough! When ripping, it is stable enough to allow you to actually crawl on top of the panel as you push the saw along.

The frame also gets used as an assembly table, painting stand and once as a spare outdoor table; just throw a cheap sheet of MDF on top. I often use it for routing outside so I don't fill the shed with dust.
When I put it in the carport and throw a sheet of 19mm MDF on the top it is solid enough to use as an extra large workbench and will happily cope with club hammer "assembly techniques"

This frame allows me to use the great outdoors as my 2nd shed; all I need is a power point nearby. It's sheer size allows me to assemble things like bookcases or cupboards without having to resort to the floor but at the same time it disassembles down to practicilly nothing; the two stands can stack on top of each other and the 2m long beams can be laid down anywhere. Plus my outdoor workspace is convenient for others to bring me cool drinks, snacks and simply observe the master at work. Theoretically.

the links/pics don't work but are you talking about something like this?

ams.jpg


or is it really just a table with no top on it, similar to oxy/plasma cutting tables

No; it’s horizontal. Essentially it’s a pair of fancy trestles with beams running between them that you can drop a full sized sheet on for cutting up with a circ saw. Every model of track saw or clamp can work on it. The trestles have cutouts in their tops that lock the beams in position so the whole shebang is as sturdy as a very sturdy thing. I’ve used it as a working platform before now, it can easily support the weight of a couple of men.

I’ll try and get some photos tomorrow if I can grab a few minutes.

I suppose it’s basically the same principle of an oxy/plasma cutting table; a set of horizontal supports with sacrificial edges

Sounds like a wonderful thing.

You need to ask yourself some questions. We know we are cutting full sheets and big stuff. What we don't know:

Are you only working at home ? Does it need to go in/on the car ?

How much secure storage/covered workshop do you have ? Will you be setting up on grass/dirt/driveway ?

The answers will guide the solution. You see you have 2 problems. 1 setup may address both but not necessarily. You have to mount the work in a good position so you can use the saw safely and comfortably and you need to guide the saw.

How often and how many ? If you do this once every 2 years spending $2k on a system probably isn't justified. A stringer and a couple of clamps, or take it to a shop and pay them to break it down. If you do it often then $$$ might be ok.

Here is a fairly simple - and CHEAP - option:

Gumtree and FB marketplace usually have mdf cover sheets for free or very cheap. They are usually full sheets of 16mm mdf, but marked.

version 1: Use a full sheet as a table with cleats on 1 long and 1 short side to quickly position the work. Cut some strips from a second sheet to make 2 guide rails. Join them a little wider than the saw base and PARRALLEL! Make a sub base for the saw which is a neat sliding fit in the frame. When you make your cut the sheet will minimise tearout underneath and the sub base above.

The problem above is storing that 8x4 in between uses so..

version 2: As above but cut the full sheet into 3 strips. 1 under the cut 1 either side to support the parts after the cut. Clamp these so the sheet can't move as the cut progresses and especially finishes. This versions stores better and is lighter the move and set up, but takes a bit longer.

Add sawhorses or whatever to make it comfortable and safer.

Just some thoughts. You need to decide what suits.

Here it is; it’s now 16 years old and has survived three house moves; one of them interstate. It has spent pretty much its entire life outside as well with very, very little care. When I made it I had no real idea how much use it would get nor how well it would stand up to abuse; about the only things that has happened to it are the “feet” (which are only nailed on) have come adrift on one trestle and some of the very ends of the outer notches have snapped off. None of this affects its use.

E6CCA226-3C3C-4C9A-AD2A-2C10621BFF89.jpg 796824DA-82CD-47AC-BC30-3B4770A236E9.jpg 276D2B36-65D5-4337-B7F4-7410C94E6CBB.jpg 2651E0BE-15E8-4BFA-8E0A-4A64221FF9EA.jpg
It was made from 4”x4” pine resawn, dressed and glued into boards for the trestles; if I was making it today I would use 90mm x 45mm construction timber glued together to make the wider boards. I would also fit metal “L” brackets to the vulnerable ends and screw the feet on (actually I know where the missing ones are; I really aught to fix them ). I would probably also make it a tadge higher; the trestles are 600mm high but I often wish they were 700 or 750mm.

crap batman you could rebuild a car on that stand. Very impressive

How often do you break down ply?

If it's not very often I find it more convenient to ask the vendor if they offer a cutting service. Most places will do it for free or charge very little per cut. Ie $1 per cut

If you do it regularly or is for a once off large project, I've previously made a storage/cutting bench out of 2x3's and MDF quite cheaply. Cost of materials for bench was $80 and provided full support for the sheet with clamping areas and under bench storage for ply to ensure it stayed flat.

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

Here it is <snip>

Yeah that's definitely underengineered, could fall apart at any moment