[schnewj]

Everybody needs a Festool Trak Saw or the equivalent, RIGHT?

Not everyone has $400-500 burning a hole in their pockets. Convenient, yes, necessary NO! If you are a commercial shop, then it might be worth it. It will save you time and money. But, come on guys, how many of us don't have the time, or the tools/materials to set up a guide to break down sheet goods?

Stick and Gene are spot on. I can do anything a Trak saw will do with a dedicated straight edge and a circular saw. I have mechanical straight edges, and home made straight edges. I suspect that they are just as easy and quick to set up and use as a dedicated Trak type set-up.

Lately, I have been experimenting with the Matchfit clamps from Microjig. I have built a dedicated straight edge out of a piece of 1X and 1/4" hardboard. The clamps lock it into place and are never in the way of my saw. I have one for cross-cutting sheet goods and a longer one for ripping sheet goods. I have probably less than $15 in materials, $40 into two clamps (that are used for several other specific operations) and a few minutes of labor. No extra expenses for; track sections, connectors, replacement rubber strips, or any of the other EXPENSIVE accessories and replacement parts.

MATCHFIT? - MICROJIG - Work Smarter

Sorry, I just can't see spending the money for one of these systems guide trak systems. Then again, I guess that I'm just not one of the "Cool Kids" and have to own a bunch of tools like those overpriced green ones.

 

[schnewj]

I'll revisit dewalt vs makita, I don't remember why I choose dewalt when I did the research last year. Makita may be available locally, I spoke with a supplier last week who was sold out but expected more this week.

I want a track saw vs saving money because I've used all the other techniques mentioned and found them lacking. This may have more to do with my circular saws than the technique. My 18v is so beat up that it only gets close to cutting straight. I really dislike my makita 120v. It spits sawdust in my face and is not really designed for fine cuts.
I the plunge feature of a track saw will be helpful and safer than plunge cutting with the circular saw.
Dust collection will be very nice.
As well as the track alignment features.

I have tried battery powered saws for breakdown and like you I find them very lacking. They are prone to low torque, too slow a speed, ragged cuts and dying at the most inconvenient time. I have an older Porter Cable 347 120v that I use for sheet break-down. It SHOOTS the waste out an exhaust in the shroud. It came with a tube ~3/4" that I can insert and swivel to direct the exhaust in any direction, or connect a DC hose (I use the Rockler small tool kit) to collect the dust.

Again, probably not as cool as the Green tool and its DC hose, but it works.

As far as alignment goes...don't get caught up in the hype! Even the Festool tracks have provisions to clamp the traks into place. No matter what you see and believe no trak will stay in place 100%. You might get away with just setting the trak into place and cutting, but if it moves one time you may have lost the material. I ALWAYS clamp guides into place.