[Cherryville Chuck]

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 made one of the home made zero clearance style guides to primarily break down full sheets to a point where they are easier to handle. I like the fact that I can mark out what I want and line the guide up without having to measure an offset. I was still getting terrible results.

I finally decided to check the saw one day, after wrongfully thinking for a considerable time that it should have been made straight. Using a calliper as a depth gauge I measured from the blade to the edge of the sole plate and found that the back end was 1/16" farther from the edge than the front toeing the blade outward into the cut. It was no wonder I found it hard to use and that it was making ragged cuts.

The back of the sole plate was riveted to the saw but the front was attached with a roll pin so I knocked it out and filed the side of the attachment point down with a file. When I drove the roll pin back in I put a flat washer on the side I was pushing away from to take up the slack. The saw is now perfectly aligned and with a good 40 tooth blade makes beautiful cuts.