[thomas1389]

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.

ouch!!

 

[thomas1389]

Try a new perspective. Let's say you have no "other" expensive vices. No booze, no smokes, no mistress, and the mortgage is beaten down. You're thrifty, family oriented and you've got decent health coverage.
There are no pockets in shrouds. I came from a large family, was taught to be thrifty, to make do, to go without. eventually I didn't know how to do anything but save. I have a good mortgage free home, a good wife and two grown children. I have good health. Until only a little while ago I was questioning everything I bought. Couldn't I make it and save some money? Do I really need it or is it being frivolous? I've got enough now to last my lifetime and most of my kids lifetime. To me the only thing it really gives me is peace of mind. I no longer have to worry about being poor. So, buy the Makita. I did and I like it. I don't use it enough to justify the cost but so what. I like it and no one lost because I bought it. Treat yourself, time is short.

 

[billyjim]

I have the festool and I use it at every opportunity. Smooth, straight cuts. very good dust collection and a small footprint. Like Thomas said, treat yourself, whether it be the Dewalt, the Makita, the festool, or any other brand. Buy it and enjoy it.

 

[jemangin]

I bought the Makita after seeing that review last year. It is a great track saw. I break down my plywood with it on top of styrofoam sheets.

 

[SteveMI]

Lately, I have been experimenting with the Matchfit clamps from Microjig.
MATCHFIT? - MICROJIG - Work Smarter

I bought a set / system of these at a woodworker show. They were pushing it for the Dado Stop option, which I have still not found that useful. But, with a fence or as a guide clamp they are darn good.

Steve.

 

[SouthRider]

Festool has a metric track that is approx. 70", plus they sell rail connectors. I ended up with two 55's and one 70. Now the 55's stay joined together permanently.

Festool also sells the MFT table which has a sacrificial top made of mdf and clamping holes every few inches. Once I bought the mft I put my sheet of foam away and cut exclusively off of the mft, lightly scoring the table top. I've since added a matching height roll around cart for long cuts (in which case I through a couple 2 bys under the material).

When I had the Dewalt I used an old door on top of horses, and then topped with a sheet of 1" foam board, but I kept breaking off the ends of the foam.....

Now the mft table has a permanent home in the shop and it's great for the oddball 32" angled crosscut. Plus the mft has a built in track that is square to the table.