The BEST Woodworking Tool for Cutting Plywood and MDF | Kreg Track Saw Review
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- Опубліковано 12 січ 2022
- This is my review of the Kreg Track saw. This is by far the best woodworking tool I've used to break down plywood and MDF in my shop. I've had this saw for a few weeks now and have put it through its paces on a full project building a custom closet with built ins. I used it to cut multiple cuts on 3/4" plywood and MDF and can say with confidence it is a good tool, but it isn't perfect. Amazon and other affiliate links are used in this description and they help support this channel.
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➤Products In Video
Kreg Track Saw with One Track: amzn.to/3K5RkDv
Extra Track: amzn.to/3Fr0Xt0
Kreg Parallel Guides: amzn.to/3zVlsNg
Kreg Rip Guides: amzn.to/3Gs5UDd
Kreg Rip Cut (fits most any circular saw): amzn.to/3tl5smt
Entire Adaptive Cutting System with Project Table, Saw and Track: amzn.to/3noJTxA
Budget Track Clamps: amzn.to/3qmRy18
Clamps I Used: amzn.to/3FnOpmc
➤Other Track Saw Alternatives:
Wen Track Saw: amzn.to/3K6e7iD
Makita Track Saw: amzn.to/3riRcbh
Money Don't Matter Track Saw: www.festoolusa.com/power-tool...
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➤This video is not sponsored however, Kreg did send me the plunge saw and all accessories for free. - Навчання та стиль
Buy the Kreg Track Saw here: amzn.to/3Fr418u
Hola! 🖐 Great to see that you are expanding the arsenal in your workshop! Congratulations on all your success. Really good video, I like all the details of the tool that you have highlighted here. Take care and have a good one :D 👊
I have this tool I got it with the project table top & made my own cabinet that it sits on. It works very well its very accurate I like all the features that the saw has. I got it to make a mid century dresser for my daughter & it workes like a dream.
I’ve watched your video multiple times. I finally bought this track saw. (Budget was a main concern). Wow!!! I love it. I’ve always prided myself on being able to split a line with a skill saw by hand but wow this is a game change. Much more accurate than even my table saw. Safer and easier to use. After I build my MFT table for thin/ narrow rips and crosscuts my table saw will probably collect dust. I built 4 floating shelves today with this track saw making every cut. Wow! It went together perfectly. Thanks for the great videos
I would love to see your video on the table. I love all the features of this saw especially the track. How amazing is this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and you explain everything so well. This would help me so much for my wood working projects and thank you so much for the chance to win this amazing gift. Good luck to all.
Table video coming next week
Just bought the kreg saw and track, very happy with it! My wife wanted to do the faux shiplap in one of our rooms, have had 8 sheets of plywood sitting in the basement for 6 months that I’ve been neglecting haha. I have a job site table saw so super awkward breaking them down. This thing made short work of it to break down into manageable sizes to go through the table saw.
Love the shirt brother! Thanks for your time and detailed info.
Thank you Matt I was on the fence with getting a Kreg track saw. After watching your very honest and informative video I just ordered it.
As always thank you and God bless.
Thank you! Awesome review, I have been wanting a track saw because I can not make a straight cut. Now as soon as I can sell a couple of these crooked cut projects. I will be getting A Kreg Track saw. I have been using the Kreg pocket hole jig for so long I can not even tell you the model number. Thanks again for the review. Dave
Always enjoy a good tool review, especially when you have actually given it some use so yes more on those would be good
I’ve had mine since Xmas and man oh man I love it !!!! So many times I could have used this in the past to save my sanity and frustration level. Squaring a sheet is a breeze and a huge time saver. Good vid bud. Everything he said is true the good and the bad. Saw and track rock.
100 percent would love to find a video from your channel about the work table. UA-cam is lacking the a good Acs … you are a great source of information
Got the table in yesterday. Coming soon!
Excellent review. Thanks for showing that bit about the Matchfit dovetail clamps. I didn't think of using those to clamp the track down. Saves me money on having to buy more clamps!
Hi, thank you for all your honest reviews.
Glad you like them!
I have had the kreg saw and table for a year now. I bought them for breaking down sheet goods since my table saw is a small job site dewalt. I really like the system. The table is useful for supporting and clamping down material while cutting. There are two rails embedded in the table with a ruler and a stop for making repeat cuts. The track clamps to the edges of the table to keep at 90 degrees. The table has a lot of features so I think it would be a good topic for another video.
Nice review. Cost is always a consideration but finding a track saw that does what it is supposed to do and do it right, well that is a bonus. Thanks
Quite the nice review!
I appreciate the review, and the fact that the tool review was just that..a tool review. I got worried when I read the shirt. Thanks for the time and effort and your integrity.
Love your shirts and boldness for Christ! You just gained a sub
Thanks for subbing!
Awesome review. Thanks so much for providing these.
Thanks for the review. Track saw is next bigger purchase on my list
I've been eyeing this tool a while as I prepare to move into my new workshop. Videos like this are very helpful! Also gotta point out the gimbal glitch at 4:27 LOL Life of a content creator! I know that pain all too well! :)
lol battery died.
I bought the ACS over a table saw because it is much safer (it would take some effort to lose your fingers with it), takes up practically no space when I don’t need it (I hoist it up to the ceiling in my garage) and I don’t expect to do more than a few projects per year. The only flaws I noticed is that I can’t get the track set exactly square to the dog holes in the table. It’s off by maybe a 32nd or less over 4 feet. But that’s close enough for what I do. The track also flexes somewhat. So if you’re cutting boards that aren’t flat, the edge won’t be cut square. Again, good enough for amateur work. I just wonder if the competing systems are much better. (I bought mine not knowing there were other options when I saw it in my local Acme Tools store.)
Love Kreg
Great shirt in this video!
Recently bought my first track saw (Makita) and holy heck I should have gotten it way sooner. If anyone is on the fence like I was, always using a circ saw with a straight edge, do it! Makes life so much easier, and not to mention getting nice SQAURE cuts every time. Thanks for the review Mr 731! :-)
What makita track saw did you get?
@@ashleycrofts3779 The SP6000J. I've since sold it and got a Milwaukee track saw. Nothing wrong with Makita, just wanted cordless.
Love your shirts. Amen brother.
Can't wait to see the video on your new closet
This is what is missing from my arsenal. The guys on my crew don't believe it but this is a game changer
An actual honest review, nice! Would be nice to get a tracksaw without the kreg shortcomings.
Looking at this system, I am currently using the track guide system and that one came with 2
I have thought about getting a track saw and would get the Kreg brand. I will probably get one soon, but I do know I won’t spend the money on the Festool one.
I already have the accucut track with a Dewalt DWE560-GB Circular Saw, its pretty good but the dust control isnt good and I wanna be able to freely use my circular saw sometimes. So, Im having issues choosing between buying the Kreg Plunge Saw or the Festool Track/Saw
I’d love to see a video on the project table
The table is awesome, would love to see a review on it.
Price is definitely a consideration for most of us when buying tools. However, if your budget allows I recommend the Festool track saw and TSO parallel guides with the quick release adapters made specifically for festool tracks. I can't imagine a better setup for breaking down plywood.
Festool is the best you can buy if you can afford to drop $400 on a drill.
@@lancekoller5284
I'm a finish carpenter so I do need to buy tools for work and projects at home. I have the corded TS75 and the cordless Makita. I use the Festool for breaking down sheet goods only because it's calibrated to use on the tracks. The makita is adjustable I could get it to cut right along the chip guard of the track and I probably would use it instead of the Festool cuz it has a nice scoring feature but, I don't know, the Festool is nice too. I can run either the makita or the Festool on the Festool tracks.
The corded makita with festool tracks might be an option. I just really like the TSO parallel guides, and they work well with festool tracks. I hate breaking down sheet goods, the TSO guides with the quick release adapters make it much easier.
if Festool made a Left Blade, I'd pay $1500 for it. Sadly, track saws are all designed for lefties (besides the Kreg) . As a former lefty, righties have no idea what theyre missing.
Wondering whether the Festools track saw would work with this table. Are the tracks standardized?
Would love to see a review of the table. I've been debating on the whole system. Love the channel.
Thanks!
Fix this build that has a video on the full system. Its selling point is the foldable storage imo. I’m not personally a fan of the ACS, but I hope you find what you need. And I’m in no way advocating one channel over another, I think there’s a strong community of great makers and teachers and Matt is one of the best.
Would you ever be able to do a video on how you calibrate that track song? I recently bought mine and it’s been giving me a problem with the calibration, just curious how you would do it.
Don’t worry Matt. You’ll find that other clear plastic piece. One of two ways. One with the shop vac cleaning the floor or at night barefoot when you are walking out there in near dark conditions. It’s like a Lego. Your four will find it! LOL
Love my Track Saw!!
With a track saw and a good blade, and if you calibrate it to cut exactly at 90 degrees, you can actually edge joint boards for glue up. I recently did that and am very happy with the results.
Which track saw and blade did you use?
@@ronh9384
The Kreg probably cuts pretty nice and there might be alternative blades to the stock blade that would work better/smoother, I don't know, but I used the stock blade on my TS75.
I like an honest review…and this an honest review.
Great video! I can’t wait to win this!
Matt your killing me man lol. I just purchased a few thing from you last video on tools. I want to purchase the smaller festool sander 5 inch orbital. But this might have to be first. Great video..
lol, sorry brother. It's a nice saw for sure!
Looks like an awesome saw but a bit pricey for someone starting out. Thanks for the great reviews and content on you channel.
Make sure you store your track vertically and not horizontally. They sag if you hang them on the wall horizontal. Also, using foam insulation board as a sacrificial sub surface is great instead of bench cookies. It helps with splintering too. The cmt track saw blades are great. Tell Taylor to send you some. 🤪
I have room for this in my stable.
Bought one of the original rip cuts, it was less than adequate. Bought the newer version not too long ago and adapted my Kreg track saw to it works great for cutting down plywood. While this is pretty accurate I still use table saw and miter saw saw for final cuts.
Like many, this is a hobby and not a full time dream job as i'd like it to be. I have the Kreg track saw and its been so helpful in breaking down sheet goods and even using it to break down rough lumber and getting a straight edge to run through the table saw. I just wish they had a little shorty track. I'd hate to spend almost 100 on a track to just cut it down. The 62 inch is sometimes just too long to cross cut sheets that are otherwise too wide for the miter. The adaptive table would resolve that issue for me, but I just dont have the room for it or the budget in my garage shop. Overall i've had it for over a year now and I couldnt see myself without a track saw of any kind. Kreg has worked for me
I'm going through the same thinking now where I'm going to build a hall tree shoe storage thingy out of plywood. I made a circular saw guide using the plywood 'factory edge' being straight but I worry that it didn't end up very straight.. but is that wlrry worth $400+ for a track saw instead? I'm not sure..
Anyone know if there’s an issue Cutting given the motor is on the right side versus the other size the motor is on the left?
Great review. Would come in handy when cutting draw bottoms out of a sheet of plywood. Thank you for content Matt. Lloyd…
Thank you Lloyd!
Sounds just like other Kreg jigs I’ve used. There’re close but not exact. Used the drawer slide guides, one of the two isn’t square by about 1/32nd not the end of the world but if you trying to set flush close drawers it can throw you off a bit and it’s visually noticeable .I know that now and just used a shim to compensate. I only build for hobby so for the cost they work.
Matt, I love your channel and thanks for all of your service! One question about the track saw, do I need to subtract the width of the blade in planning the cut or am I good to put the track right along the cut line of the desired end state? I am about to make some cabinet fronts (many of them) and want to make sure I am using my new Kreg track saw correctly and at its optimum. Thanks...v/r Brad
Is this thing cuts right on the line and it's absolutely amazing!
How does the flex at 45 degrees compare to the flex of the Wen at 45 degrees that you showed in the Wen review?
I purchased a track saw maybe 2 years ago and this is by far one of my best investments. You're right about needing more than one track though. Makita has several lengths to choose from. I purchased two 52" tracks because I rarely rip a full board length-wise and the 52" is adequate for nearly all projects. Bought a woodpeckers track square, which works well, but unlike the track saw, I do have a tad bit of buyers remorse of the square because I don't feel it's as useful. I may change my mind when I start doing more cabinets. I am interested in a parallel guide for repeatable cuts, but I wonder if it's worth it to have that redundant capability if you can do repeatable cuts/rips on your table saw. In my opinion, one of the best cuts you can make with the track saw is some really odd angle straight cut that is easy enough to mark up with a pencil and straight edge, but is too long for a miter saw or table saw with a miter guage.
I have the table and the saw. I love the saw and the track, and I like the table. I find the table hard to calibrate and get reliable square cuts. I have better results using the ukj clips. The dog holes are 3/4 in (19mm), so not compatible with most 3rd party accessories (which are 20mm). I also wish Kreg had a shorter track as an accessory. Despite all of the short comings I would buy the system again. I don't have a dedicated shop so the portability is a great. As a complete hobbyist I really like the safety features, riving knife, kick back control, and a non exposed spinning blade.
I'm not sure if they have it but I think every company should have a package deal with everything in it
Tip: Put a couple pieces of tape over that opening in the side of the track saw, that helps with better suction and dust extraction!
One thing I've never seen mentioned by anyone that's done a review of the track saw
Will a 45° cut trim more off the strip?
What are your thoughts on the Kreg track saw system vs the Kreg KMA3700 Accu-Cut XL. I already 3 circular saws...hard to justify buying a forth saw...and at $140 seems like a great deal...until I can buy that sliding table saw😂 Great review...thank you!
I’d love to have a track saw but I gotta upgrade my table saw first. Right now I’m rocking a $200 craftsman job site saw. Does what I need it to for now.
I have to get a track saw.. Lol..tired of playing with the straight edge that does move in the middle..it's just a pain..been wondering how kregs is ..thanks for the review...
I have a ridged 18v saw and I need to cut a 10ft butcher block board what track would you recommend?
Great video Matt, No on the project table it will be like the guides you don't like. build a small Ron Paulk bench you will be so much happier, keep the quality videos coming.
Any opinion on the Menards 6 1/2 Masterforce track saw!
Would you say if I buy this track saw, I would have no more need for a regular circular saw and could sell that one? Especially if I mostly cut plywood and have no need for it being cordless?
Yeah i would like to see the table also. I am debating getting it, cause I have limited space for a good table saw.
I got mine today and I absolutely love it already. QUESTION: when I made my initial cut to trim the strip it cut surprisingly close to the aluminum with the stock blade. The cut line is spot on but does it seem normal that it only left about 1/16 of an inch of the strip???
Mine has a hair over 1/16th of an inch and yes it does seem close to the aluminum.
Love the videos great work. Just a quicky you can't cut a 38" piece if you're setting your tape to 38" you've got the width of the track and the size blue add on to take off the 38" haven't you ?
The tape measures that are part of the cutting guides account for the offset. Where a regular tape measure starts measuring at 0", they start measuring at 12".
The blade that comes with this saw is wildly underrated. Typically, you buy a product and you need to spend another $50 for a better blade. I have personally caught several hundred FEET of 1" thick oak flooring boards and the blade still cuts clean and with no smoke.
Other than the saw is used with the right hand, I see nothing else that would cause me to buy it.
My choice at this point will probably be MAKITA.
Thanks for the review.
Why is the motor on the right for the saw, where is all the other tracks is the motors on the left. Does that matter? Especially when Making bevel cuts?
The thing about this one, is it's pretty much the same price as other good track saws. Kreg stuff is usually more economical. I'm leaning toward the Makita when I get the chance.
I have the Makita cordless track saw. I'd like to suggest you consider the Festool tracks. The makita runs great on it and the TSO parallel guides have quick release adapters that work with festool tracks only. Instead of having to screw the guides to the track you simply set them down on the track and pick them up when done. They are awesome.
Seems like a good product. I would have loved to see you review it with two tracks. I'd be concerned about it flexing at the joint.
I have two tracks joined and keep them that way. They don't flex. There are four steel bars that keep it from flexing.
@@russmartin4189 I bought the TSO products track joiners...they cost a bit more but they are beautifully machined, self aligning, and fit the Kreg tracks perfectly. Highly recommended.
As ppl when you had this table system, did it appear that any other tracks would fit on the brackets?
I have been targeting the Makita Track saw for my arsenal. Currently I have the Accu-cut from Kreg. It's ok, but if you are taking it in and out of the base for the track saw you need to pay very close attention to ensure you get a square cut. If you have a recommendation between the Makita and the Greg, I'd love to hear about it. Festool is just out of my price range.
I still have not bought a track saw. Makita has been my target due to the ability to use the track with my Makita router. Here is where I would go with the Kreg, Makita and Festool have priced themselves out of my range. Woodworking is a side hustle/hobby. Paying over $600 for a track saw just doesn't compute. Maybe if I start making a reasonable amount, I'll revisit the other 2.
Question, the dust bag had blue material in it and I saw the edge of the track was chewed up a bit. How did that happen? Was it just user error or poor design? How can we avoid that happening? This tool is not cheap. If I buy it I’d like it to last. I don’t want to have to replace the track because the saw is chewing up at it with every cut. Thanks for your honest reviews.
Your first cut, the instructions tell you to lower the blade and cut the blue, that gives you a true zero clearance to the track
I would love to have a track saw, but just as others have stated, cost is usually the inhibiting factor. I have been looking at their tracks for awhile, but every time I see the price again, I move on, telling myself that I can do rough dimensions with an edge guide and final with a table saw
Mine died on me just last month. I had had it for just over a year and had about an hour of cutting time on it. I called Kreg and got through to a real person without being put on hold. I was asked a few questions and received a brand new saw the next week. I was told to keep the old saw for parts. That's what I call customer service!
That's good to hear.
Excellent review. I would like to add some additional comments. I own the complete track saw with accessories. They call it a plunge saw. I believe it is the biggest bargain in track saws. I also own the complete Adaptive Cutting System. I have used both extensively and have cut down a ton of veneered plywood. Now, this is the story with the rip guides and parallel guides. They work, but you have to be very careful if you want precise cuts, and you have to make sure you pull your track with guides up to the edge of your stock every time. After making a few errors of 1/8th inch or so, I decided to use them to cut approximately to my desired size, then I ran my pieces through the table saw to make them perfect. Each set of those things is $100, so they are not cheap. They should have been made out of metal and had metal knobs. That said, they work. I used the Rip Guides much more than the parallel guides, which are for wider pieces. Since I was cutting a lot of strips from 4 to 9 inches wide, the rip guides were best. You cannot lose the little plastic lenses on those guides. They have the hairline that you set to your desired dimension. I had hoped the Adaptive Cutting System and Plunge Saw with Track and accessories would eliminate my need for a table saw, but they didn't. However, for one guy working alone, they help a lot. I have no reservations recommending both of the products. Buy them here and help Matt develop his business. This was the deal clincher for me. No other track saw has guides, and no other track saw has a table with dog holes and accessories that make cutting precise pieces with 90 degree corners easy..
The only similar setup is a Festool saw with the Multi function table. There is a decent price difference as you can imagine.
Awesome info Russ. Thanks for sharing.
@@FenierH Seen a review of it on Concentric Home, and he didn't like the Festool table. ua-cam.com/users/ConcentricHomeSolutionsWoodworkingChannel
Great video, table review would complete the the review!
I call dibs on the giveaway...LOL! I have been looking at the system so a review will be great as well. Seriously, I call dibs!
I noticed you seemed to have cut the blue plastic edge on the track, yes? I noticed shavings in the dust bag and later as you were using the saw I could see what looked like blue edging flopping about....what happened? And I am going with Bosch GKT55. I hoped a track saw would eliminate the need for a table saw, but I decided to get a Laguna Fusion 2. Thanks for your videos!
Your first cut out of the box is to cut the blue edging. They build it so that it is supposed to be cut to give you a true zero clearance to the blade. I should have mentioned that in the review, sorry
Review of the table would be great!
I have been using track saws for over 30 years I just take a piece of quarter inch vinyl/melamine about 8 inches wide either 4 foot or 8 foot long Mill a piece of lumber down to about a half inch thick 2 inches wide and screw it to the Vinyl/melamine Set my Skil saw on top of the vinyl/melamine against the wood edge that I screwed do it make my first cut and then I have an exact edge non-splintering track saw made out of scraps from my shop it’s been working amazing for over 30 years!
Is it accurate cut at 45 degree?
Been looking at track saws for while would like more information on adaptive cut table
Looks like a great investment i love kerg stuff. Put my name in the hat.
Does it use a proprietary blade or is this a tool that you could get a nice CMT blade for as well?
You have to use their blade but it is a good one and not overly expensive.
Dude buy a piece of foam 4x8 sheet insulation to breakdown sheet goods on! Life changer!! And serious woodworking hack!
The Kreg is variable speed. You show it in your first video.
What is the construction of the base and how solid is it at 45
The base and sides are dye cast aluminum. It works well at all angles. The soft start helps a lot to keep things steady.
I have a makita
I would LOVE to see you do a review of the table. I've been on the fence about purchasing the complete system and your opinion would be highly valuable to me.
I have the ACS cutting system. It's a great value. Storage and mobility are great and the best part is table saw accurate cuts. The 1st cut I made with the saw was a 2.5" maple live edge slab and it cut through it like butter. Cut depth isn't quite 2.5" so I had to flip it over and finish but lining it up with the track edge was easy and accurate. I've had it for about 6 months. Just bought the 62" track as well and breaking down sheets is safe, easy and accurate. Dust collection is good and I've been happy with the purchase.
@@kirkjean728 thank you Kirk! I really appreciate your input.
Appreciate the review, Matt. For what it's worth, the link you have to buy shows this saw as "currently unavailable". Haven't checked Kreg's actual website, so I don't know what the problem is. Thought you might want to know.
I think we sold them out lol
@@731Woodworks I checked Kreg's website, just for fun. Showing out of stock there as well. Thanks, Matt, you evidently just stressed the supply chain! LOL.
When you order an extra track be sure to get the connection pac it is not included
I'd be curious to see that adaptive table system. I recently purchased a festool track saw, and am looking at some of the tables out there.
Have you looked at the TSO parallel guides with the quick adapters for festool tracks? It is a fantastic product. I have a hard time getting square cuts with their rail squares but their parallel guides are the best. I've had the Festool parallel guides and also the Seneca parallel guides. Nothing comes close to the ease and accuracy of the TSO guides.
@@ThekiBoran Thanks! I'll check them out.
I’m back and forth between the kreg track saw and a makita they are pretty much the same price but I can’t seem to find a good comparison video between them do you have any experience with the makita
If choosing those 2, I'd definitely get the Makita. I don't have one but @wittworks has one ua-cam.com/video/4IekAVArBzQ/v-deo.html
While I don't have one, I'd definitely get the Makita if choosing between those two. @wittworks has a great video on the Makita ua-cam.com/video/4IekAVArBzQ/v-deo.html
I scrolled through a bunch of questions and didn't see the answer, so apologies if this question is redundant.
Will it accept any different blades or are they proprietary?
As long as it is a 6 1/2" blade with a 20mm arbor hole it'll work on this saw.
I bet the Kregg track saw is waaaaay more affordable than, let say, ummmmm, Festool!!!
I know, I know, I KNOOOOOW!!!!
Festool make some amazing power tools, BUT, their prices are outraaaaaaageous!!!!!