Which mid range track / plunge saw?

Which mid range track / plunge saw?

Author
Discussion

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
quotequote all
I’m looking st getting a track saw, I’m not a trade person but I have plenty of projects on the go and I’m getting fed up with clamping a straight edge to my work and using my Dewalt circular saw.

I’ve seen a few reviews of the cheaper brands like erbauer and Titan but they both look a pain in arse to use with there track locking thing and awkward knobs in the wrong places.

Is there a decent mid range unit saw in the middle of these and the Festool, that’s hopefully ergonomic to use?

With a couple of tracks the Festool is looking around £500, Dewalt not far off!

pidsy

7,959 posts

156 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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Have you looked at a circular saw guide for your existing saw? As long as you don’t buy cheap you can get decent results.

If you really want a plunge saw, I have a Makita - it’s very good for what it cost.

Slagathore

5,808 posts

191 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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Maybe Scheppach or Triton?

My friends have the Makita one, which is a bit cheaper than the usual lot, but they are not keen on it.

Don't know what sort of blade the cheaper ones come with, but might be a good idea to budget for a new blade as well just in case the standard one is a bit poo.

OMITN

2,095 posts

91 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
quotequote all
Go on YouTube and look up 10minuteworkshop. He’s done a video comparing the Titan to the Festool.

I have the Festool (I think only Nakita was available when I bought mine). Complete overkill for my needs/skills but a lovely thing....

pidsy

7,959 posts

156 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
quotequote all
As above, my colleagues over in the theatre have a festool - it’s a different league.

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
quotequote all
I’ve had a look at few YouTube reviews and the Titan just looks awkward, and miles away on quality when compared to the Festool. Which it should be on the price

I haven’t had a look at a circular guide, the new Dewalt and corded one could use a guide but I’m unaware of one for my 18v

Pheo

3,324 posts

201 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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Skillbuilder on youtube have just done a series of reviews also. Although they're named brands.

I personally have a Scheppach. Its been great, however it does miss some of the higher level features, but I wouldn't know what to do with them anyway!

Tafford

266 posts

227 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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I've got the dewalt and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought - £380 here https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/dewalt-dws520kr... with rails

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
quotequote all
Tafford said:
I've got the dewalt and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought - £380 here https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/dewalt-dws520kr... with rails
That’s not too bad with the rails and case!


B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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Erbauer looks like a no brainer at £130. 48 tooth blade, two rails, two year guarantee...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb690csw-185mm...

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
quotequote all
B17NNS said:
Erbauer looks like a no brainer at £130. 48 tooth blade, two rails, two year guarantee...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb690csw-185mm...
I think I would end up hurling the thing out of the window if I forgot to turn off the anti kick back after doing a small cut lol

Plus it cones with 2 700 length rails, I can’t get my head around all these track saws coming with different lengths. Surely you have to have enough rails to be able to rip a 8x4 sheet both ways?

V8RX7

26,766 posts

262 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
quotequote all
B17NNS said:
Erbauer looks like a no brainer at £130. 48 tooth blade, two rails, two year guarantee...

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb690csw-185mm...
I always look at the bad reviews first - at best the quality control is poor


moustachebandit

1,264 posts

142 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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Tafford said:
I've got the dewalt and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought - £380 here https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/dewalt-dws520kr... with rails
Another vote for the Dewalt. Great bit of kit. Only have 1.5m of track and haven’t had an issue cutting bigger sheets. Quite easy to move the track and set up again for a seamless long cut.

Drumroll

3,739 posts

119 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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They had a parkside one in our local Lidl on Sunday (I think it was £70)

ndg

560 posts

236 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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Drumroll said:
They had a parkside one in our local Lidl on Sunday (I think it was £70)
I've got this one and it's been serving me well for a couple of years DIY now. Two 700mm tracks with it that are a bit soft (if your friend over tightens the grub screws), but otherwise no problems. Due a new blade soon as it's starting to get some blow out in timber.

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
quotequote all
Gooose said:
I think I would end up hurling the thing out of the window if I forgot to turn off the anti kick back after doing a small cut lol

Plus it cones with 2 700 length rails, I can’t get my head around all these track saws coming with different lengths. Surely you have to have enough rails to be able to rip a 8x4 sheet both ways?
Then buy a DeWalt, Makita or Bosch with a set of longer rails. With the same blade across all four however I doubt you'd tell the cuts apart.

V8RX7 said:
I always look at the bad reviews first - at best the quality control is poor
It's £130 and comes with a 2 year warranty. I've got a couple of bits of Erbauer kit and whilst it's built to a price I wouldn't describe any of it as poor and none of it has failed. Screwfix reviews read well on the whole - 4/5.

moustachebandit said:
Only have 1.5m of track and haven’t had an issue cutting bigger sheets. Quite easy to move the track and set up again for a seamless long cut.
This. Or buy a bigger rail. Several brands are interchangeable.

I've got the TS55. Is it lovely? Yes. Worth the large premium? Not so sure.

Someone already mentioned it but if you haven't check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sagpnlF1Q&t=...

I'd have liked to have seen the test repeated with identical blades.

robwilk

818 posts

179 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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ndg said:
I've got this one and it's been serving me well for a couple of years DIY now. Two 700mm tracks with it that are a bit soft (if your friend over tightens the grub screws), but otherwise no problems. Due a new blade soon as it's starting to get some blow out in timber.
I have this one too but i sold the parkside tracks and bought festool tracks which fit fine and a trend blade now, works for me but Im not a cabinet maker

markiii

3,565 posts

193 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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Any recommendations for rails that fit the parkside?

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
quotequote all
Makita fit the parkside I think!

Gooose

Original Poster:

1,443 posts

78 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
quotequote all
Does anyone know if you can turn the kick back thing off?