Here comes the DeWalt Track Saw - Lookout Festool

Thanks for the review.Looks like a very nice saw.I have the older Festool version and have been very happy with it but often wish I could cut on either side of the rail

this is a great revue, when the price goes down, hopfully, then maybe my buget will allow me to buy this much need tool. thanks gary
tim

-- tool time tim aka "cobra5"

Gary,
very good review. good luck with it, as i sit here and only wish….....
mike

-- mrsawdust, pittsburgh,pa.

Man, I want one of these now, big time. I’ve done quite a lot of work with ply and a little RIDGID circular saw on things too big for my RIDGID table saw, and even though Rockler’s All-In-One clamp guides are nice, you still have to measure the saw’s offset. I really want a zero-clearance-style edge like this provides. Thanks for the review! Yet more money I’ll have to set aside :)

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

Nice Review, was wondering why this one costs more than the Festool TS line… There is also the Makita plunge saw that is coming to the US market which has a couple more feature that neither the dewalt nor the festool have… can only wonder what the price would be for that one (prob. same range as Dewalt)

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Thanks for sharing, Gary!

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

i like the looks of it and the sounds your making from it. You really perked it up with your review. I mean that just moved up to next on my list. Festool is nice but, its their way or now way. This dewalt seems great with its flexibility and multi uses. You say i can cut doors in place? now that i want to see

Frankie

getneds

-- Woodshop supplies at bulk discounts. www.getneds.com

Yeah, but can you cut the lid off a box with it? :-)

Nice review, Gary.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Gary Very nice review and Congratulations on the first prize.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks for the review, Gary. I have been looking at these. I like Dewalt’s hand tools and considered buying one of these. But, as you said, the $500 is a little steep. I am not sure I would go for one of these saws in the cordless version as I use a Dewalt 18V cordless saw now to break down plywood. It works fine as long as the battery has a good charge on it but breaking down 1 sheet is about all one battery can handle. When the battery starts to run down the saw’s splintering on veneer plywood starts to get bad.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Gary, thanks for the review. I took a serious look at this saw when it first came out and all of the points that you made are certainly valid. Obviously with a nick name of Festool4 – I’m going to be a little biased towards Festool:

While Dewalt offers one type of blade, Festool offers an entire selection of blades to cut anything from laminates, aluminum, plastic, as well as any wood you care to mention. The track selection is also far more varied and, of course, can be linked to any length that you care to use. Festool even offers two different sizes of saws TS55 and TS75- for those who have need for a larger saw.

The Festool saws are also part of a system that matches perfectly with their multifunction tables and dust collection. They share the same power cords and antistatic hoses with practically the entire Festool line.

The only complaint that I have ever heard about Festool is the price and that is what surprised me the most about this Dewalt saw. It is the same price as the Festool. Now don’t get me wrong. I like Dewalt’s products. I have more than my share of their routers but I take it for granted that the Festool’s quality if far superior. Festool’s cases are tougher, their barrings harder and more precise, and their motors longer lasting. When you pay Mercedes prices, you expect Mercedes quality.

-- Festool4

Great review Gary..I can’t wait to read a review on the next tool you win..

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Nice review … just wondering where you’re buying it for $500. It’s $750 up here :(

-- Canadian Wood Chuck (Bruce)

CanadianWoodChuck

Just google it and you will see most prices, at least here in the states, is $500.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks for the review.

I break down sheets often, using a straight edge and 18V circ saw. I’ve been eyeing these things, vs. building a panel saw, as a precise cut would sometimes enable me to save an entire sheet of plywood, due to the fudge factor I need to leave for later cleanup on the TS. I often don’t need the fudge space, but I’m afraid to ruin a large part by not leaving it.

Scott Bryan,
Have you tried a good carbide blade on the 18V, DeWalt, or are are you using the stock blade? A decent carbide blade will greatly improve the battery life. I have a $20 Matsushita, which has been AWESOME on hardwood veneer ply. The battery life is at least triple!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Everyone,

Not to take away from the Dewalt, but anyone interested in a track mounted saw guide system should check out Eurekazone.com for the EZ system. I have been useing the EZ rails, bridge, and router guide for three years. I have a small shop and use the guide system mounted on a table in lieu of a table saw.

You can use your own existing saw and routers, can handle any circular saw up to 16 inches.

I think I’ll do a review and post it here.

-- Regards, Rob

Thanks Gary.
That’s exactly what I needed to know.
Lokks ideal for sheet goods and lost of applications for renos without draging out all my tools.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

About time. It took them long enough. who’s next Bosch or Hitachi ?
Thanks 4 the rev.

-- Router è ancora il mio nome.

I have the Festool TS55 and want to say it is one of the best purchases that I ever made. Granted it is expencive but worth every penny, and with the vac attached to it there pretty much is no dust at all!! I have 6 different Festool items plus the vac and again I say worth every penny that I paid for them, am sure that they will last a long, long time. Have never used the DeWalt but can tell you Festool is great!!

-- Steve, Sarasota, FL

Hi Gary, I bought my Festool about a year ago, and it’s great! I never have to lug the ply panels around. I got a thousand dollar bonus from my company, and it paid for the panel, circular saw & vacuum. The dust collection system is great on the vacuum. It’s the only Festool tools I own, and am not planning on buying any more; Just too costly.

-- Paul, Bristol,Rhode Island

Nice Review most informative. thanks

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

GOOD idea but,,, I will stick to my worm drive saw and a custom shooting board set ( one 8 ft and one 4 ft ) instead of spending 700.00 I’ll have spent under 150.00 !

-- POPSHOP ,