Table Saw vs Track Saw vs Circular Saw! Which Should You Buy?
Table Saw vs Track Saw vs Circular Saw! Which Should You Buy?
▸ Woodworking Plans Available Here – https://www.foureyesfurniture.com/plans
Comparing the table saw vs track saw vs circular saw. I get a lot of questions about this. It’s nearly impossible for me to answer, so I figured I’d make a video, that can hopefully start people on the right track. Special thanks to Rockler for sponsoring this video. Make sure to check out my favorites list below 🙂
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▸ My Woodworking Plans – https://www.foureyesfurniture.com/plans
▸ Subscribe – https://goo.gl/oVdN4f
// FEATURED TOOLS AND ITEMS
KREG ADAPTIVE CUTTING SYSTEM
▸ Kreg Adaptive Cutting System – http://bit.ly/ACS-foureyes
From now Until December 31st Kreg is running a promo on the ACS. Here is a link to the page with the deals and all information: http://bit.ly/iiii-ACSpromo2019
TRACK SAWS
▸ Festool – https://amzn.to/2VCcgcE
▸ Kreg ACS – http://bit.ly/ACSfoureyes
CIRCULAR SAW
▸ Hikoki / Metabo HPT
US Version – http://bit.ly/iiii-MetaboCircularSaw
Rest of the World – http://bit.ly/iiii-HiKokiCircularSaw
TABLE SAWS
▸ SawStop Jobsite Saw – http://bit.ly/iiii-SawStopJobSite-Rockler
▸ SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw – http://bit.ly/iiii-SawStopPCS-Rockler
OTHER TOOLS AND ITEMS
▸ Kreg Rip Cut – http://bit.ly/iiii-KregRipCut
▸ WoodPeckers Adjustable Track Saw – http://bit.ly/wpfoureyes
▸ WoodPeckers Precision Square – http://bit.ly/wpfoureyes
▸ Kreg Accu Cut – http://bit.ly/iiii-KregAccuCut
▸ Incra Miter Gauge – http://bit.ly/iiii-IncraMiterHD
// ROCKLER FAVORITES
▸ Bandy Clamps – http://bit.ly/iiii-bandy-clamps
▸ Rockler Project Mat XL – http://bit.ly/iiii-ProjectMat
▸ Cross Cut Sled – http://bit.ly/iiii-crosscut
▸ Desktop Fasteners – http://bit.ly/iiii-desktopfasteners (my favorite way to attach tops)
▸ Tapering Jig – http://bit.ly/iiii-TaperJig
// FOLLOW
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▸ Web | http://www.foureyesfurniture.com/
#TableSaw #TrackSaw #CircularSaw
Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) is ranked as one of the best job site table saws overall by several real-world reviewers. It’s my next purchase — if there is any kindness in the universe 😀But I happened upon an open box deal on a Mikita circular saw that made the buy a no-brainer. Using it has been a really exceptional experience. This led to my first cordless purchase and now Makita is my go-to brand for all my battery operated tools. It’s an on-going accumulation.
I have kids. I want the safety!
First, everyone needs a circular saw. Eventually you will do some carpentry and make some cuts in 2×4 outdoors. A friend will hear you work wood and will need some help on a project. Carpentry is a little different than fine woodwork and there are things you’ll pick up that will help your woodworking and vice versa. No matter what other tools you get the humble circular has a place in your toolset. The track saw will prove unsatisfactory for carpentry type work. Also, if you work plywood cutting a few pieces off freehand let’s you bring 1/2 or 1/3 sheets into the shop. For a few careful cuts it is a great project to make your own track for the circular saw. Lots of videos. circular saws are inexpensive even for decent ones for modest use. After getting the circular saw, you have lots of choices as this video shows. For track saws or jobsite saws bye a costlier high quality tool. If you decide sometime you really didn’t need the track saw or jobsite saw you will find selling a high quality tool is a lot easier than trying to sell some cheap saw. Next, consider your projects. If you remodel a kitchen you can build the cabinets and the price of wood plus a $3000-4000 SawStop will still end up saving you $5000-10000 on the project. If you go jobsite saw for a basement shop you’ll soon find the small table is limiting. But I get that a $400-800 jobsite saw is a big savings over a $3000-4000 SawStop. There are really nice cabinet saws in the $1000 to $2500 range, though, that might suit you quite well. I disagree with the comment that a table saw doesn’t make angled cuts in big panels well. First thing you make is a panel cutting jig for your table saw and you’re good. The other trick is to line up the panel for cutting on the table saw then clamp a straight piece of 3/4 inch wood to the bottom of the panel riding against the edge of the table saw top. Power up and run the piece using the table saw edge as a guide. So, everyone get a circular saw. Then probably a table saw, price range $600 to $4000. (Laguna, Grizzly, Jet). If you find you’re making lots of long, precise cuts then a track saw makes sense, but since a good one costs $800 and up you’re better off with a circular saw and the more versatile table saw. By the way, with the cost of wood and stuff, your tools will only be 10% of what you’ll spend compared to wood, finish, and hardware. Did I say buy a circular saw.
Look at my Parallel Guided Power Saw.
The Kreg system is almost as much money as a full cabinet table saw though. Makes sense to just go with that. That’s my main gripe with Kreg—I love their tools, but the price points are too close to what they’re attempting to replace. (unless you have very limited space—then Kreg is necessary)
Very cool video . The ACS from Kreg is very interesting
I have had the ACS for a year. I purchased it because I had a cheap job site saw and needed something more accurate. I still haven’t decided if I would have been better off to have spent that $ on a better table saw or not. But I have used it for several projects and it is still more accurate than my new Dewalt job site saw. I have some upcoming projects that it will be the ONLY tool to accomplish what I want so I may grow to love it more. Additionally, their customer service can’t be beat
Very helpful and informative , I just made a homemade project table as at the time I was unaware of the ACS master system , I have mine set up on the ground because that’s how I work it seems very stable and safe .
I’ll be looking deeper into the ACS , thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching! Make sure to look at the description for links to all the tools. Here are the Saws:
CIRCULAR SAW
▸ Hikoki / Metabo HPT
US Version – http://bit.ly/iiii-MetaboCircularSaw
Rest of the World – http://bit.ly/iiii-HiKokiCircularSaw
TRACK SAWS
▸ Festool – https://amzn.to/2VCcgcE
▸ Kreg – http://bit.ly/ACS-foureyes
KREG ADAPTIVE CUTTING SYSTEM
▸ Kreg Adaptive Cutting System – http://bit.ly/ACS-foureyes
From now Until December 31st Kreg is running a promo on the ACS. Here is a link to the page with the deals and all information: http://bit.ly/iiii-ACSpromo2019
TABLE SAWS
▸ SawStop Jobsite Saw – http://bit.ly/iiii-SawStopJobSite-Rockler
▸ SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw – http://bit.ly/iiii-SawStopPCS-Rockler
I own all the above. I use my Festool track saw and my table saw about 50/50. if I could only have one, especially for space reasons I would own the track saw.
Tha is for this video man. I was on coarse to buy a track saw and a table saw and never heard of the ACS before. Now I’m really leaning that way. Looks like a pretty awesome system.
So I’ve checked out the jobsite saw you recommend. And I don’t really understand what makes it worth 500-900 more than so many other companies saws?
Great information I’m also a big fan of rockers
Amazingly thorough. Thank you.
I like the humility and honesty of this guy. It’s true people don’t need two table saws and whole load of fanciful tools
Definitely start with the circular saw, but… BUILD your own track for THAT circular saw. Use the money you save for the purchase of a table saw.
I’ve got the job site but I want that brand the stop saw but doesn’t look like the sell them outside the USA I’ve asked them today. Track saws are so easy to make with a regular saw just do that. Ohh and I can’t get metablo dealers in the UK as I wanted there site saw but can’t find it anywhere in uk
buy a band saw
Excellent informative video. I’m fortunate to own all the types you discussed. And I agree that cutting large sheets is so mush easier and saver with a track saw. For construction I used mainly a circular saw ( I own a Festool HK85 with a crosscut rail) But my SawStop table saw is my most used tool due to ease and accuracy And as you mentioned it’s ideal for smaller and thin cuts. If I could only afford only one tool the track saw would be my choice.
Very helpful video!!!!
I had a track saw and hated it so i sold it
Sir can u make differences compound and bevel cut between circular saw vs table saw,, sorry sir I’m noobies😅
Returning woodworker here (literally lost everything in the world’s worst divorce ~12 years ago), moving to selling pieces and not just hobbying. I’ll say this… attended a demo of the ACS at a local Woodcraft store recently. Holy crap; I wish I’d known about that thing before I bought my job site saw and spent a bunch of time building accessories and outfeeds and extensions and… and… and…
It’s a joy to use, and yeah, it takes a bit of a shift in thinking initially… but it works, and I think I’m considering replacing / accenting my job site saw setup with one. Nice, very nice, piece of kit for the shop.
4:27 Honestly, shortening a small strip like that I’d rather use a Miter Saw.
… finally I found that Kreg is a USA company !!!!!!!! ………I will now by all they have I need. I was willing to buy Mafell or Festool or even Bosch because they are NOT Chinese, but an actual product made in USA……THAT is what you should do a video on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Table saw all the way! thanks for illustrating that I do not ever need a track saw…
So basically if you can’t afford the top of the line cabinet saw, get out 👌
just the way you’re running and jumping around tossing all that wood after you cut it it’s funny as hell. subscribed😅🥲
Loved your video. I purchased the ACS, and have been using it for over a year now instead of a circular or table saw. A few factors I considered that weren’t mentioned involved past experiences with the kick back from a table saw and my lack of physical strength. The ACS is so easy to use for precision cuts, easy to control for safety purposes, and takes little strength to use all day long. I can’t believe how so far I’ve never even thought about needing the other two saws. Note, however, that I usually have Home Depot make at least one of my cuts in a sheet of plywood so I can get it home and easily use it in my ACS.
One thing I think that you could have elaborated more on is the difference in safety between the different types. I’ve had my table saw for a number of years and I still have all my fingers but man, so many stories of experienced woodworkers getting cut…
So, I decided to buy the ACS. I don’t know exactly how much safer it is than a TS (and probably even less "more safe" than a Saw Stop) but it’s one of the reasons I decided to try the ACS.
Thanks for the video – really well done.
Great video, but why are you using a table saw in such an unsafe way??? I think it’s really dangerous for newbies to see this and think, yea, it’s ok to push a piece of plywood by hand through the saw.. And no one is commenting on that?
Coming from cabinet/furniture builder this guy is what you’d call a YouTube Know it all. This is the exact reason why actual professional carpenters are moving on to other professions. DIYers on you tube are ruining the industry. Clueless hacks with free tools from sponsers that barely know how to use them making videos. This numb nut has 750,000 people learning bad advice. Good luck DIYers
Is a track saw and table saw the best combo? I’m just starting out and I’m picking my tools out.
Did you see that headline the other day about microplastics being found deep inside people’s lungs? Makes me worried about you guys using that foam under your boards
So glad that Festool now has the cordless Circular Saw with detachable compound-angle track.
Kreg is way over priced
Thankyou very much for a great explanation. My only concern with the table saw is safety – for me the wood work is a hobbie and i do have kids at home ( where my setup is ). Would you suggest the ACS system instead?
I can vouch for the 18v Hikoki circular saw, because it has a base plate parallelism adjustment so it is a lot more accurate than other circular saws on the market.
Very informative and really helped me in my decision, thankyou idol 👍🤗
*These fit perfectly in my Makita plunge saw track, hold securely **MyBest.Tools** and are easy to both clamp and **release.So** far I can’t think of any down side, although will have to see if they last over time.*
Fantastic video, very much appreciated great job, lots of great info 👍
Festool is worth its weight in gold
BUY ALL OF THEM
With all of the plywood you break down you have completely ignored…*PANEL SAWS* (i.e. easel style). One man handles a 4 x 8 or 5 x 10 with ease. And they’re conservative of floor space. Step up your game.
In my opinion as a wood worker with over 20 years experience… If you plan on being a serious student of the craft, a table saw and circular saw are a must.
I have a radial arm saw and a hand held circular saw, for the moment I am ok 🙂
Gwt all of them!
I always say, start buying the tools you need, then buy tools you may need and then buy any tool you can affort and have fun. !!! but my main tool its the table saw then circular saw, i just got the kreg jig track but i need a track saw i cant afford a festool rigth now so I will get the Dewalt one.
Can you use the track saw as a circular saw replacement without the track and for rough cuts?
So if your a YouTube woodworker this means:
1- make video comparing track saws festool against everyone.
2- have woodpecker red squares. And (only) these squars.
3- give away trade secrets to the masses without providing onsite safety. So many can hurt thselves and lose limbs.
But hey itsll be a 2000-3000 dollor cut limb and perfect 90 bevel. Pce.