frontpage Posted by Kenr • Oct 9, 2024
Oct 9, 2024 1:22 PM
Item 1 of 1
frontpage Posted by Kenr • Oct 9, 2024
Oct 9, 2024 1:22 PM
Prime Members: WEN 10-Amp 6.5" Plunge Cut Sidewinder Circular Track Saw
+ Free Shipping$84
$120
30% offAmazon
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1) Really ensure the blade is square.
2) Spend extra time making sure the saw fits into the track with no wiggle. This was fairly simple to set up and I haven't had to touch it again, but I think it's a little weird how you have to insert this saw into the track (the front guide slides in, but I have to twist the back spring loaded guide to get it to seat down into the track). Not a big deal, just something to get used to and you do it before you turn the saw on and I'm sure leads to better accuracy anyway.
3) I bought a thin kerf aftermarket blade and it cuts great
4) I keep the set screw metal pieces that join the two lengths of track together on one side of the track so I don't have to bother removing. I was able to tighten them up really well and since I don't have to remove that side I don't run the risk of stripping them out. The set screws are very small so it seems like a problem that could happen. When I'm using one length of track I usually grab the side without those pieces sticking out, but both will work. When tightening them both together, there's a little play so you really have to make sure the track is flat when tightening and the saw will slide across the joint no problem.
5) I've gone battery powered across many of my other tools, but I use a Festool dust collector vac with this saw anyway (which does an awesome job of keeping dust down with this saw compared to a circular saw), so having the cord is really no big deal. The dust hose is the larger pain to work around. Seems crazy to use a Festool vac with a cheap saw like this, but I use that Festool for sanding and many other tools so I was able to justify it. I don't use this track saw a whole lot.
6) I use compressed air to blow off the underside of the tracks before making a cut to ensure it doesn't move around
7) The saw does a great job of only moving in the forward direction. I can't make mine slide backwards, so that's a nice safety feature.
8) I bought a 4x8 sheet of something like 1.5" foam insulation and you can place under your material to make a cut. HUGE time saver! I also use it to put on the floor of the truck when buying nice plywood. I cut mine in half length wise (2'x8' times 2) and store them under my workbench.
I tried the Bora WTX track but the saw plate is a joke and does not hold.
I tried the harbor freight track with a regular circular saw and although it's not super precise and a little difficult to setup as the saw width from the saw edge to the blade is 4 3/8 to add to where i want to cut.
I was looking for table saw on facebook marketplace and found an old ridgid radial arm saw for $100. I am not finished setting it up (missing a fence) but i think i should be able to get good results with it soon.
I wished Bora made a better craddle for the circulat saw.
<edit>
I see there is a new Bora craddle that hopefully works better than the original.
Has anybody tried both and can compare?
- original: https://boratool.com/bora-wtx-saw...-tool.html
- new: https://boratool.com/ngx-saw-plate.html apparently compatible with wtx and ngx
For some reason the jig saw sled is not available in california on amazon.
</edit>
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The wen tracks pretty cheap and flimsy and so I would buy the powertec tracks for a little more as they are much better. I will say the Makita tracks are better than both of them though. Never used a festool track so can't comment on that.
I would buy a rail square over using parallel guides. I have the TSO squares but if I didn't I would buy whatever are the best reviewed knock offs on Amazon for much less.
Edit: I could never get a satisfactory enough cut joining the tracks together, although I've since learned you're not supposed to butt them completely tight together and festool has since come out with a self centering rail connecter (I'm sure there's knock offs) that is supposed to be a lot better. I ended up buying the 110" Makita track because I break down plywood a lot but realize it doesn't make sense for a lot of people.
Why need a track saw if can use a ready-made saw guide / rip fence, or a DIY one by a straight edged wood?
Spoiler alert…Wen performed very well.
https://youtu.be/szTHrOi1f7o?si=
1) Really ensure the blade is square.
2) Spend extra time making sure the saw fits into the track with no wiggle. This was fairly simple to set up and I haven't had to touch it again, but I think it's a little weird how you have to insert this saw into the track (the front guide slides in, but I have to twist the back spring loaded guide to get it to seat down into the track). Not a big deal, just something to get used to and you do it before you turn the saw on and I'm sure leads to better accuracy anyway.
3) I bought a thin kerf aftermarket blade and it cuts great
4) I keep the set screw metal pieces that join the two lengths of track together on one side of the track so I don't have to bother removing. I was able to tighten them up really well and since I don't have to remove that side I don't run the risk of stripping them out. The set screws are very small so it seems like a problem that could happen. When I'm using one length of track I usually grab the side without those pieces sticking out, but both will work. When tightening them both together, there's a little play so you really have to make sure the track is flat when tightening and the saw will slide across the joint no problem.
5) I've gone battery powered across many of my other tools, but I use a Festool dust collector vac with this saw anyway (which does an awesome job of keeping dust down with this saw compared to a circular saw), so having the cord is really no big deal. The dust hose is the larger pain to work around. Seems crazy to use a Festool vac with a cheap saw like this, but I use that Festool for sanding and many other tools so I was able to justify it. I don't use this track saw a whole lot.
6) I use compressed air to blow off the underside of the tracks before making a cut to ensure it doesn't move around
7) The saw does a great job of only moving in the forward direction. I can't make mine slide backwards, so that's a nice safety feature.
8) I bought a 4x8 sheet of something like 1.5" foam insulation and you can place under your material to make a cut. HUGE time saver! I also use it to put on the floor of the truck when buying nice plywood. I cut mine in half length wise (2'x8' times 2) and store them under my workbench.
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The only track I've ever owned is the Powertec and I have no complaints. I just wish they made a 31" track. I thought about getting another 55" and cutting it down but, at that point, it's no cheaper than a Makita short track.