In this article, we’ll have a look over the best track saws you’ll find on the market today in Australia and which models Current suggests you choose — based on your ideal use case.
Whether you’re looking at these saw for a Christmas gift for dad, or to add to your arsenal of tools in the backyard shed, we’re sure there’s something that suits your needs.
If you’re in need of a saw that makes a great clean and smooth cut, or just something to get a short project out of the way, take a look at our review and analysis of the best track saws below.
Keep in mind, you can use track saws for different things based on the blades you’ve chosen, and that means getting a clean cut through steel, timber and even masonry is on the cards this year.
Have a look at the best track saws below.
The Track Saw by Festool
For our DIY readers looking to spend a little more for the best of the best, the Plunge Cut Track Saw by Festool is our winner here.
It’s the track saw that’s going to come in the most handy when it comes time to precisely cut through heavy duty materials with ease. Coming with a motor that’s one of the biggest on the market today and hits upward of 3,500 RPM it’s going to have no trouble perfectly slicing through timbers, steels, masonry and more.
The motor is 13 amp too, which means you’re getting plenty of kick given you’re plugged into a three-phase power outlet.
You can also get your hands on some guide rails by Festool too, like the Makita, which means you’re able to get a handle on precise cuts should you be working on a project that requires unrivalled accuracy.
For sheet cutting, there’s also a great feature here with the spring-loaded knife, which means you’ll be able to get those long, straight cuts without worrying about any kickback from the saw or the sheet that you’re cutting through.
We’re also glad to point out that Festool does offer some of the highest quality blades and tracks, so whether you’re looking to do a tonne of work, or just after the best quality, we’re sure you’ll find it here.
The track saw’s depth of cut is also nearing industry leading, with a 2 ¼” supported depth.
One final thing to note is that there’s also speed control that’s more precise than most other saws on the market. That means when cutting materials like timber, you’re able to slow things down and get less of a burn, ideal for stud work and floor joists that are going to visible in a home.
Bevel 45 Degrees
3,550 RPM
Corded Power
The SPJ6000J1 612inch by Makita
As we’re sure you’ll agree, there is not a lot out there that can beat the Makita brand, and that holds true with their latest SPJ6000J1 612inch Plunge Circular Saw.
It’s our top choice model in that it comes with a guide rail and some other safety features that make it easy and comfortable to cut through plenty of materials with great performance.
We’re bringing this track saw to the top of the list down to the incredible longevity and quality along with its ease of use. Whether you’re looking to cut through melamine, flooring, timber or even masonry with the correct blades, you’ll have no trouble here at all.
The saw comes with a high-end motor and hits up to 2,500RPM, which is perfect for those perfect, highly-detailed bleeding edge cuts.
When it comes to cutting capacity, the circular saw has plenty of wiggle room in that there’s a 2 3/16” capacity at 90º and a 1 9/16” at a 45º so whatever you’re looking to cut through, you’ll be well covered.
For those who are working on more precise jobs, there is a guide rail attachment available here too, so you’re getting a perfectly straight cut on timbers and steel.
SHOP FOX W1835
Adjacent to the Festool above, the Shop Fox model of track saw is our top choice for affordability meeting quality.
The experience on this circular saw is outstanding, and with a cutting speed hitting up to 5,500 RPM it’s bordering on workshop-grade. We’re happy to say that for the DIY’ers and tradies out there, there isn’t too much that comes close to cutting with the W1835 by Shop Fox.
Much like some of the track saws on the list, the motor is powerful enough to enable a tonne of different applications, and keeps things running smoothly for even the toughest materials.
It’s good to note that the saw is relatively light, especially considering the power that it puts out for users. That said, taking it from site to site is a lot easier than some of the other heavier models on the list.
We would place the ideal use case for this track saw as being sheet or plunge cutting in that the saw or blade is more versatile than a lot of the others on the list.
You’ll be able to cut in both 45 and 90º angles, and because of this, you’re going to have a track saw that’s versatile enough for simple DIY projects along with complicated and precision-dependant trade jobs.
To end, the design of the handle is ergonomic and won’t cause cramping or grip problems in time, and the motor’s internal design reduces vibration and shuddering, keeping you from losing grip or having to readjust the hands too often.
The cut depth is 2 5/32” when you’re at a 90 degree angle, and the 45 degree has a 1 5/8” depth.
Bevel 45 Degrees
5,550 RPM
Corded Power
DEWALT DWS520K
For an ultra-portable and high-powered track saw, there isn’t a whole lot that comes close to DeWalt’s new DWS520K track saw.
You might’ve written this saw off in that it’s so small and seems to look underpowered because of its size, however, it packs a 4000RPM punch and a durability level that beats out just about everything on our list.
All tradespeople should expect near-flawless straight and clean cuts from the DWS520K, regardless of what they’re cutting. Keep in mind that the blade is ultra-low-profile too, so getting cuts that are precise and clean in spaces that others simply can’t get is possible here too.
With a 1300 watt motor, the DWS520K is capable of pulling up from 1,750 to 4,000RPM with little trouble at all, and has support for materials with thicknesses from 2 1/8” to 1 5/8”.
When it comes to safety, there’s anti-slip features in here as well as low-friction glide pads or strips that stand in the way of any accidents waiting to happen. That said, you’re able to work on longer cuts without the worry of a material moving or slipping and ruining the cut you’ve made.
At Current, we’d suggest this track saw for both professional and DIY environments as it’s incredibly versatile and safe too.
Bevel 47 Degrees
4,000 RPM
Corded Power
The TS 55 by Festool
A second track saw from Festool is the TS 55 REQ which is one of our leading choices for the small and compact category.
It’s one of the most powerful saws out there and can reach a whopping 5,200 rpm without any signs of a struggle. There are plenty of precision based features here which includes different knobs and levers and locks to keep materials tight and reduce the chance of slipping while cutting.
With that in mind you’re able to get a precise and clean cut and just about every material you can think of up to a few inches thick, and there is a 55 inch track rail that you can make use of when it comes to cutting sheet material and long materials, without the risk of things moving around too much.
Again, this track saw does work in almost all settings and has a bevel tilt from -1 through to 47 degrees, so getting a precise cut, or cutting a shaft or canal into a material without over-cutting is incredibly easy.
To further improve the experience on the TS 55 you’re able to invest in an accessory pack from Festool that will give you even more precision based tools and accessories to improve either your DIY or workplace based workflows.
Bevel 47 Degrees
5,200 RPM
Corded Power
Grizzly T10687
Although the Grizzly may not be a winner out of all of the track saws on this list, it does stand out as a winner in its class. With such a small design it is one of the most versatile saws out there, and you’re able to hit speeds of around 5500 rpm with little issue at all.
The internal 120v motor and design of the Grizzly enables the small body to hit such high rotations per minute without causing too much vibration or movement, which makes the Grizzly our ideal choice for those who need a small and portable, yet powerful cutting tool.
There is also a cutting depth that is variable too, which means you’re able to work on cutting a number of different materials, with different thickness in the same workflow without needing to readjust the saw.
There is also a riving knife designed into the Grizzly which allows you to work on precise cuts without dealing with any sort of kickback or issue with cutting materials in a perfectly straight line.
In all, the Grizzly and its optional guide rail are one of the top choice saws on our list when it comes to being a dynamic and portable tool.
Bevel 45 Degrees
5,500 RPM
Corded Power
Triton TTS1400
Coming in with a 1400 W motor, the Triton is one of our top picks at Current, in that it comes with a design that is, again ultra-portable.
With a design that is versatile enough to ensure you’re able to cut through a variety of different materials and use this cutting tool in a number of different applications, we are confident that it will be a standout for any workplace or backyard shed.
The cutting frame has also been designed to be incredibly compact, which means you can run right up against materials, up to 5/8” and still get a clean and precise cut.
Like a few other saws on the list, there is an anti-kickback feature here too, which ensures there’s safety and precision at all times.
To end, there is a tilt range of between 0 and 48 degrees here, which means you’re getting support for just about every application you can think of.
One final thing to note is that coming in at almost 6kg it is a little heavier than most other saws on the list, so if portability and manoeuvrability is important to you or your workplace, it may be a little bit too hefty.
Bevel 48 Degrees
5,300 RPM
Corded Power
DEWALT DCS520T1
Our final mention is the DeWalt model which is one of the highest performing saws on the list, and being battery-operated it is by far the most dynamic on the list.
You’re able to choose an RPM between 1750 and 4000 which means that you’re in control of the performance and able to get a clean cut without worrying about burning timbers, or creating burrs.
There’s a bevel range here from 0 through to 47 degrees and the cutting depth is an ideal 2 1/8” which means almost all materials from workplace to DIY shed should be fine for the DCS520T1.
There is also kickback prevention built to this cutting tool and keeping that in mind you’re able to cut along the track without worrying about things becoming a little messy or too shaky.
The DeWalt dual edge track makes an appearance here which means in whatever direction you’re cutting, there’s always going to be a sharp, straight cut.
Lastly, there is a 6 amp rechargeable battery which means you’re getting plenty of cutting time, regardless of the materials you’re looking to cut through or the projects you’re working on.
Bevel 47 Degrees
4,200 RPM
Cordless Power
A Few Tips when Buying a Track Saw
With all of the products out of the way above, we want to give you just a little information on how to make the correct purchase if you’re new to purchasing a track saw.
Use Case
Right off the top you’re going to want to understand the types of projects you’re looking to work on, and the power that is required out of your machine to get the best cut for the materials you’re looking to work with.
Once you have determined the materials you can then move onto choosing the type of blade and the size of blade, and average sized cutting blade is generally 8 1/2 inches which is standard.
Blades
You’re also going to want to ensure that your blade is designed for the material that you’re cutting, which means masonry and steel along with the timber will need a different material blade.
You can take a look online for some more information on the types of blades for the materials you’re looking to cut.
RPM or Engine Power
One final thing to keep in mind and an imperative aspect of your saw, is the engine power or the rotations per minute. The more rotations per minute the smoother and cleaner the cut you will get, however, if this is too overpowering for the material you’re looking to cut, you can burn or damage it.
A good middle ground is an RPM of around 2,000 to 4,000, though this will change depending on your use case.
And there you have it, all of Current’s chosen saws for 2020 in Australia.
All of these models have great reviews, good durability track records and safety features that are doing to keep you safe and productive in your backyard shed, or at work.
