I don’t know what Dewalt was thinking with this…

I am a tablesaw amputee. My accident happened after I had been making a living as a professional woodworker for over a decade using a tablesaw every day. I couldn't agree more about the safety benefits of a tracksaw. Will a tracksaw replace a tablesaw? Absolutely not!! However it does allow you to take far less risk especially when working alone.

Thank you for this video. I’ve had this saw for two years now and you’ve nailed almost every annoying thing with it. Regarding your segment about the off cut being cleaner than the cut part, I scratched my head over this for the whole 2 years as well. What I ended up finding was the plane of the blade is not parallel to the saws base groove that straddles the track. Even with adjusting the mating screws to try to compensate, the saw blade is still 1/32 off parallel, this results in the blade skewing inwards at the tail end of the cut (back), leaving saw marks.

Dewalt came out with their TrackSaw around 13yrs or so ago. Festool was the only brand at that time with one. So I think some of the cons are due to dewalt trying to avoid patent issues. The aftermarket brands never jumped on the bandwagon until recently when more brands began making TrackSaws. I bought mine around 2013 and love it. Have had zero issues. Looking forward to the tso square

I learned more about track-saws watching this video than I knew. Thank you, this taught me more about what to look for and check before I buy any track-saw. It is also a quick primer on track-saws for the un-schooled. This is a fine video.

The pantographic plunge is so the riving knife has a kerf to goo into when you plunge cut a kerf mid board. It has been about ten years since I adjusted the plunge depth on my Dewalt, but I don’t remember it as being difficult, or hard to figure out.

Ive had this saw for 4 years now. I adjusted the base to the blade as soon as i got it and have had perfect cuts from the get-go. Totally agree on blade change 'contraption' in fact i broke mine on the 1st blade i changed and now just hold the blade when chaging it out. PITA. Doubled sided track means you arent changing rubbers out as often and better in limited space. Riving knife stays in box as i typically use thinner blades.

The DeWalt saw is compatible with the festool & Makita tracks, so you could always get one of them to adopt the TSO system. Now with this new TSO adapter youve got access to DeWalts substantially cheaper tracks.

I picked up the corded version a few years ago and it has been flawless. Has a different blade than the 60V model, never had a problem with the finish of the cuts even in 2" hardwood.

I own the 60v DEWALT track saw using the Festool track. I was great no problem with it. Cutting with it was dead on accurate. I even use the new Festool FS-WA angle stop it work great!

"The fatal flaw and why I don't recommend it is because you can't use an aftermarket accessory... oh wait, I have one here in a box that apparently works great."

Very thorough and fair review. I HATE how you have to go through gyrations to change the blade. But allow me to rebut. I like that you can screw down the track fit screws. Gives me a piece of mind. Benchdog makes a native square rail but you do have to take the rubber off where the square locks in. So I just bought the Festool track (works fine with DeWalt) because it has the most number of accessories. In remodel scenario, there are times when not having to rotate the track in limited space can come in handy. But I agree that it's not worth the "lack of accessories" price. I'm glad TSO is making the parallel guides though. Dust extraction is great - especially with your hole cover-thingy. The vacuum port does fit with many hoses and I'm happy they added the DeWalt twist lock hose compatibility. And finally, I never noticed the depth of cut because I always add a tiny bit more (don't care that it cuts into the insulation foam board. But then again, maybe that's why I started doing that! :)

I got the dewalt corded before there were other options (I’m a Milwaukee guy). I read the manual and the quirks never bothered me. I get butter smooth cuts on both pieces. Check the alignment of the base on the track, you blade is attacking the wood at a small angle outwards making the leading edge of the blade cutting the off cut (to the right) and the trailing edge on the up cut is scarring the wood under the guide, if that makes sense. The alignment is tricky but once you dial it in you’re good. Thanks for the vis and glad they have accessories for my saw now!

Bought into DeWalt, and don't want to spend extra money on batteries for other platforms if possible. Still appreciate the critical, informative review. I'm sure each brand has areas they could improve on and DeWalt is definitely not an exception, so thank you for letting us know what we're up against. Notes on DeWalt's marketing wankery concerning batteries: Nominal voltage of the 60V Max system is 54v, nominal for 20V Max is 18v. The 54v batteries are really 3x 18v with either a series configuration for a combined voltage of 54v or parallel configuration for extended capacity which is annoyingly marketed on the 54v system to show the 18v combined capacity, not the 54v. So a 9ah 60V Max DeWalt battery is really a 3ah 54v battery or a 9ah 18v. Dumb marketing, really dumb, but also how DeWalt managed to not have to slot multiple batteries to the track saw.

I own the corded Dewalt track saw and really like it. All of the things you didn't like about it are things you get used to and aren't a problem. The 102" track bends easily and I wonder if the Milwaukee track would be stronger. The hard push down start button is bothersome to me. having the cord come out the left side also can be a pain to deal with, but still better than carrying the weight of a battery and having the saw worthless when new battery tech makes it obsolete. My saw will last 30 years with medium light duty..... good video. new sub. thumbs up.

I am a precision sheet metal professional who instantly knows what is happening with the raising knife. (that's one of the names closed captions called it) Seeing the edge quality, I can tell it is a stamped sheet metal part. It also has a dimple formed on one end. The raw material is fed into the punch press from a coil, meaning it was never flat to start with, and every part is different as the coil diameter diminishes. Then there are the stresses from being stamped, adding more un-flatness. The dimple formation puts additional surface stresses, which are all unpredictable. Then there is a hole punched on the same end. All of that activity has changed the tension, causing the bowing mostly on that end. The bottom line is the manufacturer either ignored, failed to see the need, or forgot the need to straighten the part before plating it.

I use a 3m Makita track in my 2.5m wide workshop. I sometimes wish it was double sided as I have to walk out the workshop to spin the track around. The only other benefit I can think of is if one wants to run 2 different blades with different kerfs. One splinter guard can be trimmed up match each.

Nice review. Seeing the rotation possible with setting the saw to the track I wonder if you have the saw at an angle to the track and the rear after following teeth one side are causing the roughness. I have always wondered why reviewers do not use some of the highly accurate engineering kit to test equipment. If a saw is meant to cut an inch deep, measure it. It the angle says 45degrees, then measure it. My small de Walt circular has the base slightly out of line with the blade, which is not easy to alter. Cutting against a long straight edge causes the saw to lock up after about 3 feet and become very difficult. Not too different to what you are experiencing. Again good measuring kit shows the problem. Test the blade to the guide, front and back and see if you are 20 thou out or so. This is more difficult to do, but good luck with it.

The double hinge is to keep your hand in the same orientation to the saw....the same angle as a hand saw. It's weird at first, but I like now I'm used to it

Very interesting. I’m really trying to figure out that double hinge…so weird but I know it’s for a reason

I bought the corded model (DWS520CK) in 2018 for $629.99 with two tracks (59” & 102”). I remodel houses and this saw has made a lot of cutting tasks much easier. The reversible track comes in handy in situations when work space small which is often. The saw is quite powerful, light weight, easy to use. I particularly like the saw for cutting new doors to fit into existing door frames, trim work, flooring, etc. I do wish that the accessories were available for this saw but im very happy with it nonetheless.