Introduction
A budding woodworker should have the best tools to perfect his trade and when it comes to cutting tools, there are a lot of varieties to choose from. One of the most under-appreciated cutting tools is the track saw. A track saw may look like just another kind of power saw but actually, it’s quite different from other saws and cutting tools.
A track saw can make long and precise cuts better and faster because of its guide track. These are lighter, more portable and clampless. Once you have used a track saw, you will find this an indispensable power tool in your workstation. It is better than a table saw and circular saw when it comes to power, weight, and precision plus it can be set up quickly and accurately.
When you are shopping for track saws, two popular brands usually come to mind: the Bosch Track Saw and the Festool Track Saw. This is a comparison of these two top brands according to qualities that most woodworkers and carpenters look for in a track saw. If you are looking for the best quality track saw then you will surely find the one that will work for you from these two top brands.
Summary Comparison Table
| Product | Bosch Track Saw | Festool Track Saw |
| Product Dimensions | – | – |
| Weight | 9 kg | 4.5 kg |
| Motor Power | 900 watts | 1200 watts |
| Accessories | – | Track, cord, tightening tool, bolts and more |
| Ratings | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Price | Check Lowest Price | Check Lowest Price |
Buying Guide
Don’t get intimidated when it comes to choosing the right track saw. Stay focused and check the following features so you will be able to find the right track saw that fits your needs.
What is a track rail and why you need a strong one
A track saw won’t be one without a strong, quality guide rail. It keeps the saw freely moving so it can cut more and make more accurate cuts. The most common guide rail is made from stainless steel because this material is light, very durable and is easy to maintain. Most guide rail designs come with rubber stops at the bottom of the rail which will restrict movement as the saw glides along the rails. You will find guide rails with lengths from 70 to 100+ inches. If you want a longer guide rail, you can purchase complementary rails for your saw.
You need a strong, versatile motor
You need a track saw with a strong motor for the best cutting power for different materials. A motor with variable speeds is a good thing because you will be able to modulate the blade speed depending on the material you want to cut.
What kind of material are you planning to cut?
You must select the right saw according to the kind of material you wish to cut. If you work with large materials like timber and natural wood a track saw with a riving knife feature is the best choice. A riving knife will prevent the two cut sides from closing back around the blade as and stop kickbacks which can ruin your work and may even be dangerous to you as the user.
If you work with delicate materials like melamine plates, laminates or vinyl then a saw with a scoring feature is a good choice. A scoring feature will create a very shallow pass on the material to be cut. The next pass will cut the material completely. Scoring the surface protects the delicate material from breaking.
Safety features matters for all tool users
Whether you are new to using a track saw or not, you must choose a saw with key safety features. One such safety feature is an electric brake. This is a switch that will stop the blade by turning off power to the mechanism. It will stop the blade for any reason especially when there is an emergency or you need to change the blades.
A track saw with a soft start system is another good safety feature because this prevents recoil of the motor during startup. Recoil could become so strong it can shift the track and throw the track off balance. Recoil could also ruin your cuts and can even waste materials. A soft start feature also makes the saw more comfortable and safe to use for novice tool users.
What We Look For
Quality
The Bosch track saw and the Festool Track Saw is two completely different products each with its own qualities and good characteristics. Bosch Track Saws are among the most popular and are known for their high-performance features, ergonomic designs, and precision performance. On the other hand, the Festool brand of track saw is also popular, especially among woodworking enthusiasts. The Festool Track Saw offers durability, precision, and quality features. There are obvious differences between the two track saws but despite these, these two brands are known for their top quality and popularity. Choosing Bosch or Festool is relying on good brands with fine qualities.
Motor Power
The corded electric track saws from Bosch have moderate power compared to Festool’s models. The latest Festool Plunge Saw offers 1200 watts of pure power. This allows this model to cut through wood and any material with ease. Comparable to the Festool is the Bosch latest professional track saw with only 900 watts to offer.
Complete Accessories
A very obvious difference between the Festool track saw and the Bosch is the absence of a guide track or rail in the latest Bosch model. The Festool comes with a track the moment you purchase it while it’s an additional accessory for the Bosch track saw. You can also order from suppliers that provide the complete package (power saw and track) if you don’t want to purchase the track separately from the power saw. But apart from this, the Festool and the Bosch comes with additional accessories that you may need.
Price
When it comes to price, both the Bosch Track Saw and the Festool Track Saw belong to the mid-range prices. Because of this, most users check on these products first before making a decision as to try top-rated, expensive track saws or other power saws. How much is the best track saw? There is no price range for the best saw. What matters are the durability, quality features, and good value that it will give to you?
Weight
When it comes to weight, the updated Festool Track Saw is lighter, almost half the weight of a Bosch Track Saw. In fact, the Festool is one of the lightest track saws in the market and the light weight does not sacrifice any of its good qualities.
Why Use the Bosch Track Saw and Who Is It For?
The Bosch professional track saw is for people who want utmost precision when it comes to cutting precise materials and components. It is for people who want to cut components safely but quickly.
Short Review
The Bosch professional track saw is a corded plunge saw with a powerful 1400-watt motor. This comes with a precision saw blade that can cut through almost anything in its path. You will be able to create clean and precise cuts with its high-quality components, heavy-duty precision blades and a matching guide rail system. You will find it easy to work with this plunge saw. You can work indoor and still be comfortable because of its efficient dust extraction and noise-reduced saw blade.
This has an adjustable speed so you can fine tune cutting jobs according to the material or project at hand. It has Constant Electronic for cutting a variety of materials. You can use the updated Bosch model on materials like wood, panel materials, aluminum and acrylic glass.
Main Features
Here are the features of the latest Bosch track saw model:
- The rated input power of 1,400 watts
- Weight 4.7 kg
- Saw blade bore diameter 20 mm
- Saw blade diameter 165 mm
- Tool dimensions 310 x 240 mm
- Cutting depth (90 degrees) 57 mm
- Cutting depth (45 degrees) 42 mm
- Creates precise cuts
- Offers a cleaner working conditions
- With a Click & Clean System
- Easy disc/tool change
- With the dust extraction system
- Soft start
- Long lifetime
Q & As
Are there spare parts available for this track saw?
Yes, there are spare parts available online and from local distributors near you.
What materials will work with the Bosch track saw?
You can cut a variety of materials like wood, panels, aluminum and acrylic glass.
How do you clean a track saw?
There are specific machine cleaning instructions that come with the product. You must completely understand and follow all these to be able to clean this in the most efficient manner.
Pros
- Has a tough motor
- Has adjustable speeds.
- Offers easy tool or disc change
- The Bosch professional track saw is compatible with tracks
- Is easy to keep and store.
Cons
- Some dealers don’t sell the saw with a track.
- Lacks ergonomic features
Why Use the Festool Track Saw and Who’s it For
Festool saw is for people who would like to enjoy the benefits of working with a track and saw. It is for people who want to use a smaller and lighter power saw but still want the full control that only a track saw can give.
Short Review
The Festool plunge cut circular saw is the most updated Festool model that will help you create precision plunge cuts out of any kind of material. It is a lightweight saw that is easy to operate. If you are working in a shop or working with wood at home, this saw will make any kind of project easy, quicker and even enjoyable. Use a convenient switch to configure the blade according to a specific cut range. With this Festool saw, you can work with timber, MDF, hard panels, aluminum and fiber cement. It easily fits through a guide rail that will add more precision with every cut. You can make precise and excellent cuts even at an angle with the plunge saw and track. With this plunge saw, you can make precise and splinter-free cuts from both ends of the sheet with a special splinter guard feature.
Main Features
Here are the features of the latest Festool track saw model:
- With the brushed motor at 1,200 watts
- No load speed 2000 to 5200 rpm
- Power lead type – plug it lead
- Saw blade diameter 160 mm
- Bevel angle range – 1 to 47 degrees
- Cutting depth 55 mm
- With Dual Extraction Connection Diameter
- CLEANTEC Connection System’
- With a patented Guide System
- With FastFix features
- MMC Electronics
- With the quick acting brake
Q & As
Are there spare parts available for the Festool saw?
Yes, there are available parts for this plunge saw and these may be purchased online or from a local distributor.
Is it easy to change tools with the Festool saw?
Yes, this saw is equipped with a quick-change feature to allow you to make changes to the blade or tool quickly but safely.
Does this product come with complete accessories?
Yes, it does come with complete accessories PLUS a track system. You may also purchase additional tracks which may be connected to the existing track system if you need to cut larger materials.
Pros
- Can make excellent cuts all the time.
- Offers a safe and convenient way to cut wood.
- Can work with different products and materials.
- Can make excellent and safe cuts.
- Very easy to use.
Cons
- Complaints that it’s loud to use.
- Lacks ergonomic features.
Verdict
When it comes to working with power saws the track saw is the best one if you want to easily cut and shape different materials indoors and outdoors. The plunge saw, together with the guide rail will help you cut all kinds of materials without using clamps and safely cut these as well.
There are two powerful plunge saws in the market; one from Bosch and the other one from Festool. When it comes to quality and good features, you can count on these two track saws to give you precise cuts and safe operation. But when it comes to choosing the best one from the two, the best has to be the Festool saw because it already comes with a track. It is also lighter and more powerful compared to the Bosch and other plunge saws in the market. The Festool saw has great features and comparable features with the Bosch track saw but still it remains as the best choice because of having a convenient track.
