Professional carpenters have many types of saws in their workshops – but if you’re a DIYer or hobbyist woodworker, budget or space restrictions may mean you need to choose: track saw vs table saw.
There is a similarity between these tools – both options are the easiest Ways to get straight cuts with a circular saw Blade However, you will also find important differences between the two and using the most appropriate option will contribute to the safety, ease and success of your projects.
This article is here to help you choose the right type of saw for your projects: track saw or table saw. Read on for expert advice provided by saw brands and power tool retailers, plus some recommended tools of each type.
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Table saw
A table saw has a fixed circular blade, mounted in a table that provides a worksurface to rest your workpiece on (eg a wooden board). These tools include a fence and miter gauge to guide your cut.
“The blade sticks to a flat tabletop surface and cuts the material as it passes through – so instead of moving the saw through the material, you push the material through the blade,” says James Curran, head of D2C Marketing. Evolution Power Tools. “
“Table saws can make long, straight, accurate cuts (rip cuts) in wood or in sheet materials such as plywood, MDF or OSB. They produce consistently repeatable cuts and handle crosscuts with a miter gauge or sliding table.”
Shop table saws
Evolution
Evolution R255tbl+ 255mm Electric Table Saw 220v-240v
This high-spec table from Evolution has built-in dust extraction and an 1,800W motor.
Titan
Titan Electric Table Saw 240v
If you have a lot of wood to cut for your DIY projects, an inexpensive table saw like this Titan model may be a better choice than a regular circular saw.
builder
Erbauer 18v Brushless Cordless Table Saw
Cordless table saws are a great choice for users who don’t have a mains power outlet in their work area, or who want to use their saw conveniently outside.
Track saw
A track saw is a portable type of circular saw, mounted on an aluminum guide rail.
“Unlike standard circular saws that are guided by hand, the Track saw locks onto its rails to produce perfectly straight, splinter-free cuts,” Curran says.
“They can work on the floor, on a workbench or on site, and you can use them to make long, clean, precise straight cuts or plunge cuts in the center of a panel.”
In many cases, a standard circular saw can be converted to a track saw when a compatible track accessory is used.
Shop track saws
builder
Erbauer 185mm Electric Plunge Saw with 2 X Rail(s) 240v
Like this Erbauer model, track saws are a great option for plunge cutting.
Scappach
Scheppach saw the plunge
When purchasing a track saw, check the specs to ensure the track(s) provide adequate cutting length. This Scheppach model comes with 700mm track.
Evolution
Evolution Electric Circular Saw 240v
Some standard circular saws, such as this model, can be used as a track saw when attached to a compatible track (sold separately).
Which is better: track saw or table saw?
Precision and finish
Either a track saw or a table saw can cut precisely with a very good finish. Which one is best mostly comes down to the workpiece you are cutting (as well as your cutting technique).
Table saws are particularly effective at cutting small pieces neatly – although you must be very careful when guiding the workpiece to the blade. Meanwhile, track saws are considered a good choice for making long cuts with clean edges. “Their anti-splinter strips and fine-tooth blades give very clean cuts with little tearing, making them great for cutting kitchen worktops, plywood and laminate panels,” says Curran.
Winner: Depends on what you are cutting
Power and speed
If you have repetitive woodwork on your hands and want to maximize cutting power and speed, a table saw is your best bet.
“They’re generally more powerful than track saws, and their larger motors and higher torque make them better for frequent heavy ripping,” Curran says.
“Table saws are faster and more versatile for cutting cabinetry or furniture and for ripping long boards like hardwoods or construction lumber.”
Of course, a good track saw will still be faster than alternatives such as a handheld saw or even a regular circular saw.
Winner: Saw the table
Ease of use
Using a table saw or track saw is accessible to many DIYers, but Dave Prime, Director of Procurement Power Tool WorldBelieve that track saws are best for beginners. “They give the table an edge in terms of ease of use and safety, and they make it easier to get a high-quality finish on your work,” he says.
“A track saw requires minimal setup, while a table saw will take longer to set up and adjust. There is also a safety element because a table saw has an exposed blade that requires a guard and demands better technique.”
It’s worth bearing in mind that a table saw will take up a lot more space in your workshop (or shed!) than a track saw. “Table saws are obviously larger and are usually designed to be the centerpiece of your workshop, while track saws are more portable,” says Prime.
Curran adds that with table saws, “there is more risk when the saw is used incorrectly because of the open blade”.
Winner: Saw the track
Versatility
With either a track saw or a table saw, the size and material of the blade arguably has a greater impact on versatility than the type of saw. The larger the blade, the denser the material it can cut, while Multi-material blade Open up the possibility of cutting materials such as steel and aluminum, as well as wood.
With that said, one type of saw is definitely better than another when it comes to cutting large workpieces. “Track saws are a more versatile choice for sheet material,” says Curran, “They’re perfect for cutting large boards like full 8 x 4 (2,440 x 1,220 mm) sheets, which you won’t be able to maneuver on a table without using an extension.”
Winner: Saw the track
Which saw should you choose?
“It’s one of the more considered decisions you’ll make when kitting out your workspace or jobsite, and a lot of the time it comes down to specific applications,” says Prime. “Think carefully about the material you’re going to be cutting, and what kind of cuts you need to make before buying. Table saws are generally better suited for repeat cuts while track saws are used for more unique cuts.”
Both track saws and table saws have their advantages. If you can spare the money and space, and if you do a lot of DIY or crafts (especially carpentry), both of these tools are worth having for your projects.
If you’re only going to buy one of these types of saws, here are our recommendations:
Buy a track if…
- You will choose the most user friendly option
- You are low on storage space
- You want a tool that is similar to a regular circular saw, but with better precision
Buy a table if…
- You want the best possible instrument to use as the focal point of the workshop
- You want to quickly cut lots of pieces for larger DIY or craft projects
- You’re aiming for a great finish with little need for sanding after cutting
FAQs
How to choose the right blade for a track saw or table saw?
Most track saws come with a standard circular saw blade, designed to cut a variety of wood products, including softwoods, hardwoods, plywood, and MDF, as well as some other materials, including plasterboard. If these are the types of materials you’ll be cutting, a standard blade should do the job—but for other materials, you may need a different type.
“We recommend using one of our Evolution Multi-Material TCT blades, which cut materials including metals, composites and laminates, and wood with embedded nails, so you can confidently move between different tasks without constantly swapping blades,” says Curran.
For high-quality carpentry, you can also use a fine-tooth blade. “This type has a thinner curve and more teeth, so it causes fewer splinters,” notes Curran. “You’ll use it to make furniture like cabinets.”
Evolution
Evolution Multi-Material TCT Blade 165mm X 20mm 18t
Equipping your saw with a compatible multi-material blade can improve the tool’s versatility.
Are track saws and table saws better than circular saws?
Track saws and table saws are somewhat similar to circular saws. They also use circular blades, and are used for many similar cutting tasks, especially in woodworking projects.
In general, the advantage of a track saw or table saw is greater accuracy and a better finish compared to cutting results with a trackless circular saw. They are preferred by professionals, but they come at a higher price and take up more storage space.
There are all kinds of cutting tools out there. If you’re still in doubt about which type to use in your DIY projects, our Jigsaw vs circular saw And The best reciprocating saw Guides can help put you on the right track.
