Update: I finally gave in and tried a track saw for a big sheet goods job

For years I said my panel saw and a straight edge were good enough, but cutting down a full 4x8 sheet of prefinished maple ply by myself last month was a pain. I borrowed a friend's track saw for a built-in project this week and made a perfect cut in about 90 seconds with zero tear-out. The clean edge meant I skipped a whole sanding step before assembly. Has anyone else switched tools and been shocked by the time it saves?

3 comments

3 Comments

abby_black15d ago

Buddy of mine swore by his circular saw and miter box for years until he had to cut down 20 sheets of birch ply for a home office. He borrowed a track saw for that job, finished in an afternoon instead of three days, and bought one the next week. Now he jokes that his circular saw is just a loud paperweight.

hayden4661mo ago

But is it really worth the cost and storage space for most people? I still get by fine with a circular saw and a guide for the few times I cut sheet goods.

valh321mo ago

Funny how this debate pops up with every tool. It's the same with fancy kitchen gadgets versus a good chef's knife. People buy the specialized thing hoping it solves a problem, but often it just adds another thing to store and clean. The right tool depends on how often you actually face the problem. If you're only breaking down plywood twice a year, the space and money probably aren't worth it.