DUST EXTRACTOR WITH HEPA FILTER
Festool 574837 Extractor
TOP PICK: DUST EXTRACTOR
IN THIS GUIDE:
› TRACK SAW RAILS: POWERTEC (COMPATIBLE)
› TRACK CLAMP: BESSEY RATCHETING
› INSTANT WORK TABLE: BORA CENTIPEDE
› ROUTER ADAPTER: MAKITA ROUTER ADAPTER
There is a lot more to using a track saw than just pairing it with a track. In fact, as the track saws popularity has increased the number of clamps, guides, measurement tools and other track saw accessories has grown rapidly.
What does that mean for woodworkers?
Instead of a track saw just being a high quality saw to cut plywood and other material to shape there are tools that:
- Allow for fast clamping
- Make repeatable rip cuts
- Setup perfect right angles
- Extend your track saw cutting capacity
- Capture dust
- Add your router to the track saw
- Stop limiters to prevent the saw from over-cutting
- And more…
In this guide learn what track saw accessories are available to take your saws capability to the next level.
Page Contents
Track Saw Accessories
1. Wratcheting Track Saw Clamps
See on Amazon: xxx
Key Features
- Speed: Standard track clamps are slow-acting screw style that require a slow process of adjustment
- Clamping power: The unique ratching action provides a high clamping force to prevent the track from shifting
- Fit: Since most tracks are interchangeable (Festool, Makita, Powertec) this clamp will work with many tracks.
Who Makes Them
While there are many manufacturers of track saw clamps, the ratcheting track clamp field is a bit narrower:
- Festool (Model 491594)
- Bessey (Model B013UNUOEU)
- POWERTEC (Model 71452)
2. Dust Extraction Is A Must
See on Amazon: Festool Dust Extractor
Key Features
- Safety: Dust is a workplace hazard and all attempts to remove it should be made. This extract isn’t as much as a track saw accessory as it is a must-have.
- Auto-on: For corded track saws, a quality dust extractor will automatically turn on with the saw. Making it fool-proof to always have suction.
- Bluetooth: For cordless track saws a Bluetooth feature will let you turn the extractor on when power isn’t paired.
Who Makes Them
You can find quality dust extractors from the following manufacturers:
- Festool
- Bosch
- Dewalt (cordless or corded)
- Makita
- Metabo
3. Track Saw Accessory Table
See on Amazon: BORA Centipede Table
Key Features
- Versatility: After buying a full size Centipede table I’ve found countless uses for it beyond just a track saw base.
- Capacity: Bora claims a 6,000 pound weight capacity for this table (not sure I’d test it, but substantial). And it solves the track saw vs. table saw question on cutting large sheets.
- Sizes: If 4×8-feet is too big there are other sizes available.
4. Right Angle Guides For Square Cuts
See on Amazon: Festool Track Guide
Key Features
- Precision: While measuring the track placement is ok, it relies on the ends being square. This guide instead uses one straight edge as a reference to enhance accuracy.
- Budget friendly: While angle guides can run into the hundreds of dollars, there are inexpensive options that will square things up without breaking the bank
- Ease of use: These guides are no harder to use than a t-square.
Who Makes Them
From basic guides to advanced solutions you’ll find the following track saw guides:
- Woodpeckers
- Festool
- DDWT guide
- Dewalt (cordless or corded)
- Makita
- Metabo
5. Router Track Attachment
See on Amazon: Makita Router Attachment
Key Features
- Dados: A track saw lets you skip the table saw with large sheets of plywood for cutting. But cutting a dado requires the table saw – unless you have this attachment.
- Inexpensive: After a $500+ investment in a router rail and saw, these guides are just a few bucks in comparison.
- Speed: Using the rail system lets you quickly layout and make cuts with the router.
These adapters are available for Makita, Milwaukee and Dewalt.
6. Track Saw Rail Stop
See on Amazon: Festool Track Stop
Key Features
- Accuracy: Prevent cut over-runs with a limiter that stops the blade from cutting too far.
- Inexpensive: Costs less than just about anything you can use with a track saw.
- Compatible: With Festool, Makita and POWERTEC all interchangeable this works on most rails on the market.
7. Parallel Guide Accessory
See on Amazon: Festool Parallel Guide Set
Key Features
- Fast Ripping: Rather than measure, measure and cut this guide set will let you use your track saw rail as a guide and the indexed measurements as a tool to make repeatable cuts.
- Precision: Festool design and accuracy
- Safety: Skip the table saw for safer ripping of small strips.
8. Guide Rail Accessory Bag
See on Amazon: Makita Padded Rail Bag
Key Features
- Damage Control: Prevent damage to expensive rails
- Portability: Easier transport of multiple rails with a convenient carry strip.
- Storage:Keep your small parts together in one place in the side zipper.
9. Replacement Splinter Strip
See on Amazon: POWERTEC Splinter Tape Roll
Key Features
- Top performance: Keep your track saw system running at high quality.
- Compatibility: With Festool, Makita, POWERTEC and others using the same guide rail a splinter strip is universal.
- Easy to install: Since your track saw will “re-cut” the strip edge the installation of these edges doesn’t need to be perfect.
Summary
Like its cousin, the table saw, a track saw has many accessories that increase either the usability or features of the saw.
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
