I'm starting a project to build a full wall bookshelf and I'm considering buying a track saw for it. I want to ensure that I get perfectly square cuts, and I've heard that using some sort of alignment tool—like a parallel guide system that attaches to the saw's rails—might be necessary. Instead of just clamping the track down at both ends and trying to align it with a T-square or a drawn line, I'm wondering if there's an easier or simpler way to set up the track saw rail guide properly. Do I really need these additional accessories to make the system work effectively?
1 Answer
It's actually pretty simple to get good cuts with a track saw! Just keep these tips in mind: 1) Make sure your tracks aren’t bent by storing them safely when not in use. 2) If you have to join two tracks, check the joint with a straight edge before cutting. It's easy to fix joint issues since the connectors aren't super tight. 3) Clamping the ends can give you more peace of mind, even if it's not strictly necessary. 4) I recommend cleaning the rubber grippers on the track often and just marking your lines by eye. I only clamp about 10% of the time, but still get perfect cuts!
That sounds good! Here's how I do it for cutting a 16" wide piece from a 4x8 sheet: 1) Draw a line with a T-square. 2) Align the track with that line. 3) Sometimes I clamp the ends with C clamps for stability. 4) Then just plunge the saw and make the cut. Works well for me!