Click "Read more" to see all of the tool links. Watch Next: No Track Saw? No Problem! Any Circular Saw into a track saw -th-cam.com/video/IL3OZl_jp48/w-d-xo.htmlsi=x5cBQQbOQAFxzoIu Tools in this Video: Wen Cordless Track Saw - amzn.to/3ShWC3P Wen Tracks - amzn.to/3ueZd6r RZ Mask - amzn.to/3HEtDST Anti-Fog Safety Glasses - amzn.to/3umEjCn TSO Guide Rail Square - tsoproducts.com/guide-rail-squares/grs-16-pe-parallel-edge-guide-rail-square/?ref=731WOODWORKS Festool CT 36 Dust Extractor - amzn.to/486f3yo Shirt I'm Wearing - castingcrownsonline.com/collections/apparel/products/only-jesus-navy-teet Work Pants I'm Wearing - truewerk.pxf.io/XY36qX The full list of tools and supplies I recommend can be found on my website: www.731woodworks.com/recommended-tools Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Join the TUBAFOUR NATION through Patreon to get access to exclusive member only behind the scenes videos, member only livestreams, exclusive discounts, and other cool member only perks! www.patreon.com/731woodworks If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases. Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Some other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to our email Newsletter to get new content alerts, sales, and more! mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Easy to Follow Build Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter
Matt, I have owned this saw for a year now and did a video on it as well, but after a year of use I agree with your ruthless assessment. I use it primarily for plywood, but used it while building a 2’ x 24’ extension of my deck using 2X treated lumber and on a few long ripping cuts experienced some bogging down of the motor. It forced me to slow down my feed rate, but after the fact I came to the conclusion that the stock blade was just too fine for the task. I have since added a Wen ripping blade and an even finer Wen blade for breaking down plywood. I’ve not experienced the stop slippage and wonder that was up with that. As for dust collection, did you notice that inside the port there are some fins that gat clogged? I’ve given some seriously thought to removing them, but keep that doing clear really helps. Great review and again, I agree with your conclusion that this is a great saw for the money and is ideal for a woodworker who otherwise wouldn’t consider a higher budget model. Well done. Scott
I used my Wen cordless with. Powertec trac today for the first time to break down 1/2 and 3/4 inch plywood. I have an awesome old unisaw but pretty hard to wrangle a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 in on it. It was great! I did have a shop vac connected and had a minimum of sawdust on the floor. Mine also came with a dual battery charger. It's a game changer for me. Thanks for your review and all your reviews.
Other reviews have shown that this model does cut square. However, it's always possible that quality control on Matt's saw was not good. I also wish these reviews could come after the reviewer (Matt or others) has used the tool at least a couple of months and made many different cuts over that time.
Looking at the pricing, I think I'd go for a wired version, which is just over $100 - less than half the price. Yes, you have a cable, but you're usually running a dust extraction hose anyway...
Great review. only things where I differ in opinion from you is the 2 batteries and riving knife for safety. If you are going cheap then you aren’t using this saw professionally. It’s a hobby saw, so time isn’t money. If it were, you’d have a different saw. I’ve been using hand held power saws for 40+ years. Hand held saws can and do experience kick back. However, it’s a much different situation than kickback on a table saw. Especially the situation with a track saw. Since I’m giving my opinion I’ll keep it to just a few points. 1 Power, these saws aren’t powerful like a stationary saw. 2 Material kicks away from you, saw towards you. You are holding the saw and it has a blade guard. A riving knife is nice to prevent binding on the blade. It doesn’t really add much for safety on a hand held saw.
Late, but a thought for you to consider. Cheaper tools are more appealing to entry level and new users, often without experience. So often they might be the vulnerable people that do need the added protections. It’s similar to the saw stop problem, fantastic tech, but monopolises the market to a world where only the “rich” can afford safety. Be like Volvo, make something safer for everyone.
Love your reviews, I have both the corded and Cordless version of this saw, I would first say take the WEN blade off and save it for some junk wood and put a quality blade on the saw, as for the batteries, the 5.0 Ah batteries do wonders for the saw, and if you want to charge 2 batteries at a time pick up the WEN 20200D 20V Max 2.3-Amp Dual Port Lithium-Ion Battery Charger with USB Ports. and if the $100.00 for 2 5.0 AH batteries is to steep there are some great aftermarket batteries out there for half the price, As for the dust collection, in that little adaptor you get with the saw, cut the 2 pieces of plastic out of it, and add a cover to the blade change access port and it makes a huge difference, and as you know cut on a piece of foam insulation and that improves the dust control even more! I personally like the WEN tools, lol anyhow great video as always
Made my first cuts breaking down sheets of 3/4" plywood yesterday. Plenty of power (corded version) and I'll probably never cut any hardwoods with it. Straight, square smooth cuts with stock blade. The saw didn't slide perfectly on track but I wiped it down with a shop towel sprayed with WD40 Silicon and it became very smooth. I was worried about the small gap between the pieces but it didn't seem to matter. Thanks again Matt for this review - it gave me the confidence to save $hundreds knowing my needs will be met with this "inexpensive" tool! As a bonus, the Festool MIDI hose fit perfectly on its dust collection port. I used a 1.5" sheet of hard foam insulation board as a sacrificial piece and I think that might have helped with the dust as well...
I really appreciate the review. I have a WEN Jigsaw and it's a great saw for the price. There are certainly better saws, but for a hobbyist like myself, it's a great budget item that will last me years. I would LOVE to see you cover the WEN bandsaw!!
I actually bought this saw recently and love it so far. I paired it with powertech tracks. I mainly bought it to break down sheet goods til i can upgrade to a milwauke later on and need something that does more. I'm glad to see this review and see what you thought!
I always chuckle a bit when I see tool reviews as the issues we find in today’s tools used to be the norm, or we would have been more than happy to even have such a tool, even with the problems some display. I have a Skil circular saw I bought about 40 years ago and have used it heavily since then. In fact, up until 8-10 years ago, the circular saw, a jigsaw and a drill were all I had and, they were all corded. When you say you wish the WEN track saw had some form of anti kickback device, I can’t tell you how many times my old Skil circular saw has kicked back on me, got pinched in the wood and even ruined the wood. Of course, after getting more involved in woodworking, I have since spent thousands of dollars on corded and cordless power tools, hand tools, measurement devices and on different jigs and toys, several of which I never used. I purchased a corded WEN track saw years ago after they first came out. They weren’t very good to do much with except breaking down sheet goods, which is all I wanted to do with it. It has been a great saw for my intended purpose and cost $100 at the time. This cordless version seems much more refined and well worth the money if you’re only breaking down sheet goods or only making 90 degree cuts and don’t have a lot of hardwood to cut. For less than $200, the WEN cordless track saw is a steal if you just want to break down sheet goods, but if you need something for hardwood or need a track saw for a job-site, plan ti use it as a table saw replacement, or cutting hardwood, spend the extra money and buy a better quality track saw.
I have the corded WEN track saw. Have had it for 6 years. Doesn't have the riving knife but it does have an anti kick back feature. It's a knob with a tab that you have to turn to get the saw to sit on the track. You can push forward but not pull back. It also has the abti-tipping feature. If I tape off the opening on the shroud & connect the vacuum, dust extraction is not bad. It has worked well for me. Thank you for sharing your review. I was considering the cordless WEN but I think I'll stick to the corded saw.
👊🏽 Appreciate the review vids you do, however I miss the project driven 731. I get it, you give what the people want, I still support just miss what brought me to the channel
I'm looking at air filtration units for my garage/shop. Most of them are kind of small for my 3 car garage. I saw your review if one unit but please review some others.
There is adjustment screws on the bottom plate that squares the blade to 90 degrees. Wished it was set by the factory to 90 and QC for that basic function.
Wittworks used this with powertec tracks and he liked it. I think its the tracks thats giving the 90 issue. I have this saw also with powertec and it cuts square everytime
I always thought the higher the count the better but there's a reason the high end saws come with lower tooth counts. Much cleaner rips. When I switched from 40-60T diablo blades to 22T Frued ripping blades the cuts were night and day. Faster, no more kerf marks, and no more burn marks. What got me thinking was when I noticed Spencer on Insider carpentry using a 16T blade in his tracksaw to rip finish cuts on hardwood. I couldn't believe it. Cross cuts definitely demand a higher tooth count though so the 48 is great for cutting plywood in both directions. Nice review as always.
I agree. The included saw blade is great for plywood, but definitely not for rip cut of hardwood. I don't think that is an issue with the WEN saw. Perhaps operator error?
The blade is good for this and that. Not the saw. I wonder how you tubers compare saws with totally different blades 😂😂. Nothing personal but pick up the proper blade for 3ach material from reputable brand like say CMT and then compare and review saws. Last hour watched like 10 reviews from different people and no one did that. I have at least 3-4 different blades for each of my saws...
Would you please consider comparing to the milescraft circular saw guide, the kreg accucut, and a home made circular saw jig in terms of cut quality and accuracy. Thanks.
For anyone curious it seems that the rutlands track saw sold in the UK is the same as this, as well as the battery system looks to be compatible with the excel tools cordless system in the uk
Hey Matt. Just purchased this saw on-line from a big box store and it came with a dual charger. Sounds like Wen listened to the feedback and made a very positive change. The saw came with both batteries at 1 bar of charge. Placing both batteries on the charger they showed as completely charged in just under 2 hours.
I think it would be cool to see, each of the tracksaws that you still have. Each make a cut through the same piece of plywood. (Doesn't have to be a real long cut either.) Just to compare the tearout, and the finish of the cut. Just a thought Matt, thanks for another great video! Take care!
Great review! Maybe put a group of the budget track saws together and rate them like you put together with the best ones. I don’t feel that track saws should be considered as your final cut on any project unless you’re in construction. Usually your cutting most lumber to a manageable size to then mill (jointer, planer, etc)to your final size. Just an opinion..
I wasn't previously aware that Wen had introduced yet another battery platform. I'd be curious if any other brands' batteries would work with their products.
Great video and seems like a nice budget saw. I would love to see you do a ruthless review of the IDC Woodcraft beast or hog roughing but on your cnc. Or the downtown Jennie from Cadence Manufacturing. Love to see if it lasts longer than other 1/4” bits.
I'm a little curious what you think of the Hercules fixed base router. It comes with a plunge base and, from what I've heard from other people who've used it, it's comparable to the Bosch but almost half the price.
Appreciate your reviews and instructional videos both… As I’m not sure I even qualify as a Novice woodworker and am still working to figure best ways to do projects as well as layout my small shop, I have found Wen sawblades, Forstner bits, etc to be very high quality and easy on my budget… I’m a Ridgid guy through and through but do like the Wen accessories…
such a great channel for advice to people starting to work wood and sure is also valuable for experienced workers. would be even better if the products were available in New Zealand - and hence in metric
I’ve been thinking about a track saw and this may be the one. I would use it mainly for cutting sheet goods, I have other saws better suited for hard woods and such. Thanks!
any chance that you will do build videos? I do like to come to your channel when evaluating tools to buy, but I would like to see you put your skills on display every now and then versus being a constant infomercial.
Great review answering my questions. Using old tech guiderail and it requires planning. My take so far on Wen tools is not good. Their engineering is good but how much more would it cost if they did those extra important details. Have two of 6 Wen tools that I didn't send back. Thanks for in depth and ruthless assessment. Helps on a budget.
Thanks, Matt. This is back on top of my list. For some reason, I thought you had posted some less-than-glowing things about it recently. Does the lack of a riving knife make it riskier to use?
My take on it is that the Wen is about the same price you would pay to get the Milescraft track for your circular saw plus the extra track to be able to do 8 foot rips. With the Wen you are getting the track and a budget plunge cut circular saw with dust collection and with Milescraft all you are getting is the track.
I have the corded version of this saw with a Powertec track and it's done me great for the last 2 years or so. Definitely more power than the cordless version. Bought them both on Amazon and spent less than $200. For that price, I'll deal with a bit more dust.
Hey @731Woodworks!! Some of the RZ mask are marked WAAAAYYYYY down right now (2/3/24) like 74 or 75% off! I just went thru your link and ordered one of those mask for $12 XL size. Please see this soon.
I just ordered the corded version and track to cut 3/4" plywood. This review was perfect, as this is all I need it for (probably ever) and if it does that job for $175 it's a far more fiscally responsible choice for me as opposed to spending well over $500 for something "better". Thanks! Now, what band saw should I get? Is there anything even worth considering in the sub- $500 range or should I just plan on spending $1500ish for a 14" model once I've saved up for it? For perspective, to say I'm an amateur is an insult to amateurs everywhere.
Great review. I think I will pass on this one. Still love my Makita track saw. Hope someday you do a review on that excellent saw. I plan on getting a Ridgid track saw for those quick and dirty straight cut projects.
Great vid! Thx. Would like to see your review of the Evolution Track Saw ;-) Also, is length of tracks long enough to get a running start into material? Some are too short for 4’ board cut.
Have you tried on dimension lumber like 3/4? Would be great to know hot it performs and if remains rather square as many people work with 3/4 stock for their furniture sur as side tables or whatsoever, especially for making panels. Makes sense that thick stock is a no-go for this saw. Thanks!
I have the corded Wen Tracksaw and like it a lot. It is just a little bit fiddly and at times I think it could be more accurate. But even guys with Festool tracksaws say they take their workpieces back to the tablesaw to cut them to perfect square after breaking down sheet goods. And I like the price of the Wen a lot better. Is it as accurate as my tablesaw? No way. Is it easier to break down a piece of plywood with the tracksaw then with my tablesaw? Absolutely. And you can't beat the price. I have a Wen Planer, Drill Press, and Band Saw and like them all.
It's clearly intended for breaking down sheet goods, plywood, melamine, etc. based on the power and the included blade. With a think kerf rip blade, it can do hardwoods and thick woods with 1 or 2 passes.
I don’t care about the saw, but I am interested in the track if it is compatible with the Milwaukee saw specifically will it work to prevent tipping when doing angle cuts? It would be nice to review just tracks and which track are compatible with what saws. Milwaukee tracks are very expensive so it there is a compatible track would be nice. I know there are compatible tracks but doesn’t support the tipping prevention feature.
I was thinking about getting the cordless wen but since it’s underpowered for thick hardwoods I’ll have to pass! You should do a review on the grizzly track saw kit. It looks like a good budget friendly track saw and it has a riving knife.
For plywood, which is better. The corded or cordless Wen track saw, for the price? Especially considering if you are NOT in the battery system for Wen.
Only getting a single battery charger is a big negative. Maybe at the price point that they have, maybe it’s not too bad to buy a second charger though. I’m a big fan of the corded version. Bought it last year and love it.
I might pick this saw up someday. You don't really need a riving knife if you're only cutting sheet goods right? It's hard to argue with that price even if it's (almost) useless cutting lumber. Good tracks, metal body and even an anti-tip feature for bevel cuts for around 100 bucks? It will almost always be you get what you pay for or worse, but this isn't bad! Thanks Matt
Is there any chance you can review this saw's brother, which is a corded saw??? Do you know if the guy you mentioned in other similar videos makes dust caps for the Wen track saws???
Hard to beat that price, but I would buy once and have no regrets. I would spend $100 more on the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System Plunge Saw. You have to buy the track spearately for about another $100 too. I have had no regrets and it is part of a larger system that you may want to get into later.
Interesting review. I'd say the fact that it does not cut square and has the habit of cutting deeper than the setting would be a deal-breaker for me. Not all cuts will have the stock hanging over the workbench. Most woodworkers will use a tracksaw to cut ply, mdf or osb. That said, I also use it to cut thicker material, like worktops. Another reason to say: it's a no! Of course, I get it, the Wen is affordable compared to the Festool et al, making it a more realistic option for the weekend warrior. Nevertheless, I'd go with the 'buy once, cry once' adage, and save a wee bit longer before, eh, taking the plunge. Personally, I opted for the Makita - I notice the blue kid on the block didn't even warrant an honourable mention - and have no regrets. All my cuts are square and clean - if they don't, it's me, not the tool! It came with 2 batteries, a double charger, a spare blade, and a Makpak (blue box) into which the excellent TSO railsquare fits perfectly. The Makita also has no anti-kickback, and the depth setting is less refined than the Festool, but at less than half the price, at the time of purchase, well, I figured I could live with it. Using the tool without the track. Really? I've been using a tracksaw for over ten years, and have never used it without the track. Regarding the underpowered aspect of the Wen, I'd probably put that down to the inferior batteries. Talking of batteries. Well, I was already on the Makita platform, so have around 10 batteries, along with multiple chargers. Frankly, I don't know much about Wen, but I don't imagine they have a wide selection of cordless tools that would compare favourable with other brands - either in cost or performance. Increasingly, the corded iterations of the Makita and Festool can be picked up second hand - here in the UK, especially the 110v versions - very reasonably. Of course, cordless tools are more convenient if you are on the move, but for those on a budget, a corded tool from a more reputable manufacturer will have more power, accuracy and accept a wider array of accessories.
1) You mention that the track is "standard" and that it work OKish on Festool & Milwaukee tracks. How well do those saws work on the Wen track? Seems like buying the Wen track might be a good budget option when buying a more expensive saw. 2) You mention that the cut quality is much better on plywood with the Wen. You're comparing apples to oranges, though, since the Wen comes with a 48-tooth blade and the others come with a 20- or 24-tooth blade. What happens to the cut quality of the Ryobi if you put the Wen blade on it & vice versa? Usually the supplied blades (like the one that came with your $3k+ SawStop) are pretty junky and are one of the first things to get upgraded...
The45 not being 45 cracked me up. Being a machinist you never trust the lines on any machine. My Bridgeport mill has degree scales but I use them to get me close and then use real precision instruments to bring it exactly where I want it, just sayin'...
Just have a quick question because I’m almost in the market for a dedicated track saw… would a lower tooth count help at all with the rip cut on the thicker hardwood? Seems like for a rip cut that you would want around 24 tooth count blade on something like that? Also, maybe the blade is a bit cheap and has a little deflection itself on a cut like that on hardwoods? Just a couple little observations over made but thought it might be worth mentioning. I like the content though and I get a lot out of it so keep up the good work
It defiantly helps with cutting as far as not needing as much "power" because it's pushing less teeth through the wood, while clearing out the material. But I don't think it would help with squareness of the cuts.
You should swap a Diablo balde and do a revised review. Maybe its the blade deflection. Edit: TH-cam unsubscribed me. I notice that just now. So rude. I just resubscribe 😂
I purchased it exactly for that. Works well paired with a Bora Centipede! To solve the single charger, 2 battery issue I purchased the Wen impact driver kit for $50 and it’s a Beast! The WEN cordless biscuit joiner is another cheap option to add another charger and useful tool.
The cord on my Makita never needs charging. Nor does it have a riving knife. On that topic riving knives are not really a safety feature on track saws. Track saws are no more likely to kick back than a circular saw when the material is adequately supported. Kickbacks happen when both sides of the material collapse towards the blade causing it to bind. Since the direction of the teeth during a cut is down in the back the saw can kick backwards out of the kerf. However, like regular circular saws the blade is guarded whenever it exits the kerf, and the risk of being cut is minimal to negligible. On extremely long cuts in thick hardwood the kerf could close up behind the blade and cause some binding, but I've never seen that cause a kickback on either circular or track saws. However, it can cause some strain on the the saw, and that's really the reason for the riving knives. They save wear on the tool. If you don't have one and it's a concern stick a shim in the kerf to keep it wedged open. The bigger concern is that in a kickback the saw will torque sideways and damage your work piece. That's not a safety issue, but it's definitely an unwanted occurrence. Always make sure your material is properly supported, especially during crosscuts. Shim the kerf if you feel the saw binding during long deep rips, and listen to what the tool it telling you.
What about a review of the cordless Milwaukee miter saw? Now that cordless is the way to go for DIYers, it'll be nice to see that one being "evaluated". Thank you.
@@731Woodworks yes sir!! Hilariously enough, I bought that saw when you posted it on your deals site. But I can always send it back if your review tells a bad story! Thanks in advance. Take care.
Looked promising. California is arrempting to have riving knives on all tabke and track saws. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Thank you! I've been strongly considering buying one and would love your opinion on it. I really enjoy your videos and trust your opinions on things. Can't wait to see what you think!
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Wen Cordless Track Saw - amzn.to/3ShWC3P
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Festool CT 36 Dust Extractor - amzn.to/486f3yo
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Matt, I have owned this saw for a year now and did a video on it as well, but after a year of use I agree with your ruthless assessment. I use it primarily for plywood, but used it while building a 2’ x 24’ extension of my deck using 2X treated lumber and on a few long ripping cuts experienced some bogging down of the motor. It forced me to slow down my feed rate, but after the fact I came to the conclusion that the stock blade was just too fine for the task. I have since added a Wen ripping blade and an even finer Wen blade for breaking down plywood. I’ve not experienced the stop slippage and wonder that was up with that. As for dust collection, did you notice that inside the port there are some fins that gat clogged? I’ve given some seriously thought to removing them, but keep that doing clear really helps. Great review and again, I agree with your conclusion that this is a great saw for the money and is ideal for a woodworker who otherwise wouldn’t consider a higher budget model. Well done. Scott
I used my Wen cordless with. Powertec trac today for the first time to break down 1/2 and 3/4 inch plywood. I have an awesome old unisaw but pretty hard to wrangle a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 in on it. It was great! I did have a shop vac connected and had a minimum of sawdust on the floor. Mine also came with a dual battery charger. It's a game changer for me. Thanks for your review and all your reviews.
It really doesn’t matter if it’s 10$ or 900$, if it doesn’t cut square, it’s not usable. Thanks for the review Matt
Absolutely!
True
Other reviews have shown that this model does cut square. However, it's always possible that quality control on Matt's saw was not good.
I also wish these reviews could come after the reviewer (Matt or others) has used the tool at least a couple of months and made many different cuts over that time.
I can make it cut square
I think this could’ve been some operator error that improves with more practice using the saw.
Looking at the pricing, I think I'd go for a wired version, which is just over $100 - less than half the price. Yes, you have a cable, but you're usually running a dust extraction hose anyway...
I have the 7 1/4 corded version. It is an awesome value for plywood projects. Just finished a Paulk bench with it.
Thank you for the review Matt. I love your honesty about the good, the bad and the ugly. I always enjoy your content! 😊😊😊❤❤❤
Great review. only things where I differ in opinion from you is the 2 batteries and riving knife for safety. If you are going cheap then you aren’t using this saw professionally. It’s a hobby saw, so time isn’t money. If it were, you’d have a different saw. I’ve been using hand held power saws for 40+ years. Hand held saws can and do experience kick back. However, it’s a much different situation than kickback on a table saw. Especially the situation with a track saw. Since I’m giving my opinion I’ll keep it to just a few points. 1 Power, these saws aren’t powerful like a stationary saw. 2 Material kicks away from you, saw towards you. You are holding the saw and it has a blade guard. A riving knife is nice to prevent binding on the blade. It doesn’t really add much for safety on a hand held saw.
Late, but a thought for you to consider. Cheaper tools are more appealing to entry level and new users, often without experience. So often they might be the vulnerable people that do need the added protections.
It’s similar to the saw stop problem, fantastic tech, but monopolises the market to a world where only the “rich” can afford safety. Be like Volvo, make something safer for everyone.
Love your reviews, I have both the corded and Cordless version of this saw, I would first say take the WEN blade off and save it for some junk wood and put a quality blade on the saw, as for the batteries, the 5.0 Ah batteries do wonders for the saw, and if you want to charge 2 batteries at a time pick up the WEN 20200D 20V Max 2.3-Amp Dual Port Lithium-Ion Battery Charger with USB Ports. and if the $100.00 for 2 5.0 AH batteries is to steep there are some great aftermarket batteries out there for half the price, As for the dust collection, in that little adaptor you get with the saw, cut the 2 pieces of plastic out of it, and add a cover to the blade change access port and it makes a huge difference, and as you know cut on a piece of foam insulation and that improves the dust control even more! I personally like the WEN tools, lol anyhow great video as always
Made my first cuts breaking down sheets of 3/4" plywood yesterday. Plenty of power (corded version) and I'll probably never cut any hardwoods with it. Straight, square smooth cuts with stock blade. The saw didn't slide perfectly on track but I wiped it down with a shop towel sprayed with WD40 Silicon and it became very smooth. I was worried about the small gap between the pieces but it didn't seem to matter.
Thanks again Matt for this review - it gave me the confidence to save $hundreds knowing my needs will be met with this "inexpensive" tool! As a bonus, the Festool MIDI hose fit perfectly on its dust collection port. I used a 1.5" sheet of hard foam insulation board as a sacrificial piece and I think that might have helped with the dust as well...
I really appreciate the review. I have a WEN Jigsaw and it's a great saw for the price. There are certainly better saws, but for a hobbyist like myself, it's a great budget item that will last me years. I would LOVE to see you cover the WEN bandsaw!!
I actually bought this saw recently and love it so far. I paired it with powertech tracks. I mainly bought it to break down sheet goods til i can upgrade to a milwauke later on and need something that does more. I'm glad to see this review and see what you thought!
I always chuckle a bit when I see tool reviews as the issues we find in today’s tools used to be the norm, or we would have been more than happy to even have such a tool, even with the problems some display. I have a Skil circular saw I bought about 40 years ago and have used it heavily since then. In fact, up until 8-10 years ago, the circular saw, a jigsaw and a drill were all I had and, they were all corded. When you say you wish the WEN track saw had some form of anti kickback device, I can’t tell you how many times my old Skil circular saw has kicked back on me, got pinched in the wood and even ruined the wood.
Of course, after getting more involved in woodworking, I have since spent thousands of dollars on corded and cordless power tools, hand tools, measurement devices and on different jigs and toys, several of which I never used. I purchased a corded WEN track saw years ago after they first came out. They weren’t very good to do much with except breaking down sheet goods, which is all I wanted to do with it. It has been a great saw for my intended purpose and cost $100 at the time. This cordless version seems much more refined and well worth the money if you’re only breaking down sheet goods or only making 90 degree cuts and don’t have a lot of hardwood to cut.
For less than $200, the WEN cordless track saw is a steal if you just want to break down sheet goods, but if you need something for hardwood or need a track saw for a job-site, plan ti use it as a table saw replacement, or cutting hardwood, spend the extra money and buy a better quality track saw.
I have the corded WEN track saw. Have had it for 6 years. Doesn't have the riving knife but it does have an anti kick back feature. It's a knob with a tab that you have to turn to get the saw to sit on the track. You can push forward but not pull back. It also has the abti-tipping feature. If I tape off the opening on the shroud & connect the vacuum, dust extraction is not bad. It has worked well for me. Thank you for sharing your review. I was considering the cordless WEN but I think I'll stick to the corded saw.
I have the corded version with powertec tracks. It has an anti-kickback system (not a riving knife) and is great for breaking down sheets of plywood.
👊🏽 Appreciate the review vids you do, however I miss the project driven 731. I get it, you give what the people want, I still support just miss what brought me to the channel
Agreed!
One of his last projects all people did was say he ripped off someone else's plans
I'm looking at air filtration units for my garage/shop. Most of them are kind of small for my 3 car garage. I saw your review if one unit but please review some others.
There is adjustment screws on the bottom plate that squares the blade to 90 degrees. Wished it was set by the factory to 90 and QC for that basic function.
How much of the tear out or clean cuts of other saws is caused by the blades versus something else not easily/inexpensively (relatively) changed?
How about you use a ripping blade for the hardwood? May make a difference
Thanks for the review, Matt! What I’d really like to see is a review of the Wen spiral head planer please.
Wittworks used this with powertec tracks and he liked it. I think its the tracks thats giving the 90 issue. I have this saw also with powertec and it cuts square everytime
I always thought the higher the count the better but there's a reason the high end saws come with lower tooth counts. Much cleaner rips. When I switched from 40-60T diablo blades to 22T Frued ripping blades the cuts were night and day. Faster, no more kerf marks, and no more burn marks. What got me thinking was when I noticed Spencer on Insider carpentry using a 16T blade in his tracksaw to rip finish cuts on hardwood. I couldn't believe it. Cross cuts definitely demand a higher tooth count though so the 48 is great for cutting plywood in both directions. Nice review as always.
I agree. The included saw blade is great for plywood, but definitely not for rip cut of hardwood. I don't think that is an issue with the WEN saw. Perhaps operator error?
The blade is good for this and that. Not the saw. I wonder how you tubers compare saws with totally different blades 😂😂. Nothing personal but pick up the proper blade for 3ach material from reputable brand like say CMT and then compare and review saws. Last hour watched like 10 reviews from different people and no one did that. I have at least 3-4 different blades for each of my saws...
Would you please consider comparing to the milescraft circular saw guide, the kreg accucut, and a home made circular saw jig in terms of cut quality and accuracy. Thanks.
For anyone curious it seems that the rutlands track saw sold in the UK is the same as this, as well as the battery system looks to be compatible with the excel tools cordless system in the uk
Hey Matt. Just purchased this saw on-line from a big box store and it came with a dual charger. Sounds like Wen listened to the feedback and made a very positive change. The saw came with both batteries at 1 bar of charge. Placing both batteries on the charger they showed as completely charged in just under 2 hours.
I think it would be cool to see, each of the tracksaws that you still have. Each make a cut through the same piece of plywood. (Doesn't have to be a real long cut either.) Just to compare the tearout, and the finish of the cut. Just a thought Matt, thanks for another great video! Take care!
Great review! Maybe put a group of the budget track saws together and rate them like you put together with the best ones. I don’t feel that track saws should be considered as your final cut on any project unless you’re in construction. Usually your cutting most lumber to a manageable size to then mill (jointer, planer, etc)to your final size. Just an opinion..
I wasn't previously aware that Wen had introduced yet another battery platform. I'd be curious if any other brands' batteries would work with their products.
Great video and seems like a nice budget saw. I would love to see you do a ruthless review of the IDC Woodcraft beast or hog roughing but on your cnc. Or the downtown Jennie from Cadence Manufacturing. Love to see if it lasts longer than other 1/4” bits.
Great stuff! Who needs Ruth anyway?
Boaz? Seriously, before he met her, he too was Ruthless.
I'm a little curious what you think of the Hercules fixed base router. It comes with a plunge base and, from what I've heard from other people who've used it, it's comparable to the Bosch but almost half the price.
Appreciate your reviews and instructional videos both… As I’m not sure I even qualify as a Novice woodworker and am still working to figure best ways to do projects as well as layout my small shop, I have found Wen sawblades, Forstner bits, etc to be very high quality and easy on my budget… I’m a Ridgid guy through and through but do like the Wen accessories…
I'm going to build one kitchen, about 8 cabinets. Should I get the Wen track saw or the Milescraft track set for my existing saw?
such a great channel for advice to people starting to work wood and sure is also valuable for experienced workers. would be even better if the products were available in New Zealand - and hence in metric
I’ve been thinking about a track saw and this may be the one. I would use it mainly for cutting sheet goods, I have other saws better suited for hard
woods and such. Thanks!
any chance that you will do build videos? I do like to come to your channel when evaluating tools to buy, but I would like to see you put your skills on display every now and then versus being a constant infomercial.
Great review answering my questions. Using old tech guiderail and it requires planning. My take so far on Wen tools is not good. Their engineering is good but how much more would it cost if they did those extra important details. Have two of 6 Wen tools that I didn't send back. Thanks for in depth and ruthless assessment. Helps on a budget.
Thanks, Matt. This is back on top of my list. For some reason, I thought you had posted some less-than-glowing things about it recently.
Does the lack of a riving knife make it riskier to use?
My take on it is that the Wen is about the same price you would pay to get the Milescraft track for your circular saw plus the extra track to be able to do 8 foot rips. With the Wen you are getting the track and a budget plunge cut circular saw with dust collection and with Milescraft all you are getting is the track.
I have the corded version of this saw with a Powertec track and it's done me great for the last 2 years or so. Definitely more power than the cordless version. Bought them both on Amazon and spent less than $200. For that price, I'll deal with a bit more dust.
Would this be a good saw for pressure treated boards? Like when doing a deck and need to cut all of the ends at once.
Makita Track saw!!!!! 2nd only to the Festool from what I hear,.. though the Milwaukee is about the same!
Please do a review on the corded Makita track saw!!!!!!
Hey @731Woodworks!! Some of the RZ mask are marked WAAAAYYYYY down right now (2/3/24) like 74 or 75% off! I just went thru your link and ordered one of those mask for $12 XL size. Please see this soon.
I just ordered the corded version and track to cut 3/4" plywood. This review was perfect, as this is all I need it for (probably ever) and if it does that job for $175 it's a far more fiscally responsible choice for me as opposed to spending well over $500 for something "better".
Thanks!
Now, what band saw should I get? Is there anything even worth considering in the sub- $500 range or should I just plan on spending $1500ish for a 14" model once I've saved up for it?
For perspective, to say I'm an amateur is an insult to amateurs everywhere.
Matt, I need to cut a 12 ft, long straight edge. Can you buy an extra track and get that needed length with this Wen track saw?
Can you review the Stealthmount trax90 and trax90xl. These are budget track rail square. They make it for all major tracksaw tracks
Great review. I think I will pass on this one. Still love my Makita track saw. Hope someday you do a review on that excellent saw. I plan on getting a Ridgid track saw for those quick and dirty straight cut projects.
How about a review of the Wen 6" Spiral Benchtop Jointer?
I am interested in knowing if it is worth the additional cost to go from a Festool TS 55 to a Festool TS 60? Good job.
Great vid! Thx. Would like to see your review of the Evolution Track Saw ;-)
Also, is length of tracks long enough to get a running start into material? Some are too short for 4’ board cut.
can you check and rate this: Fonson Aluminum Alloy Track Saw Square Guide Rail Square Woodworking 90 Degree Right Angle Guide Plate Square Cutting Everytime for Makita / Festool?
Have you tried on dimension lumber like 3/4? Would be great to know hot it performs and if remains rather square as many people work with 3/4 stock for their furniture sur as side tables or whatsoever, especially for making panels. Makes sense that thick stock is a no-go for this saw. Thanks!
I would love to get a comparison of what you think between the corded and cordless versions!
When I had my makita corded saw, I didn’t try to cut 1.5 inch hardwood slaps in one go. I used two cuts.
I have the corded Wen Tracksaw and like it a lot. It is just a little bit fiddly and at times I think it could be more accurate. But even guys with Festool tracksaws say they take their workpieces back to the tablesaw to cut them to perfect square after breaking down sheet goods. And I like the price of the Wen a lot better. Is it as accurate as my tablesaw? No way. Is it easier to break down a piece of plywood with the tracksaw then with my tablesaw? Absolutely. And you can't beat the price. I have a Wen Planer, Drill Press, and Band Saw and like them all.
It's clearly intended for breaking down sheet goods, plywood, melamine, etc. based on the power and the included blade.
With a think kerf rip blade, it can do hardwoods and thick woods with 1 or 2 passes.
Would you recommend this over a really cheap table saw, if you're only ripping plywood?
yes, if that's all you want to do is rip plywood, this would be good for that.
I'd love to see a review of the Skateplate circular saw system.
how do you compare this one to WEN's corded version?
Do any parallel guide fix the WEN tracks?
Please review the plunge base for the cordless Milwaukee Palm router
Thanks for the review! ( I like the license plate in your tool cabinet, I have one as well... " J-3 "
I don’t care about the saw, but I am interested in the track if it is compatible with the Milwaukee saw specifically will it work to prevent tipping when doing angle cuts? It would be nice to review just tracks and which track are compatible with what saws. Milwaukee tracks are very expensive so it there is a compatible track would be nice. I know there are compatible tracks but doesn’t support the tipping prevention feature.
Has anyone gotten better results with a different blade on hard wood?
I was thinking about getting the cordless wen but since it’s underpowered for thick hardwoods I’ll have to pass! You should do a review on the grizzly track saw kit. It looks like a good budget friendly track saw and it has a riving knife.
Does Ridgid still make a track saw??
You should look at the Grizzly track saw as an alternative budget track saw.
For plywood, which is better. The corded or cordless Wen track saw, for the price? Especially considering if you are NOT in the battery system for Wen.
I think the corded WEN will work just fine for that.
Only getting a single battery charger is a big negative. Maybe at the price point that they have, maybe it’s not too bad to buy a second charger though. I’m a big fan of the corded version. Bought it last year and love it.
I might pick this saw up someday. You don't really need a riving knife if you're only cutting sheet goods right? It's hard to argue with that price even if it's (almost) useless cutting lumber. Good tracks, metal body and even an anti-tip feature for bevel cuts for around 100 bucks? It will almost always be you get what you pay for or worse, but this isn't bad! Thanks Matt
Is there any chance you can review this saw's brother, which is a corded saw??? Do you know if the guy you mentioned in other similar videos makes dust caps for the Wen track saws???
He already has
I reviewed the WEN corded track saw a couple years ago. Has it been updated? I don't see it on his website wittworks.shop
Hard to beat that price, but I would buy once and have no regrets. I would spend $100 more on the Kreg Adaptive Cutting System Plunge Saw. You have to buy the track spearately for about another $100 too. I have had no regrets and it is part of a larger system that you may want to get into later.
Hey Matt i would love to see a review on the Grizzly tracksaw.
I wish you would have tried changing the blade and cut again for square. Maybe the deflection is caused by the blade being flimsy
First! Love the review. I have the corded Makita track saw and I absolutely love it!!!!!!
Interesting review. I'd say the fact that it does not cut square and has the habit of cutting deeper than the setting would be a deal-breaker for me. Not all cuts will have the stock hanging over the workbench. Most woodworkers will use a tracksaw to cut ply, mdf or osb. That said, I also use it to cut thicker material, like worktops. Another reason to say: it's a no!
Of course, I get it, the Wen is affordable compared to the Festool et al, making it a more realistic option for the weekend warrior. Nevertheless, I'd go with the 'buy once, cry once' adage, and save a wee bit longer before, eh, taking the plunge.
Personally, I opted for the Makita - I notice the blue kid on the block didn't even warrant an honourable mention - and have no regrets. All my cuts are square and clean - if they don't, it's me, not the tool! It came with 2 batteries, a double charger, a spare blade, and a Makpak (blue box) into which the excellent TSO railsquare fits perfectly. The Makita also has no anti-kickback, and the depth setting is less refined than the Festool, but at less than half the price, at the time of purchase, well, I figured I could live with it. Using the tool without the track. Really? I've been using a tracksaw for over ten years, and have never used it without the track.
Regarding the underpowered aspect of the Wen, I'd probably put that down to the inferior batteries.
Talking of batteries. Well, I was already on the Makita platform, so have around 10 batteries, along with multiple chargers. Frankly, I don't know much about Wen, but I don't imagine they have a wide selection of cordless tools that would compare favourable with other brands - either in cost or performance.
Increasingly, the corded iterations of the Makita and Festool can be picked up second hand - here in the UK, especially the 110v versions - very reasonably. Of course, cordless tools are more convenient if you are on the move, but for those on a budget, a corded tool from a more reputable manufacturer will have more power, accuracy and accept a wider array of accessories.
1) You mention that the track is "standard" and that it work OKish on Festool & Milwaukee tracks. How well do those saws work on the Wen track? Seems like buying the Wen track might be a good budget option when buying a more expensive saw.
2) You mention that the cut quality is much better on plywood with the Wen. You're comparing apples to oranges, though, since the Wen comes with a 48-tooth blade and the others come with a 20- or 24-tooth blade. What happens to the cut quality of the Ryobi if you put the Wen blade on it & vice versa? Usually the supplied blades (like the one that came with your $3k+ SawStop) are pretty junky and are one of the first things to get upgraded...
Review idea.
Please do an honest review of the Grizzly doweling joiner. Seems like a good machine but can’t find any reviews on it
did you try the battery in both slots with just 1, maybe 1 is a primary battery location
EDIT: 13:38 you did :)
Great review Matt thanks for sharing
No problem 👍
Your recently posted a deal for the Triton track saw. It would be nice to see a review of that as well. Thx.
Coming soon. I bough one on that deal.
@@731Woodworks That’s good, I haven’t been able to find a review of one on YT that isn’t 3-5 years old.
The45 not being 45 cracked me up. Being a machinist you never trust the lines on any machine. My Bridgeport mill has degree scales but I use them to get me close and then use real precision instruments to bring it exactly where I want it, just sayin'...
You have ideas using tongue and groove boards
Just have a quick question because I’m almost in the market for a dedicated track saw… would a lower tooth count help at all with the rip cut on the thicker hardwood? Seems like for a rip cut that you would want around 24 tooth count blade on something like that? Also, maybe the blade is a bit cheap and has a little deflection itself on a cut like that on hardwoods? Just a couple little observations over made but thought it might be worth mentioning. I like the content though and I get a lot out of it so keep up the good work
It defiantly helps with cutting as far as not needing as much "power" because it's pushing less teeth through the wood, while clearing out the material. But I don't think it would help with squareness of the cuts.
Gotcha! Thanks for the quick reply :) I wasn’t sure if that would’ve made a difference or not
You should swap a Diablo balde and do a revised review. Maybe its the blade deflection.
Edit: TH-cam unsubscribed me. I notice that just now. So rude. I just resubscribe 😂
I’m surprised it does have a kickback device. My corded Wen track saw has a kickback device. It’s an orange knob between the two track engaging knobs.
So it sounds like this is a great saw for cutting down 4x8 sheets in a big box store parking lot so you can get it home saw.
That would be a great use of it
I purchased it exactly for that. Works well paired with a Bora Centipede! To solve the single charger, 2 battery issue I purchased the Wen impact driver kit for $50 and it’s a Beast! The WEN cordless biscuit joiner is another cheap option to add another charger and useful tool.
The cord on my Makita never needs charging. Nor does it have a riving knife. On that topic riving knives are not really a safety feature on track saws. Track saws are no more likely to kick back than a circular saw when the material is adequately supported. Kickbacks happen when both sides of the material collapse towards the blade causing it to bind. Since the direction of the teeth during a cut is down in the back the saw can kick backwards out of the kerf. However, like regular circular saws the blade is guarded whenever it exits the kerf, and the risk of being cut is minimal to negligible.
On extremely long cuts in thick hardwood the kerf could close up behind the blade and cause some binding, but I've never seen that cause a kickback on either circular or track saws. However, it can cause some strain on the the saw, and that's really the reason for the riving knives. They save wear on the tool. If you don't have one and it's a concern stick a shim in the kerf to keep it wedged open.
The bigger concern is that in a kickback the saw will torque sideways and damage your work piece. That's not a safety issue, but it's definitely an unwanted occurrence. Always make sure your material is properly supported, especially during crosscuts. Shim the kerf if you feel the saw binding during long deep rips, and listen to what the tool it telling you.
What about a review of the cordless Milwaukee miter saw?
Now that cordless is the way to go for DIYers, it'll be nice to see that one being "evaluated".
Thank you.
Video on that one here th-cam.com/video/eUbb2fCgaYE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=hZILWRaSlSCsbk7a
That video is for the track saw, which I did saw, I mentioned miter saw.
Thanks again.
Please do a review of the Triton 1400 track saw. Thanks.
Just came in yesterday. Coming soon.
@@731Woodworks yes sir!! Hilariously enough, I bought that saw when you posted it on your deals site. But I can always send it back if your review tells a bad story! Thanks in advance. Take care.
They seem to come with the dual charger now, at least from Amazon.
Have you reviewed the Makita?
Not yet
Where to get your T shirts on the internet.
Kerusso.com
Can you do a review of Walmart's Hypertough? I'm seeing those on job sites.
Wow , must be a professional brand if you see it on the jobsite 😅
Cordless went? NO. I have the wired version, for 90s it’s fine. I wouldn’t touch cordless anything saw related though while in shop because why.
Looked promising. California is arrempting to have riving knives on all tabke and track saws. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
I like to see you review the grizzly track saws.
Thanks for your honest review of this product!
Request - metabo hpt 36v cordless brushless 10 inch table saw
Would you ever consider doing a review of the Grizzly track saw?
Yep. I've gotten a lot of requests for it. I'll get one ordered this week.
Thank you! I've been strongly considering buying one and would love your opinion on it. I really enjoy your videos and trust your opinions on things. Can't wait to see what you think!