Wow, do i feel wise! I purchased this Milescraft track saw setup about 2 weeks ago. This is the 1st time I've picked out a cool tool before Stumpy shows it. I'm using a 6-1/2" Makita battery saw and it gives me a cut depth of about 1-3/8". That's plenty for any sheet goods I use, and I love it. No more rough cuts, then making a finish cut on thd table saw. I use a 60 tooth blade and my 1st cut IS the finish cut. Very satisfied!
@@scottyee707 It doesn't seem that a Makita track & adapter can be purchased for the same money as the Milescraft. ..50% more at Amazon. And it looks to me as if the Milescraft saw plate adapter is the clear winner in stability and ease of use...but thanks.
@@Willkiser1 well if you ever wanted to upgrade to a real track saw one day, you'd have the tracks for it unlike with the milescraft but I get it, and neither are great without the plunge function
After watching Izzy Swan review the Wood Owl bits, I bought a 3/4" to drill dog holes in my new bench. I drilled 40 to 50 holes and the last hole was as clean as the first hole. I don't know what geometric wizardry is going on, but it works well. I now have several sizes and they are my go to drill for exposed holes. Thx.
I love that your Cool Tools videos include high quality, inexpensive tools that guys like me can afford. I also enjoy seeing the tools that I'll never be able to afford. I don't understand why so many woodworkers get their jealous little panties in a wad when they see a TH-camr using a tool that is beyond their budget. Some of that stuff is just really cool. I enjoy seeing them, even if I'll never own them. I think most of your viewers probably agree with me. It's just that the haters are always the most vocal.
Tip for your viewers from Europe - The German brand KWB (Einhell) has Accu-TOP 3S Japan drills in its range. They are identical to the ones you present, and they are also produced by WoodOwl for KWB. The drills are really phenomenal, and I bought all versions of the diameters. One more piece of advice...since you've featured Fisch forstner drills a few times already. Fisch also makes their forged Black Shark drills (their top series) for the German KWB called the "KWB Speed Forstner"...they are even a tad cheaper compared to the Fisch ones...and of course I bought those too from 15mm to 60mm diameter. I love watching your videos - keep it up... greetings from Slovenia.😃👍
I'm not a woodworker. At best I occasionally tinker building simple but useful things out of wood. But this edition of Cool Tools has even me appreciating every item shown. And the tools are reasonably priced.
James, long time viewer, I have used many of your tips in my amature woodworking shop and you never steered me wrong….I watched this video, bought it the same day and just used it to trim a door bottom 3/32. Worked like butter. This quality tool for such a great price, thanks for the tip
I have the Milescraft track saw kit and like it very much. I found that trying to get the saw in exactly the same place was a challenge. Solved it with putting a plastic spacer on the base plate to get the saw mounted with the correct offset and absolutely parallel to the cut line.
Yes to the $100 track saw gadget for a circular saw. I'm one of those people who have railed against super expensive track saws, and now, this is available. Kudos to Milescraft.
It still won't be the same. No where near the dust extraction of a track saw. Best bang for buck one of probably the Makita. Bosch is great too but a little more money
In Europe you can get Makita tracks €40 for 1 m/ 3 ft , €50 for 1, 5m/ 5ft , the others are 1, 4 m (round €90) , 1, 9m/ 6ft , 3m/10ft (€200 and above) priced way too high.
@@pete_lind here in Canada it's often on sale cordless one two batteries and two 6ft tracks for $600. Pretty good deal compared to the $1200 a festool will be Never looked at individual track prices. Besides I have the Bosch
thank you for your time and effort putting these videos together for us. I'm an absolute beginner with minimal tools - and enjoy the 'problem-solving' of my limited tools and skills. I appreciate you taking the time to explain the details - and the fact that I feel like I'm learning something from each video I watch. keep it up - and thank you again.
I feel for him. It has to be incredibly frustrating dealing with the stoopid comments. "This is a no VOC finish. You don't need a respirator to use it." "OMG! Stumpy said to guzzle it! We're all going to die!"
@@null6634 I don't even recall now if he said that, however though epoxies are possibly not volatile organic compounds in a strict sense (I'm not a chemist), they probably aren't super healthy to breathe. But that should be obvious to most people, without stating it explicitly every time.
I was considering the MilesCraft tracksaw conversion kit but your review almost glossed over the one (big in my mind) disadvantage: beveled cuts. Thanks for pointing that out.
That’s a really nice tracksaw setup. I’m still happy I got a tracksaw (Makita) and find it’s been the most revolutionary purchase I’ve made. The dust collection alone makes me so much happier to use it in my small, indoor workspace.
I've used the Wood Owl Auger's and the first time I used it blew my mind. It ate through the wood like it was Styrofoam. I've used it a decent amount and it hasn't dulled.
Love it. Keyboard warriors shouting before they listen properly about the finish and do like you suggest. Common sense is the key and what a lot of these people lack. Great vids keep on keeping on sir
I do resin printing which uses UV light to cure the prints, and I've investigated the UV light and any associated dangers heavily. The wavelengths of light used are not harmful to humans and the intensity is low, as you said. You can buy UV that to sanitize, but those are much shorter wavelengths and higher intensity. Anyone who has stood under black lights knows that UV light can be perfectly save. The lights can be bright, and I wanted to be extra cautions with my eyes, so I did buy protective goggles that filter it out, but you're right, those lights are very safe. It reminds me of when I worked at the grocery story as a cashier, I would have people who just KNEW the scanners would irradiate their food and give us all cancer.
I bought a cheap WEN track saw. Been really happy with it other than it uses a odd sized arbor so I have to order the blades online. It has a setting to just skim the surface for the first cut that eliminates tear out on veneered plywood.
Holy Moly! Second video today I've seen on the Milescraft track system. I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to get into a system. My home made straight edge is getting older. I saw Phil over at woodsmith cover this this morning. Thanks for what you do.
Seriously tempted by the Milescraft Track Saw setup. I spent money on a similar jig by Kreg about 4 years ago and... wow what a disappointment it was. Loads of slop in the sled which had to be fixed with a shim, not enough adjustment so my saw ended up skimming the aluminum rail on its first setup cut, and the "grippy" underside did not grip at all - I had to make clamps out of T bolts to hold it securely. After all that, there was still just a hint of movement in the sled and long story short, a straight-edge guide gave me just as much accuracy.
I had purchased the ‘crème de le creme’ Milwaukee track saw along with the 55” rail and it came with two clamps. Then I ordered an extra 55” rail from a good company. I returned all and ordered the Milescraft. I am not a professional woodworker but I do need to cut down sheet good occasionally. I have a fantastic corded saw that will be ideal for the Milescraft system. Only drawback is the lack of dust removal. Small price to pay. I’ll wear a mask. I won’t have the riving knife but I think I will be fine cutting sheet goods. The money I’m saving will be used to purchase the Bow Extender Fence System! I love having cool tools but I didn’t need to have a tool I was overly proud of when I can function perfectly well with a scaled down system. Milescraft products are available at Home Depot. Thank you sir for being an excellent helper.
@@YaaLFH you typically won’t have issues with sheet-goods. The problem with kickbacks is more common with dimensional lumber and I will use my table saw with that media. I I still think my plan is a good one. Best use of my resources.
@@YaaLFH you certainly are opinionated. The only thing I’m really sacrificing (IMHO) is dust collection. I’ve been cutting sheet goods on my table saw and this is a great improvement. I did a lot of research and love saving money. Were I to be doing lots and lots and lots of long cuts there would be justification for a $600+ tool. But the Milescraft system will be fine. Please don’t spend my money for me.
I've had both. The Kreg has a plastic sled and no clamps for the track ends. The Milescraft has the aluminum sled and included clampa. Get the Milescraft and buy the track extensions to give you the ability to rip full 8ft. panels.
As mentioned, the Kreg base is plastic and their kit does not include the clamps, although as he says, they’re not necessary. The Kreg base also works with their Rip Cut guide, but again, it’s plastic. Mine hasn’t broken in 2 years but it obviously is less durable than aluminum. Also, while the Kreg is $20 cheaper for the 50” kit, the extension is inexplicably $20 more than Milescraft’s, so the price is the same if you want to be able to rip full sheets. Given the choice between these two made-in-China saw guides, I would absolutely but this one… had I seen this video before I bought the Kreg a couple weeks ago. 😑
James, long time viewer and slowly becoming a better wood worker thanks to you and your great videos! Started with your workbench plans many years ago and keep refining my skills. The track saw setup is heading to my shop very soon! Thank you for all your hard work and great information.
I bought a bottle of the Clean Armor matte finish and one of the overhead UV lights and can attest that it works very well. I put 3 coats on the maple pieces and plywood bottom of a custom, hidden kitchen drawer I made for a neighbor. It works exactly like they claim. That said, it is quite finicky to get a perfectly smooth finish as it doesn’t self-level very well. Once the light hits it, you’re getting whatever brush strokes, roller marks, and other imperfections you made in the final finish. I had the best results doing extremely thin coats and wiping it on with the Scott shop towels. Hence the 3 coats on the drawer parts. I did a little experimenting with thinning it, but that didn’t go so well. More testing is required, but I’m happy with it for my needs. Side note that the matte is still pretty shiny for anybody wondering.
@@ThorD4602 I tried several different methods out of interest and because the company recommends them. I have applied a lot of different finishes in the past, and multiple, thin coats is always the way to go regardless of how they're being applied. My point was that the Clean Armor basically does no self leveling (at least none straight from the bottle at roughly 75 degrees F). So, it's definitely tougher to get a perfectly smooth finish than other, non-UV options. I haven't yet tried any other UV options.
@@wingsdiehard4135 I don’t remember the exact details, but I believe they said the working temperature range was similar but a little colder and hotter than other products in one of their videos.
Totally get why a track saw is superior. I think this is really a solution for home gamers who will probably break down a sheet a handful times a year. Even just buying a Ryobi track saw just for that is hard to justify unless you are doing a few projects and then selling it. Even then, this solution is less hassle than selling one after you are done with it.
@@yayinternets A track saw can be used for so much more than just ripping sheets! It's also much more compact than a table saw - you don't need a dedicated space for it, you can bring it wherever you need it. It's also much safer than a circular saw (no exposed blade when not cutting) so even better for people who will use it occasionally. You can get a cheap track saw with a track included for a comparable amount of money (or even less! Here you can buy one for less than £100) you'd need for a circular saw and this track and it would be perfectly good enough for occasional use.
@@YaaLFHGood to know! I mostly see people using it to break down sheets: I don’t own one obviously. 🙂 Looks like you can use one for large miters as well.
@@yayinternets You can actually use it for a lot of things you'd use a table saw and some things you can't really do with a table saw - and since you bring the tool to your material, not material to the tool, you don't need as much space. If you'd like to see more, check out 10 Minute Workshop.
We got the Milescraft Track Saw with the expansion attachment for my school workshop a few months ago and it’s been terrific. Great for ripping down large panels. Those drill bits look fantastic - I’ll be looking for some of those in Australia.
If you are worried about the UV lights being used, then consider that they are the same lights that are used all day long in Nail Salons, being used directly over skin, with the salon workers getting the most exposure.Yet, they are still OSHA compliant.
The website says you can alternatively use the sun! And I am here in sunny southern CA, I think I can get by without the UV light. Will definitely check that stuff out.
@@alexanderdgrayI always laugh when I see handheld battery-powered UV LEDs recommended for curing acrylics. Yes, it would be nice to have a reliable backup for midnight projects and rainy days... But I've never actually had a problem getting full cure in sunlight.
Just ordered this Milescraft track setup and the extension. Great value that is saving me $$$ compared to other setups. Thanks James! PS: the track system has arrived and is of very high quality and with minor adjustments works excellently!
0:37 The sole on my Bosch GKS 18V-Li cordless cirkular saw works with the old Festool-style tracks (FSN 70, FSN 140) right out of the box (L-Boxx ;) ), that's the reason why I bought that model in the first place. And the Festool ratchet clamps fit the tracks nicely. :)
Hi James, I love your tool reviews. Don't know how many tools I bought because of your cool tools videos. Thank you! I'm REALLY interested in the UV finish. I build custom staircases and need the quick drying and no smell features for touch ups on prefinished stair parts. My concern is, if one can touch up other finished with it? I don't prefinish the stair parts, a painter sprays them before I see them and I don't always know who does it nor what finish they use. Do you know if it's compatible with other finished, and if so which ones? I've tried emailing the company when your first video was posted and I never heard from them.
Could not agree more with all the safety points. We all have been guilty of not being as safe as we should at times. But you are absolutely correct when it comes to the safety in the shop and thiose in it.
As always a great and useful video... to a point! Trying to find the tools you show in the UK is virtually impossible. If any viewers out there can put me right, please do.
Thank you so much for making this video. I have been looking for something like this Milescraft track saw guide system for a long time now but everything else that I found was so expensive and would only work with that companies own track saw. I have several circular saws and I didn’t want to invest that much money into something that I would only use every once in a while so this is perfect for my budget and needs.
@@YaaLFH if you would like to purchase a proper plunge saw for me I would love to have one. Unfortunately my home burned down a few months ago and I can’t really afford one myself and that’s why I thanked him for his video and his recommendation of the product.
I'm tempted by the Milescraft track guide, but I don't know if I want to go with that and an extra track or just spend another $30 and get a dedicated track saw setup wit ha WEN track saw and a Powertec 110" track. There are also a lot of videos on making a custom track with MDF, but it would be tough to make one long enough to cut a full 8' length. I've been using the Kreg rip cut jig, and it gets the job done, but you have to be very careful controlling it or the cut can go bad really fast and ruin a expensive sheet of plywood.
Spend the $30 more, very much worth it to get a proper plunge saw - better dust collection, safer, can do plunge and bevel cuts. Also consider the new Evolution tracks, very good value for money.
My Kregg track saw changed everything. The ability to quickly square up sheet goods while producing very clean cut makes it a pleasure every time I use it. Price pained me yet it did as advertised perfectly and easily. Seeing this cheaper version is great and I will consider it should mine eventually quit. 👍
stumpy...thank you for all the awesome information you put out! This is amazing! Don't let the haters get to you, just keep putting out awesome videos!
I have both tracks for my Bosch circular saw and a plunge saw. Big difference that makes the plunge saw much much better to use is the pivot point in front or behind the saw blade.
All great products. Mostly well priced too. As you pointed out the UV finish is a bit pricey especially the UV light which is required. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Regarding the finish you featured: is sanding needed between coats? What about at the end? Or does it just need some buffing with, say, a piece of brown paper bag, like lacquer?
Sanding between coats - yes, use 320 grit Sanding at the end - no, there is no need to buff at all I highly recommend this product. It is the best VOC friendly finish that mimics varnish.
I have a festool track saw already but if I didn't, I'd be all over that Milescraft version! That's a very reasonable price, given what highly machined parts and fancy extrusions cost these days. That's actually a steal!.
I have an embarrasment of circular saws at the moment so i think i will give that track saw conversion kit a try. Currently "sheet ripping day" is a whole process in my shop and I've been wishing for a more modular solution.
Great video. It would be helpful to know whether or not the UV-cured finish can be applied over an existing finish like Polyurethane. That is, for example, refinishing cabinets, where intricate molding makes it nearly impossible to sand or scrape down to the original oak or whatever. If you can simply apply this over scarified existing finish in the molding at the same time as a sanded finish on the flats in order to make the finish uniform, that's a winner. Also - is it available in satin, or only the gloss you demonstrated? I know that looking it up will probably answer these questions, but it's handy to have the information right here where you debut it. Thanks again for all your hard work and clear presentation.
My Makita saw like that has a track attachment and its pretty good, but no plunge actually makes a huge difference and the accuracy could be better, I still plan on getting a dedicated track saw
Just tried to set up this system/baseplate with my Makita 6 1/2” cordless saw and could not secure the longer clamps to the base. Also I wasn’t comfortable with half of the saw baseplate hanging off unsupported. Also, although the included rubber bumpers were great, adjusting for one section still left to much play in the other connected section.
I really like that modular budget track saw. Your final point that it would be really great for 'breaking down plywood sheets with table saw like precision.' Absolutely. More than 25 years ago I made a big L Square guide and used it to cut out drawer parts from stacks of Baltic birch plywood sheets that I'd squared up, then sanded and finished before cutting out the dozens and dozens of parts. (All of which I still use today.) It clamps onto a sheet of plywood to make a perfect straight cut, but it's just a straight edge. Works great, except I didn't make it 8 feet long. And if I had it would've been difficult to use for 4' and 5' cuts. So modules that I could add on to? Perfect. (I also spent most of my effort making my L guide adjustable so if got out of square I could dial it back in. Turned out that once I got it right, it never moved.) So this is a terrific option. I just could never see throwing that much money at Festtool.
Lidl's Parkside Tracksaw is less €100, and it's a proper track/plunge saw, with two rails included. It's also compatible with Makita and Bosch tracks. For that price, it's excellent quality. I own two of them.
I've seen a demo by the company and I was really intrigued but the cost scared me off. I'm glad that you posted and independent evaluation and explanation. I'm a lot more comfortable with the price and I could really use a solution without the VOC danger, smell and long curing time. Your comment about having to move stuff off your regular workspace to do finishing is my situation exactly. Thanks for the sane logical approach you have taken all these years.
Hey, thanks for this. Having seen the clean armor video before, I did want to ask about one thing - workspace temperature. I live in a place where the temperature can fluctuate pretty wildly from one room to the next. So I'm curious how that finishing agent would handle that?
Hi, I bought the track saw guide, not because of this video, but I had seen you recommend Milescraft elsewhere, I already had they drill guide and when I saw the track saw, it seemed quite legit :) It is a very good product for an affordable price, but I have a few remarks. - the track saw guide needs adaptation when used with circular saw Maktec MT-583 (cheap brand from Makita, common in Thailand), there is interference with the butterfly nuts used to adjust the saw angle, I had to replace them with normal nuts. - the saw could not be pushed back all the way against the end stop, I had to add a 20mm spacer (a bit of 20mm plywood). - one of the rail connector had bad casting, there was a bit of aluminium sticking out, I had to file it back. - the translation of the user manual in French is terrible, I am using the English version. I am not sure if you are in any sort of relationship with them, this video is linked from Milescraft web site, but maybe you can follow these remarks to them.
Thanks for the great information James . Great looking products and instructions for use. Keep up the great videos and don't worry about the " Think they got you this time folks" . Stay safe and keep up the great information videos. Fred.
How does the Miles Craft track compare to the Wen track? I have theWen system and it’s “ok”. Not super accurate but I use it for simply breaking down large sheets
That Milescraft track saw guide had another big benefit for me. Due to my own fault, I got stuck with a defective DeWalt circular saw - the blade is not square with the saw base and renders the saw almost unusable. The Milescraft gives me a new base where I can anchor the saw so that the blade is square with their guide - problem solved! Saved this saw from the trash.
Wanted to recommend a test for the clean armor. I do 3D Printing, including with clear resin which is very similar. UV cured Resins trend to yellow with time when exposed to sun light. Curious if this has been tested on their product?
Is that UV finish a similar formulation to what the dentist uses or to those uv cure "glues"? If so, i gotta have some!!! I've looked on Clear Armor's website to see what product would work good for birch plywood but very confused... do you have any suggestions?
As someone who does a bit of 3D printing (both FMD and UV Resin) I can tell you that you can cure in [even] indirect sunlight. You might even consider buying clear 3D printer resin to use as finish. I like the ABS-like (sometimes called "tough") resin which sells for about $30 per 1kg.
How does Clean Armor compare to the sub-$50 USD per pint Solarez "I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer" finish, which is also no VOCs, 100% solids, quick UV dry?
I've had the Wood Owl bits for a couple years now and the only downside I have seen is the 1/4" quick connect isn't the same size as most others and they will fit but they can be difficult to get out of your drill.
Also, if you don't want to buy the smaller wavelength specific, lower power light you could just take your project out side to setup. The sun does a bang-up job setting up UV resin. For that you would definitely want to use sunscreen though.
▼EXPAND FOR LINKS TO THE TOOLS▼
Watch more Cool Tools videos here► th-cam.com/play/PL-gT7JMZFYjdW0383kgJVMj0ocXbLXtpQ.html
*Tools recommended in this video:*
- Milescraft TrackSawGuide: amzn.to/3Yvo2Yy
- Milescraft TrackSawGuide EXTRA rails: amzn.to/3YqN8b2
- iGaging Bench Squares: www.chipsfly.com/Bench-Squares_p_277.html
- Wood Owl Overdrive Bits (individual bits): lddy.no/1k7rs
- Wood Owl Overdrive Bits (3pc set): lddy.no/1k7cu
- Wood Owl Overdrive Bits (6pc set): lddy.no/1k7rt
- Wood Owl Overdrive Bits (7pc set): lddy.no/1k7rw
- Glue scraper (wide): amzn.to/3ylh8uq
- Glue Scraper (narrow): amzn.to/4ds68KE
- BOW GuidePro Bandsaw Guide: amzn.to/3PC5dg3
- UV Wood Finish: mywoodcutters.com/
- Original video about finish: th-cam.com/video/HiJdtJeO0JQ/w-d-xo.html
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)
(Milescraft, iGaging, Taylor Toolworks, BOW, and MyWoodcutters.com are partners of Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal)
0:00 Chapters
0:37 Tracksaw Guide
3:24 Bench Squares
5:09 Auger Bits
6:40 Glue Scraper
7:41 Bandsaw Guide
9:05 UV Wood Finish
Wow, do i feel wise!
I purchased this Milescraft track saw setup about 2 weeks ago. This is the 1st time I've picked out a cool tool before Stumpy shows it. I'm using a 6-1/2" Makita battery saw and it gives me a cut depth of about 1-3/8". That's plenty for any sheet goods I use, and I love it. No more rough cuts, then making a finish cut on thd table saw. I use a 60 tooth blade and my 1st cut IS the finish cut. Very satisfied!
Is you have the brushless saw, you could have bought a track attachment that works with Makita tracks
@@scottyee707 It doesn't seem that a Makita track & adapter can be purchased for the same money as the Milescraft. ..50% more at Amazon. And it looks to me as if the Milescraft saw plate adapter is the clear winner in stability and ease of use...but thanks.
@@Willkiser1 well if you ever wanted to upgrade to a real track saw one day, you'd have the tracks for it unlike with the milescraft but I get it, and neither are great without the plunge function
After watching Izzy Swan review the Wood Owl bits, I bought a 3/4" to drill dog holes in my new bench. I drilled 40 to 50 holes and the last hole was as clean as the first hole. I don't know what geometric wizardry is going on, but it works well. I now have several sizes and they are my go to drill for exposed holes. Thx.
Exactly where I learned about them. I went back for the whole set after trying one. Always reach for them first
I love that your Cool Tools videos include high quality, inexpensive tools that guys like me can afford. I also enjoy seeing the tools that I'll never be able to afford. I don't understand why so many woodworkers get their jealous little panties in a wad when they see a TH-camr using a tool that is beyond their budget. Some of that stuff is just really cool. I enjoy seeing them, even if I'll never own them. I think most of your viewers probably agree with me. It's just that the haters are always the most vocal.
Yup, no different than watching a video about a classic or new vehicle we can't afford. Just nice and cool stuff.
@@genem2768 , I almost put that in my comment, but it was already long enough.
Tip for your viewers from Europe - The German brand KWB (Einhell) has Accu-TOP 3S Japan drills in its range. They are identical to the ones you present, and they are also produced by WoodOwl for KWB. The drills are really phenomenal, and I bought all versions of the diameters.
One more piece of advice...since you've featured Fisch forstner drills a few times already. Fisch also makes their forged Black Shark drills (their top series) for the German KWB called the "KWB Speed Forstner"...they are even a tad cheaper compared to the Fisch ones...and of course I bought those too from 15mm to 60mm diameter.
I love watching your videos - keep it up... greetings from Slovenia.😃👍
Slovenia looks like a beautiful country. Very much want to visit one day.
@@JohnMaxGriffin I've been, I can guarantee you'll be amazed by the pristine beauty of the mountains.
So honest, so smart, and so patient with opposing comments. JH makes my woodworking better again and again.
I'm not a woodworker. At best I occasionally tinker building simple but useful things out of wood. But this edition of Cool Tools has even me appreciating every item shown. And the tools are reasonably priced.
James, long time viewer, I have used many of your tips in my amature woodworking shop and you never steered me wrong….I watched this video, bought it the same day and just used it to trim a door bottom 3/32. Worked like butter. This quality tool for such a great price, thanks for the tip
That wood finish would be perfect for stair treads and handrails. I am definitely going to try it.
I have the Milescraft track saw kit and like it very much. I found that trying to get the saw in exactly the same place was a challenge. Solved it with putting a plastic spacer on the base plate to get the saw mounted with the correct offset and absolutely parallel to the cut line.
Just got mine and was thinking of doing the same thing! Good use for UHMW scraps.
Yes to the $100 track saw gadget for a circular saw. I'm one of those people who have railed against super expensive track saws, and now, this is available. Kudos to Milescraft.
It still won't be the same. No where near the dust extraction of a track saw.
Best bang for buck one of probably the Makita. Bosch is great too but a little more money
In Europe you can get Makita tracks €40 for 1 m/ 3 ft , €50 for 1, 5m/ 5ft , the others are 1, 4 m (round €90) , 1, 9m/ 6ft , 3m/10ft (€200 and above) priced way too high.
@@pete_lind here in Canada it's often on sale cordless one two batteries and two 6ft tracks for $600. Pretty good deal compared to the $1200 a festool will be
Never looked at individual track prices. Besides I have the Bosch
I bought the accutrack or whatever quite a while ago and it's great honestly
It's a proprietary track not compatible with other brands. Not good enough.
BTW plunge saws are not that expensive any more.
thank you for your time and effort putting these videos together for us. I'm an absolute beginner with minimal tools - and enjoy the 'problem-solving' of my limited tools and skills. I appreciate you taking the time to explain the details - and the fact that I feel like I'm learning something from each video I watch. keep it up - and thank you again.
Milescraft track saw, excellent . Using it with my Dewalt cordless. The saw mounts on the aluminum plate easily and is very solid
Thanks for this, Stumpy! I am saddened by those who criticize without thinking! Common Sense? I desire uncommon sense when I see what others claim!
10:47 "its not a supernova, folks."
I'm not gonna lie, the whole video was worth it just for that quote.
Speaking of... If Betelgeuse goes nova, will it rain with shellac? I mean, shellac _is_ a kind of beetlejuice, right? 😂
I feel for him. It has to be incredibly frustrating dealing with the stoopid comments.
"This is a no VOC finish. You don't need a respirator to use it."
"OMG! Stumpy said to guzzle it! We're all going to die!"
@@null6634 I don't even recall now if he said that, however though epoxies are possibly not volatile organic compounds in a strict sense (I'm not a chemist), they probably aren't super healthy to breathe. But that should be obvious to most people, without stating it explicitly every time.
Agreed, I think he has a t-shirt idea on his hands 😂
Yep 😂
I was considering the MilesCraft tracksaw conversion kit but your review almost glossed over the one (big in my mind) disadvantage: beveled cuts. Thanks for pointing that out.
That’s a really nice tracksaw setup. I’m still happy I got a tracksaw (Makita) and find it’s been the most revolutionary purchase I’ve made. The dust collection alone makes me so much happier to use it in my small, indoor workspace.
Plunge saw >> circular saw, even one with a track.
@@YaaLFHagree wholeheartedly!
I've used the Wood Owl Auger's and the first time I used it blew my mind. It ate through the wood like it was Styrofoam. I've used it a decent amount and it hasn't dulled.
that alignment pin on the squares was a nice feature!
Love it. Keyboard warriors shouting before they listen properly about the finish and do like you suggest. Common sense is the key and what a lot of these people lack. Great vids keep on keeping on sir
I do resin printing which uses UV light to cure the prints, and I've investigated the UV light and any associated dangers heavily. The wavelengths of light used are not harmful to humans and the intensity is low, as you said. You can buy UV that to sanitize, but those are much shorter wavelengths and higher intensity. Anyone who has stood under black lights knows that UV light can be perfectly save. The lights can be bright, and I wanted to be extra cautions with my eyes, so I did buy protective goggles that filter it out, but you're right, those lights are very safe.
It reminds me of when I worked at the grocery story as a cashier, I would have people who just KNEW the scanners would irradiate their food and give us all cancer.
I bought a cheap WEN track saw. Been really happy with it other than it uses a odd sized arbor so I have to order the blades online. It has a setting to just skim the surface for the first cut that eliminates tear out on veneered plywood.
Holy Moly! Second video today I've seen on the Milescraft track system. I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to get into a system. My home made straight edge is getting older. I saw Phil over at woodsmith cover this this morning. Thanks for what you do.
Seriously tempted by the Milescraft Track Saw setup. I spent money on a similar jig by Kreg about 4 years ago and... wow what a disappointment it was. Loads of slop in the sled which had to be fixed with a shim, not enough adjustment so my saw ended up skimming the aluminum rail on its first setup cut, and the "grippy" underside did not grip at all - I had to make clamps out of T bolts to hold it securely. After all that, there was still just a hint of movement in the sled and long story short, a straight-edge guide gave me just as much accuracy.
Same issues here.
As a newbie woodworker, I really appreciate the education I get on this channel.
Those Woodowl Overdrive bits are amazing. They make drilling hardwood railings for spindles fun.
I had purchased the ‘crème de le creme’ Milwaukee track saw along with the 55” rail and it came with two clamps. Then I ordered an extra 55” rail from a good company. I returned all and ordered the Milescraft. I am not a professional woodworker but I do need to cut down sheet good occasionally. I have a fantastic corded saw that will be ideal for the Milescraft system.
Only drawback is the lack of dust removal. Small price to pay. I’ll wear a mask. I won’t have the riving knife but I think I will be fine cutting sheet goods.
The money I’m saving will be used to purchase the Bow Extender Fence System!
I love having cool tools but I didn’t need to have a tool I was overly proud of when I can function perfectly well with a scaled down system. Milescraft products are available at Home Depot.
Thank you sir for being an excellent helper.
That was a very weird decision. Plunge saws are safer and better than circular saws.
@@YaaLFH you typically won’t have issues with sheet-goods. The problem with kickbacks is more common with dimensional lumber and I will use my table saw with that media. I
I still think my plan is a good one. Best use of my resources.
@@YaaLFH you certainly are opinionated. The only thing I’m really sacrificing (IMHO) is dust collection. I’ve been cutting sheet goods on my table saw and this is a great improvement. I did a lot of research and love saving money. Were I to be doing lots and lots and lots of long cuts there would be justification for a $600+ tool. But the Milescraft system will be fine. Please don’t spend my money for me.
@@8pilgrim Ah, I see you have no actual arguments so decided to insult me instead.
Good luck cutting straight lines when the connectors fail.
@@YaaLFH Not that it's hard to insult someone who makes almost a hundred comments about track saws on a single video
Was trying to decide between the Milescraft track & similar one from Kreg, you just sold me on the Milescraft. Thanks.
You'll be much better off upgrading to a real plunge saw.
I've had both. The Kreg has a plastic sled and no clamps for the track ends. The Milescraft has the aluminum sled and included clampa. Get the Milescraft and buy the track extensions to give you the ability to rip full 8ft. panels.
As mentioned, the Kreg base is plastic and their kit does not include the clamps, although as he says, they’re not necessary. The Kreg base also works with their Rip Cut guide, but again, it’s plastic. Mine hasn’t broken in 2 years but it obviously is less durable than aluminum. Also, while the Kreg is $20 cheaper for the 50” kit, the extension is inexplicably $20 more than Milescraft’s, so the price is the same if you want to be able to rip full sheets. Given the choice between these two made-in-China saw guides, I would absolutely but this one… had I seen this video before I bought the Kreg a couple weeks ago. 😑
James, long time viewer and slowly becoming a better wood worker thanks to you and your great videos! Started with your workbench plans many years ago and keep refining my skills. The track saw setup is heading to my shop very soon!
Thank you for all your hard work and great information.
Really appreciate you focusing on the more budget friendly tools.
Thank you for sharing these valuable products especially being able to apply finish in 2 minutes. That will speed things dramatically in my shop
I bought a bottle of the Clean Armor matte finish and one of the overhead UV lights and can attest that it works very well. I put 3 coats on the maple pieces and plywood bottom of a custom, hidden kitchen drawer I made for a neighbor. It works exactly like they claim. That said, it is quite finicky to get a perfectly smooth finish as it doesn’t self-level very well. Once the light hits it, you’re getting whatever brush strokes, roller marks, and other imperfections you made in the final finish. I had the best results doing extremely thin coats and wiping it on with the Scott shop towels. Hence the 3 coats on the drawer parts. I did a little experimenting with thinning it, but that didn’t go so well. More testing is required, but I’m happy with it for my needs. Side note that the matte is still pretty shiny for anybody wondering.
Thin rag finish in multiple coats is the only way you should be applying any wood finish.
@@ThorD4602 I tried several different methods out of interest and because the company recommends them. I have applied a lot of different finishes in the past, and multiple, thin coats is always the way to go regardless of how they're being applied. My point was that the Clean Armor basically does no self leveling (at least none straight from the bottle at roughly 75 degrees F). So, it's definitely tougher to get a perfectly smooth finish than other, non-UV options. I haven't yet tried any other UV options.
Is it as temperature sensitive as other products can you apply it in colder or warmer temps
@@wingsdiehard4135 I don’t remember the exact details, but I believe they said the working temperature range was similar but a little colder and hotter than other products in one of their videos.
@@ThorD4602thanks for sharing your opinion.
The problem with circular saws is dust collection. That alone makes a track saw worth it to me. Wood Owl bits are on my Christmas wish list.
Also it's still only a circular saw, not a plunge saw, and the track is a proprietary design.
Totally get why a track saw is superior.
I think this is really a solution for home gamers who will probably break down a sheet a handful times a year. Even just buying a Ryobi track saw just for that is hard to justify unless you are doing a few projects and then selling it.
Even then, this solution is less hassle than selling one after you are done with it.
@@yayinternets A track saw can be used for so much more than just ripping sheets! It's also much more compact than a table saw - you don't need a dedicated space for it, you can bring it wherever you need it.
It's also much safer than a circular saw (no exposed blade when not cutting) so even better for people who will use it occasionally.
You can get a cheap track saw with a track included for a comparable amount of money (or even less! Here you can buy one for less than £100) you'd need for a circular saw and this track and it would be perfectly good enough for occasional use.
@@YaaLFHGood to know! I mostly see people using it to break down sheets: I don’t own one obviously. 🙂
Looks like you can use one for large miters as well.
@@yayinternets You can actually use it for a lot of things you'd use a table saw and some things you can't really do with a table saw - and since you bring the tool to your material, not material to the tool, you don't need as much space.
If you'd like to see more, check out 10 Minute Workshop.
Great video, you say what needs to be said, the wood finish I'll get, the T. saw guide and squares I regret already buying elsewhere.
We got the Milescraft Track Saw with the expansion attachment for my school workshop a few months ago and it’s been terrific. Great for ripping down large panels. Those drill bits look fantastic - I’ll be looking for some of those in Australia.
One of the best Cool Tools yet. I ALWAYS appreciate your honest approach in these and the rest of your videos. Well done!
I've been itching to pull the trigger on a track saw for months. This is PERFECT for what I need. Thanks!!!
Don't waste your money, get a track saw.
@YaaLFH is 100% correct.
If you are worried about the UV lights being used, then consider that they are the same lights that are used all day long in Nail Salons, being used directly over skin, with the salon workers getting the most exposure.Yet, they are still OSHA compliant.
Look how many are lunatics, anything to do with the UV?
The website says you can alternatively use the sun! And I am here in sunny southern CA, I think I can get by without the UV light.
Will definitely check that stuff out.
@@alexanderdgrayI always laugh when I see handheld battery-powered UV LEDs recommended for curing acrylics. Yes, it would be nice to have a reliable backup for midnight projects and rainy days... But I've never actually had a problem getting full cure in sunlight.
@@alexanderdgray The UV light from the sun in California will set it in seconds.
Are these the same UV lights in nail salons that are increasinlgy being considered a major cancer risk?
Just ordered this Milescraft track setup and the extension. Great value that is saving me $$$ compared to other setups. Thanks James!
PS: the track system has arrived and is of very high quality and with minor adjustments works excellently!
Your patience is admirable. Thanks for the tips.
I am never disappointed by your Cool Tools video!
I loved this video. I understood the first time about the finish. I can't believe some people just want to put you down.
I always feel a little sad for him because the pedants and "ackshually" crowd comes at him and by acknowledging them I think it encourages them.
I have rolling workbenches, if I use the UV activated stuff I can just roll the work piece outside.
There have been several companies making similar track saws for years. I got mine that is made here in Florida and it has been great.
0:37 The sole on my Bosch GKS 18V-Li cordless cirkular saw works with the old Festool-style tracks (FSN 70, FSN 140) right out of the box (L-Boxx ;) ), that's the reason why I bought that model in the first place. And the Festool ratchet clamps fit the tracks nicely. :)
Hi James, I love your tool reviews. Don't know how many tools I bought because of your cool tools videos. Thank you!
I'm REALLY interested in the UV finish. I build custom staircases and need the quick drying and no smell features for touch ups on prefinished stair parts. My concern is, if one can touch up other finished with it? I don't prefinish the stair parts, a painter sprays them before I see them and I don't always know who does it nor what finish they use. Do you know if it's compatible with other finished, and if so which ones? I've tried emailing the company when your first video was posted and I never heard from them.
Could not agree more with all the safety points. We all have been guilty of not being as safe as we should at times. But you are absolutely correct when it comes to the safety in the shop and thiose in it.
As always a great and useful video... to a point! Trying to find the tools you show in the UK is virtually impossible. If any viewers out there can put me right, please do.
Thank you so much for making this video. I have been looking for something like this Milescraft track saw guide system for a long time now but everything else that I found was so expensive and would only work with that companies own track saw. I have several circular saws and I didn’t want to invest that much money into something that I would only use every once in a while so this is perfect for my budget and needs.
Just get a proper plunge saw instead. There are many that are compatible with the Festool tracks while much cheaper than Festool.
@@YaaLFH if you would like to purchase a proper plunge saw for me I would love to have one. Unfortunately my home burned down a few months ago and I can’t really afford one myself and that’s why I thanked him for his video and his recommendation of the product.
Your patience with those negative commentators is amazing. I would have blocked them loooong ago ;-)
I'm tempted by the Milescraft track guide, but I don't know if I want to go with that and an extra track or just spend another $30 and get a dedicated track saw setup wit ha WEN track saw and a Powertec 110" track. There are also a lot of videos on making a custom track with MDF, but it would be tough to make one long enough to cut a full 8' length.
I've been using the Kreg rip cut jig, and it gets the job done, but you have to be very careful controlling it or the cut can go bad really fast and ruin a expensive sheet of plywood.
Spend the $30 more, very much worth it to get a proper plunge saw - better dust collection, safer, can do plunge and bevel cuts.
Also consider the new Evolution tracks, very good value for money.
My Kregg track saw changed everything. The ability to quickly square up sheet goods while producing very clean cut makes it a pleasure every time I use it. Price pained me yet it did as advertised perfectly and easily. Seeing this cheaper version is great and I will consider it should mine eventually quit. 👍
stumpy...thank you for all the awesome information you put out! This is amazing! Don't let the haters get to you, just keep putting out awesome videos!
Bravo to Milescraft. Really a nice setup.
I have both tracks for my Bosch circular saw and a plunge saw. Big difference that makes the plunge saw much much better to use is the pivot point in front or behind the saw blade.
Also much better dust collection and safety (saw blade is only exposed when cutting).
All great products. Mostly well priced too. As you pointed out the UV finish is a bit pricey especially the UV light which is required. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Thanks for this video- track saw yes, Bow band saw guide yes. Both in the cart, will order when I get back to Albuquerque.
Great video as usual. I really appreciate the common sense approach to the dangers of the finish and UV light. Thanks.
Regarding the finish you featured: is sanding needed between coats? What about at the end? Or does it just need some buffing with, say, a piece of brown paper bag, like lacquer?
Sanding between coats - yes, use 320 grit
Sanding at the end - no, there is no need to buff at all
I highly recommend this product. It is the best VOC friendly finish that mimics varnish.
I have a festool track saw already but if I didn't, I'd be all over that Milescraft version! That's a very reasonable price, given what highly machined parts and fancy extrusions cost these days. That's actually a steal!.
I have an embarrasment of circular saws at the moment so i think i will give that track saw conversion kit a try. Currently "sheet ripping day" is a whole process in my shop and I've been wishing for a more modular solution.
Great video. It would be helpful to know whether or not the UV-cured finish can be applied over an existing finish like Polyurethane. That is, for example, refinishing cabinets, where intricate molding makes it nearly impossible to sand or scrape down to the original oak or whatever. If you can simply apply this over scarified existing finish in the molding at the same time as a sanded finish on the flats in order to make the finish uniform, that's a winner. Also - is it available in satin, or only the gloss you demonstrated? I know that looking it up will probably answer these questions, but it's handy to have the information right here where you debut it. Thanks again for all your hard work and clear presentation.
How would you compare the Milescraft track saw kitt to the Kreg Accu-cut system?
I always enjoy these tool vids.
Can’t justify buying anything but that are all inspiring and interesting.
Thanks.
My Makita saw like that has a track attachment and its pretty good, but no plunge actually makes a huge difference and the accuracy could be better, I still plan on getting a dedicated track saw
Thanks so much for sharing.😂
I been following last that long, and have bought several, awesome lineup every time, it's why your my boy blue
Just tried to set up this system/baseplate with my Makita 6 1/2” cordless saw and could not secure the longer clamps to the base. Also I wasn’t comfortable with half of the saw baseplate hanging off unsupported. Also, although the included rubber bumpers were great, adjusting for one section still left to much play in the other connected section.
Question regarding the light cured finish, what kind of stripper to use to remove cured finish?
Always enjoy your cool tools vids and reviews, and there are some gems in this one. Thanks for sharing!
I have the Owl bits, and they work great, no blowout.
This is possibly your best Cool Tools episode ever!
Thanks for all the great finds. These are definitely on my wishlist now.
I really like that modular budget track saw. Your final point that it would be really great for 'breaking down plywood sheets with table saw like precision.' Absolutely.
More than 25 years ago I made a big L Square guide and used it to cut out drawer parts from stacks of Baltic birch plywood sheets that I'd squared up, then sanded and finished before cutting out the dozens and dozens of parts. (All of which I still use today.) It clamps onto a sheet of plywood to make a perfect straight cut, but it's just a straight edge. Works great, except I didn't make it 8 feet long. And if I had it would've been difficult to use for 4' and 5' cuts. So modules that I could add on to? Perfect. (I also spent most of my effort making my L guide adjustable so if got out of square I could dial it back in. Turned out that once I got it right, it never moved.) So this is a terrific option. I just could never see throwing that much money at Festtool.
Been a while since one of your videos popped up on my feed. Love the beard; you make it look good.
Lidl's Parkside Tracksaw is less €100, and it's a proper track/plunge saw, with two rails included. It's also compatible with Makita and Bosch tracks. For that price, it's excellent quality. I own two of them.
I love my Milescraft track, amazing value. I wish I could find a square attachment for it, not sure the common ones for other tracks would work...
I wonder if the wood owl bits would be good for drilling dog holes in my bench?
Posting this just after pay day is pretty smart.
What is the cure time on the finish if you don’t use a uv light or do you have to use the light
I've seen a demo by the company and I was really intrigued but the cost scared me off. I'm glad that you posted and independent evaluation and explanation. I'm a lot more comfortable with the price and I could really use a solution without the VOC danger, smell and long curing time. Your comment about having to move stuff off your regular workspace to do finishing is my situation exactly. Thanks for the sane logical approach you have taken all these years.
Hey, thanks for this.
Having seen the clean armor video before, I did want to ask about one thing - workspace temperature.
I live in a place where the temperature can fluctuate pretty wildly from one room to the next. So I'm curious how that finishing agent would handle that?
Hi, I bought the track saw guide, not because of this video, but I had seen you recommend Milescraft elsewhere, I already had they drill guide and when I saw the track saw, it seemed quite legit :)
It is a very good product for an affordable price, but I have a few remarks.
- the track saw guide needs adaptation when used with circular saw Maktec MT-583 (cheap brand from Makita, common in Thailand), there is interference with the butterfly nuts used to adjust the saw angle, I had to replace them with normal nuts.
- the saw could not be pushed back all the way against the end stop, I had to add a 20mm spacer (a bit of 20mm plywood).
- one of the rail connector had bad casting, there was a bit of aluminium sticking out, I had to file it back.
- the translation of the user manual in French is terrible, I am using the English version.
I am not sure if you are in any sort of relationship with them, this video is linked from Milescraft web site, but maybe you can follow these remarks to them.
Thanks for the great information James . Great looking products and instructions for use. Keep up the great videos and don't worry about the " Think they got you this time folks" . Stay safe and keep up the great information videos. Fred.
The spade tear-out doesn't surprise me but that Wood Owl auger is amazing! How do you feel that, vs. Forstner?
Is the UV finish durable enough for outdoor furniture? I have heard no finish (other than paint) is, but this is new, so I have to ask...
Are the milescraft rails compatible to makita rails [for right angle saw guides]
Thanks
Searching for part 3 of 2021's glass cabinet door series. Choosing and Cutting glass? Was this video ever uploaded?
Could I use the UV wood finish to finish stained cornhole boards?
How does the Miles Craft track compare to the Wen track? I have theWen system and it’s “ok”. Not super accurate but I use it for simply breaking down large sheets
So what is the difference between the clear 3d printing resin and Clean Armor? Both are UV curing resins.
Does Milescraft have longer tracks so you can cut the 8 foot length of plywood? Most other companies offer a 100-110” total length for this.
Yes. As I mentioned in the video, you can add extensions (there is a link to those below, as well) just as you can with any other track saw system.
That Milescraft track saw guide had another big benefit for me. Due to my own fault, I got stuck with a defective DeWalt circular saw - the blade is not square with the saw base and renders the saw almost unusable. The Milescraft gives me a new base where I can anchor the saw so that the blade is square with their guide - problem solved! Saved this saw from the trash.
Wanted to recommend a test for the clean armor. I do 3D Printing, including with clear resin which is very similar. UV cured Resins trend to yellow with time when exposed to sun light. Curious if this has been tested on their product?
Is that UV finish a similar formulation to what the dentist uses or to those uv cure "glues"? If so, i gotta have some!!! I've looked on Clear Armor's website to see what product would work good for birch plywood but very confused... do you have any suggestions?
The Clean Armor wood finish would definitely reduce the amount of dust that can settle on a finish.
An excellent observation!
As someone who does a bit of 3D printing (both FMD and UV Resin) I can tell you that you can cure in [even] indirect sunlight. You might even consider buying clear 3D printer resin to use as finish. I like the ABS-like (sometimes called "tough") resin which sells for about $30 per 1kg.
for the UV-cured finish, does that make it appropriate for use for an exterior door?
They have an exterior version.
How does Clean Armor compare to the sub-$50 USD per pint Solarez "I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer" finish, which is also no VOCs, 100% solids, quick UV dry?
I've had the Wood Owl bits for a couple years now and the only downside I have seen is the 1/4" quick connect isn't the same size as most others and they will fit but they can be difficult to get out of your drill.
Also, if you don't want to buy the smaller wavelength specific, lower power light you could just take your project out side to setup. The sun does a bang-up job setting up UV resin. For that you would definitely want to use sunscreen though.