This is the proper way to do finish cuts with a circular saw. I'm really surprised how many people believe that you need to use a Worm Drive saw for tiny boards, because "it's easier to see the line." You shouldn't be doing free hand cuts on precision carpentry. Framing doesn't require any precision at all, but for expensive lumber, the cuts have to be absolutely perfect. That's why you use some type of metal straight edge, or the edge of a piece of factory cut sheet goods. This is the beauty of a right blade saw, the motor and shoe are properly supported on top of the finished material, and all of the dust blows away from you. Left blade saws work fine, but the dust blows straight back at you.
Somehow i missed this one. That XP 7.25 is a fantastic saw. I am very interested in this guide, i have a couple other saw guides and they are Ok. I like the idea of the clamp having its own track. I am like most folks probably. Like the idea of a saw guide but cannot justify the cost of a dedicated track saw. Thanks for the review brother.
Thanks Randy! Skil found a smart niche for this one I think. The price of most track saws is a little ridiculous and tough for the casual DIY person to justify for very occasional use. More options is always better IMO. Thanks for watching!
Your video, inadvertently, was a good help to me in this way…, like you, I own a WEN tracksaw with the slippery track base And it being the only tracksaw I have ever used, I wasn’t sure if the WEN track just stunk due to the slipping or if it was operator incompetence! Turns out, I’m a bit less incompetent than I thought! Thank you like your channel
Glad to hear I helped Bill. It’s definitely not you. I have the new 40v Wen track saw waiting for it’s review and I think I’ll upgrade the foam on the Wen tracks in that vid. Should be a couple weeks. Thanks for watching!
I need to look into this track for my Bosch 6 1/2 circular saw that has track rail compatible I don't need a track saw like that but it's good to know I have that option without breaking my bank
I have been hoping for Skil circular saw, but this one turned out to be awkward and not the smooth operator I hoped for. A Pro to that Con is it seems powerful and the parts are mostly metalic. Thanks for your review! I want to add that because other track guide are so much wider than the Skil. This one is more suitable for smaller and narrow work.
This is only the first try for the Skil technology team! I noticed the shoe plate is narrow. That can cause it to feel less stable. Like the different touch it takes to use a trim router as opposed to a plunge router.
OMG finally, I've already tortured this saw in my workshop and now it's time to upgrade it to a track saw 😁 I wonder how much the track takes away from cut depth... And whether or not I'll be able to find it in Europe
Mike, another thumbs up review. This may be economical enough for a guy on social security to afford. I'd have to buy the saw also. How much for the whole magilla (saw and track)? The problem I've run into before with tracks is that when you use a different thickness blade, that runner is either re-cut on the first cut, or it is too wide. I'm wondering how long that compression fitting will last. Chances are, it will outlast me.
Thanks Meat! $250 all in with a charger and 4ah battery. Not too bad but more than the Wen corded track saw kit and abou my the same as the dual battery Wen we’ll check out in a few weeks. That said I wouldn’t use a plunge saw as my regular circ saw so I think the Skil has a slight advantage if your only planning to have one saw. Those runners can be replaced if they get messed up. Thanks for watching!
I was curious as to why Skil went with a 90 deg. side and a 45 deg side. If I want to attach a rail square, there is nowhere to attach to, except perhaps to the edge of the underside T-slot. This forces one to always set up cuts on a fully drawn line. Meat's comment about bevel cuts undercutting the rubber splinter guard suggested a reason for why they did this. Unlike real track saws the Skil was not built with trunnions which move the bevel pivot axis to the bottom outside edge of the splinter guard. To prevent undercutting cutting into the splinter guard when beveling at 45 deg., they made a second splinter guard on the other side, and added big stickers to show you which side to use. Unfortunately this prevents attaching track accessories there.
Not sure but the instructions clearly said to only use the included clamps. I was wondering that too and I’ll try the Wen clamps I have. I’ll update this later. Thanks for watching!
I don’t disagree. Clamping a level was my go to before the track saw craze and it works fine. I do like these cheap tracks for regular circ saws though. For $70 you get very fast setup and it takes the math out of it. Thanks for watching Mike!
Nice demo as always! That's certainly an option for those of us who either can't afford or can't justify the cost of a proper track saw. I wonder if it would work with my 25-year old Craftsman circular saw (Yeah, I know, it's time to buy a new one).
Track compatibility should be an industry standard. I may have to give this one a try even though I’m not in the Skil line. But I’ve got to wonder, why did Chervon make a Skil track saw before making a flex one? Maybe it’s a Guinea pig for a flex version lol.
You definitely don’t need to spend $500 dollars to cut a straight line. I always used a straight edge and a circular saw to do the trick. But it costs more time and effort to set up. I got the 40v Makita track saw a while ago and I’m super happy with my purchase. It’s smooth, powerful and the cuts are super clean. It’s fast to set up and I blast through my sheets in no time. So necessary: no, but better and nice to use: heck yeah.
We’ve been using Final Cut Pro for a while now and making slight changes with each vid to test. To my surprise sound has been the most challenging part of making videos. Sixty videos in and still trying to get it right. Thanks for watching Bradley!
This is the proper way to do finish cuts with a circular saw. I'm really surprised how many people believe that you need to use a Worm Drive saw for tiny boards, because "it's easier to see the line." You shouldn't be doing free hand cuts on precision carpentry. Framing doesn't require any precision at all, but for expensive lumber, the cuts have to be absolutely perfect. That's why you use some type of metal straight edge, or the edge of a piece of factory cut sheet goods. This is the beauty of a right blade saw, the motor and shoe are properly supported on top of the finished material, and all of the dust blows away from you. Left blade saws work fine, but the dust blows straight back at you.
Somehow i missed this one. That XP 7.25 is a fantastic saw. I am very interested in this guide, i have a couple other saw guides and they are Ok. I like the idea of the clamp having its own track. I am like most folks probably. Like the idea of a saw guide but cannot justify the cost of a dedicated track saw.
Thanks for the review brother.
Thanks Randy! Skil found a smart niche for this one I think. The price of most track saws is a little ridiculous and tough for the casual DIY person to justify for very occasional use. More options is always better IMO. Thanks for watching!
Your video, inadvertently, was a good help to me in this way…, like you, I own a WEN tracksaw with the slippery track base
And it being the only tracksaw I have ever used, I wasn’t sure if the WEN track just stunk due to the slipping or if it was operator incompetence!
Turns out, I’m a bit less incompetent than I thought! Thank you like your channel
Glad to hear I helped Bill. It’s definitely not you. I have the new 40v Wen track saw waiting for it’s review and I think I’ll upgrade the foam on the Wen tracks in that vid. Should be a couple weeks. Thanks for watching!
Great review as usual!
Thank you!!
I need to look into this track for my Bosch 6 1/2 circular saw that has track rail compatible I don't need a track saw like that but it's good to know I have that option without breaking my bank
The midweek upload. Solid. 👍🏻
Had a couple little vids. Next one Monday then back to normal. Thanks for watching!
I have been hoping for Skil circular saw, but this one turned out to be awkward and not the smooth operator I hoped for. A Pro to that Con is it seems powerful and the parts are mostly metalic. Thanks for your review!
I want to add that because other track guide are so much wider than the Skil. This one is more suitable for smaller and narrow work.
This is only the first try for the Skil technology team! I noticed the shoe plate is narrow. That can cause it to feel less stable. Like the different touch it takes to use a trim router as opposed to a plunge router.
Like you said if your on a budget it will do the job
Thanks for watching Bradley!
OMG finally, I've already tortured this saw in my workshop and now it's time to upgrade it to a track saw 😁 I wonder how much the track takes away from cut depth... And whether or not I'll be able to find it in Europe
Not sure about Europe but I’ll measure the track thickness and update this later. Thanks for watching!!
Mike, another thumbs up review. This may be economical enough for a guy on social security to afford. I'd have to buy the saw also. How much for the whole magilla (saw and track)? The problem I've run into before with tracks is that when you use a different thickness blade, that runner is either re-cut on the first cut, or it is too wide. I'm wondering how long that compression fitting will last. Chances are, it will outlast me.
Thanks Meat! $250 all in with a charger and 4ah battery. Not too bad but more than the Wen corded track saw kit and abou my the same as the dual battery Wen we’ll check out in a few weeks. That said I wouldn’t use a plunge saw as my regular circ saw so I think the Skil has a slight advantage if your only planning to have one saw. Those runners can be replaced if they get messed up. Thanks for watching!
I was curious as to why Skil went with a 90 deg. side and a 45 deg side. If I want to attach a rail square, there is nowhere to attach to, except perhaps to the edge of the underside T-slot. This forces one to always set up cuts on a fully drawn line.
Meat's comment about bevel cuts undercutting the rubber splinter guard suggested a reason for why they did this.
Unlike real track saws the Skil was not built with trunnions which move the bevel pivot axis to the bottom outside edge of the splinter guard. To prevent undercutting cutting into the splinter guard when beveling at 45 deg., they made a second splinter guard on the other side, and added big stickers to show you which side to use. Unfortunately this prevents attaching track accessories there.
Are the slots for the clamps compatible with the other brands' track clamps?
Not sure but the instructions clearly said to only use the included clamps. I was wondering that too and I’ll try the Wen clamps I have. I’ll update this later. Thanks for watching!
Its nice ,but a peace of aluminum angle clamped would do the same thing .may take few more mins to set up but the same thing
I don’t disagree. Clamping a level was my go to before the track saw craze and it works fine. I do like these cheap tracks for regular circ saws though. For $70 you get very fast setup and it takes the math out of it. Thanks for watching Mike!
Nice demo as always! That's certainly an option for those of us who either can't afford or can't justify the cost of a proper track saw. I wonder if it would work with my 25-year old Craftsman circular saw (Yeah, I know, it's time to buy a new one).
Thanks Ted! Pretty sure your old Craftsman isn’t going to cut it this time! Thanks for watching!!
Do a comparison with Kreg's track system
Definitely a possibility Shawn! Thanks for watching!
Track compatibility should be an industry standard. I may have to give this one a try even though I’m not in the Skil line. But I’ve got to wonder, why did Chervon make a Skil track saw before making a flex one? Maybe it’s a Guinea pig for a flex version lol.
Maybe they’ll do a legit pro quality plunge track saw for Flex. I’ve got no insider info on that but I can hope🤞 Thanks for watching!
You definitely don’t need to spend $500 dollars to cut a straight line. I always used a straight edge and a circular saw to do the trick. But it costs more time and effort to set up. I got the 40v Makita track saw a while ago and I’m super happy with my purchase. It’s smooth, powerful and the cuts are super clean. It’s fast to set up and I blast through my sheets in no time. So necessary: no, but better and nice to use: heck yeah.
I agree Pim! I always used a level and clamps too. Looking forward to getting that Makita for a vid soon. Thanks for watching!
is there a link to this product?
Here you go! Thanks for watching! www.skil.com/track-guide-crt0702/
You have great videos but the sound is always low. If your editing software doesn't include sound metering, I would suggest trying Davinci Resolve.
We’ve been using Final Cut Pro for a while now and making slight changes with each vid to test. To my surprise sound has been the most challenging part of making videos. Sixty videos in and still trying to get it right. Thanks for watching Bradley!
it's no mag77 being run along a 2x4 as a guide. but it'll do.
I have a mag77 in the shop. I agree. Thanks for watching!
Nice vid as alway. Does it just work w/that spesific model of saw? or any skil circular saw do the trick. Greetings from Puerto Vallarta, México
Hello Abel! Should be just his one saw as of now. Thanks for watching!!
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