How to Build a Track Saw

  Many major manufacturers build a track saws now days.  A good track saw costs as much or more than a contractor's table saw and so owning both may be cost prohibitive for a D.I.Y wood worker. Given that situation most of us are inclined to buy the table saw, it is after all the tool that we grew up using.

  This video by D.I.Y. Creators shows how to make a track saw that might inspire a person to really explore what a track saw can do.  This improvised system should show whether the full expense of a track saw is good value.

Make your own track saw with base mounted runners.

 This homemade version should be more accurate than the methods that do no include installing runners on the base of the saw. All that is missing is the plunge feature.  

  Secondlys a shout out to my Hand Tool woodworking followers I am including this video of making Japanese saw horses.

Hand tool low saw horses. 

  Very interesting, but I don't think my back will allow working on the floor.  It is a solution to the problem of too small a shop.  Could be the the future of condo/apartment work shops?

 cheers, ianw

Woodstock Wood Show & Beginning Thoughts about Setting Up Shop

  This past weekend I came out of retirement and stood in a booth at the Woodstock Wood Show.  Today I am not doing much of anything because I am very tired and sore.  I haven't stood without a break for 8 hours in a long long time and my legs weren't used to it.

 Setting aside the complaining about being old and tired I have to say, it was a good time.  The show has begun to improve and get interesting again.  There were some new things to see and work shop ideas to kick around.

 I worked in a booth featuring Laguna Band Saws. I really think they are the new generation of band saws and having one in your shop could change your method of work significantly.




   Another tool that I gave my attention was the track saw/plunge cut saw.

Makita Plunge cut saw

  I will have to think very hard about replacing my contractor's table saw when it's time comes.  I can see for a small shop a Plunge Cut Track saw replacing a small table saw.  With a good track saw and a couple of extra jigs one might not need a sliding mitre saw either.

  To eliminate a table saw and a mitre saw would require a re-think about method of work and benches vs. saw horses but I can see a way to do good work, in a small space with precision using a good band saw and a quality track saw that would not have been possible a just a few years ago. 

  As a foot note regarding the Woodstock Wood Show.  I have been going to wood shows for a very long time and worked booths in shows for at least ten years for various companies both large and small.  In years past there were many wood shows each winter, it got to be too many and then the quality began to fall.  Now I think there is only Woodstock and Hamilton that have real wood shows planned for this winter.  This year's Woodstock show showed strong improvement and appears to be interested in continuing to improve if yesterday's discussions with vendors in any indication.  I think the entire exercise was positive and I hope promises good things for the future.  I am looking forward to the Hamilton Wood Show in the new year.

  Tomorrow I should be rested enough to get into the shop and repair that sewing box and start something new.

  cheers, ianw.

p.s.- getting older is no fun, but it beats the alternative. 

Straight Cuts with a Circ Saw ??

selection of circular saws from thetoolstore.ca

   Probably everyone with a DIY workshop has a circular saw, maybe a couple.  You can spend a little bit of money on a saw, or a whole bunch.  Saws come with the motor mounted on either side or at the back in the case of a worm gear driven saw, they also come in a variety of blade sizes and as for weight, some saws weigh as much as a calf.

   Regardless of the saw in hand, they are powerful and attack your wood aggressively, usually too aggressively to be thought of as a finishing tool.  We have filled our shops with sliding mitre saws, table saws and band saws rather than learn to control our circular saw.

   I am in the process of deciding whether to replace my contractor's table saw with a: another one and get another 7-8 years out of it, b: a bigger better saw and have it forever,c: a good track saw system and have the floor space and maybe as good a saw system?

  Before I get crazy and get rid of my saw I think I am going to make a saw guide to try things out.  This video is one of several I have found showing ideas and methods.  This is not a decision that I am going to make lightly, or quickly but it is something that I will ponder.  For example this looks great for sheet stock, but what about ripping off 1 inch strips from a 6 inch board, how do you clamp the guide on?

  If there are folks out there with experience I'd love to hear from you.