this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2024
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Woodworking
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Yeah I would recommend a regular, good quality, Skil pattern circular saw over a track saw (which I believe is what you mean by "plunge saw") as a first tool along with a decent straight edge clamp.
Track saws increasingly come with things like riving knives, anti-kickback features etc. but a beginner is unlikely to start with large slabs of lumber but rather plywood, which is less likely to pinch in the kerf and cause kickbacks. And in the event that "woodworking is not for me" a circ saw is perfectly viable for carpentry tasks as well.
I do suggest avoiding anything that purports to turn a regular circ saw into a track saw. Just learn how to run the foot against a straight edge.
I’m surprised by this answer! I’ve used standard circular saws for 30 odd years, but in the last few years I’ve used a couple of track saws, particularly a Makita system. I found them to be amazing. Fantastic accuracy, quicker setup, far superior dust extraction- made my old skilsaw look (and sound) like shit. Also, why wouldn’t you want a riving knife? It causes no hindrance and helps avoid accidents. Genuinely curious.
Nothing against track saws at all, they're excellent tools. My point is, if I had no tools, and I was going to buy one powered wood saw, it would be an ordinary circular saw.
For instance, what's it like cross-cutting a 2x4 with a track saw?
Same as doing it with a regular circular, you just don’t use the track.