The Best Circular Saw Track Guides for Accuracy
Contents
- The Best Circular Saw Track Guides Are:
- 1. Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track – Our Recommendation
- 2. Festool FS-1400/2 55 Inches Circular Saw Guide Rail
- 3. Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Circular Saw Guide
- 4. Kreg KMA2685 Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide – Best Budget Product
- Things to Consider When Buying a Circular Saw Guide
- The Overall Length of the Guide
- The Material
- The Stability of the Guide
- Safe Setup
- Conclusion
- Sources
Photo by Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A circular saw is an important item in the toolkit of any professional or amateur woodworker. Owning one of these tools would ease the process of making a variety of straight, quick, and clean cuts, including crosscuts, rips and more.
Freehand, though, a circular saw is hard to keep perfectly straight. A track guide fixes that by giving the saw a straight edge to follow.
Here are four circular saw guides, from a full track system to a budget rip guide.
OUR TOP PICK
We think the best product is the Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Guide. It cuts up to 50 inches, fits most 6-1/2- and 7-1/4-inch saws, and has anti-slip and anti-chip strips.
The Best Circular Saw Track Guides Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track | 1. Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track | - Length: 50 inches - Material: Aluminum - Weight: 5.05 pounds | Check Current Price |
| 2. Festool FS-1400/2 55 Inches Circular Saw Guide Rail | 2. Festool FS-1400/2 55 Inches Circular Saw Guide Rail | - Length: 55 inches - Material: Metal - Weight: 5.95 pounds | Check Current Price |
| 3. Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Circular Saw Guide | 3. Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Circular Saw Guide | - Length: 50 inches - Material: Heavy-duty aluminum - Weight: 2.4 pounds | Check Current Price |
| 4. Kreg KMA2685 Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide | 4. Kreg KMA2685 Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide | - Length: 24 inches - Material: Metal - Weight: 2.45 pounds | Check Current Price |
1. Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track – Our Recommendation
The first circular saw track system on our list is the Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track. If you want to take your precision cutting to the next level, then this is a great choice for you.
The kit includes a universal saw sled and two 26.5-inch aluminum tracks that join for cuts up to 50 inches. Use one section for short cuts or both for full-length cuts. The sled fits most 6-1/2- and 7-1/4-inch circular saws.
Anti-slip strips hold the track in place, so many cuts need no clamps. Clamp it anyway on slippery or uneven stock and for single-section cuts.
The anti-chip strips reduce splintering along the cut line.
A starting block lets you begin the cut before the edge of the board, so the saw is on the track from the start.
[[With this tool, you can make rips, crosscuts, as well as angled cuts up to 50 inches long in medium density fiber, plywood, and panels](/best-panel-saw/)](/best-panel-saw/). All you have to do is to align the guide track with your marks and make accurate cuts.
Specs
- 50 inches
- Aluminum
- 5.05 pounds
Pros
- Anti-chip strips
- Starting block
- Many cuts need no clamps
- Cuts up to 50 inches
Cons
- Some play in the track
2. Festool FS-1400/2 55 Inches Circular Saw Guide Rail
The Festool FS-1400/2 is a 55-inch guide rail with high build quality. It weighs a bit more than the others here.
It is made for track saws. It fits Festool track saws, and some other brands' track saws also run on Festool-style rails. A standard circular saw needs an aftermarket adapter plate to ride on it, so check compatibility before you buy.
With a matching saw, it makes splinter-free, glue-ready straight cuts. The rail comes in several lengths, and connectors join rails for longer cuts. The built-in splinter guard lines up with the cut line, which saves setup time and reduces tear-out.
It is on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Specs
- 55 inches
- Metal
- 5.95 pounds
Pros
- Great build quality
- Smooth sides for easy cutting
- Several lengths available
- Excellent length
Cons
- It is expensive
- Standard circular saws need an adapter
3. Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Circular Saw Guide
The Bora WTX is a clamping straightedge that works with most circular saws. It is light and versatile.
It is made of extruded aluminum and gives up to 50 inches of cutting length. An extension can join a second unit for longer cuts.
Its main feature is its adjustable clamps. These move up and down the tool, allowing you to position any material you are working on securely and firmly in place. You can also use this tool with jigsaws, routers, and other power tools.
The WTX clamping edge of this tool also helps to save time and eliminate waste due to uneven, crooked cuts. The adjustable end clamp also adjusts easily along the precision extruded channel, which means there is no need for an internal channel bar.
Specs
- 50 inches
- Heavy-duty aluminum
- 2.4 pounds
Pros
- Maximum cutting length of 50 inches
- Adjustable clamps slide up and down
- Modular design
- Made out of heavy-duty aluminum
- Compatible with most saws
Cons
- The locking mechanism is a little stiff
4. Kreg KMA2685 Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide – Best Budget Product
The Kreg KMA2685 Rip-Cut is our budget pick.
The design of this model is slightly different from that of tracked circular saw guide rails. This tool uses a ruler fastened to a guide that runs along the outside of your material to guide the circular saw. Pair this with a strong cordless circular saw.
With this design, you can make crosscuts and rip up to 24 inches away from the edge of the board. This tool also makes the job pretty easy, as there is no need for marking. All you have to do is to set the ruler to the distance you want and cut. This model is compatible with a variety of circular saws out there and setting it up is also very easy.
One setup lets you cut multiple pieces to the same width. The oversized edge guide gives steady control through the cut, and the tool weighs just 2.45 pounds.
Specs
- 24 inches
- Metal
- 2.45 pounds
Pros
- Easy to set up
- No need for measuring
- Affordable
- Crosscuts and rips up to 24 inches wide
- Lightweight
Cons
- Small maximum range
Things to Consider When Buying a Circular Saw Guide
Here are the main factors to consider:
The Overall Length of the Guide
Most circular saw guides cut about 50 to 55 inches, enough to crosscut a 4-foot-wide sheet. For ripping an 8-foot sheet, you need a guide that accepts connectors or an extension.
The Material
Most guide rails are made of aluminum, which is light and stays straight. Thin extrusions can flex, so look for a rigid profile.
The Stability of the Guide
The guide must not shift during the cut. Look for clamps or anti-slip strips, and pair it with a circular saw with a good blade.
Safe Setup
Support the sheet on both sides of the cut so the kerf does not close and pinch the blade, which can cause kickback. Keep the saw's lower guard working. OSHA requires portable circular saws to have guards above and below the base plate.
Conclusion
Our top pick is the Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Guide because it cuts up to 50 inches, fits most circular saws, and has anti-slip and anti-chip strips at a fair price. If you are looking for the best circular saw then check this article on circular saws review.
Sources
- Kreg Adaptive Cutting System Accu-Cut, Kreg Tool
- 1926.304: Woodworking tools, OSHA
