Question 1

How has it stood the test of time? Still a clear choice over the Festool?

Accepted Answer

I've not used the festool, but held it many times.  This saw is the equaL  Had mine for 3 years now.  Nothing wrong with the Festool, but a cult following that allows for a greatly inflated price.  i chose not to play

Question 2

Can I use it as a regular circular saw?  Thanks in advance :)

Accepted Answer

Yes. But that's an "expensive" circular saw. Moreover, it wouldn't be using it to it's best advantage as what it's made for - riding in the track (the track usually cost additional OR you have to buy an additional 55" track to add to the 1 track they sell you so that you can cut full sheets of plywood). The benefit of using "track saws" is that when they are riding in the rail guides they are "captured" and don't veer off the cut line. As I posted in previously -if you buy the Makita plunge saw - get additional blades for general purpose use or ripping because it comes with a fine tooth blade which is basically only good for 3/4" or so plywood or wood and you'll burn up the Makita motor (like I did!!!!). The Makita is allegedly the most powerful of the tracksaws @ 12 amp (the others are 10 amps). However, my circular saw is 15 amps.These "tracksaws" or "plunge saws" are good for their limited use - but that use is great depending on what you're making. I would buy a cheap circular saw for general circular saw use (ie. a Skil) and keep the plunge saws for "fine" cutting.

Question 3

Will this system work for 1" thick hardwood boards after they have been glued up for a table top? Or is this a job for a table saw?

Accepted Answer

Not sure I understand question without physically seeing what your trying to accomplish. First I have used my Makita to breakdown 3/4" plywood 8' sheets into manageable pieces to be cut with table saw. This saw works fantastic and though I have not cut 1" boards, I think the saw will defintetly do so. If you are trying to cut a table top that has been assembled/glued with many 1"inch boards, such as the ends, I think this is a perfect application for a table saw. I have a top made with 3/4" hard boards that I'm planning to cut with my saw. The final glued board is to big to run safely through my table saw. Honestly tracksaw works perfect because you only need to cut the ends. If you are cutting several pieces of wood that need to be same size, a table saw is the only way to achieve repeatable cuts where wood is the same size. Hope this helps.

Question 4

Include the 55 inch track (rail)?

Accepted Answer

You can get it without the track.   If 55 inch is too long, purchase the bare saw and use the savings to purchase their 39 inch track or Festool's 32 inch track.     For smaller projects 55 inch is awkward to work with.

ASIN	B00CHN6LCE
Best Sellers Rank	#41,920 in Tools & Home Improvement ( See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement ) #30 in Power Circular Saws
Blade Length	2 Inches
Blade Material	High Speed Steel
Blade Shape	Rectangular
Brand	Makita
Brand Name	Makita
Color	Greenish Blue
Current Rating	12 Amps
Customer Reviews	4.7 out of 5 stars 689 Reviews
Cutting Angle	90 Degrees
Global Trade Identification Number	00088381639002
Handle Material	Rubber
Included Components	Makita - 6-1/2 Plunge Circular Saw 12 Amp Electric Brake (SP6000J)
Item Dimensions L x W x H	15.75"L x 13"W x 12.5"H
Item Type Name	Makita SP6000J 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw
Item Weight	4.4 Kilograms
Manufacturer	Makita
Manufacturer Part Number	SP6000J
Manufacturer Warranty Description	1 year that covers repair due to defects in materials or workmanship
Model Number	SP6000J
Number of Teeth	50
Other Special Features of the Product	Brake
Power Source	Corded Electric
Special Feature	Brake
Specification Met	Yes
Speed	5200 RPM
Surface Recommendation	Mirror
UPC	088381639002
Unit Count	1.0 Count
Voltage	110 Volts
Warranty Type	1-year limited warranty
Wattage	750 watts

Makita SP6000J 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw

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