Popular Woodworking 2009-04 № 175, страница 43

Stays on track. On the Makita, a small lever slides a catch into an undercut groove and does something that no other track saw can do - stay hooked to the track when all the weight is tilted.

Features - Makita SP6000 Makita's plunge-cut saw rivals DeWalt when talking power. At 9.1 pounds, the SP6000 is the lightest ofthe three saws. Its maximum depth of cut is2³/i6" when set at 90°and l^g/i6" at 45°. This saw is the only tool that has positive stops at both 22 V2⁰ and at 45°. The maximum angle setting (48°) is the highest of all three saws. The SP6000 is also the only saw that allows a -1° cut.

Another unique leature ol the SP6000 is a slide lever that, when engaged, hooks into an undercut groove in a Makita guide rail to keep the saw from tumblingoff the rail when set to cut an angle, but only on the Makita track.

Features - DeWalt DWS520 DeWalt's plunge-cut saw has maximum dept h-of-cu: potentials of 2Vs" at 90° and 1¹/2" at 45° while on a track, and is the heaviest ofthe three plunge-cuts saws at 11.2 pounds. This saw's imperial markings for depth and angle adjustment are easy to read and account for the thickness ofthe track.

A unique feature found on the DeWalt saw isan anti-kickback catch. Release a knob and a small spring-loaded wheel, located in the center groove ofthe saw's base, is thrust against the track preventing backward movement. But this feature only works on the DeWalt track (On a Festool guide rail, the DeWalt saw's center groove is not utilized.)

Features - Festool TS55 The TS55 has slightly less power than the other two saws and has maximum on-a-track cut of l¹⁵/i6" at 90° and 1⁷/i₆" at 45°. The Festool saw's depth-stop gauge is adjusted with a simple push, then move and release. However, the company continues to use metric measurements. The TS55 is the easiest ofthe saws for blade change - lift the FastFix lever (shown in the bottom right photo), plunge the saw until you here a click and you're set. The arbor locks as you :urn the blade to loosen the bolt. Other saws require the use of a second hand to lock the shaft.

Also, the Festool saw is part of a woodworking system and there is an extensive number of accessories available for this tool.

A Total Toss-up

If breaking down sheet goods is a primary function in your shop, a setup with one of these saws is helpful. We found that all three tools made excellent cuts, their features were similar and the prices were in the same ballpark. We think a lot of purchasing decisions will be made based on brand loyalty (all three brands have intense loyalists). However, no matter which brand you choose, we don't think you'll be makinga bad decision. PW

Glen is a senior editor of this magazine. Contact him at 531-513-2690x11293 orglen.huey@fwmedia.com.

A tale of two levers. Flip a lever to bypass the 45° stop and cut at the maximum-cut angle of 48° - or push in the twin tabs to drop the saw to cut at a negative angle. These are two features that are unique to Makita's saw.

Spring to action. A spring-loaded ^roller locks the DeWalt saw to a DeWalt track. This is a great feature if you're using this saw as a panel-cutting tool.

Quick-change artist. Festool's sa»v is by far the

easiest on which to swap out blades. It's a one-handed operation.

10 ■ Popular Woodworking April 2009