Track saws (also called plunge saws or guided saws) are circular saws that run on a guide rail. They are common in cabinet shops and professional finish carpentry.
They also collect dust far better than a standard circular saw. Here is why, and what you need to take advantage of that.
Why Track Saws Are Better at Dust Collection
A standard circular saw has an open guard. A lot of dust sprays out the sides, backward, and downward. Only a fraction goes through the port at the back of the guard.
A track saw uses a different design. The blade is fully enclosed within a housing that presses down against the guide rail. The rail itself has a foam strip on the bottom that seals against the workpiece. That seal creates a nearly closed chamber around the cut. Almost all the dust has to go out through the dust port.
The result is dramatically better capture. Festool claims over 95 percent dust extraction efficiency for their TS 55 track saw when connected to a CT dust extractor. Standard circular saws rarely get above 60 to 70 percent even with good adapters.
Track Saw Port Sizes by Brand
| Brand / Model | Port OD | System |
|---|---|---|
| Festool TS 55 REQ | 27mm | Festool CT hose system |
| Festool TS 75 EQ | 27mm | Festool CT hose system |
| Festool HK 55 | 27mm | Festool CT hose system |
| Makita SP6000J | 36mm | Standard friction fit |
| Makita XSP02Z | 36mm | Standard friction fit |
| DeWalt DCS520T1 | 32mm | Standard friction fit |
| DeWalt DCS521B | 32mm | Standard friction fit |
| Bosch GKT13-225L | 35mm | Standard friction fit |
| Mafell MT 55 CC | 27mm | European metric |
| Triton TTS1400 | 36mm | Standard friction fit |
Festool CT System vs. Standard Shop Vac
Festool track saws use a proprietary 27mm hose end that connects to Festool CT series dust extractors. The CT extractors are HEPA-filtered and designed for low-noise, continuous use.
You do not have to use a Festool CT to run a Festool track saw. You can use any shop vac with a 27mm to [your hose size] adapter. However, the CT extractors are designed to auto-start with the tool via a power-through socket, which is a nice feature for workflow.
If you already have a good shop vac or dust extractor with a 1-7/8 inch (47.6mm) hose, a 27mm-to-47.6mm adapter lets you use your existing equipment. The dust capture performance will be similar to a CT if your vac has comparable suction and filtration.
Non-Festool Track Saws and Standard Vacs
The Makita SP6000J, DeWalt DCS520, and Bosch GKT13 all use standard friction-fit ports. These connect directly to a 1-7/8 inch shop vac hose with the right step-up or step-down adapter.
The Makita XSP02Z is designed to pair with the Makita CL001GD portable vac for fully cordless operation. That vac uses a smaller 32mm hose. If you want to use it with a standard vac instead, you need a 36mm-to-47.6mm adapter for the saw side and a standard 1-7/8 inch vac hose.
Choosing the Right Hose Flexibility
Track saw work involves moving the saw along a guide rail, usually over 4x8 foot sheet goods. The dust hose needs to stay out of your path.
Use a coiled hose rather than a straight hose if available. Coiled hoses extend when needed and retract when slack, which reduces the mess of extra hose on the floor.
Festool sells an anti-static coiled hose for their CT system. For standard vac connections, a short 6-foot straight hose is usually better than a full 25-foot hose. You can walk the vac along with you.
Guide Rail Compatibility and Dust Sealing
For maximum dust capture, use the track saw only on the rail it was designed for. Festool rails work best with Festool saws. Makita saws work best with Makita rails.
The foam strip on the bottom of the guide rail creates the seal. If the foam is worn or missing, dust escapes below the rail rather than going through the port. Check the foam condition before each session. Replacement foam strips are inexpensive and available from the rail manufacturer.
Use the GulpDust configurator to find the right adapter for your track saw and your dust collection equipment.