I used several different home made circular saw guides over the last 25 years and they worked okay. Finally, I had a job that I thought was big enough to justify a track saw instead of my old setup. Looking back, I wish I had bought a track saw the day they were introduced. I get easier setup, better cut quality and near perfect dust collection
Exactly....
I use a Ryobi with a 40T Freud blade and a shop made guide for some special times when the track saw won't work - - such as kitchen counter tops with a built in splash guard.
I can come close to the Festool's cut quality and accuracy - - but - - it takes forever to set up and I have to go painfully slow to make sure the saw doesn't wander....
and there's still a high risk the saw will somehow screw up a $200 plus section of counter top....
I equate using a shop made guide to clamping a 2x4 on my table saw to use as a fence. Sure it would work - - most of the time, but, it wouldn't be as accurate, safe or quick as the real thing..
My granddad always said, :As one door closes, another opens".
Wonderful man, terrible cabinet maker...