I use and like a DeWalt track saw. I bought it because I wanted a long and short track and I though I was getting the lowest price when I bought it 5 years or more ago. I like to read reviews, however, and have seen several that ranked the Makita as the better buy. So I did some googling of prices.
A complicating factor is track costs. A track saw without a track isn't good for much so you pretty much have to have tracks. But the question is which one. I see two supportable arrangements. You can go with two tracks about 55 inches long and join them when you want to make a long cut. The shorter tracks are both cheaper and easier to store and transport. But joining them is an extra task and a choice of possible error if the joined tracks are not straight.
The other arrangement is a ~55 inch track and a more than 8 foot track. DeWalts is 102 inches, Makita's is 118 inches and Festool has the widest variety but for this analysis, I looked at their 106 inch track. The DeWalt's long track is available for $159, the Makita 118 goes for about $280 and the Festool 106 inch was $331 the one place I looked. Pretty big difference. Makita's 55 inch track is $75, DeWalt's 59 inch was $72.65 where I looked and Festool's 55 inch was $133.
So if we price up a long + mid length track and saw, the Makita is $690, the DeWalt $600 (in a combo kit) and the Festool $1124. But if we price up two mid length tracks + saw, the Makita is $537 (with two track connectors) and the DeWalt is $576.65 (with one track connector), Festool is still over $900.
So is the Makita cheaper? Only if you want two mid length tracks, not a long and short. Festool isn't close regardless.
Price is not everything, probably especially to Festool owners. But most reviews indicate the cut quality of these three is very, very similar. The Festool has less power too but also a lot more accessories available. I don't think there is a bad way to go with any of these. But I don't think it's supportable to say the Makita is cheaper unless you clearly state you are comparing a setup with two mid length tracks. Even then the price difference is not very large. With a long and mid length track DeWalt is cheaper.
Just for grins I also priced up a Grizzly. They don't have a long track but with two 55 inch, they have it for $320 (with two connectors and the accessory pack). The reviews I've seen say even with the same blade as the others the cut quality isn't quite as good. But if you need a saw and don't have $500-600, the Grizzly could be a useful addition.
I'm still happy with my DeWalt - as I said earlier - but it is a bit heavy at times and the blade change mechanism broke (admittedly I tapped on it with a mallet when it stuck). I removed the pieces that didn't work right and I think it's actually better now. Blade changes are much easier. But it clearly is not a perfect tool but it cuts very well and I think it was a good deal. But the Makita has advantages and is very similar in cost. Those who want the best can go for the Festool (or other even pricier options). Those on a tight budget can probably get by nicely with a Grizzly. Nice to have choices.
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Originally Posted by Jim Dwight
