Milescraft Track Saw Guide
Milescraft Track Saw Guide Review
This is a total game changer if you don’t have a track saw or the budget for a high-end track saw, and you need to make long straight cuts. I’m impressed with this one. Let me tell you why.
Milescraft Track Saw Guide Kit - https://amzn.to/3mwksfH
Milescract Extra Tracks - https://amzn.to/3ZGpu7O
Precision Straight Edge - https://amzn.to/3IWGqQV
I purchased this Milescraft track saw guide myself with my money. These are my thoughts and opinions. Affiliate links are used on this website to help support this website. For more information, read our affiliate disclaimer.
What’s in the box
When you first open the box, you’ll need to put two 27.5” tracks together, much like with the Ryobi track saw. I think the companies are doing these shorter tracks now for shipping and packaging. You get everything in one small package so it ships easier. If you want to cut anything longer than 4’, like the length of a sheet of plywood, you’ll need to pick up an extra pack. However, it’s still much cheaper to do that versus buying a track saw.
The first thing I noticed when I unboxed these is that the tracks have endcaps on the tracks. Nobody else is doing that. I’ve yet to see anybody include those track guards on the end. That’s pretty awesome because that end can tear up your hoses and cords. To connect the tracks you just take the caps off of the two ends that are going together. You can certainly just use one of the smaller tracks if you’re only trying to cut small parts, like across a 2x6 (#tubasix) or anything like that.
Joining tracks together with included connectors
Use a straight edge to get them perfectly aligned
To connect the two track pieces, they did include two track connectors that just slide into slots on the underside. There is a little play side to side when you connect them, so you want to make sure to get them lined up before you tighten them down. You can use a straight edge, a 4’ level, anything like that to make sure they’re lined up. This is why I like having a precision straight edge in the shop. You also want to make sure you’re on a flat surface when you’re connecting these.
To get the saw ready to go on the track, you get a saw trolley (I’m not sure what they plan to call it) that comes with 4 cams that will hold the trolley in place. They adjust to hold the trolley snug, but not so snug that the trolley won’t glide smoothly. This is just like if you were adjusting a track saw. This saw guide will fit a multitude of circular saws.
Trolly fits most circular saws
This kit also includes a blade spacer, so no matter what saw you’re using, you’re setting the blade distance on this track perfect every time. The blade spacer sets up in the underside of trolley, just set your circular saw in the trolley with the blade up against the spacer. Then, just tighten the clamps down to lock your saw in place. Once that’s cinched down snug, you’re ready to rock.
Included blade spacer ensures proper spacing on any saw
One thing to consider is battery size. I noticed my 4-amp batteries were rubbing the post on the clamp thumbscrew at the back. Smaller batteries will fit just fine. If your saw doesn’t have batteries or the battery attaches on the side, this won’t even be an issue for you.
Ridgid 4Ah battery hits one of the posts at full depth.
Just like any track saw, you’re going to have to cut the splinter guard to fit your saw. So the first cut, is just lowering the saw to depth and cutting the pre-installed plastic splinter guard on the tracks. Once you do that, it should match any saw because of the saw blade spacer that they provide.
One of the main reasons to own a track saw is to not only cut straight, but also to cut square. If you’re cutting something thicker than plywood, you can get a good square cut. I was actually impressed with the cut I got on the 2” walnut I tested. The quality of your circular saw is going to matter here as well as the quality of your blade. If you’ve got one that flexes a lot, then it may cause you some trouble.
The way this set-up rides on the track is fairly interesting to me. There’s a guide bushing on the plate that rides on a single lip that’s raised up on the track. The plate then rides down that lip just like a train. The tension bearings keep it from moving side to side. This is a proprietary track, so other track saws won’t work here.
Trolly rides on track and is adjustable to ensure a tight fit that glides smooth
You can get the kit for about $100.00, which is an absolute steal if you don’t have a table saw, you break down a lot of sheet goods and you already have a circular saw, you’re in a small shop, things like that. This is one of the best saw guides that I’ve ever used. The Kreg system is plastic, and it works pretty good, but the Milescraft system is really solid.
Now, this is not perfect, and it is not a replacement for a track saw. One thing you can’t do is bevel. If you try to tilt your saw to 45-degrees, you will absolutely cut the track. This track saw guide is for 90-degree cuts only. I think that’s going to be a problem for a lot of people. There’s also no plunge feature like you get with an actual track saw. If you use plunge with this system, but that would make it a little sketchy, and you might cause a kick-back. Which is another think you’re losing here. There’s no anti-kickback here. A track saw also has much better dust collection, even on some of the lower-end track saws.
Can’t bevel cut or you’ll cut the track. This is a 90 degree cut track saw guide only.
During the initial set-up, I said I liked the included end caps, but they pop off too easily. When the saw gets to the end of the track, it will actually push them off. I wish they were tighter, but there’s no way to tighten them.
Dust collection will be an issue versus using a traditional track saw
As I said earlier, this is a game changer. This will give you a way to easily cut down sheet goods into manageable sizes. This is one of the most solid systems I’ve seen on the market, and I’m very impressed with it. Everything just works, and I can’t recommend this enough. It’s not perfect, but it’s extremely well made. I give this a 4 out of 5 fist bumps, and I don’t give that lightly.
Solid tool for those who need a way to break down sheet goods. I give it a 4 out of 5 fist bumps!
You can watch the full video review of this tool here - https://youtu.be/IL3OZl_jp48