Considering switching from track saws/MFT to a panel saw.

[Mini Me]

As someone who successfully builds cabinets for my own use without a table saw, I hate to disappoint you, because I am not going to try to refute this idea entirely. But I am going to try to soften it a little.

I started with a track saw, wanted to be able to work a little faster so I got a guide rail square. Then my cuts still weren't coming out as square as I wanted, and people here told me what I needed was parallel guides, so I got a pair of 30" ones. And guess what? I am happy now, and don't look at tools anymore. OK, that was a lie, but when it comes to turning a sheet of plywood into a bunch of panels ready for assembly, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

When I first used a track saw there was no aftermarket guides, squares etc so there was no way I was going to pay good money for something that was then fundamentally hard to use and unsuitable for what I wanted to do so I bought a short stroke slider that can crosscut but not rip a full length sheet. It works for me but I stand by my comments above. That the aftermarket stuff now makes it feasible to use a track saw I still doubt my decision would be different. I have a large workshop and I can understand lack of space being a big factor in the decision of making the choice between a slider and a track saw which the OP is asking about. A small slider will replace a mitre saw making it a multi use tool which is something to be considered. If I was cutting panels as often as you and needed to make long cuts and lacked the space for a full panel saw I would build a vertical panel saw.

 

[sarno]

Samo,

What fundamental issue are you trying to address by getting a panel saw?

Honestly, I've come to dread stepping into my garage and trying to cut something to the measurements I want, repeatedly and consistently. It always takes 10 times longer as I mess around with all these accessories I've waste my money on only to be disappointed in the results. Always seems to be something different messing up too.

For example, this week I was messing about building a Paulk-style work bench (no mft holes though). Pretty simple, 1 front and 1 back panel 1800x270, 4 dividers 780x270. Took about half a day and none of them were the same size. I think the most annoying part is all the messing around with clamps and sacrificial boards and just how awkward that gets. Clearly I'm not very skilled at it as others don't have these issues. And sure, I'm not super experienced (especially with the track saw) and I'm sure I'll get better with practice, refining my technique and working smarter. It's just that it's a massive drain at the moment and pretty demotivating. Not crapping in the track saw or anything either, I know this is coming across as quite whiny, !'m just frustrated! I thought I could "buy" my way out of these problems but I'm so far down the rabbit hole I could've bought an insanely good panel saw in hindsight.

For reference, my dad was a cabinet maker his whole life. When he ran his own business I'd frequently help. We only ever cut up sheet goods on the panel saw. Admittedly, it was an enormous Altendorf with the digital fence adjuster and all those bells and whistles. I just miss being able to enter the measurement on the digital control, have the fence move and the saw actually cut to the dimensions I want! I know I won't have that level at home but as close as possible would be great.