Kreg Adaptive Cut System

[Steven Owen]

Here’s an interesting system from Kreg.  It doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as good as the Festool Track Saw systems.  I never would have conisder Kreg for as a track saw company in a million years.  The product looks neat but it doesn’t appear to use parallel guides or a proper dog system to allow for more flexiblity.

What are some of your thoughts on the new Kreg Adaptive Track system?

 

[ChuckM]

Tracksaws are for breaking down or handling large sheets in my book, though some also suggest that they are the option when space is an issue. Judging from what I see in this forum and elsewhere, the latter is only true for a very smaller number of tracksaw owners, because many tracksaw users (hobbyists) also own an MFT and/other after-market guides and accessories, or a tablesaw to compensate for the inadequacy of a tracksaw.

The Kreg saw as seen in the video also requires a large footprint, as large as a cabinet saw, to do the ripping tasks demonstrated. The accuracy is also compromised when there is a need to set two stops based on sighting against two tape measures.

When one tries to expand one type of tool or machine to do other tasks that it is not designed for, something has to give.

 

[Svar]

The product looks neat but it doesn’t appear to use parallel guides or a proper dog system to allow for more flexiblity.

Kreg offers two kinds of parallel guides. All other parallel guides will fit too I'm sure.
All dogs are after market accessories. In this regard Kreg is in the same position as any other track saw.

 

[Steven Owen]

It would also depend on the quality of Kreg’s track saw.  I wonder who they contracted to make the track saw for them.

 

[fshanno]

You need to check out the Kreg site.  They do indeed have dogs.  Nice looking blue anodized aluminum dogs with 2 different heights.  Kreg also has a parallel guide system that is $100 and just might be superior to anything we've seen.  Frankly I'm a little embarrassed that none of us here on FOG has thought of it.  Maybe someone has but I haven't seen it.  I'm sure going to find out if it will hook up to my Festool guides.

They have Google and they've done their research.  They probably spent a good deal of time looking at this forum.  They know all about Festool's TS saws and all the accessories.  They know about Makita and Bosch and DeWalt and even Mafell and all the cheaper clones.  Obviously they've also looked at Eurekazone because they choose a bridge system for their MFT that is closer to Dino's than to ours.

My hat's off to Kreg.  This is a very cool system.

 

[Steven Owen]

You need to check out the Kreg site.  They do indeed have dogs.  Nice looking blue anodized aluminum dogs with 2 different heights.  Kreg also has a parallel guide system that is $100 and just might be superior to anything we've seen.  Frankly I'm a little embarrassed that none of us here on FOG has thought of it.  Maybe someone has but I haven't seen it.  I'm sure going to find out if it will hook up to my Festool guides.

They have Google and they've done their research.  They probably spent a good deal of time looking at this forum.  They know all about Festool's TS saws and all the accessories.  They know about Makita and Bosch and DeWalt and even Mafell and all the cheaper clones.  Obviously they've also looked at Eurekazone because they choose a bridge system for their MFT that is closer to Dino's than to ours.

My hat's off to Kreg.  This is a very cool system.

I guess I spoke too soon.  They covered the parallel guides too.  The Kreg Saw has a splinter guard, a riving knife, and a dust bag.  The only potential weakness I can see is the 1200 W motor.  You can’t really judge that without putting the saw to use in the field. 

It looks like Kreg paid very close attention to a lot of people’s complaints about other saws.  They also put wheels on the table and made the table a decent size at 62 inches.  That’s more than enough for most projects.

It would have been nice to see a cordless offering.

 

[SilviaS7]

I am super excited for this new saw from Kreg and I will be buying it for sure.  First purchase will be the saw and track combo, plus another track.  I primarily work with sheet goods, and I don't want to get a table saw so a good track saw is exactly what I need.  I hear what others are saying regarding the accuracy of cuts on a track saw vs a table saw, but for users like me who do not want to get a table saw, we can take our time and setup a track saw to make perfect cuts.  I want the rest of the Kreg adaptive cutting system too, but I will save up and get that later.  I was just saving up for a Festool track saw but I'm so impressed by everything Kreg that I own, plus their amazing customer service, that I want to at least try their track saw before getting a Festool.

Edited because I word badly.

 

[Steven Owen]

I am super excited for this new saw from Kreg and I will be buying it for sure.  First purchase will be the saw and track combo, plus another track.  I primarily work with sheet goods, and I don't want to get a table saw so a good track saw is exactly what I need.  I hear what others are saying regarding the accuracy of cuts on a track saw vs a table saw, but for users like me who do want to get a table saw, we can take our time and setup a track saw to make perfect cuts.  I want the rest of the Kreg adaptive cutting system too, but I will save up and get that later.  I was just saving up for a Festool track saw but I'm so impressed by everything Kreg that I own, plus their amazing customer service, that I want to at least try their track saw before getting a Festool.

They even added anti-kick back and a cord management system on the track to prevent the hose and cord from catching.  They really covered their bases really well on this.  I’m keen to see some reviews from the pros.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

This system is interesting. I was a user of Eurekazone products probably for 15 years. I know after the owner visited Kreg a while back trying to market his goods they came out with a rip-cut. This is very similar to the EZ UEG. I notice in this ACS the rail is attached to a device very similar to the EZ B-100 bridge. One of the reasons I left Eurekazone was because of all the unanswered promises. I was especially waiting on their track saw design. It was supposed to be front plunging (to prevent kickback) and left bladed. Is this just coincidence?

 

[Steven Owen]

This system is interesting. I was a user of Eurekazone products probably for 15 years. I know after the owner visited Kreg a while back trying to market his goods they came out with a rip-cut. This is very similar to the EZ UEG. I notice in this ACS the rail is attached to a device very similar to the EZ B-100 bridge. One of the reasons I left Eurekazone was because of all the unanswered promises. I was especially waiting on their track saw design. It was supposed to be front plunging (to prevent kickback) and left bladed. Is this just coincidence?

I’m curious if their table will work with other tracks saws like Festool and Makita.  I’m not sure a cheap track saw like the one they’re selling will stack up well against a cordless Makita.

 

[Shane Holland]

I’m curious if their table will work with other tracks saws like Festool and Makita.  I’m not sure a cheap track saw like the one they’re selling will stack up well against a cordless Makita.

The short answer is no, there's virtually no compatibility between the Kreg track saw and its accessories with other track saw brands.

Also note that the Kreg is a left-handed blade saw unlike all other track saws. Dogs are 3/4".

 

[jeh]

It really is unbelievable that they did not make their system compatible with existing track saws. Having 3/4" dogs is beyond belief as their lower price points would rope in quite a few buyers.

 

[Svar]

I’m curious if their table will work with other tracks saws like Festool and Makita.  I’m not sure a cheap track saw like the one they’re selling will stack up well against a cordless Makita.

The short answer is no, there's virtually no compatibility between the Kreg track saw and its accessories with other track saw brands.
Also note that the Kreg is a left-handed blade saw unlike all other track saws. Dogs are 3/4".

I'll believe it (non-compatibility) when I see it. Kreg response to a direct question was elusive, something like "recommend using their saw with their tracks".
Left-handed design has no bearing on the use across systems.
3/4 dogs is a minus, but there is no lack of dog and clamping options on the market for 3/4 holes.

 

[Shane Holland]

I asked the following questions before this system was publicly announced and here are the replies from Kreg:

Q: Is your guide rail (track) compatible with other brands of track saws?
A: No, the 62” Guide Track is designed for use with the Kreg Plunge Saw.

Q: Are the accessories, like the parallel guides and rip guides, compatible with other brands’ guide rails?
A: Kreg has designed these accessories for primary use with the Kreg 62” Guide Track and Kreg Plunge Saw.

Q: Can other brands of guide rails be attached to the project table?
A: No, the Project Table is designed for use with the Kreg 62” Guide Track and Kreg Plunge Saw

Q: What’s the diameter of the holes in the table, ¾” or 20mm?
A: The diameter of the holes in the table are ¾”

I asked Doug to check the demo unit when the rep came to the store. He said that you cannot use another brand's saw on the Kreg track because, as I recall, it would cut the track because it's wider than tracks from Festool, Makita, etc. Also, as I recall, you cannot attach another brands rail to the table with the stock brackets from Kreg. Doug is on vacation currently, so I cannot verify my memory of the compatibility.

Shane

 

[Svar]

Thanks Shane.
"you cannot use another brand's saw on the Kreg track because, as I recall, it would cut the track because it's wider than tracks from Festool, Makita, etc." - well, that's settles it.

However, attaching other track to the table or guides to the track should not be a problem. It's just a screw in a t-slot. Scale should be fine, Kreg made it adjustable.

Yes, that's the contrarian I am.

 

[Shane Holland]

Yes, that's the contrarian I am.

[member=15585]Svar[/member], happy to be challenged. I'm just doing my best to share information, to the best of my ability.

One thing to note, even if you could attach another brand's rail to the Kreg table, is that the Kreg rail is 62" long. Just doing some quick measurements based on images, a 55" would not work on this table. It would be too short to reach from one side to the other of the table.

 

[Svar]

One thing to note, even if you could attach another brand's rail to the Kreg table, is that the Kreg rail is 62" long. Just doing some quick measurements based on images, a 55" would not work on this table. It would be too short to reach from one side to the other of the table.

Just cut your 5 meter long Festool track into 3 pieces. Problem solved!

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

Am l missing something or is my English this bad
I have a 75” festool rail wich could be “sacrificed “
if the table is as good as some say

 

[Steven Owen]

Thanks Shane.
"you cannot use another brand's saw on the Kreg track because, as I recall, it would cut the track because it's wider than tracks from Festool, Makita, etc." - well, that's settles it.

However, attaching other track to the table or guides to the track should not be a problem. It's just a screw in a t-slot. Scale should be fine, Kreg made it adjustable.

Yes, that's the contrarian I am.

I had a gut feeling.  Not using 20 mm dogs eliminates of very cool accessories on the market.  I’m not a fan of all of the plastic used on accessories like the miter gauge either.

Kreg needs a higher end cordless Plunge Saw option.  The rebadged Grizzly Track Saw isn’t really a huge selling point.  You get a passable 1200 W track saw with a really nice table set-up which might be okay for plywood cuts.  I can’t see this performing as well with 1 1/2 inch hardwood cuts.

 

[Shane Holland]

A quick update for those asking about rail compatibility with the Kreg table. Apologies for the delay testing this out.

We have tested this table with Festool, Makita and Triton guide rails. The rails will mount to the brackets on the table using the T-slot on the bottom of the rail. Please note that you will need a minimum guide rail length of 62" for mounting on the long side of the table, or 32" for the short side of the table.

See attached photo to see how the brackets attach to guide rails. Note that with non-Kreg rails, the bracket does extend past the edge of the rail opposite the blade. This does not interfere with the cut in any way.

Shane