Makita cordless track saw questions

[treesner]

Hey guys I have the cordless Festool track saw and it’s great but have been considering switching to makita (have just the Festool saw and a couple Milwaukee tools) to get everything on the same battery plus I like the idea of the cordless router. One note is that I have heard just get the Festool tracks instead of makita (which I already own) but get the makita track connectors.

Comparing the Festool cordless track saw to makita,
can you use just one battery in the saw (in a pinch) like you can with the Festool?
Is the bag dust collection as good as Festool?
Does the bag get caught on the end of the track at the start of a cut like Festool?
Can you lock in the saw to the track thought I read this was a feature when someone was talking about miter cuts with the makita.

 

[Scarpia]

I have the Makita and a corded ts 55- I use them about equally, there are advantages to both. I use both mostly for cutting birch plywood, I tend to use  the ts 55 in the shop and keep the Makita in the truck. The ts seems to be more heavy duty and might take more abuse/ dropping etc. The other day I was having a lot of tear out crosscutting some imported birch with a paper thin veneer with the ts, switched to a brand new Festool blade, no change. I tried the Makita using the scoring option, perfect cut. The Makita has a lever to push when cutting 45s that keeps it from tipping but you must use the Makita track for that option. You must use two batteries always with the Makita. It comes with a dual charger though and currently with 4 batteries. I don't know if Makita has a dust bag option, I am using the one from Mafel, no snaging. Also, the cordless router is a game changer.

 

[Lettusbee]

Can you clarify which Mafell bag goes with the Makita?  I use my cordless Makita outside on a daily basis, and don't bother with a vac, but a dust bag would be nice.

 

[james.barnas]

i have one its excellent just go to timberwolftools and search dust bag its sku# 206921

 

[treesner]

I have the Makita and a corded ts 55- I use them about equally, there are advantages to both. I use both mostly for cutting birch plywood, I tend to use  the ts 55 in the shop and keep the Makita in the truck. The ts seems to be more heavy duty and might take more abuse/ dropping etc. The other day I was having a lot of tear out crosscutting some imported birch with a paper thin veneer with the ts, switched to a brand new Festool blade, no change. I tried the Makita using the scoring option, perfect cut. The Makita has a lever to push when cutting 45s that keeps it from tipping but you must use the Makita track for that option. You must use two batteries always with the Makita. It comes with a dual charger though and currently with 4 batteries. I don't know if Makita has a dust bag option, I am using the one from Mafel, no snaging. Also, the cordless router is a game changer.

your makita is battery powered right?
I'll be mainly cutting baltic birch.
does the track lock in button work for 90* as well (not just 45*)? I'd like to have a short track connected to the saw when moving it around doing a lot of smaller cuts

so based on your review the advantage of the festoon is that it comes with a bag and you can use it with one battery (in a pinch)

 

[treesner]

i have one its excellent just go to timberwolftools and search dust bag its sku# 206921

https://www.timberwolftools.com/dust-bag

kind of like the festool one how it folds up when not in use however it does catch the end of the track frequently. assuming festoon one will not fit?