Track Saw trouble…how to fix it?

[cdbugler]

I have cut some cabinet panels using my track saw. Using TSO parallel guides and a clamped rail I still have panels about 1/16” off on parallel cuts. I got a better combination square and recalibrated my parallel guides. Now I’m trying to decide whether to cut again and make the cabinets slightly shallower (18” deep now and would have to trim to 17 7/8 if I just try to even them up…17 3/4 if I remove enough material that I am trimming with wood on both sides of the blade)

Looking for opinions and rationale for my fix.

 

[cdbugler]

I should have mentioned…I have the option to use my tablesaw to rip the panels to an even width as well. This would result in a 17 7/8 ish finished depth. The cabinets are for me, not someone else, so the difference in depth only affects me.

 

[mino]

On the accuracy issues, check this thread:

S

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

Feb 10, 2026

Before spending any more money on this, I'm hoping someone tells me I’m doing something fundamentally wrong.

I’ve been getting more serious about hobby woodworking over the last two years and everything’s been going great except for my rip/crosscut situation. I absolutely dread having to get the track saw out when I need something accurate and repeatable. I’ve thrown a frankly stupid amount of money at trying to make it work, Benchdogs, TSO, Festool, UJK, pretty much every jig you can imagine. A good portion of that also went toward shipping to Australia. I don’t even want to tally up...

• sarno
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Other Tools & Accessories

On the specific project, I would re-cut using the tablesaw. Tablesaw is a very well suited tool for the fine-cut-after-rough-cut workflow.

 

[Packard]

Expanding on Mino’s reply:

Also, the table saw excels at repeatability of cuts if the fence is used and technique is correct. And with only one setup per width, repeated cuts will take less time.

 

[cdbugler]

Thank you both. That makes sense. My tablesaw is not the best for breaking down sheets, but is pretty heavy and well tuned. Another question…should I make the parallel rip first and then crosscut using the track saw and guide? I have the TSO guide square to help with that.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Rip first.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Don't give up on the track saw! I'm not a pro but built our large kitchen and island cabinet boxes with my track saw. Before this BIG (for me) kitchen project I had an issue feeding a full sheet of ply through my 5HP Unisaw. I needed to stop the cut and I was too far from the power switch. I've calibrated my TSO parallel guides a few times. The beast is to use a combination square against the anti-splinter on the rail. I'm fortunate to have a WP XL-combination square that makes it a little easier but a standard square will do. When you cut, push straight ahead. Don't push toward or away from the guides. (Are you sure you can't still use what you cut as is?)