Best Track Saw Alternatives (2024)
Buying a track saw is a pretty big investment especially when you factor in additional tracks. Luckily there are a few tracks saw alternatives that offer the same performance at a much lower cost if you already have a circular saw. Having the capability of a track saw will save you a lot of time and effort and be able to quickly break down sheet goods quickly. I personally used a few track saw kits to convert my circular saw with some working better than others and one that is not worth the money for a woodworker. This is why I ranked the 7 best track saw alternatives to help you save time and money. I also picked the top 4, so you can quickly pick the best one for your needs.
Kreg Accu-Cut XL
The best and most accurate track saw alternative to transform your circular saw into a track saw.
Bora NGX 6-Piece Saw Guide Set
A good kit to upgrade your circular saw into a long track saw.
Kreg Circular Saw Track
A great budget kit to upgrade your circular saw with a 48-inch track.
BORA 100 Inch NGX Straight Edge Clamp
Simple straight-edge clamp with a 100-inch capacity.
We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Table Of Contents
1. Kreg Accu-Cut XL
Best Overall
9.6 out of 10
My Take
The Kreg Accu-Cut XL is a great alternative to the Bora NGX kit and cheaper than a traditional track saw. The Kreg kit is able to easily convert your circular saw into a track saw with a cutting capability of up to 100 inches.
Key Features
100-inch cutting capacity
Included anti-chip guide strips
Anti-slip guide strips for no clamp use
Adjustable length track
Pros:
Complete Kit
High Quality
Accurate
Cons:
Expensive
No Clamps
Plastic Design
Affordability
The Kreg Accu-Cut XL is a great alternative to a track saw and cheaper than most guide rails alone. The Kreg kit is able to easily convert your circular saw into a high-quality track saw with a cutting capacity of up to 100 inches. The Accu-Cut XL is in my opinion the best alternative and most similar to a track saw with a highly reliable track with nonslip strips, a splinter guard, and the ability to clamp the track down.
Accuracy
The Kreg Accu-Cut XL if set up correctly will have the same cut quality as a track saw and be able to create repeatable accurate cuts. The high-quality aluminum guide rail is comparable to a track saw and will provide a straight edge for accurate cuts. The Accu-Cut XL also has a splinter guard similar to Festool track saw guide rails. The splinter guard acts as a zero-clearance insert which gives you a straight line reference on the path of the saw blade and helps create splinter-free cuts.
Capability
The Kreg circular saw kit has a very easy setup with a simple clamp system on the universal sled. The Accu-Cut XL has a very large cutting capacity, with the ability to rip full sheet goods up to 100 inches. The guide track comes in 4 sections so you can adjust the length to your specific needs and make the track smaller for tight spaces or crosscuts. Also, since the track is able to grip to the workpiece without clamps you can make a wide variety of cuts as well as bevel cuts if your circular saw is capable. One of the most important things the Kreg offers is an increased depth of cut over the Bora NGX by keeping the circular saw closer to the workpiece.
If you're looking for the best track saw alternative the Kreg Accu-Cut XL is the best option available and compares to a good track saw.
2. Bora NGX 6-Piece Saw Guide Set
Runner Up
8.2 out of 10
My Take
The Bora NGX 6 Piece Set is the best track saw alternative that you can buy to transform your circular saw into a highly accurate track saw. For the price of a track saw guide rail you can't go wrong converting your circular saw.
Key Features
Includes two track clamps
Rip capacity up to 100 inches
Includes T-square accessory
Includes non-chip adhesive strips
Pros:
Complete Kit
Heavy Duty
Accurate
Cons:
Expensive
Fragile Plastic Clamps
Limited Depth of Cut
Affordability
The Bora NGX 6-Piece set is a great alternative to the Kreg Accu-Cut XL with a few more features but at a higher price point. The Bora NGX kit is a great alternative to a track saw and comes with a universal sled, 100-inch straight edge, clamps, and non-chip strips as well as a t-square accessory. Even though the Bora NGX Kit is more expensive than the Kregg, it still is still cheaper than a Bosch, Dewalt, or Festool track saw. The Bora NGX kit has everything you need to upgrade your regular circular saw into an accurate track saw.
Accuracy
The Bora NGX Track Saw Kit can be used for accurate and repeatable cuts however, you will need to take extra time aligning the edge to the cut line. The clamping mechanism on the straight-edge guide can cause the track to shift creating an imperfect cut. Also, the t-square included is another piece of aluminum that helps you align the guide to 90 degrees. However, some users noticed the t-square accessory not being perfectly aligned. I personally used a version of the Bora NGX and didn't have issues with making smooth cuts however it did take time to make sure long rips were cutting straight.
Capability
In comparing the Kreg Accu-Cut XL to the Bora NGX, the Bora is not as capable and is limited in the type of cut you can perform. The guide is able to be used on panels up to 100 inches in length. The guide rail requires you to clamp to the edges of the plywood limiting you to straight 90-degree cuts. The saw system does come with additional clamps to allow you to make angled cuts but both ends of the track must be on the edge of the plywood for the clamps to work. If you plan to make miter cuts I would recommend the Kreg Accu-Cut XL but if not the Bora NGX is great for long cuts, and can produce clean finish cuts. One downside of the Bora is the straight edge is relatively thick which limits the depth of your plunge saw in comparison to the Accu-Cut XL. One benefit of the Bora NGX is the ability to use the straight edge as a guide for jig saws or other power tools. Bora also offers accessories for a jigsaw guide as well as a router guide for quick and easy dados.
If you're looking for a complete kit to convert your circular saw into a panel saw the Bora NGX 6-Piece set is a great option and includes everything you need.
3. Kreg Circular Saw Track
Best Budget
7.1 out of 10
My Take
The Kreg Circular Saw Track is the best budget alternative to a track saw providing up to 48 inches of cutting capacity. The track will fit almost any circular saw and is a very affordable track saw alternative.
Key Features
50-inch cutting capacity
Included anti-chip guide strips
Anti-slip guide strips for no clamp use
Ability to add on later
Pros:
Affordable
Precise Cuts
Durable
Cons:
Limited Capacity
Track Connector Issues
No Clamps Included
Affordability
The Kreg Circular Saw Track is a great budget track saw alternative that gives you the same capability as a track saw for under a hundred dollars. The kit transforms your circular saw into a 48-inch track saw with a universal sled, dual anti-chip guides, and anti-slip guide strips on the bottom of the track. This Kreg Circular Saw Track is a smaller version of the Accu-Cut XL keeping the best features in a more compact smaller form.
Accuracy
The Kreg Circular Saw Track will perform the same as the larger Accu-Cut XL with accurate and clean cuts. It also has the same ease of use with the splinter guard acting as a reference point for alignment and the ability to use the track without clamps. If you are looking for a cheap way to make accurate crosscuts or smaller rip cuts the Kreg Circular Saw Track is the best option.
Capability
The Kreg Circular Saw Track is somewhat limited in its capacity due to the shorter 48-inch guide rail. At 48 inches you can easily crosscut a sheet of plywood and make additional rip cuts. But, for a rip cut on an 8-foot sheet of plywood, I would recommend the Kreg Accu-Cut XL. However, if you're looking to save money the smaller version is more than enough and you can always buy new track pieces to increase the length. The track's lighter weight and size increase the portability of the kit and is a perfect tool if you need to crosscut panels at a job site. Also, similar to the Accu-Cut XL the Kreg Circular Saw Track is capable of making miter cuts as well as bevel cuts by not having to clamp the track.
If you need a smaller track to crosscut plywood panels quickly the Kreg Circular Saw Track may be the right tool for you.
4. BORA 100 Inch NGX Straight Edge Clamp
Best Straight Edge
6.6 out of 10
My Take
The BORA NGX Straight Edge Clamp is the best alternative if you are looking for a straight edge. The NGX clamp can also be upgraded with a router dado jig and circular saw attachments.
Key Features
Rip capacity up to 100 inches
Built-in clamping mechanism
Ability to add accessories
Made from heavy-duty aluminum
Pros:
Heavy Duty
Accurate
Upgradable
Cons:
Expensive
No Circular Saw Sled
Fragile Plastic Clamps
Affordability
Overall the Bora 100-inch NGX Straight Edge Clamp is expensive for what it is, however, is the best straight edge due to various factors. The clamp can be used without a sled but you can also add on a router, jigsaw, or circular saw sled at a later date. If I were to buy a straight edge the Bora is the best for your money in the long run and can be used for multiple uses.
Accuracy
The BORA 100 Inch NGX Straight Edge Clamp is the same guide in the larger 6-piece set and is capable of accurate cuts if you take the time to align the edge to your cut line. Without a circular saw sled, you will need to offset your measurements to the distance between the blade and the edge of the straight-edge guide. One downside of just having a straight edge clamp is not being able to use a splinter guard.
Capability
The BORA straight-edge clamp has a maximum capacity of 100 inches allowing you to easily break down sheet goods. The only major limitation of this version is that you have to clamp the guide on the edges of the plywood limiting the clamp to only 90-degree cuts. If you need to make any angled cuts you will need to purchase additional clamps. The biggest advantage of the Bora clamp is the ability to add additional accessories later on.
If you're looking for a long straight edge but need to save money the Bora 100-inch NGX is the way to go and can be upgraded later.
5. Kreg Straight Edge Guide
5.8 out of 10
My Take
The Kreg Straight Edge Guide is a good option for a simple straight edge and can work with materials up to 8 feet long. One downside is that it does come in 4 separate sections requiring connector pieces.
Key Features
Integrated cutline indicators
Rip capacity up to 8 feet
Built-in clamping mechanism
Made from heavy-duty aluminum
Pros:
Heavy Duty
Accurate
Affordable
Cons:
Track Connector Issues
No Circular Saw Sled
Fragile Plastic Clamps
Affordability
The Kreg Straight Edge Guide is a cheaper option than the Bora NGX clamp with some additional features but without the ability to add accessories later. Overall if you only need a straight edge guide and have no plans to add a circular saw sled or a router or jig saw guide the Kreg is the better option.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the Kreg Straight Edge Guide is dependent on your ability to line up the edge of the guide to your cut line. However, if your work area is nearing the maximum capacity and the clamp isn't tight enough, the middle may bow and create an uneven cut. Also, when you mark your cut you will need to offset the measurement from the edge of the guide to account for your saw's base plate which can make measuring complicated and slow.
Capability
The Kreg Straight Edge Guide is capable of ripping down 8-foot-long pieces of wood as well as smaller crosscuts. Similar to the Bora straight edge clamp the Kreg requires that you clamp the guide to either side of the plywood panel. This limits the guide to only 90-degree cuts, so if you need to make miter cuts there are better track saw alternatives.
If you need a simple straight edge the Kreg Straight Edge Guide is a good cheaper alternative to the Bora NGX.
6. True Trac Universal Track Saw Guide
4.4 out of 10
My Take
The Tru Track Universal Trak Saw Guide is a complete kit to permanently upgrade our circular saw into a dedicated track saw. It is the highest quality kit on the market but it does come at a hefty price tag making it more expensive than some of the entry-level track saws.
Key Features
105 inches of track
Universal mounting plate
True track saw aluminum track
Built-in splinter guards
Pros:
Heavy Duty
Accurate
Durable
Cons:
Expensive
Requires Drilling Into Saw
Permanent Base Plate
Affordability
The Tru Track Universal Trak Saw Guide is an expensive kit that completely transforms your circular saw into a permanent track saw. The cost of the system is close to the price of an entry level track saw making it hard to justify. However, if you don’t plan to use your circular saw and want to permanently convert it this is the best kit and will perform similarly to a track saw.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the Tru Track system will perform nearly identically to a traditional track saw if installed correctly. The major downside of this system is that you will need to drill holes into the bottom base plate of your circular saw. If you don’t get the holes aligned perfectly it could cause your saw cut to be slanted leaving blade marks on your workpiece.
Capability
The Tru Trac Universal Track Saw Guide system comes with 2 tracks that when combined have a full length of 105 inches making it one of the most capable kits. However, the tracks do not have any grip strips on the bottom which require you to rely on the splinter guards or clamp down the track for every cut.
If you want to completely transform your circular saw permanently into a track saw system the True Trac Track Saw Guide is a great option.
7. Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide
3.1 out of 10
My Take
The Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide is a decent track saw alternative but it is very limited in capability. I personally used the Kreg Rip-Cut guide and struggled to produce straight cuts due to it relying on the factory plywood edge.
Key Features
Unlimited rip length capacity
Rip up to 24 inches wide
Universal mounting plate
Highly portable and lightweight
Pros:
Cheap
Simple Design
Portable
Cons:
Difficult To Use
Not Accurate
Low Quality
Affordability
The Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide is one of the cheapest alternatives available except for a homemade track saw. I personally bought the Kreg Rip-Cut due to it being cheap but ended up replacing it shortly afterward due to it being inaccurate. But, if you are a carpenter and plan to use it for quick framing or roofing, it’s a good alternative to a track saw if you don't need precision.
Accuracy
One of the major downsides of the Kreg Rip-Cut is you have to rely on the factory edge to get a perfectly straight cut. Using the track saw guide is quite difficult and you need to make sure to apply pressure evenly and focus on preventing a kickback. I found that once I made a light error on one cut it eventually multiplied on the next cut since you always have to reference an edge. I eventually gave up on using the Kreg Rip-Cut since I was using it for woodworking projects and I needed precise cuts.
Capability
The Kreg Rip-Cut is very limited in its capacity and can only perform rip cuts up to 24 inches wide. If you need to make any type of cross cuts larger than 24 inches the Rip-Cut is not the tool you need. I personally only see this being used on a job site where you need to quickly and easily rip plywood for rough carpentry rather than in a woodworking shop.
If you need a cheap way to rip plywood without being very accurate the Kreg Rip-Cut will work, but there are much better options available.
Final Thoughts
Nearly all the circular saw kits on this list would make a good alternative to buying a track saw with varying capabilities and accuracy. Track saws offer numerous advantages but the same results can be achieved with a simple circular saw and the right track saw kit. I personally think the Kreg Accu-Cut XL is the best track saw alternative that will save you a lot of money and perform identically to a track saw. I hope this article helped you choose the best track saw alternative for your specific woodworking needs and if you have any questions or have thoughts on any of these alternatives be sure to leave a comment.
To sum things up here are my top picks for this year:
If you're looking for the best overall, I highly recommend the Kreg Accu-Cut XL. (Best Overall)
If need a guide that can also be used for a jig saw or router the Bora NGX 6-Piece Set is a great choice. (Runner Up)
If you need a cheap solution to quickly break down plywood the Kreg Circular Saw Track is your best option and is upgradeable. (Best Budget)
For a cheap straight-edge guide the Bora 100 Inch NGX Guide is both affordable and able to be upgraded to a full track saw kit. (Best Straight Edge)
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You don’t necessarily need a track saw or a plunge cut saw but they do have some advantages. A track saw is a handy tool that can quickly break down sheet goods and is much safer to use than a circular saw. Also, track saws typically have more features including fine depth adjustments, dust collection, and sometimes variable speeds. If you are breaking down plywood on a daily or weekly basis having a track saw will make things easier.
-
For woodworking, a track saw is a lot better than a circular saw, but for carpentry, a circular saw is more versatile. Most track saw models come with features not found on circular saws like a dust extraction port, a plunge-action, and a more powerful motor. Track saws also slide along a track making perfectly straight cuts every time whereas a circular saw requires a straight edge and is used more for rough carpentry work.
-
You can use a circular saw instead of a track saw as long as you have a straight edge guide or a track saw conversion kit like the alternatives listed in this article. Most of the kits are relatively cheap and can transform your circular saw into a track saw with the same level of accuracy.
Related Articles
If you have any questions, comment below.
Let’s talk about it!
Affiliate links are used on this page. See my disclosure page for info on affiliate programs. The links do not cost anything extra to you! I receive a small percentage from the businesses you purchase from which help support creating content and helpful articles like this one!
