Skill saw

Markc · Post by **Markc** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:53 pm

Hi all. I'm after a new skill saw but having trouble deciding.
Can I ask you good fellows for your recommendations.
I mainly want it for trimming doors but obviously want a nice neat cut, one that won't chip these oak veneered doors.
Cheers.

fin · Post by **fin** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 8:30 pm

track saw. whats ya budget coz they range from £150 ish to £600 ish

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 8:47 pm

do you mean shooting a door in[cutting to the opening ]
or trimming for new flooring ??
the dewalt plunge /track saw can cut in situ and take a minimum off 12mm off

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 7:52 am

I use my DW track saw for trimming and sizing doors, not cheap but it does the job properly as I am sure the other ones from the Likes of Makita, Festool ect will also do , but all expensive.

No comments on the cheaper makes , many reviews around that can shed light on all of these products.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:25 am

big-all wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 8:47 pm do you mean shooting a door in[cutting to the opening ]
or trimming for new flooring ??
the dewalt plunge /track saw can cut in situ and take a minimum off 12mm off

I'm sure it can take less than that off BA?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:22 am

i am talking about the door in situ with the saw guard face rubbing on the floor
so gaurd and gap to blade about 9mm plus blade thickness about 2.5mm

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:42 am

A track saw is probably the best way to go but in the past when I had to trim some doors I used a evolution saw with a multi purpose blade and clamped a straight edge to the door. I put masking tape on both sides of the door with my line marked on it and set the blade to the waste side of the line.
It worked well and I did 5 doors that way without any damage to the oak veneer.
I only took off about 5 or 6mm from each door and didn’t rush the saw.

Mike

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:51 am

The most important question is whats your budget?

fin · Post by **fin** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 6:22 pm

factor in a low tooth count blade also..... those doors are tough to cut with a 48t blade which seems to be the standard tooth count blade

Markc · Post by **Markc** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 8:29 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone. Food for thought. I'm only small time Handyman so budget not massive. £150-200.
So less teeth on the blade is better? I always thought that more teeth would make a smoother cut. Still learning. Lol

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 8:41 pm

Its probably because Fin uses a Festool which are known for bring a little anaemic

Not a problem with a Mafell but not cheap either.

If I was you I'd see what deal you can get on a Makita, Bosch or DeWalt they are all good value saws

Skill builder did a good series on YouTube where they tested loads then did a mega review

Markc · Post by **Markc** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:00 pm

Thanks for that Razor.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:07 pm

All sorts tested from the cheapest up. If you like the look of any of them they have individual reviews on the channel

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:38 pm

Markc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 8:29 pm Thanks for the replies everyone. Food for thought. I'm only small time Handyman so budget not massive. £150-200.
So less teeth on the blade is better? I always thought that more teeth would make a smoother cut. Still learning. Lol

definately more teeth i only use 48 and 60 teeth on my plunge saw
the solution if it struggles is set it to half depth then second pass full depth plus 2mm so the blade cuts in a forward direction with with no back off blade downward drag [plunge track saws only as they rotate in reverse]

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:22 pm

as an aside
you can use sacrificial 6mm board on both faces to stop break out
if you are using a track saw you need to be aware the track can grip the 6mm board well but the 6mm can move against the door