Track Saw As Jointer – Achieve Perfectly Straight Edges Without

ByJim Boslice Track Saw

A track saw can effectively serve as a jointer by providing a precisely straight edge for boards, especially when dealing with long or wide stock that traditional jointers struggle with.

It requires a high-quality track, a sharp blade, proper clamping, and careful technique to achieve results comparable to a dedicated jointer for edge jointing, making it a versatile alternative for many workshops.

Tired of wrestling with warped boards or wishing you had a massive jointer for those long, unwieldy stock pieces? Many woodworkers face the challenge of achieving perfectly straight edges without the space or budget for a dedicated jointer. It’s a common hurdle, whether you’re a hobbyist building your first furniture piece or a DIYer tackling home renovations.

Here at The Jim BoSlice Workshop, we understand these frustrations. That’s why we’re diving deep into a game-changing technique: using your track saw as a jointer. This guide will show you how to leverage this versatile tool to achieve perfectly straight edges, saving you space, money, and countless headaches.

We’ll cover everything from essential gear and meticulous setup to mastering the cut and troubleshooting common problems. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive track saw as jointer guide, transforming your track saw into a powerful edge-jointing alternative and elevating the quality of your woodworking projects.

Understanding the “track saw as jointer” Concept: Why It Works

For many woodworkers, a jointer is a foundational tool. It’s designed to create one perfectly flat face and one perfectly straight edge on a board, which are crucial reference surfaces for all subsequent cuts. However, dedicated jointers are expensive, take up significant workshop space, and often have limited capacity for long or wide stock.

This is where the idea of using a track saw as a jointer comes into play. A track saw, by its very nature, excels at making incredibly straight and precise cuts over long distances. When properly set up, this precision can be harnessed to create a dead-straight edge on a board, effectively mimicking the primary function of a jointer for edge jointing.

Benefits of Track Saw as Jointer for Your Workshop

Embracing this technique offers several compelling advantages, especially for small shops or budget-conscious builders.

  • Space-Saving: Eliminate the need for a large, dedicated jointer machine.
  • Cost-Effective: Utilize a tool you might already own, saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
  • Portability: Take your “jointer” to the material, rather than wrestling large boards onto a stationary machine.
  • Capacity: Easily joint edges on boards much longer and wider than most conventional jointers can handle.
  • Precision: With the right setup, a track saw can deliver incredibly accurate and clean cuts.

These benefits make the track saw a compelling alternative, especially for those looking for a more sustainable and versatile approach to their woodworking.

Essential Gear: What You Need for Effective Track Saw Jointing

To successfully use your track saw for jointing, you’ll need more than just the saw itself. Investing in the right accessories and ensuring they are in top condition is key to achieving professional results.

  • Track Saw: Naturally, a high-quality track saw (Festool, Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, etc.) is your primary tool.
  • High-Quality Track: The track is paramount. Any deviation or damage will transfer directly to your cut. Ensure it’s perfectly straight and free of nicks.
  • Sharp Ripping Blade: While general-purpose blades work, a dedicated ripping blade with fewer teeth (e.g., 24-40 teeth) will make cleaner, faster cuts with less tear-out when jointing solid wood.
  • Track Clamps: These are essential for securely attaching your track to the workpiece, preventing any movement during the cut.
  • F-Clamps or Bar Clamps: Use these to secure your workpiece to your workbench or saw horses, preventing it from shifting.
  • Support Surface: A flat, stable work surface is crucial. Foam insulation boards on sawhorses or a dedicated workbench are excellent options.
  • Measuring Tools: A reliable tape measure, a large framing square, and a straightedge will help you verify your setup and results.
  • Safety Gear: Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask.

Having these items ready will ensure a smooth and safe process for your track saw as jointer setup.

Setting Up for Success: Your Track Saw Jointer Guide

Precision in jointing starts with meticulous setup. Don’t rush this stage; it’s where you lay the foundation for a perfectly straight edge.

Preparing Your Workspace and Material

First, ensure your workspace is clear, well-lit, and stable. You need ample room to maneuver both the board and the track saw.

  1. Inspect Your Board: Examine the board you intend to joint. Identify the worst edge—the one with the most bow, cup, or rough sawn marks. This is the edge you’ll be jointing first.
  2. Clean the Board: Remove any dirt, debris, or loose splinters from the edge to be cut.
  3. Prepare Support: Lay your board on a flat, stable surface. Foam insulation board is excellent as it allows the blade to pass through without damaging your workbench and supports the entire workpiece, minimizing vibration and tear-out.

Positioning and Securing the Track

This is the most critical step for achieving a straight edge. Your track *must* be perfectly aligned.

  1. Identify the Reference Edge: On your board, locate the “best” existing edge or the face that will serve as your primary reference. You’ll align your track to this.
  2. Mark the Cut Line: Use a straightedge and a pencil to draw a line just outside the imperfections on the edge you want to joint. This is your target cut line.
  3. Position the Track: Place your track directly on the board, aligning the edge of the track’s splinter guard with your marked cut line. The splinter guard on most track saws indicates the exact path of the blade.
  4. Double-Check Straightness: Use a long, known-straight reference (like a level or another track) to verify that your track is perfectly straight along the entire length of the board. Any slight curve in your track will result in a curved joint.
  5. Clamp Securely: Use track clamps to firmly secure the track to your workpiece. For longer boards, use multiple clamps—typically one every 2-3 feet. Additionally, use F-clamps to secure the entire workpiece to your workbench or sawhorses. Do not skip this step; a shifting board or track will ruin your cut and can be dangerous.

Setting Blade Depth and Safety Precautions

Proper blade depth and safety are non-negotiable.

  • Set Blade Depth: Adjust your track saw’s blade depth so it just passes through the material, typically about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3-6mm) deeper than the board thickness. This minimizes tear-out and reduces strain on the motor.
  • Wear PPE: Always put on your safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask before making any cut.
  • Clear the Path: Ensure the power cord is clear of the cutting path and that there are no obstructions around the saw or board.

Mastering the Cut: “track saw as jointer” Best Practices and Techniques

Once your setup is rock-solid, the actual cutting process needs a steady hand and a clear mind. These track saw as jointer tips will help you achieve clean, straight edges every time.

Making the First Pass

Your first cut is crucial for establishing a true reference edge.

  1. Start the Saw: Bring the track saw up to full speed before it touches the material.
  2. Consistent Feed Rate: Push the saw along the track at a steady, consistent pace. Don’t rush, but don’t stop mid-cut. Let the saw do the work.
  3. Maintain Pressure: Keep firm, even downward pressure on the saw to ensure the baseplate stays flat against the track.
  4. Follow Through: Continue pushing the saw completely past the end of the board before releasing the trigger.

Checking for Squareness and Subsequent Cuts

After your first pass, always verify the result.

  • Inspect the Edge: Remove the clamps and carefully inspect the freshly cut edge. It should be perfectly straight and smooth.
  • Check for Square: Use a reliable framing square or combination square to check if the cut edge is 90 degrees to the face of the board. This is vital for accurate joinery.
  • Repeat if Necessary: If the edge isn’t perfectly straight or if you need to remove more material, reposition the track and make another shallow pass. Often, two light passes are better than one heavy pass to reduce strain and improve cut quality.

Pro Tips for Flawless Jointing

  • Use a Sacrificial Board: When jointing very thin or delicate stock, consider placing a sacrificial board underneath your workpiece to further reduce tear-out at the bottom of the cut.
  • Clean Your Track: Regularly wipe down your track to remove sawdust and debris. Even small particles can affect the saw’s glide and accuracy. This is part of good track saw as jointer care guide practices.
  • Practice on Scrap: Before tackling your project material, make a few practice cuts on scrap wood to get a feel for the feed rate and pressure.

Overcoming Challenges: Common Problems with Track Saw as Jointer and Solutions

Even with the best intentions, you might encounter some hiccups. Knowing how to troubleshoot these common issues will save you time and frustration.

Non-Straight Cuts

If your jointed edge isn’t perfectly straight, several factors could be at play.

  • Problem: The track itself is not straight or is damaged.
    • Solution: Always inspect your track before use. Store it properly to prevent warping or bending. If it’s damaged, it might need replacement.
  • Problem: The track or workpiece shifted during the cut.
    • Solution: Ensure all clamps are securely tightened. Use sufficient clamps for the length of the board.
  • Problem: Inconsistent feed rate or pressure on the saw.
    • Solution: Maintain a steady, even pace and consistent downward pressure on the saw throughout the entire cut.

Tear-Out or Chipping

Rough edges or splintering can ruin an otherwise perfect cut.

  • Problem: Dull blade or incorrect blade type.
    • Solution: Ensure your blade is sharp. For jointing, a ripping blade with fewer teeth (24-40T) often performs better on solid wood than a fine-tooth crosscut blade.
  • Problem: Too fast a feed rate.
    • Solution: Slow down your cut. Let the blade do its work without forcing it.
  • Problem: Lack of proper support for the workpiece.
    • Solution: Use a sacrificial foam board or similar material under your workpiece to support the fibers at the bottom of the cut.

Blade Binding or Stalling

When the saw struggles or stops mid-cut, it’s a sign of excessive resistance.

  • Problem: Blade depth is too shallow, causing friction.
    • Solution: Ensure the blade depth is set to just pass through the material (1/8″ to 1/4″ deeper than the board thickness).
  • Problem: The workpiece is twisting or pinching the blade.
    • Solution: Ensure the workpiece is fully supported and clamped flat. For very long or stressed boards, make multiple shallow passes instead of one deep cut.

Addressing these common problems with track saw as jointer techniques will significantly improve your results and confidence.

Beyond the Edge: Additional Benefits and Sustainable Practices

Using a track saw for jointing isn’t just a workaround; it’s a smart, versatile, and often more environmentally conscious approach to woodworking.

Versatility and Efficiency

Once you’ve mastered the how to track saw as jointer technique, you’ll unlock even more potential for your projects.

  • Break Down Large Panels: Easily dimension large sheets of plywood or MDF with incredible accuracy before moving to a table saw for final cuts.
  • Match-Jointing: For glue-ups, you can often cut two mating edges simultaneously by clamping them together face-to-face, resulting in a perfect, gap-free joint.
  • Rough Lumber Preparation: Process rough lumber into workable dimensions with a precision that minimizes waste and reduces strain on your other machines.

Sustainable Track Saw as Jointer Practices

Adopting this method can also align with more eco-friendly woodworking habits.

  • Reduced Tool Consumption: By making one tool perform multiple functions, you reduce the need to purchase and maintain several specialized machines. This lessens manufacturing impact and material use.
  • Less Material Waste: The precision of a track saw means you remove only the necessary amount of material to achieve a straight edge, preserving valuable wood.
  • Energy Efficiency: Track saws are generally more energy-efficient than large, stationary jointers, contributing to a lower carbon footprint in your workshop.

Focusing on these eco-friendly track saw as jointer practices helps you work smarter and more responsibly.

Track Saw and Track Care Guide for Longevity

To ensure your track saw continues to perform as a reliable jointer, proper maintenance is essential. A well-maintained tool is a safe and accurate tool.

Maintaining Your Track Saw

  • Clean After Each Use: Remove sawdust and debris from the motor vents, blade guard, and baseplate. Compressed air can be helpful.
  • Inspect Power Cord: Check for any fraying or damage to the power cord.
  • Blade Maintenance: Keep your blades sharp. A dull blade causes tear-out, heats up the motor, and increases the risk of kickback. Consider having a spare sharp blade on hand.
  • Brush Inspection (Corded Saws): If your saw has carbon brushes, check them periodically and replace them when they wear down to their limit.

Caring for Your Track

The track is just as important as the saw for jointing accuracy.

  • Clean Regularly: Wipe down the track rails and splinter guard with a damp cloth to remove sap and sawdust. This ensures the saw glides smoothly.
  • Inspect for Damage: Look for any nicks, bends, or warping in the track. Even minor damage can compromise your cuts.
  • Proper Storage: Store your track flat and supported, ideally hung on a wall or in a dedicated storage rack. Avoid leaning it against a wall where it could bow over time.
  • Splinter Guard Replacement: The rubber splinter guard will wear over time. Replace it when it becomes too frayed to ensure precise cut lines.

Following this simple track saw as jointer care guide will extend the life of your tools and maintain their precision for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using a Track Saw as a Jointer

Can a track saw replace a jointer entirely for all woodworking tasks?

While a track saw excels at creating perfectly straight edges, it cannot fully replace a jointer for all tasks. A dedicated jointer can also flatten one face of a board, which a track saw cannot do. However, for edge jointing, especially on long or wide stock, a track saw is an excellent and often superior alternative.

What type of blade is best for jointing with a track saw?

For jointing solid wood, a ripping blade with fewer teeth (e.g., 24-40 teeth) is often preferred. These blades clear chips more efficiently and reduce the chance of binding and tear-out in thicker material. For plywood or other sheet goods, a general-purpose or fine-tooth blade will work well.

How do I ensure my track is perfectly straight?

The best way is to purchase a high-quality track from a reputable brand and store it properly. Before each use, visually inspect it for any bends. For critical applications, you can place a known-straight reference (like a precision straightedge or a second track) alongside it to confirm its linearity.

Is using a track saw for jointing safe for all types of wood?

Yes, this method is safe for virtually all types of wood, provided you follow proper safety procedures and use the correct blade and technique. Always adjust your feed rate and blade choice based on the wood’s density and grain direction to prevent kickback or tear-out.

Mastering the technique of using your track saw as a jointer is a fantastic way to expand your workshop’s capabilities without breaking the bank or sacrificing valuable space. It’s a testament to the versatility of modern woodworking tools and an empowering skill for any woodworker.

Remember, precision comes with practice. Take your time with setup, pay attention to the details, and always prioritize safety. With a little patience and these expert tips, you’ll be achieving perfectly straight edges and professional-quality glue-ups in no time.

Stay safe, keep learning, and keep building those dreams in your workshop!

Jim Boslice
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