Bayer Track Saw - anyone bought one of these?

[Bretto75]

Hi People

Looking to buy my first track saw for ripping ply sheet (cant afford a big name brand at this time) and was wondering if anyone has purchased one of these Bayer 1400W saw's with track. Was also looking at the Woodster 55 as priced very similar?

All input and advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks

Brett

[Lappa]

I was in the same predicament re $$$ and needed a track saw about 3 months ago. Bought a Scheppach CS 55 as it was on special with a 1400mm track, clamps and accessory kit, at MachineryWarehouse.
Its 1200w and has a 160mm blade.
I've cut up approx 6 sheets of 2440 X 1220 19mm ply plus form ply and trimmed a cedar door after carpets were laid since. No complaints as yet, even with the standard blade if a few precautions are followed.

Do not exclusively use the edge of the "rubber" anti breakout strip as a location of exact cutting edge as even though it is trimmed with the saw before using, it can be out by 1-2mm due to deflection.
I also used masking tape on the top and cut through that to minimise breakout on formply with the "plastic" coating. There was no apparent bottom breakout.

Dust collection is reasonable.

Also got an extra $50 off, by buying online and joining their club:D

[tom8]

I have one and it does the job just fine, never had a problem but I don't use it that often, bought it from Sydney tools on special great value for money.
390920

[justonething]

I have the Aldi track saw which is a Scheppach. I tweak the saw pretty much follow this video. I am very happy with the quality. I cut all my big sheets with this saw, accurate and pretty much splinter free especially if I score the saw line with a marking knife first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqqcmC5UY5E

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Brett.

[malb]

I'm also running the Scheppach version of the saw, but I purchased a second 1400mm track and their 48 tooth blade. Has done a great job so far, and no issues with the black strip on the track and alignment. However Scheppach only supply a single track joiner bar with their saw, and the track ends for mine were not square, so joining to form a long track has not worked as well as I had hoped it would. My attempts to trim the track ends to square have resulted in them being similar to the factory effort but I will have another attempt at some stage. Otherwise all well after almost 2 yrs.

[Lappa]

I agree re only one joiner. When I questioned MachineryWarehouse (Hares and Forbes) re there only being one joiner rail in the kit while Makita had two, the answer was " no ones ever complained that one doesn't work"
I've put an order request in for another but if they can't supply guess I'll have to make my own.

[justonething]

You can buy track joiners and clamps (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W877) from machinery house.

[Lappa]

You can buy track joiners and clamps (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W877) from machinery house.

i bought that joiner and clamp kit with the saw package - just want one extra joiner rod.

[justonething]

I know you can't buy the joiner on its own. I have tried making the joiner out of hardwood with a bit of grub screw. But the grub screw turns out to be just as expensive.

[malb]

I'm not desperate enough yet to shell out $27 for a second accessory kit just to get the joiner which is about 3mm narrower than the slot it mounts into, so figure that I will make a set out of ali when the need arises. That way I can at least trim it to be a neat fit in the grooves, and probably longer as well, like 450-600 into the slot on each track, 3 setscrews each track. That way it might be rigid enough to stay straight long enough to line it up for a cut. Had only joined the tracks for a test when I bought the unit and was surprised that the joiner system allowed a 25mm+ kink in the joined track, can be corrected with a straightedge, but wont hold the corrected line when being moved. Luckily so far the longest cut has been 1280.

[Tahlee]

I have had the Woodstar now for over a year ... on Youtube you will find details of improvements.

I

1)changed the spring rate (removed 2 coils and stretched it to length)... easier to hold down when stretching over a panel.
2) taped over the side vent to improve dust collection (just a piece of cardboard gaffa taped on
3) IMPORTANT ... removed the plastic runners on the guide rails and stuck lengths of this under the saw's foot at the extreme edges possible on the saw.... now no wobbles as the saw travels down the rails. This cured what was the biggest problem with the saw.


I now use it instead of a circular saw ... because I can get a straight cut at 90 degrees ... most circular saws will move off 90 degrees when pressed down

Fine Woodworking August 2016 (vol 255) has a write up on Track saws ... the Grizzley scored low because of poor dust collect (fix 2) and rocks on the track (fix 3) ..

Best was the Festool TS75EQ and Best value was the Makita SP6000J1

Regards

Rob

[Lappa]

Did a bit of measuring last night in preparation for perhaps making a runner out of wood.
Track slot width - 12.82mm. Runner width - 12.06. Track slot height - 5.9mm. Runner height - 5.7mm.

Definitely some improvement required re width.

At work today, I was measuring a crankshaft and the Tech said he was placing an order with Blackwoods.
Light bulb moment - key way in crank, key steel, Blackwoods.

Quick check and 305mm long 1/2" X 1/4" key steel $10.30. 12.7mm vs 12.82mm? - I can live with that and 6.35mm to 5.9mm is just a bit of filing - Whittling to you carvers :)

i'll just need to Drill and tap 6 holes and trim some bolts for grub screws.

Only decision needed is do I make 2 and replace the one in the joiner kit?

[Handyjack]

Yes get 2. Find some one with a milling machine to remove 0.4mm. The better the fit the better the alignment.

[Lappa]

Further to our discussion above, on the 15th August I sent a request to Hare and Forbes for pricing on a single track joiner with 4 screws for the Scheppach CS55, using the part numbers on the Scheppach site. Got a reply tonight - talk about price gouging!!!!!

You can buy a complete Joiner kit W877 with one joiner, 4 screws, 2 clamps and a slide stop for $27 inc GST from Hare and Forbes.

The quote I got for a single runner with 4 screws was $55 inc GST and 16 week delivery or 6 weeks delivery with an addition cost of $130!!

Gee, if I had to buy an additional runner, I wonder which one I would buy:rolleyes:

[Bretto75]

Well I have been running this through my brain for the last few months or so, and after looking over the pricing & stats, I am leaning towards the makita, the cost is a lot higher - but I think I can justify the quality.. But I appreciate your comments ppl and sorry for the delay. The track & already stable saw kind of sold it without the workarounds and extra gadgets needed for the cheaper models.

[Bretto75]

Well I did buy the makita and I do like it... looking to buy the router extension too an I all seems to cut well.

[Lindsay]

Yes I have one and I am pleased with it

[Sam]

Good to hear Lindsay and well done on your first post after all these years