Behold, the Dewalt FlexVolt track saw, model DCS520T2!
The last time I asked, I was told that the Dewalt FlexVolt track saw would be due in the USA around April 2017, so it’s still a bit away. But it IS coming to the USA, which is good news.
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You can buy a corded Dewalt track saw right now, but there’s appeal in cordless solutions, or at least I think so. Most users still have to deal with a vacuum hose, but a hose is easier to deal with than a hose and a power cord.
I’m a Festool track saw guy. I made the plunge – ha, get it?! – a few years ago, and haven’t looked back with even an ounce of regret.
In my experience, my plunge-cutting Festool track saw cuts cleaner and with greater precision than any regular circular saw I’ve used before or since. It can make cuts not quite easy or perfectly safe with an un-tracked circular saw. I haven’t used it with my Festool MFT table as much as I expected – yet – but the duo will see a lot of use in an upcoming project.
Festool has come out with a cordless track saw, and also a more construction-focused cordless track saw. Will Dewalt’s 6-1/2″ FlexVolt track saw pose serious competition? It could.
I’m eager to see what the upcoming Dewalt FlexVolt track saw can do. Very eager.
ETA: April 2017
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I should point out that it has NOT yet been announced for the USA market. There are “Coming Soon” flyers floating around, but that’s it. I’ve got ants in my pants, and figured that it’ll help quiet my anticipation and excitement if I shared the news.
Sam
Wouldn’t mind trying out one.
russell whorton
How much ?
Stuart
It’s uncertain, but $500+ is a good guess.
Mikeh
Can’t put into words how happy i am right now….
JMG
One of the items on my wish list for this year…
Booger
Aggh!!!! I’m sort of bummed because I just bought the festool cordless track but I also have the flexvolt line! I wonder if the dust control is comparable to Festool’s?
John Blair
One of the best things about Festool is the great resale value. If you decide the Dewalt is for you, you can easily turn the Festool around only losing 10 to 15% of the value.
Ian Random
That pretty much says I’ll never own a Festool.
Art
I think it may be time to delay a purchase of the Makita track saw a bit longer. I was considering getting one for a remodel project I am doing this year. I am curious what the premium for Flexvolt will be though …
Bolt
I guess they made it flex volt to justify the high price.
Ryan Price
Why the Tstak though? Professional grade tool should be in a toughsystem case. Hell even their lower end drill/impact was available over the holidays in a tough case.
Bremon
Several of their euro releases come in tstaks I believe. More economical and compact than a DS300. I’ll be using a DS300 though.
Stuart
As Bremon said, that’s how some tools are released in Europe.
I wouldn’t expect to see the same here. The US market will likely see a blowmolded case, or tool bag.
John
I’m not in the market for a cordless tracksaw but if I were, I’d rather see the Tstak case over Dewalt’s typical blow-molded cases used here in the states for a couple of reasons:
Trying to squeeze accessories (2 track clamps, crosscut guide, dustport adapter) and a couple of tools (hex key set for track coupler and screwdrivers for tool adjustments) into the case for my corded Dewalt tracksaw is a game of tetris every single time I put it away. At least I can keep the router guide with my router. Adding batteries and a charger to the mix will only complicate this. Tstaks would allow accessories, loose tools, and a spare blade or two to be packaged neatly in a separate box yet easily carried with the saw.
Most blow-molded cases are split in the middle and double in size when open which can be a challenge in small work areas. Tstaks on the other hand have a small footprint open or closed.
Tstaks are built better than the case my tracksaw came in and have a common footprint vs the hodgepodge of cases I have on the shelf in the garage.
mike douglas
Hi
I have the track saw since about 3-4 months ! (Europe)
a fantastic tool, good runtime, perfect cuts
2)
pricy in Europe !!!
DCS520T2 830€ = 886 USD
3)
Official Dewalt brochure that is available since approx. Nov2016 has the tool listed on last page
The brochure was handed out at Dewalt HD marketing events
4) for info
T2 = 2x Flexvolt 6,0Ah
“R” is the abbreviation for the new Flexvolt 9,0Ah battery
((If you look very intense you can see few DCS520R2 Kit))
cheers
mike
Ron
the batteries show 54V not 60V?
Stuart
60V Max and 54V are the same thing.
60V Max is called 54V everywhere outside of North America.
Steve
60V is the nominal voltage of the battery. When under load, the voltage drops, in this case to 54 volts due to the internal resistance of the battery.
Bremon
60v is maximum, hence the “Max” branding. 54v is nominal.
JoeM
Sold. Definitely Sold.
BikerDad
FINALLY!!! Now, I can start putting sheckles aside for it. Here’s hoping they’ve addressed whatever minor niggling shortcomings their current track saw has as well.
For me, this will kill two birds with one stone. A cordless circular saw, and a track saw.
Brian Auerbach
cant figure out why a track saw costs so much… you can get a cordless saw for $100. yet a track saw is 600? the track certainly isnt the cost. the riving knife? the dust collection shroud? None of this makes sense…
Stuart
The plunge mechanism? Everything about a track saw is more complex than in a circular saw.
Tolerances? The blade has to be perfectly parallel to the guide channels, so that it cuts accurately when riding on a guide rail.
Bremon
Not to mention economies of scale. Circular saws are incredibly common; track saws not so much. Not to mention a FlexVolt circular saw isn’t $100.
J dubbya
Yes, tracksaws just aren’t popular enough to the masses here in the US. Those who really need/want them, will buy them, regardless of the price. I think it’s safe to say that they will probably go for at least $800, being that they go for around $900 in the EU. Seems reasonable when compared to Festool’s offerings.
Austin werrmann
I am going to get a cordless track saw sometime this year. So baisicly eaother festool or dealt. I recently got the flexvolt miter saw so I am invested in that platform already. I will definitely get the dewalt over the festool so I don’t have to have another battery platform if it cuts the same as the festool. Working on installing high end cabinets i need a nice cut. If the dewalt provides this I will get it. Also not a deal breaker but the dust extraction has to be good. I know the fes with just a bag does pretty good. I will not sacrifice cut quality over having another platform though.
Nathan
do so tracksaws really cut that much cleaner and more accurate than a properly guided circular saw that has a quality baseplate? Because I’m been “bout to buy” a cordless circular saw for quite some time now – was leaning towards a flexvolt 71/4 job just to get into flexvolt too.
are most tracksaws 61/2 inch blades. I’ve never looked into them – mostly becasue of cost.
Nathan
Side question – since the purpose of tracksaw (plunge circular saws) is to have dust collection what then is the purpose of a cordless one? IE using it correctly – as you see everywhere – it has a dust collection hose on it anyway. I started looking at them a bit ago – as curious since I figured they were still way over priced for my needs.
Ryan Price
It’s surprising how much of a difference the cord makes. Just dealing with a hose is way better than a hose and cord together. Unless you have the two in one version that festool makes. Which last I checked cost about 45 thousand dollars
BikerDad
Better buy that combo cord/hose quick, beat the Festool price increase!! It’ll be going up to 47,000!
😀
The yeti
And now I suddenly want a track saw . Thank u Stuart . Please do a review of any bosch offering if one becomes available in North America
Przemek (Poland)
I saw the track saw on Polish Budma – international trade of building and construction site.
This is corded version with changed motor to brushless DC, color of blade case, AirLock connector, and speed dial witch is near front handle (corded version – left side of saw case, near the brushes)
If you have the corded version – nothing really changes, you will take it and used as the corded version
Beauty of simplicity
Drew M
After seeing that little Mafell tracksaw, I actually really want to see something exactly like it but cordless. I don’t know how much power a little saw like that really needs but I suspect it would run great off current 18v packs that most people probably have.
fred
When I looked at the corded Dewalt when I bought my Festool there were 2 issues with it:
1) Blade changing seemed like it would be vey cumbersome on the Dewalt
2) The Dewalt did not seem to let you lock in a 45 degree bevel
I hope the cordless version has solved these problems
Andy
Is this real Milwaukee tool?
https://bethepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20160401_082837.jpg
Stuart
No.
Looks like a photoshopped Mafell.
https://www.timberwolftools.com/tools/mafell/images/MAF-MT55cc-2-b.jpg
Carmelo
I’ve always wanted a real tracksaw, but then I ended up buying the EZsmart system. It came in real handy recently when I had to build 3 corian counter tops, with 3 under mount sink’s in each.
I doubt it’s a good as having a real tracksaw, but it work’s good for my needs, especially since I have 5 various circular saws.
Art
It uses Festool tracks? Maybe the Euro ersion.
https://youtu.be/n5RpGGZlv7w
David
It can use both just like corded model.
Matt
If it’s going to +900. I think I willl be getting festool.
Albert
Any idea when this is coming out?
Art
Preorder just came up (you can find it at Tool Nut as I’m sure other places):
$379 bare tool
$499 w/ one battery, charger, and case
$569 w/ one battery, charge, case, and 59″ track.
At this price, still gives me second thoughts but guess it’s to be expected vs. corded versions.
Art
FYI, preorders due to ship July 25