Did anyone notice?

[Ed in Tampa]

The latest email ad from ShopSmith for the TruTrac track saw system is interesting.
Notice the headline.

Cabinet Saw Percision with circular saw portability!
Byline

Perfect companion for Mark 7/ Mark V.

If you read on it tells you that eliminates the need to struggle to man handle 4x8 sheets of ply and why it is superior to simple saw guides.

It seems SS understands the usefulness of such a tool that makes it an essential addition to the home wood workers stable of tools.

The ad says it all let the antagonist to the guided tool system be silenced!

[reubenjames]

It's basically the same verbiage that's on the website, no? Was there a controversy about the usefulness of these systems?

[ERLover]

I was thinking of Ed when I saw the add.

[reible]

I don't think the information is new, that is the same ad I've seen for a while.

I think back to how I use to try and cut sheets of plywood on my 500, and by myself at that! Dumb comes to mind. Of course I'd done that on my rockwell table saw before that and even back home with the craftsman. Still the word dumb comes to mind.

Back when I worked as a carpenters helper there was no table saw on site, only a RAS and it was never used to cut sheet goods. Of course they didn't use a guide system either, just caulk line and eye balling it. Of course that sort of work what is an eight of an inch anyway.

As I think most of us have adapted our sheet good projects so the table saw isn't involved in the initial cutting or at least for those of us with smaller saws. I'm reminded of the wood shop we had at work, a cabinet saw with a huge out feed area. The out feed area alone was big enough for 4 full size sheets of plywood! Well if one had a shop that big why not.

Personally I have made guides, have purchased guides, purchased more guides, purchased and made even more guides. They all worked but I've never been completely happy with them. Even in the last couple of years I've gotten a few guide systems which were fine for making garage shelf units. Could they be used for making finer work, well yes but it would take extra care and time to do so. So do I want to make do?

I have no doubt at all that guided saw systems belong in my shop. I've had them for years already. If you are happy with what you have then fine go for it. Want something better (that's me) then you have to be willing to pay for it. BTW even if I had a huge shop I'd still be thinking guided saw system for plywood over a cabinet saw.

Will I get this one from "shopsmith" no, it is not on my wish list even at the lower price point.

Ed

[reubenjames]

You are right it's not furniture precision work. Still, it gets very close and the conical sanding disc can usually give a good edge on the last little bit to take off. All things considered, of course, I'd rather have the cabinet saw that holds four sheets.