In the world of DIY renovation, construction, and demolition there is no tool quite so handy as the circular saw. There are many different varieties of this bad boy, each designed to accomplish a different goal. But of course, no circular saw is complete without a sturdy rail that lends durability and accuracy to the process.
I have taken a look at many different circular saw rails in the last several months. In doing so, I tested them against a variety of different situations. My goal was simple: find the best circular saw guide that is out there and present them in an easy-to-read guide that will help you the reader make a decision.
To that end, I believe I have been successful. With all of that said, read on for some circular saw rail reviews!
Contents
Best Circular Saw Guide Reviews
Top 10 Roofing Nail Guns
1. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2 in. Plunge Circular Saw Kit
Ah, the Makita. This company is, in general, known for making some of the best tools on the market and this saw is certainly no exception. Makita SP6000J1 features a variable speed trigger that makes it as versatile to use as possible. The unit can be adjusted to run anywhere from 2000-5200 RPM.
It also features an excellent dust port that will keep your workstation, and even more importantly, your lungs, completely clean.
It also features a workable long chord of seven feet. Many people neglect to consider cord length as they set to purchase a tool but it is actually a worthwhile consideration because it determines how much access you have to your workpiece.
Finally, the twelve amp motor is also just powerful enough to produce extremely clean cuts. If you want something that has enough juice to work through even very tough materials this will be the tool that you reach for.
Unfortunately, it is quite pricey. Buyers on a budget simply won’t be able to swing this one I am afraid.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Accurate cuts
- Weight: 17.6 pounds
- Material: Variety of materials
- Cutting capacity: 2-3/16″” at 90°
- Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 13 inches
What We Like:
- This is a complete package that includes everything you need to work on professional job sites.
- If quality is your key concern there is no beating this tool.
What We Didn’t Like:
- To get quality you need to be willing to pay for it.
- This is an extremely expensive piece of equipment so bear that in mind.
2. Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track
With the Kreg, we take a step back and look at only a circular saw track. While you don’t get the saw itself here, there is still plenty to like in this vital accessory.
The Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track is designed to perform a wide range of cuts including plunge, cross, and more. It is designed to be suet up very quickly and does not even require clamps in order to be used.
It also features plenty of stop points which means that you can be as precise as you need to be. The only real issue I came across was one of value. While the price itself is not outrageous, it is pretty expensive considering the fact that all you get is a track. For the same amount of money, you could probably easily find a more robust package.
Additional Specification
- Best for: High-quality cuts
- Weight: 5.05 pounds
- Dimensions: 27.5 x 8.75 x 2.5 inches
- Cutting capacity: 8″ at 90° and 45°
- Material: Aluminum
What We Like:
- I loved how versatile this piece of equipment is.
- It’s good for facilitating a wide range of cuts; which will make it a perfect tool for a wide range of different uses.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Considering the fact that all you get here is a track saw, there isn’t a lot of value. For the same amount of money, you could buy a lower-end circular saw that comes with its own track.
3. E. Emerson Contractor Straight Edge Clamping Tool
The Emerson Tool straight edge tool is designed to perform a wide range of different cuts. It is lightweight enough to be easily taken from job site to job site and it does not require any clamping to be used effectively.
It is also one of the more affordable tools on our list making it a good opportunity for buyers on a budget that still needs a great tool. The only thing I noticed that may be of issue for some buyers is that it doesn’t fair so well with especially high-powered tools. It’s just not quite sturdy enough to perform reliably with tools that have a ton of juice.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Router straight cuts
- Weight: 1.76 Pounds
- Dimensions: 1.8 x 60 x 3.5 inches
- Cutting capacity: 50 Inch
- Material: Nylon, Aluminum
What We Like:
- You get a really great performance out of this unit, all for a super fair price.
What We Didn’t Like:
- If you’re using this will an especially powerful saw you will probably run into a little bit of difficulty. It may not be quite sturdy enough to stand up to high levels of power.
4. Bora WTX Clamp Edge and Straight Cut Guide
The Bora WTX is an affordable piece of equipment that provides budget buyers with a remarkable level of flexibility. For one thing, it is designed to work with a wide range of different saws. It can be fitted to work with circular saws, routers, jigs, and more, making it perfect for a wide range of different contractors’ tasks.
I also loved the fact that it can be effortlessly extended indefinitely. The rail features a modular design concept which means if you ever need to lengthen it you can just purchase additional pieces. Obviously, doing so comes at a cost but it may be more affordable than just buying a bigger rail.
Just note that if you work in particularly rough environments you may find that the Bora WTX gets beat up over time.
Additional Specification
- Best for: The first cut
- Weight: 2.4 Pounds
- Dimensions: 62.75 x 3 x 1.5 inches
- Cutting capacity: 50 Inch
- Material: Heavy-duty aluminum
What We Like:
- I loved the fact that you can essentially make the tool as long as you need it to be.
- The rail easily connects to other pieces so that you can work with basically any material.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It’s not super tough. This rail may get a little bit beat up over time.
5. Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide
The Kreg is an affordable way to perform a wide range of different cuts. The Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide moderately priced unit has been specifically optimized to be easy to set up and clamp.
It is versatile and sturdy enough to work on even with really tough saws, making it a good all-purpose piece of equipment.
However, it is regrettably limited in length. At only twenty-four inches, it may not be able to work with many larger workpieces.
Still, for people with moderate-sized needs, this will be a very enticing way to get an optimal combination of performance and value.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Different cuts
- Weight: 2.45 Pounds
- Dimensions: 30.88 x 8.75 x 2.5 inches
- Cutting capacity: 8″ at 90° and 45°
- Material: Metal
What We Like:
- It’s an affordable piece of equipment that can be used to facilitate a wide range of different tasks.
What We Didn’t Like:
- At twenty-four inches this rail is fairly limited in size. You may find that most larger workpieces are off-limits to you with this tool.
6. DEWALT DWS5100 Dual-Port Folding Rip Guide
We end things with a product from a truly outstanding company. In the world of tools, DeWalt is perhaps the most trusted brand that there is.
The DEWALT DWS5100 Dual-Port Folding Rip Guide serves as a solid reminder of why that is the case. The build is such that you will never need to worry about how powerful the tool is. It’s sturdy enough to work under a wide range of different circumstances.
It is also extremely lightweight and it comes with a great warranty that will keep you covered for over a year in the event that you run into problems.
The only thing that I didn’t like was that it is very limited in terms of length. This rail is only twelve inches which is fairly impracticable. The limited length means that you will only be able to work with very small workpieces.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Different circumstances
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Dimensions: 19 x 3 x 1 inches
- Cutting capacity: None
- Material: Aluminum
What We Like:
- DEWALT makes some of the best tools in existence.
- It is not every day that you can get a good deal on their products but this unit serves as a rare chance to pick up their gear at a good price.
What We Didn’t Like:
- At only twelve inches in length, this rail is impractically small. You will be very limited in how you can use it.
Circular Saw Guide Comparison Chart
| Name | Best for | Weight | Dimensions | Cutting capacity | Material |
| Makita SP6000J1 6 Circular Saw Kit | Accurate cuts | 17.6 pounds | 16 x 12 x 13 inches | 2-3/16″” at 90° | Variety of materials |
| Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track | High-quality cuts | 5.05 pounds | 27.5 x 8.75 x 2.5 inches | 8″ at 90° and 45° | Aluminum |
| E. Emerson Contractor Straight | Router straight cuts | 1.76 Pounds | 1.8 x 60 x 3.5 inches | 50 Inch | Nylon, Aluminum |
| Bora WTX Cut Guide | The first cut | 2.4 Pounds | 62.75 x 3 x 1.5 inches | 50 Inch | Heavy-duty aluminum |
| Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide | Different cuts | 2.45 Pounds | 30.88 x 8.75 x 2.5 inches | 8″ at 90° and 45° | Metal |
| DEWALT DWS5100 Rip Guide | Different circumstances | 1.25 pounds | 19 x 3 x 1 inches | None | Aluminum |
What to Look for When Buying Circular Saw Guide Rails
You’ve seen the products, now we are closer than ever to the time where you will need to decide on which product is right for you. To make that decision at least a little bit easier, here are some considerations that should help.
First, What Do You need?
For the most part, we just looked at rails in this guide. However, our first choice was a much more robust package, featuring the rail, and the corresponding circular saw as well. While you can certainly buy these tools independent of one another there is some merit to buying them all at once.
Why? Well, for one thing, you often get a better deal on both by doing so. You also get the added benefit of knowing for certain that the saw you own is compatible with your rail.
That’s nothing. In short, buyers that need a saw and a rail can save themselves a fairly big headache by bundling.
Compatibility
Is your saw compatible with the rail that you have in mind? That’s an important consideration that people don’t often think about until it is too late. While most rails are designed to be universally compatible with any circular saw, there are occasionally limits to this.
Before you buy a rail that you can’t use, it will be in your interest to make sure that it can work with the tool or tools you have on hand.
And that is another thing. Circular saws are not the only tools that use rails. If you have a range of different power tools, you will find it worth your time to make sure that they all work on the rail you are considering.
Price
Rails are usually fairly affordable. However, there are also many exceptions to this. In general, you can find rails ranging in price from between $30-100.
More money does tend to buy you certain benefits. For example, if you need a long rail, you will have to pay for it. Pricier rails also tend to be very sturdy which will be good for people that work with high-powered tools.
However, if you have modest needs, it is infinitely possible to snag a great deal on an affordable and effective circular saw rail.
Length
The length of the rail will also have a huge bearing on how effective it is. The longer the rail, the more versatile it tends to be. Keep in mind that while longer rails can always work with smaller work-pieces, shorter rails do not have that same versatility.
Longer rails are usually pricey and difficult to store though. There is one solution to this dilemma that I’ve found to be very handy. Some rails feature a modular component. In other words, you can buy a moderately sized rail and then build on to it as the need presents itself.
This will be perfect for the person that has the neediest hat that may expand over time.
Versatility
Versatility is also very important. What kind of cuts do you need to perform? You will want to make sure that whatever rail you have in mind, is able to perform a range of different cuts.
The good news is that most products are naturally optimized to be able to do this. However, to every rule there are exceptions. Always inspect the rails that you have in mind to ensure that they can perform the tasks you require of them.
Sturdiness
Last but not least, sturdiness. You really want a rail that will last in the long run. The best way to ensure this is to get something that is truly sturdy.
Unfortunately, the overall durability of a rail is hard to determine until you’ve spent some time with it yourself. While most amateurs do not have the opportunity to test tools before they buy them, I do.
Reviews like this one are a great way to learn about the durability factor of the tools that you consider.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answered
How Do You Cut a Circular Saw Accurately?
The best way to accurately operate a circular saw is through the use of guide rails, just like the ones seen here today.
What Are the Best Circular Saw Blades?
While there is some debate on this matter, carbide blades are widely praised for their durability and overall effectiveness. However, they are also among the pricier options.
What Is a Rip Guide?
Rip guides are designed to deliver precise levels of accuracy on rip cuts. They are important for the fact that they lend safety and stability to a task that can sometimes be considered high risk.
Conclusion
Did you make up your mind yet? If not, I get it. Choosing is always tough, especially when you have six great products that all want your attention.
Here are a couple of recommendations that might help things go smoother. If you want to get a great bundle the Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2 in. Plunge Circular Saw Kit will be an outstanding way to get everything you need.
However, not everyone reading this guide will want to pick up a saw as well. If all you need is a great rail you can find a reliable tool in our runner-up product the Kreg KMA2700 Circular Saw Track.
Fortunately, by now you should be well versed in the ways of all things involving saw tracks. So don’t worry about it. You now know enough to make your own informed decision.
