Best DeWalt Track Saw Kits: What’s Included and Which to Buy

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The best DeWalt track saw kit for most sheet-goods work is the 60V MAX cordless kit with two 59-inch tracks, while the single-track kit and corded kit are better if you want lower cost, less storage, or unlimited runtime in a shop.

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#1 Pick

DEWALT 20V MAX XR 6-1/2 in. Cordless Plunge Track Saw (DCS525B)

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#2 Pick

DEWALT Circular Saw, 6-1/2-Inch, TrackSaw Kit (DWS520K)

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#3 Pick

DEWALT TrackSaw Track, 46-Inch (DWS5020), Yellow

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#4 Pick

110" Track Saw Guide Rail for DeWalt Track Saws with Connector

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DeWalt Track Saw Kits You Can Actually Buy in 2026

DeWalt keeps its track saw lineup simple: one cordless saw platform and one corded platform, sold as bare tool or as kits with different track, battery, and case combinations. Understanding the kit code tells you what’s inside.

• DCS520B: Bare tool only. No battery, charger, track, or clamps. For buyers who already own DeWalt FlexVolt batteries and tracks.
• DCS520T1: Cordless 60V MAX kit with one 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery, charger, one 59-inch track (DWS5022), 42-tooth blade, and dust bag in a kit box.
• DCS520ST1: Cordless 60V MAX kit with one 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery, charger, two 59-inch tracks with connector, two track clamps, 42-tooth blade, and kit box. This is the full sheet-breakdown kit.
• DCS520T2: Same as T1 but with two 6.0Ah batteries. Less common at retail but useful for continuous site work.
• DWS520CK: Corded 12-amp kit with one 59-inch track, 42-tooth blade, and kit box. No battery needed, lower upfront cost than cordless.

All kits use the same 6-1/2 inch (165mm) blade and the same track system, so tracks, clamps, and blades interchange. The 46-1/2 inch track (DWS5021) and 102-inch extended track are sold separately and are not included in any standard kit.

Kit Comparison: Specs That Affect What You Can Cut

Kits differ in more than just battery count. Track length determines your maximum straight cut, case type affects transport, and blade inclusion affects your first cuts in plywood vs. melamine.

All versions have the same anti-kickback and riving knife system, variable depth with parallel plunge action, 0.6-inch close-to-wall capability, and enclosed dust port (35mm external, will fit 1-1/4 inch hose with adapter). The cordless saw adds a battery fuel gauge and electronic brake; the corded saw offers unlimited runtime for shop jigs and repeated rips.

What Each Component Means for Sheet Goods

Track length: A single 59-inch track cuts across a 48-inch sheet easily with run-in and run-out room, but cannot rip a full 96-inch sheet lengthwise. Two 59-inch tracks joined give you 118 inches, enough to rip 8-foot plywood or MDF with full support. If you only break down crosscuts or build small cabinets, one track saves money and wall space.

Blade: The stock 42-tooth ATB blade is a good all-around plywood blade with clean top-face cuts thanks to the splinter guard. For heavily coated sheet goods like double-sided melamine or laminate, a 48-tooth or 60-tooth thin-kerf blade leaves less chipping. For rough framing plywood or fast rip cuts in lumber, a 24-tooth blade cuts faster but rougher.

Clamps: Only the ST1 kit includes the low-profile track clamps (DWS5026). Without clamps, the rubber grip strips hold well on sheet goods on foam, but clamps are essential when cutting narrow offcuts, angled cuts, or vertical material where the track could shift.

Case: DeWalt’s kit box holds the saw with blade guard installed plus one battery and charger. It does not hold assembled track; tracks ship in cardboard sleeves and need wall storage or a separate track bag.

Decision Matrix: Which Kit Fits Your Situation

Choose by how you cut, where you cut, and what you already own.

Cost Per Cut: Do You Need Two Tracks?

General market ranges in 2026 put a single 59-inch DeWalt track around $90 to $130, and a pair of clamps around $35 to $55. The price step from T1 to ST1 is typically $120 to $180 more for the extra track, connector, and clamps combined.

If you rip full sheets monthly or more, that step pays for itself quickly. Consider this: joining two tracks takes about 60 seconds with the connector bar and straight-edge check. Ripping a 4×8 sheet lengthwise with a single 59-inch track requires repositioning the track mid-cut, which risks a visible step and doubles setup time. If you value clean, one-pass rips and build cabinets weekly, the dual-track kit eliminates that repositioning error. If you only crosscut pre-cut panels or work with 4×4 project panels, you may never use the second track and can save the money and wall space.

Setup and First-Cut Checklist That Saves Blades and Edges

DeWalt tracks come with a replaceable splinter guard. You must trim it on first use so it matches your blade exactly.

• Place track on sacrificial foam or plywood, not concrete. Set depth so the blade cuts 1/8 inch into the sacrificial surface.
• Run the saw at full speed along the full track length in one steady push. Do not stop mid-cut. This trims the green splinter strip flush to the blade.
• Check squareness with a reliable square between blade and track base. DeWalt’s bevel lock is at the front; confirm 90 degrees reads 90 on the scale, then lock.
• For joined tracks, tighten the connector bar evenly from the center outward, then sight down the guide rib. If you see a jog at the joint, loosen, realign, and retighten. A 0.5mm offset creates a lip in plywood.
• Set plunge depth using the depth scale with the saw on the track on top of the material. For 3/4-inch plywood, set to about 7/8 inch so only the carbide tips clear the bottom.

Running too shallow leaves a ragged bottom face; running too deep increases drag, battery drain on cordless models, and wear on the foam underneath.

Durability and Ownership Realities

Unlike product listings, ownership reveals what actually wears.

• Splinter guard: The first consumable. Expect to replace after 40 to 80 full-length cuts or sooner if you nick it with the blade while re-entering. Keep a spare strip; without it, chip-out increases visibly on veneered plywood.
• Anti-kickback cam: The dial-controlled anti-kickback mechanism can feel stiff when new. Keep it clean; sawdust packed around the cam prevents it from engaging. Blow it out after each session, especially with MDF.
• Track base and grip strips: The two rubber strips on the bottom grip well but lose grip if oily or dusty. Wipe with isopropyl alcohol and avoid dragging the track face-down on concrete.
• Blade life: The stock 42T blade dulls faster in MDF and particleboard due to glue content. In hardwood plywood, you can expect roughly 800 to 1,200 linear feet of clean cuts before the bottom face shows fuzzing. Forced feeding and cutting into screws or hidden staples dulls teeth instantly.
• Battery reality (cordless): A 60V 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery delivers roughly 35 to 55 linear feet of 3/4-inch plywood ripping per charge at proper feed rate, depending on blade sharpness and temperature. Cold garages below 40F reduce runtime noticeably. A second battery prevents downtime if you batch-cut sheets.
• Dust collection: The enclosed guard captures well with a vac, but the bag included in kits fills in a few cuts in MDF. For indoor cuts, connect a dust extractor; the port is tapered and benefits from a hose with a rotating end to avoid twisting the track.
• Common mistakes: Pushing too fast causes motor overload and burning, too slow causes burn marks in maple and oak plywood. Lifting the saw before the blade stops spins the splinter guard. Forcing the saw when the riving knife binds means the track is flexing over an unsupported span; add foam support.

Cleaning is simple: vacuum the track groove where the saw glides, wipe the guide rib, and occasionally wax the saw base with dry lubricant, not oil, which attracts dust.

Which Kit Should You Buy?

For most buyers cutting full sheets without a table saw, DCS520ST1 is the one-time purchase that avoids later add-ons. It includes everything to rip and crosscut 4×8 material accurately on day one.

Buy DCS520T1 if you mainly crosscut, work in a small shop, or want to test the system before investing in a second track. You can add a second DWS5022 later and the same connector and clamps.

Buy DWS520CK if you work in a fixed shop with power nearby and prioritize lower initial cost and zero battery management. It cuts identically to the cordless saw.

Buy DCS520B bare tool if you already own FlexVolt batteries. Pair it with one 59-inch track for crosscuts or two for full rips. This is the most efficient setup for existing DeWalt users.

All DeWalt tracks and saws from this generation work together, so no kit locks you out of future expansion. Choose based on track length and clamping needs, not just the saw itself.

FAQ

Can I use DeWalt tracks with other brand saws?

DeWalt tracks use a single guide rib profile that is not cross-compatible with Festool or Makita without an adapter plate, and even then fit is imperfect and can affect accuracy. For best cut quality, use DeWalt saw on DeWalt track.

Do I need two tracks to cut a door or 8-foot plywood?

Yes for a single-pass rip. A single 59-inch track is about 49 inches of usable cut after accounting for saw overhang at start and end. An 8-foot sheet needs about 97 inches of travel, so two 59-inch tracks joined are required.

Is the cordless DCS520 as powerful as the corded DWS520?

Under load, both reach about 4000 RPM and the same cut depth. The corded DWS520 maintains speed indefinitely, while the DCS520 maintains speed until the battery is low, then the electronic protection slows it to prevent cell damage. For most 3/4-inch sheet goods there is no noticeable difference; for dense double-stack cuts or hardwood, the corded saw offers more consistent sustained power.

What blade should I buy next?

Keep the 42T for general plywood, add a 60T fine-finish blade for prefinished maple or white melamine, and a 24T for fast ripping of construction plywood if you do volume work. All must be 6-1/2 inch, 20mm arbor, thin-kerf to match the riving knife.