I used to laugh at guys who spent $180 on a track saw, then I borrowed one for a cabinet job
I always figured a circular saw and a straightedge was good enough, but after fighting tear-out on $400 worth of maple plywood for a built-in in my garage, I borrowed a buddy's track saw and every cut came out clean with zero sanding. Ended up buying my own the next week, and I'm not going back. Anyone else make the switch or do you still get by with a homemade guide?
I burned through four sheets of oak ply on a bookshelf before I finally broke down and got a Makita, and the first cut was so clean I just stood there staring at it. My old straightedge guide is hanging on the wall now collecting sawdust and I don't feel bad about it one bit.