best plunge saw

Best Plunge Saw in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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Increasingly eclipsing the less practical circular saw, the spring-mounted circular blades on plunge saws are ideal for precise and consistent cuts through the hardest woods. 

However, with so many plunge saws on the market today, it can be tricky to choose the best model. After testing the UK’s most highly-rated products side-by-side, we determined that the best plunge saw is Evolution’s R185CCSX

Taking a left-field approach to this niche market, the R185CCSX is less of a true plunge saw than our other shortlisted contenders. However, it still offers the practicality and versatility of a plunge saw. It’s also cheap, comprehensively equipped, well-regarded and surprisingly lightweight.


Plunge Saw Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2024

After many hours of research and rigorous testing, these are our favourite plunge saws on the UK market, starting with a worthy test winner:

Our Top Pick
1. Evolution R185CCSX

1. Evolution R185CCSX

  • Boasts multi-material cutting technology
  • Adjustable 64mm cutting depth
  • Powerful 1,600W motor
  • 0–45° bevel tilt with a virtual pivot
  • Ergonomic, soft-grip handles
  • Dust extraction port 
  • Includes 1,020mm circular saw track
  • Compatible with Evolution's 1.4m & 2.8m tracks (sold separately)
  • Robust & sturdy construction with even weight distribution (weighs only 4.8kg)

On paper, it’s hard to see why Evolution’s R185CCSX is so much cheaper than the other products on our list. It weighs about the same as the Triton and has considerably more power than the Lumberjack.

It’s certainly difficult to argue with Evolution’s specifications. Weighing just 5.1kg and supplied with a 185mm TCT blade capable of slicing through wood with embedded nails, its high-torque 1,600W motor is equipped with an electric brake capable of stopping rotation within a few seconds. It can be tilted to 45 degrees, with a 64mm maximum cutting depth, easily beating the Lumberjack.

When you start studying the R185CCSX’s specifications, its affordability makes sense. The track is a modest 1,020mm long and comes in three separate pieces, which might be insufficient for bigger jobs. 

Although there’s a dust extraction port, it’s less flexible than the Triton. Most significantly, the Evolution lacks an extensive parallel edge guide, which helps with edging cuts. 

The R185CCSX is a circular saw on rails rather than a traditional plunge saw, which might be an issue for some buyers because it lacks the retractable blade guard found on plunge saws. These guards enable smooth edging cuts, reduce dust exposure, and simplify cutting depths.

ProsCons
Affordable and lightweightTechnically, it’s not an actual plunge saw
The most powerful model we testedLimited dust dispersal
It comes with a dust extraction port 

Runner Up
2. Triton TTS1400

2. Triton TTS1400

  • Quickly switches between free plunge, scribe, and blade change modes
  • Scribe mode eliminates splintering and tear-out
  • Easy change carbon brushes
  • 0–48º bevel cut adjustment
  • 54mm max cutting depth
  • Dual bevel quadrants
  • Variable speed, soft start and constant speed control
  • Dual alignment cams
  • Anti-kickback safety feature
  • Guide rail track lock

Named after its wattage, Triton’s TTS1400 is a relatively stylish piece of equipment with an apricot chassis and a semi-cylindrical soft-grip handle suitable for left or right-handed users. 

Drawing on 45 years of manufacturing experience, it’s a robust plunge saw with many valuable features, including a 60mm cut depth.

The Triton is the only plunge saw on our list to feature a dust extractor port with 360-degree rotation, benefiting anyone with chest issues. The dust extractor helps you follow precise lines along the workpiece, while an anti-kickback feature complements the non-slip rubber grip. 

The 1,400W motor produces speeds ranging from 2,000 to 5,500 rpm, while its soft-start function and overload protection should reduce the risk of anything untoward.

One of the few black marks against the TTS1400 is the absence of a track rail. The track rail has to be purchased separately, and rails from other manufacturers are incompatible. However, this model has a 48-degree bevel range — the highest we tested. The Triton is also safe, with the power switch locking during blade changes. 

Last, but not least, the TTS1400 comes with a 165mm TCT blade and onboard tool storage.

ProsCons
Many user-friendly featuresNo track rail as standard
Wide range of speedsSome question marks over longevity
Integral tool storage 

Best Budget Plunge Saw
3. Lumberjack PS165

3. Lumberjack PS165

  • Compatible with Evolution, Festool and Makita rails
  • Cast aluminium base
  • 1,400mm extruded aluminium track with non-slip base and low-friction glide strips
  • Over-moulded main handle with on/off trigger and plunge release controls.
  • Variable speed adjustment dial and blade-change lever.
  • Easy & easy bevel and depth adjustment

Lumberjack’s offering is the undisputed heavyweight of our comparison, weighing in at seven kilograms! That’s two kilos more than the other products on this list, making this a poor choice for the faint-hearted or weak-wristed. That said, the PS165 sits on a durable cast aluminium base — unlike the Triton, it comes with two 700mm sections of extruded aluminium track. This track offers a non-slip base and low-friction glide strips with two clamps. 

Everything you need to start cutting comes out of the box, including a standard blade.

At a modest 1,200W, the Lumberjack is down on power but remains powerful enough to slice through solid timber all day. 

The over-moulded main handle sits beside a trigger and separate plunge release control, while a prominently positioned speed dial can raise the speed to 5,200 rpm.

There’s no dust extraction system on the PS165, and the 55mm cutting depth isn’t the deepest on our list. It also loses a few degrees of adjustment compared to the Triton at 45 degrees. On the bright side, the supplied 700mm track sections are extendable with third-party tracks from manufacturers such as Festool.

ProsCons
Everything you need in one boxLacks power compared to rival models
Sturdy aluminium body and trackNo dust dispersal method
Straightforward controls 

Best Plunge Saw — 2024 Comparison Table

ModelPowerTrack Supplied?Tool Storage?WeightDust Extraction?Rating
Evolution R185CCSX1,600WYesNo5.1kgYes8.5
Triton TTS14001,400WNoYes5.5kgYes8
Lumberjack PS1651,200WYesNo7kgNo6

Plunge Saw Buying Guide

parts of a plunge saw

We used the criteria below when reviewing the UK’s best plunge saws.

All Plunge saws work similarly, but their capabilities vary by product. For instance, asthmatics and people with allergies should look for a machine with a dust extraction port capable of connecting to a vacuum. Not only does this minimise irritants in the air, but it also ensures timber particles can’t obscure cut lines. Ideally, look for a dust extraction port that rotates through 360 degrees, reducing the risk of disconnection as you move the plunge saw around.

Other criteria to look for on the spec sheet include the machine’s wattage, which determines how powerfully it’ll slice through harder wood. You also want a blade of at least 165mm, ideally with tungsten carbide tips (TCT) for effective slicing. 

Speaking of slices, the tracks which plunge saws ride along tend to come in several pieces. The fewer parts you assemble before running a plunge saw down them, the better. And regarding cutting depth, anything over 50mm should be sufficient — our candidates range from 55mm to 65mm.


Tracks/Guide Rail

One of the key benefits of a plunge saw over a circular saw is the track it can travel along. Two of our shortlisted products come with tracks as standard, though Triton bucks the trend by making you purchase a track separately. Tracks tend to be manufacturer-specific, though Festool tracks can sometimes dovetail with other saw brands.

It’s also worth noting that manufacturers or retailers refer to plunge saws as track saws, but there’s no distinction between them. The Evolution plunge saw we reviewed above is described as a ‘circular saw and track’. Without those last two words, you’d look at an entirely different market. Still, the Evolution rides on a track, making it indistinguishable from a conventional plunge saw. 

If you were thinking about making do without a track, this ProTrade blog explains the benefits of investing in a guide rail for your plunge saw.


Corded vs Cordless

Although it’s possible to purchase cordless plunge saws, we recommend the peace of mind provided by mains-powered hardware. Mains power is still the dominant method of powering plunge saws, as even the lithium-ion batteries supplied with high-end cordless devices tend to have a limited running time.

It’s also worth noting that these machines are heavy objects, so you don’t want to add any extra bulk. A cordless plunge saw will tip the scales at five kilos without a battery.


Do I Need a Plunge Saw?

A plunge saw is a specialised device you may not need if you consider all options. If you’re unsure whether a plunge saw is suitable, our review of the 21 types of saws will help you decide.

Plunge saws are easy to get to grips with, so you won’t find complex user guides bundled with any of our shortlisted products. 

Two of our selections come with everything you need out of the box, including a track and a blade. If your plunge saw doesn’t come with a TCT blade as standard, it’s worth upgrading to one, ideally between 165 and 185mm in diameter. This YouTube video explains the importance of choosing the right blade and installing guide rails where necessary.


Final Thoughts

It’s easy to rule out the Lumberjack. While its 1,400mm track and out-of-the-box practicality make the PS165 a worthy purchase in its own right, it lacks desirable features found on the other products we’ve tested. For instance, it doesn’t have a dust extraction system, and its 7kg weight counts against it. And although it’s not the most expensive product we’ve tested, it’s hard to see what you’re paying for compared to our cheapest option.

Splitting the Triton and Evolution is more complicated. The Triton would perhaps be the purist’s choice — a conventional plunge saw with handy built-in storage and a convenient soft-start function. However, the Evolution R185CCSX is cheaper, cuts deeper, and includes a track. If you can forgive the missing side plate and its less comprehensive dust extraction system, its lightweight and significantly lower price tag represent compelling benefits. It’s our winner — but only just.