Anyone own a EZ smart?

[lcm1947]

I was looking around tonight and stumbled across this EZ smart system for the first time. It sure seems neat. Anybody have one and if so is it as neat as it sounds. Hartville has them on sale right now for $159.00 from it's regular $189.00. I'd love to know if it's as good as they make it sound. On one of the others forums several of the guys just went on and on about how neat it is.

[SARGE..g-47]

Morning Mac..

I do not own it and been following the conversation on the other site (quite riduculous at times if it's the one I'm thinking of as X vs Y as it turned into a battle royal with barbed wire around the ring as in WWF). I have seen both the systems demo'ed at IWF show in Atlanta and both are very good with the EZ getting the call from me as both versatile (use any existing tool almost) and price consideration.

So.. if I cut a lot of sheets, I would personally buy the EZ. But.. after the debate that raged over there, I was thinking that a "steak knife with a piece of angle aluminum clamped to the table might be a more relaxing approach" and that's a fact. ha.. ha....

Regards...

[eweu]

I have the 100" package. I like it a lot. It's a tad pricey for what it is, but there certainly some great design features on it that one can use to reasonably justify the cost, especially if you cut a lot of sheet goods.

The 100" capacity is gained by neatly joining two 50" guides together. On the underside of the guides are two channels that two aluminum runners sit in. These lock the ends of two guides together giving one continuous guide.

The top of the guide has two raised "tracks" for the saw plate to ride on. One track is for a 90 degree cut, the other is for beveled cuts (it moves the saw slightly to the right to allow clearance for the saw to bevel.

Since it's made from aluminum, the guides are very lightweight yet strong. I keep them on top of an 8' shelf in my garage so they're never in the way.

The saw plate is plastic. You must drill through the plate and the base of your saw to attach it. However, the plate has pre-marked spots to counter-sink the screws so it makes this task relatively simply. The plate accepts a couple zero-clearance inserts (included with the package) that helps reduce splintering and tear-out.

As far as performance goes, I'm very impressed. The clamping system on the underside of the guides is quite clever. I used this system to cut down the top of my workbench which was about 2-1/2" thick. That's about the whole capacity. Cuts are smooth and straight. I've never had any tear-out. And because the saw rides along a track, there's very little effort needed to keep the saw positioned. Simply push.

I recommend it. It's not jump-up-and-down better than a saw board you could make yourself, but the clever features in it make it a nice tool to own. I'm happy I put down the cash for it every time I use it.

[LinuxRandal]

I own one, no two. I bought it in 2004 and quite honestly use it more then the tablesaw. But in part I think that is still due to all the house type projects I am doing. There are a lot of things you can do and make yourself, but the cost of time, material, and the portabilty had to be my factors. (how portable is a sawboard sometimes, second vehicle a Festiva)

I may soon be getting another set of rails, and giving my dad one of mine and my old saw (I am a lefty, he's a righty, this was purchased LONG before I heard anything about that. early 2004). This time I will be getting a different split: 32, 64. It is still in it's early stages, and I have some very early items, but I have been extremely happy with Dino and the tools. As for the discussion/arguments over at sawmillcreek, I am not a veteren of the Festool/Eurekazone wars, but both systems are similar, with some differences, and big price differences. It really is no different then the people who laugh at the BT3100. Any particular questions, because I am rambling?

[PALefty]

I own one and have been happy with it. I have not used all the bells and whistles of it yet but it has worked out well for the things I have done. My one recommendation would be to get a saw that can cut a 2x (in one pass) while on the rails. My saw cannot do this.. and this has been an annoyance to me. Depending on what you are looking for, there are a few right-blade saws that can be tweaked to do this.. but no left-blade ones that I am aware of. If you are only cutting sheet goods, then it may be a non-issue for you. I like the fact that the system is always improving as many people contribute their ideas and the inventor/manufacturer is always willing to try new things. I also find the ez-table to be a useful part of the overall system.

[lcm1947]

Hmmm, not that much better then a saw board? That makes me hestiate a bit. I assume it's as accurate as one though? I do a lot of sheet goods and that's really the only reason I'm even considering it but it does appear to be more time consuming maybe.

[niki]

Hi Mac

If you really work with many sheet goods look at this
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=6178
Just roll down till you see this:

(A) Circular Saw w/ Rail Model TS 55 EQ #561174
Price: $430.00 Quantity:

Payments as low as $13/mo.
Select Bill Me Later® at checkout.
Click here for restrictions & details

It costs more but you are getting also "Mercedes" (made in Germany) plunge circular saw.

Personally, I would make my own guide from "floor panels" or plywood, spread a few plates of Styrofoam on the floor and cut, (unless you are going pro).

niki

[Jeffrey Schronce]

For woodworking I personally would stick with a clamping straight edge as sold by Rockler. 50" version is on sale for $30. I use this and either a jig saw or circular saw to rip sheet goods down, then make final cuts with the tablesaw. If you have a larger tablesaw with outfeed table, etc you can cut sheet goods rather acurately on the tablesaw.

[lcm1947]

Yeah that Festool is something. I just happened to be in Woodcrafters today and looked at it but boy the price of that thing! but yeah it would be sweet to have. Not in my life time I'm afraid. Jeffrey I do have 3 saw boards one 24", 36" and 48" and they work fine but the EZ Smart sure looked like it might be more versatile and certainly easier to use but that's mostly due to the table top plan it uses. Probably if I made myself another table similar to it the saw boards wouldn't be such a pain but with it being 48"x 24" when cutting something say like a 20"x20' plywood it's difficult to place clamps to hold the saw boards and plywood down.