I’m giving some serious thought to buying the EZ Smart system.
I only have a Skil Mag 77 and normally wouldn’t consider buying a circular saw, but I think this guide system would fit the bill for a couple of activities.
If you were to buy a saw dedicated to the EZ Smart, would you get an 8 1/4? What brand?
I know this saw subject has been around and around, so thanks for humoring me.
Should a guy even consider an EZ Smart before purchasing a table saw?
Replies
Hey Blue...
I have 2 EZ setups, and I'd suggest you buy a RH saw. I originally bought a cheap Ryobi just to try out the system, and it worked great, although I've since switched to PC 324 and 325s. I have the Skil 77 Mag as well, great saw and I love it, but it wouldn't be my first choice on the EZ. And as to the TS question, I use my Unisaw maybe 10% as much as I used to since I got the EZ.
PaulB
Do you think there would be an advantage to buying an 8 1/4" saw so I can cut 2x stock with it?Or are the available 8 1/4" saws not as nice?It seems most guys really like the PCs.
I'm also thinking about getting an EZ Smart system. It's my understanding that a 7 1/4" saw will handle 2X material, and the only reason to get an 8 1/4 is if you want to use it for thicker materials -- like doors. If I'm wrong about this, I'm sure Dino will be along shortly to straighten things out.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Hi Nikki.
Today is Breaktime.
Here is the answer with pictures.
http://www.eurekazone.com/images/gallery/multiplecutlayouttable.html
Nobody likes my Fiat.
YCF Dino
So, I saw the pics, but am I right?********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
If you roll the mouse over the pics, text pops up that answers your question. I had the same question so I was interested in the answer.
Basically, Dino is saying you can use a 7 1/4" saw if you just use the ezguide as a straightedge. Sounds like for full functionality, especially for doors which is a major thing I would like it for, you should invest in an 8 1/4" saw.
Mike
Thanks. When I rolled my mouse over the pics, no text showed up on my machine.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
> When I rolled my mouse over the pics, no text showed up on my machine
On mine the text showed up for a couple seconds, but disappeared before I could read it. Rolling back and forth didn't get it back again.
-- J.S.
nikki,
For few times that you may need to cut thru 2x materials and thick doors with the Ez you can use the ez as an edge guide. You stil have antichip protection on both sides of the blade with the flat antichip insert. (AC-1))In this case you need to take your offset measurement. The min. (narrowest materials) that you can cut is 3" with the smart clamps in place. (Your cut will go from right to left.)
Or you can just flip the door and cut the other side.
For few cuts a month or a year the 7-1/4" saw is better than the 8-1/4" for many reasons. $$$ Blade selection and availability. Less weight. and better selection of circular saws. The PC MAG 325 it the one that gives you the most benefits including dust port and electric brake.
The same saw can be used without the guide rail and you can do your regular framing jobs and cut thru 2x wood.
The new Hilti 267 for $300.00 is a nice saw but not the best to be used without the guide rails.
If I was trimming exterior doors every other day the Bosch 8-1/4" performs better on and off the EZ.
And don't forget the Festool. I demo the ATF on the ez with the repeater at the fest and the plunge action makes it EZ to use. And is on sale this days.
YCF Dino
dino, how'd I do on the bad, worst, terrible, rotten, lousy, horrible, crappy, worst I've ever seen, unsafe, plague, black death, etc cut list? Realize I didn't conjure up 10, but was interested in how they stack up to the others you rcvd?
And thanks to you for making that hellacious trip for a couple hours of EZ Demo'ing. Several people came up to me and mentioned how Tax Deductibly delicious the demo's were. Gave an educational punch to the whole thing.
Thanks.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Hi Calvin.
Thanks for everything my friend.
I tell you about the list in few. Time for the d-nuts now.
I love this commercial.
See you guys later.
YCF Dino
Edited 8/17/2005 9:44 am ET by dinothecarpenter
nikki.... i have a 7 1/4 PC setup & an 8 1/4 Bosch...
the Bosch will cut 1 3/4 doors just fine... most of the time we use our 7 1/4
if I didn't own a saw, and I could see us doing a lot of door work, or even 2x work, i'd think seriously of buying the big Festool saw..
but for 7 1/4 work I really like my PC...
here's our Bosch 8 1/4 ripping a bevel in a pair of exterior french doors
View Image
and a pic of Scott cutting the sunburst design with a 7 1/4
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 8/17/2005 9:28 am ET by MikeSmith
The answers to my questions seem elusive, so let me pose them here point blank, along with a few others:***Can I use The EZ Smart system with a 7 1/4†saw to cut 2X materials? Or, in order to cut all the way through the 2X, do I have to remove the saw from the EZ base, and use the track as an edge guide?(I understand that to cut 1 3/4" doors with the base and guide system, I would have to use an 8 1/4†saw – so that is not my question).1) You say that the narrowest stock one can rip with the EZ Guide is 3" -- using the smart clamps. Is there any way I can get an accurate rip on even narrower stock (say a 1 X 2) without using the clamps?I can't imagine how, but I thought I would ask anyway.2) If the PC mag 325 is the 7 1/4†saw of choice for the EZ system, which blade seems to produce the best, splinter free cuts for the following: A. hardwood plywood, B. construction lumber, and C. hardwood lumber?3) When is the left blade version of EZ going to be available? I remember you said some time back that it was either being considered or on the drawing board.I have 5 circular saws, but only one of them has the blade right. It is an ancient Rockwell, and I suppose it would work ok, but I would imagine I would have to plan on getting still another CS if you don’t have any plans for producing a guide system for left-blade saws.Thanks Dino.I hope others will offer their thoughts -- especially Mike Smith, since his good experience with EZ is one of the main reasons I am reaching for my billfold. ********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
nikki... my favorite saw is a left-blade PC... but my EZ set up is with the right blade...
since the saw becomes more or less dedicated to the EZ system .. it doesn't seem to bother me...
i use my regular saw for everything else and the dedicated one to the EZ workMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks for info.Is that Boxch 8 1/4" especially useful for anything else except for cutting thicker stock with the EZ?********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Welcome.
All this typing and you only thank Mike?
Time for the d-nuts
Sorry Dino -- oversight on my part. I think you are amazingly helpful and responsive on all questions regarding EZ -- including mine.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Don't worry Nikkiwood. when you receive 1/2 of your order it will be
-- oversight on my part.
Good luck with your decision. And like Mike said.
Don't forget the Big Festool saw.
YCF dino
Edited 8/18/2005 5:32 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Nikki.
Here is the latest from the E-Zone.
some pictures are upside-down.
http://eurekazone.com/images/dino/2005-08-20/smart repeater002.JPG
http://eurekazone.com/images/dino/2005-08-20/smart repeater003.JPG
http://eurekazone.com/images/dino/2005-08-20/smart repeater005.JPG
http://eurekazone.com/images/dino/2005-08-20/smart repeater007.JPG
No more measurements.
No more clamping and re-clamping.
Min, Clamping capacity 1/4"
Self squaring rails. etc.
I told you the Ez is elusive and not me.
Thanks.
YCF dino
Edited 8/21/2005 8:55 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Edited 8/21/2005 9:34 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Cool. When, & how much?
Thanks that we have enough smart people around so we can stay in business and make more EZ Stuff.
Sept 1st. No idea as to how much yet.
We try to keep it under $150.00 for a complete set.
YCF Dino
Nikki.
The EZ is elusive. Let me try.
***Can I use The EZ Smart system with a 7 1/4†saw to cut 2X materials? Or, in order to cut all the way through the 2X, do I have to remove the saw from the EZ base, and use the track as an edge guide?
View Image
View Image
In order to cut 2x materials you have to remove the white antichip edge and use the AC-1 (antichip insert) ( the green insert). on the smart base) No need to remove the smart base.
1) You say that the narrowest stock one can rip with the EZ Guide is 3" -- using the smart clamps. Is there any way I can get an accurate rip on even narrower stock (say a 1 X 2) without using the clamps?
The narrowest stock on the above case only (using the Ez as an edge guide) is 3".
The narrowest stock using the ez the normal way is 2" and you can rotate the regular smart clamps to clamp 3/4" narrow stock.
or you can get the smart clamping system upgrade and turn your regular clamps into a smart clamping system with the narrowest capacity of 1/4". Not only you can cut the narrowest piece but your cut will be perfect square.
Smart clamping system upgrade smart clamping system
2) If the PC mag 325 is the 7 1/4†saw of choice for the EZ system, which blade seems to produce the best, splinter free cuts for the following: A. hardwood plywood, B. construction lumber, and C. hardwood lumber?
I like the Freud and the marathon blades. But all blades above $10.00 should give you a nice cut. The antichip protection on the Ez works.
3) When is the left blade version of EZ going to be available? I remember you said some time back that it was either being considered or on the drawing board.
After the last prototypes and the feedback that we got from our test users we stop the project until we make it safe. The problem is on the bevel cuts. You need to stabilize the saw with your left hand and we don't like the idea. We're working on a new design but it will take some time. And we need even more time for testing.
I have 5 circular saws, but only one of them has the blade right. It is an ancient Rockwell, and I suppose it would work ok, but I would imagine I would have to plan on getting still another CS if you don’t have any plans for producing a guide system for left-blade saws.
The guide system is designed for left and right bladed saws. But the right bladed saws work much better. Your left hand is free to handle the guide and the accessories and you don't need to allow for the sawblade. And 10 other reasons.
I hope others will offer their thoughts -- especially Mike Smith, since his good experience with EZ is one of the main reasons I am reaching for my billfold.
Mike saw the demo at the Fest. I'm sure he can help us both.
Thanks Nikki.
I have no idea how the whole thing become a link
HELP
YCF Dino
Edited 8/17/2005 10:59 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Edited 8/17/2005 11:02 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Edited 8/17/2005 11:04 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Dino, what ever happened to the left blade smartbase project? I have my DW364 on my smartbase and left a little flash when ripping a 2x6 today. I have a Makita hypoid that I would like to use EZ. I do not do enough work to justify an 8 1/4 saw. (according to wife I can't justify most of my tools anyway)
Seems like you found a slightly larger blade that would fit a 7 1/4 saw and do the job.
I use an old Milwaukee 8 1/4 CS with the EZ Smart System. It works great for doors, etc. However, I also have an old Makita 7 1/4 CS with a smart base which I use most of the time.
In the EZ Smart System, the saw doesn't really matter so much. Just get the base lined up correctly, put a decent blade on the saw (but it does not have to be the most expensive blade), and you will get great cuts.
Elliott
Thanks.I ended up ordering a PC 7 1/4 last night...I think I made the right decision, but it would be nice having a saw that bevels 60* and will cut a 2x with the EZ smart base.Oh well, having too many saws never hurt anyone.