I’m looking for info/reviews on the “EZ Smart Guide”. I have found some past articles. Are there any threads or discussions that may have taken place on this forum?
Interested in any comments from some who may have used the system. Considering the cost of sheet goods this dollar layout may be worth it.
I am not in the trades, just a DIYer and hobbyist.
…The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain…
Be kind to your children….they will choose your nursing home.
…aim low boys, they’re ridin’ shetland ponies !!
Replies
Theere are some very detailed and intense discussions here. I have one, it was a bit pricey, but it is very accurate and easy to use. My problem is finding something to set the plywood on, but there are a couple of solutions for that too.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
you have no idea the can of worms you just opened ;)
LOL!
Just about anyone other than bum, and I'd swear this was a trolling thread!
J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements
It's been three hours and EZ employees haven't shown up, excuse me, I me Burts and DavidWood. Must be in a conference call with Dino.
I have one and have used it quite a bit. I just have the two 50" tracks, a 32" track, clamps, and a saw base. And the table kit. It was a very good value and works great.
I just ordered the Festool so I'll be able to give a head-to-head comparison soon.
I've used both. I own the EZ which is a great system, but I prefer the Festool saw to my PC circular saw. In fact, I've had the opportunity to use a lot of Festool equipment in the past couple of months and am really won over by them. Now, if I could only make enough to afford the Festool...
I've been reading the reviews, both on the FHB.com and some mags but I guess I didn't define (refine?) my search well enough to get a past thread. I was hoping for what you guys are doing now; getting the word from those that actually laid out cash, not just someone that has them handed over for a review. Thanks....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
What are you looking to do, what type of work?If your doing finish work, built in's, cabinets, etc. I would go with the festool TS 55. I've never used the EZ but to me the main negative is the saw that you use with it, whether you go with a bosch, PC, dewalt, etc. none will be as good as the festool TS55. The cuts that you get the the festool is much better than any of the traditional circs. Circ's are really geared toward framing. The other negative is the dust control vs. the festool with a vac. The festool gets about 95% dust control where you cannot come close to that with normal circs because of the design. These are not negatives of the EZ but the choice of it vs. festool. However good EZ may or may not be, it still has all the problems of the saw you use.If you don't have a circ now to use for the EZ, or want a dedicated saw for it, the price different between the two will not be much. On thing you need to consider is the depth of cut, from what I've heard, must want the 8 1/4 bosch with the EZ because the guide rails are thick and you don't get a good depth of cut with a 7 1/4" circ. I think the festool on the rails is 1 15/16"s depth of cut at 90 degrees. They have a larger set up if you need a deeper cut.
DDay
You guys had a Festool thread going the other day and not a single person came on it and dissed the Festool but you guys all made your usual comments about Dino, Burt and whoever else. Now someone inquires about the EZ and you same two or three guys jump in with your usual shid! Give it up already, we all know how you guys feel about Dino and his tool.
I have the EZ and I've built 4 sets of kitchen cabinets with it, smallest one was probably 20 boxes. I'd bet you that you cant show up here with your Festool and get a better product then I can with my EZ. Matter of fact if you can I'll pay all your expenses!
I think they both probably do just as good a job as the other, Festool is obviously head and shoulders ahead in the vacuum department, should be for $400(just for the vacuum). I'm sure that I could get the same results regarding the vacuum if I hooked up a $400 vacuum to my Hilti saw but I just haven't needed to yet.
I've seen the results of the cuts from a Festool saw and those from my two Hilti saws and there is not even the slightest bit of a difference.
Doug
Edited 11/10/2007 7:46 am ET by DougU
Your a good poster here, I think you offer fair opinions and advice but you shouldn't defend those other two you mentioned, its a waste of your time.I've never used the EZ but 90% of the posts here and elsewhere by people who use both say the festool is the better system. Almost all say that the EZ is a very good tool. Unless EZ comes out with their own saw and builds the line out from there, they are dependent on other peoples equipment that just cannot match up. There are two poster in this thread that have or have had the EZ and went to festool, they did that for a reason. I've seen other posts in the past where people have gone over to festool but have never seen someone go from festool to the EZ.The EZ works for you, and good luck to you but everyone that has both says the festool is better. I didn't say that, so your problem is with others.With regards to Burts, take a look at his posting history on this site. Well over half of his posts are sales pitches for the EZ, and its probably closer to 80%. Some of the posts are threads he starts to promote some new EZ product. He is a shill for EZ, no question about it. As for Dino, he may be offer good sales support and be nice to deal with as a customer but there is not one person on any of these boards that has ticked off so many people. He's basically banned from JLC, they cannot stand his sales tactics over there and ditto on some other boards. He is an A$$.
It would seem needed for you to take a closer look at your aggressive attitude in coming on here with accusing and derogatory name calling of individuals and to what aim?
In that respect I'll join the foray and say yer ugly.
I virtually never chime in on these threads anymore because frankly I got bored with all the repetitious name calling and vague claims along the lines of those made by "Msr.D" earlier...
But, to the claim that he's never known anyone switching from F to E, I've read many such accounts. I also know Dino quite well, and have met Burt and I can assure you that Burt, while he may be... evangelical...about EZSmart he is not an employee. Period... Anyone that claims he is is simply misinformed, or a deliberate liar.
Now, I have a few EZSmart setups, in fact I think I was the one that originally introduced Dino to BT. I bought mine because after using the Festool, and carefully comparing the two I came to the conclusion that the many advantages of E outweighed the only advantage of F, that is to say the dust extraction.
I am obviously not alone in my opinion. In fact the owner and chief moderator of a very large woodworking forum got so tired of this nonstop debate that he staged his own head to head comparison and he rated EZSmart better. This was in spite of the rather considerable support he received from a distributor of F in the operation of his forum.
Listen, beach, the saw quality issue is a red herring. I've made cuts with my PC using the EZSmart with edges like glass, zero chipping, and so thin you can see through them. If you need more cutting depth, then there are alternatives. If you need great dust control, maybeeeeee just maybe you need to get a Festool saw and mount it on a EZSmart guide (which can be done btw)
Anyway... don't get mislead by some of the insinuations and character assasination that always seems to accompany these debates. Make you own decision based on your needs. If you're still unsure, EZSmart offers (IIRC) a 30 day return guarantee... I don'tttttttttttttttttt think (I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong) that Brand F does.PaulB
Thanks a huge to all you guys !!!
This thread alone is worth the price of admission for the year, in my book, anyway. I really appreciate all the input and look forward to putting all this info to use. I will be checking out the other sites and references tonight.
As to the rest........(big shoulder shrug here and a sheepish smile....I didn't mean to start anything. Honest!!)
bum...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Your corrected.http://www.festoolusa.com/guarantee.aspx
I think you mean "you're" so we're even I guess ;)
I had no doubt someone would do the research on that one...PaulB
Why does this always turn into a #### throwing competition?
Who's kids are starving because there is more than one system on the market? All right then, relax for crying out loud.
I don't own either so I read these to get informed when I do buy one, but everytime I open the threads it already has turned into a competition.
Then I have to filter through all of the teenage verbal trash to get bits and pieces of good information that might help my choice.
So either add something helpful for the OP and the rest of us or move on. The tavern is for trash talking.
Oh, one more thing Coke and Pepsi are the same.
Matt- Woods favorite carpenter.
yer right.
I am just as guilty as anyone on this board of hijacking threads, or off topic replys if not more than the next guy. I hijack my own threads. Mine only last around 10 replys before we start talking about something else.
But for the benefit of everyone this has been played out on the saw guide topic. Now it has degraded to verbal punchs, time for everyone to relax a little.
I like the pros and cons everyone talks about, I don't want another couple hundred dollar tool that I can't stand. I have enough of those. As I am sure alot of others do as well.
Matt- Woods favorite carpenter.
You want to buy my Bammer? :o)
Since we've never met, why make such a pointless comment. With said comment, I can confidently say that you lack intelligence.I've had a few dealing with Dino and he is an A$$. Go search Katz's forum on JLC and let Dino's word illustrate it better than I.
I'm looking at this because I have a small kitchen and bath to do for cabinetry in a small guest apartment we have in conjunction with a new garage and work shop. (with their related storage requirements)
Probably 10 to 12 boxes to start. If the DW approves my attempts then maybe a new kitchen in the main house.
The saws I have are PC. Both the 324Mag & its' brother the 423. I understand it will be the R/H version to be used with the EZ Smart.
I like what I've seen of the Festools but cannot justify their purchase at this stage with all I currently have.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Edited 11/9/2007 11:24 pm by oldbeachbum
I got the EZ a couple of years ago as I was in the same situation you are. I have no opinion in the controversy between Festool and EZ. The EZ has worked well for me allowing me to cut sheet goods accurately and safely by myself. I couldn't do this with the table saw. I both these system are great for the DIYers of the world and it depends on your budget. This thread has staid civilized unlike some.If I'd known it was harmless I'd have killed it myself.
I understand. But before you purchase either, figure out all the things you'll need in each system and see what the total prices are. Woodcraft is the best national place to see the festool stuff, they'll let you demo any of the products. The system is a little pricey but well worth it. So of their other tools, routers and jig saw, are not worth the premium but the TS is easily worth it. In the future, I may get a sander or two from them and maybe the domino but that would probably be it. It is a great system but some of the components of that system are over priced. You cannot duplicate the TS and guide (although, as noted Makita has one coming out, I think its only available overseas right now) but you can get equal results with a bosch jig saw and save $130.
laid out the cash for the EZ and it was well worth it. The Festool is about 350.00 for the saw and track and I'm seriously tempted. Haven't gotten my hands on any free tools for review, even when I worked at FHB.
I have the EZ, it is a great tool system. I am not in the employ of EZ (neither is Burt by the way in spite of some snippy snipers (:-)). That all said it has been an evolving program of improvements. It is not as polished as Festool but neither is it stagnant. You will not beat the customer service.
I bought the repeaters, router attachment and square. They improved the design and I sent them back and they sent me the new stuff at no charge including shipping to me ( I paid to them).
I takes a little more thinking to do some of the tasks but in my opinion there are more of them possible than most other guide systems I have seen.
Just my unpaid opinion.
There are a lot of reviews, even FHB, Tools of the Trade, and others. Most are pretty complimentary. Sawmill Creek has a manufacturer's Forum, but be forewarned it is inhabited by system believers. They are honest in my opinion but a little more skewed toward that product. Like going to the Chevy forum and expecting some Ford sympathy.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/forumdisplay.php?f=26
Like the inventor, most of the folks there are pretty passionate about it. The Festool folks are pretty much the same in my opinion. Do not think anyone should dis the other product or cram their choice down anyone's throat either.
Bob
Edited 11/9/2007 8:20 pm ET by rasconc
Edited 11/9/2007 8:21 pm ET by rasconc
I have the EZ Smart guide (two 50" tracks), the square, the table system (which is great), and the carrying case. It's a good system. I like it.
I use it for cutting sheet goods, tapers, cabinet fillers, and jamb extensions.
Search on YouTube and you'll find videos but I don't think they do a good job of 'xplaining the tools.
Billy
I owned the Ez system for about a year and used it a ton - very nice to use and much better than the clamp and guide type systems that I used previously.I just recently picked up the Festool TS-55 system as part of a huge Festool Craigslist ad lot and so I've had a lot of experience with both systems.As stated above, the main problem with the EZ system is that it is not a SYSTEM. It is a set of guide rails and accessories. They work great, but the saw is the handicap. (In my case I was using the Milwaukee tilt-loc. -- great saw, love it, but no match to the Festool)The Festool system is just that - everything works together, and flawlessly at that.EZ says the best saw for their system is the Hilti 267. Problem is, it's a $300 saw, that plus the rails and you might as well buy into the Festool setup.If you use any of the Festool stuff, it just makes you appreciate how wonderful it is to use excellant tools, and you figure out shortly how cost efficient the high prices are. What's your happiness worth afterall?I just sold my Ez system with a ton of extras and the saw for $220 - too low of a price, but I wanted it out of here. Had I not found the deal on all the Festool stuff, I would have happily used it for many years, but I like the Festool better.Final grades: EZ rail system 8 out of ten, Festool saw system 10 out of 10.But wait! Do a google search - Makita has introduces a slick-a%$ plunge saw with rails that look identical to the Festool system - before I bought anything these days, I'd fully check into that.Good luck,Julian
I'm a DIY and a tradesman, I use both the Festool and EZ.
The EZ goes to the jobsite for basic trim outs to cut Xjambs, trim doors, etc. when not worried so much about dust control. I like the repeater and easier setups for rips on "skinny" material and leaving the table saw at the shop. I like using an everyday saw and the price points allow less concern about "abuse".
IMO, the EZ offers a better clamping system, bi-directional cutting on the rail, the repeater, more choices for the saw and more convenience if one prefers not to use a proprietary system.
I purchased a PC 325 to go with the EZ. The initial EZ setup, while not particularly complicated, still needs to be done. I figure the cost of the saw, the EZ rails, plus the time and aggravation spent installing the EZ base and modifying the PC case to accept the saw with attached base, brought me perilously close to the cost of my Festool T55.
As mentioned in another post, Festool is a system. You buy it and go to work.
The Festool goes to jobsite for major trimouts, kitchen installs and for fabrications that are more convenient to do on-site. It also goes to smaller jobs when dust is a concern. Primarily though, it does it's work in the shop to augment the table saw for fabrications.
The Festool saw is designed to use the same cut line at any bevel, dust control is superior and you get the plunge cut capability with riving.
If one invests in a "dust extractor" then you know that all Festool gear with dust control will be compatible. The big "BUT" with Festool is it's proprietary nature, one cannot just go down to the local big box store and pick up a blade or dust bag and the consumables are not bargains either. The T55 saw does not lend itself well to free hand cuts, the sight lines just aren't there.
The Festool is functionally more intuitive right out of the box but the plunge action of the saw can take a little getting used to, particularly when stretching across a four foot cross cut..... there is a tendency to ease up on the downward pressure and allow the saw to retract. The benefits of plunge are pretty straight forward particularly the blade retraction at the end of a cut.
If one already has a decent saw, has a handle on blade quality, has no problem with tool setup, likes convenience and has some budget concerns, then go with the EZ.
If one likes the features of the Festool and is ready to commit to this type of system then go for it... you'll not be disappointed. The quality of Festool is high and so are the prices.
All in all, a rip guide is just a rip guide and it's use is still dependant on the abilities of the craftsman.
Excellent results can be had with either system.
Well said.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Good heavens, a fair and balanced review, with pros and cons on both sides. Thanks for your perspective; it's nice to hear someone lay it out honestly for a change.
Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight it's like he's stuck between stations.
I have the EZ Smart system, and aside from hating the name, it's an okay tool.I woudn't buy all that repeater and square stuff again. The "self aligning" rails don't. No matter how hard I tried, the rails (two 50" sections) would always have a 1/16" or better (worse?) curve in them. If you try to tighten them up more, then you dent the aluminum with the hex screws.With that said, there are some things that the guide can do that a tablesaw can't, at least not safely.Just my two cents, and I don't mean to stir anything up!T.N.P.S. If anyone has a tip or two on how to keep those 50" rails straight, I'm listening. :)
Edited 11/11/2007 10:08 am ET by True North
Here's a tip - I had all kinds of problems with my rails too, until I realized those suckers were not cut square at the ends!Must of got Dino's cast offs!Happen to have a 12" aluminum cutting blade (although you could probably use any blade), so I cut each end of each rail an 1/8" off to ensure both rails were perfectly square on the ends - after that, much better accuracy.Must be why they call it EZ, as it's EZ for you to fix them yourself.Good luck,Julian
You know, it never even crossed my mind to check the ends for square?I'll have to do that. Thanks for the tip!
Watch the videos and call eurekazone.
square
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N0xTZc_vqEE
repeaters
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yr_ISfGdlIw
connectors
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ecTykYhRu8c
david
I'm still on dial-up, so the movies are out, but I might give Eurekazone a call. I probably shouldn't have even mentioned the rails without calling them first. I would hate it if customers would do that to/about ME without giving me a fair chance to fix the problem.Thanks, T.N.
Try this link.
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=67138&highlight=connectors
david
The best place for ez info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrrjLYn-6WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiJJQp1EPKI
david
Edited 11/10/2007 1:06 pm ET by davidwood
Edited 11/10/2007 1:10 pm ET by davidwood