Did anyone notice the ad in FHB for the Dewalt Track Saw — competition to Festool and EZ Smart. I see it uses flat edge strips like EZ Smart should have used. There’s not much on their U.S. website but this is from their UK site. Cool video in the first link:
http://www.dewalt.co.uk/ontrack/UK/index.html
Corded and cordless plunge saws, dust collection, riving knife, and speed adjustment. Pretty interesting.
Billy
Edited 9/23/2008 11:31 pm ET by Billy
Replies
A few other links:
http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=fw-editorsblog&entry=294
http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?p=5200278
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/548729
http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/DCForumID5/6936.html
Billy
Billy
I watched those videos of the DeWalt. I see the alum track looks sorta wimpy? Not sure since I cant see it up close and in person but I do wonder about the one connecting rod in the center, as you know EZ has three, don't recall what Festools has. Maybe the one does enough?
I like the look of the saw, that plunge saw looks like it can cut a door off without having to make two cuts.
I cant see it being used up on a roof but then again I cant see any of them up on a roof!
The one thing that has always bothered me about the EZ and I know you've mentioned it before and in your first post on this thread, the flat strips. I do like that. I see that as the weak link in the EZ. I wish I could modify my system to something like that, seams so much more accurate. I can keep mine pretty accurate but as soon as someone at work uses mine they clamp the thing down to much and cut off just a tad bit more of the white strip then I'd like and I'm back to "allowing a bit" on the line. I'd rather not do that.
BTW, not only is DeWalt coming out with a track saw but so is Makita.
Read about it on JLC
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39242
or, http://www.makita.co.jp/global/product/category/sawing/sp6000/sp6000.html
Doug
Edited 9/24/2008 6:56 am ET by DougU
Hey Doug,
It's pretty neat that a bunch of companies are jumping on the track saw bandwagon. I hope Dino got some good patents on his inventions, or at least the ones he invented.
I thought the Dewalt track looked wimpy too, but somewhere I think I read that it is more rigid than the Festool track. I guess if the end cuts on the track are truly square, the connector bolt only has to pull the two tracks together to get a straight long track. But I agree it doesn't look as solid as the EZ, and the ends could get dinged and thow off the straight connection.
I wish Dino would come out with a plastic extrusion that has a flat bottom instead of the angled edge. I wonder if you could remove Dino's edge and put the Dewalt flat plastic edge on the bottom of the EZ? I'll have to look and see if there is room and a flat place to stick the strip.
Billy
I wish Dino would come out with a plastic extrusion that has a flat bottom instead of the angled edge.
There has to be an answer to that problem somewhere!
Still looking
Doug
Doug,
The "problem" with the ez edges is solved with the new "gray" edges.
The entire ez product line was redesigned and eurekazone is offering free upgrades on the Router kit, Square, Cabinetmaker, Repeaters.
Have you seen the Ez Powerbench and the B-300?
It was featured on American woodworker.
david.
Edited 9/24/2008 10:48 pm ET by davidwood
Edited 9/24/2008 10:50 pm ET by davidwood
David
ON American Woodworker? The mag or some show?
I'll have to call Dino and get some new strips. I'm pretty happy with my EZ I just think the cutting strips are the weak link in the whole system, if there is an improved version I'm really happy.
What improvements to the square were done? I like the square, cant see where improvements were necessary. I don't use the router sled all that much - works fine though?
Thanks
Doug
Doug,
The Woodworking magazine. Latest issue, Oct.
If you're happy with your square and you don't have any "problems" there is no reason to get the new one.
The new edges are "gray'' and flatter now. The antichip protection is the same.
The non skid flat edges are good for some applications and bad for others.
If you need the non skid type edges, you can use your old edges and apply the non skid tape from eurekazone.
Thanks
david
The Woodworking magazine. Latest issue, Oct.
Hell, I get that damn thing! I guess I need to pick it up and read it. :)
If you need the non skid type edges, you can use your old edges and apply the non skid tape from eurekazone.
Does that mean that you cant use the nonskid tape on the new edges? Just wondering. The only thing I use the nonskid on now is one single track that I keep solely for the purpose of not using clamps. Probably wont matter to me on the non skid deal then.
The new edges are "gray'' and flatter now. The antichip protection is the same.
That should do the trick then, I was always trying to figure out a way to make my strips flat, thought about gluing another piece of plastic to the bottom so that they didn't flex so much. I'll take Dinos's ph # to work with me tomorrow so that I can order some, seams like the only time I remember that I need them is on the weekend.
Thanks David
Doug
I think you will be even happier with the new square, easier to adjust, and stay adjusted. He changed the atachment and uses four of the t-handle screws. They are a bit big though. I think I will shorten the bolt on them so they do not hang down so far.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Bob
I wonder if I have a newer version that then one you had. I only have two screws holding the square on but I haven't experienced any problem with it. I'll have to see the new one and see what makes it different.
Thanks
Doug
I had one of the very first ones. Seems like it had two screws, can not remember for sure. The new one has the two wing/t-screws shown in this pic plus two short ones into the sliders with washers.
http://www.eurekazone.com/images/products/detail/fs1partsbig.jpgFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Ok, mine looks exactly like that except for the screws. I have some knurled ends on mine. I can tighten them up pretty good with just my fingers. I suppose they could come loose if given enough time but I change the thing fairly often so it doesn't get the opportunity to work free.
Thanks for the pic, helped a lot.
Doug
Glad to be of help.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Better in video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuMzBoCUKRY&NR=1
david.
Doug,An interesting discussion on the Dewalt and Makita setups going on here: http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/non-festool-power-tools/928-makita-dewalt-plunge-saws.htmlParticularly interesting given that one of the guys has been pulling the saws apart to see what makes them tick.Best,
Steve'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Thanks, have to go take a read and see whats going on.
Doug
HOLY COW, there is a lot of info over there, not just on the Makita and DeWalt tracks saw's either!
Man some of those guys are damn serious about there Festool tools.
I feel like I dont care enough about my tools after having been over there.
Doug
LOL, yeah, that's probably true. But there is some great info to be found over there as you discovered.Don't know if you saw any of Eiji's work there. I suspect from what I've seen of your talent here, that you'd have a mutual interest in spectacular carpentry.Here's a stair he's working on
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/projects/504-floating-stair.htmlNeat dovetail, eh?'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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My old Festool has only one connecting bar. OK, but not great. The new ones have two. Much better.I saw an ad (in FHB?) for a similar Mafell rig. They make pretty good tools for timber framers...AitchKay
Steve
That is cool!
I didn't see any post about peoples work, just read about the tools. I'll have to go back over there and spend some more time - like I have extra on that.
Funny you link me to a guy building a set of steps. Today I finally finished drawing(manually) my set of curved stairs for my house, Wanna/gotta start on them this winter. I'm trying to set up a blog but I'm slow getting going. The weather needs to turn bad in order for me to stay inside and do some of this stuff.
Coincidentally last night while reading there was a guy having a small argument with Joe Fusco, it was Eiji! God I miss Joe's sarcasm over here.
Doug
Billy,
Competition to Festool, Makita and the basic ez smart sytem.
The complete ez system is way ahead of the "track/plunge" saws.
With the new EZ Power bench you don't need many stationary tools.
Do you think they're ready or willing to follow EZ all the way?
david.
Hi David,
Dino has his heart and head in it and he's a leader in the saw guide and system area.
Competition and customer choice is good -- it's the American way.
The specifically designed track saws from other companies are neat but $$$.
Some people don't want or care about the entire system. They just want a track saw and guide and a couple of accessories, and they already have other tools that work well for them. That's fine. Other's want the entire EZ system. That's fine too.
It's good to hear that Dino finally addressed the basic edge guide problem and that he now offers an improved edge for the track. IMHO he should have done that first before moving into all the other areas of EZ system design, but it's natural for an inventor to want to keep inventing. You can't hold him back and I'm sure Dino will continue to come out with innovative products!
Billy