I just got the Eurekazone ez guide package system (“freedom package” I think) and I was wondering if there are any tips or hints for assembling the table (or anything else for that matter)?
I’m mainly going to be using it with sheet goods for bookcase type things to start.
Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential.
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Replies
It's worth the experience to give dino a call at EZ. He invented it and knows everything to help you out.
732-259-9984
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Dino's a great guy, and extraordinarily knowledgable about many construction topics aside from his "baby". The website also has a lot of good tips and demos IIRC. (http://www.eurekazone.com if you don't have it)
PaulB
Hi Guys.
Calv. I lost your IM about QT.
Here is the D-SmarTable.
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/smart-routing-and-cutting-table
The title of this album is: make the best out of your smart table.
Ok. Time for lessons here. Make the best out...or make the best of your smart table?
Rez. hit yourself.
YCF Dino
Edited 10/10/2005 8:42 pm ET by dinothecarpenter
Here is the D-SmarTable.
Dino - I have some of your system and it works great. But I went to your link and it is hard to tell what is going on. Are there captions for the pictures?You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Hi Marv.
At the bottom of each picture. I think.
YCF Dino
one thing I can tell you about table set up - is to use the full width of the one by they reccommend - 1x4 if I recall. When I put mine together I saw no need to have that tall of sacrificial cutting boards. So I used much shorter boards.
First time I tried to cut short stock, I found out why they reccommended the wider boards - the clamps hit the table with my set up. Would not have been a probelem had I used the size they reccommended.
What bothers me is I still have mine sitting unopened in it's box.
Don't know how many times I'm doing something and wish I had it with me up and running.
Seems I got two speeds ...slow and slower.
be ashamed and be telling me 'Where does the time go?'
We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper. - Albert Einstein
Get off this damn computer and go out there and set up your table.
NOW!
Next week you will have to cut something with your edge guide, or assemble something with your Kreg jig and you will wonder why you waited so long to put your table together.
Bye,
Shoe
be making use of your purchases
ya, well, I do have the table base and the 1x4s so at least I'm making headway.
be cowering in a corner
We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper. - Albert Einstein
Well I got THREE speeds. Like they say in the islands. Slow. Stop. Reverse.Seems reverse is the most used.
take the time to get the edge of the baseplate parallel to the saw blade-NOT parallel to the edge of your saw base.
The foot of a lot of saws aren't parallel to the blade. You won't get peak performance from your EZ unless the blade is an even distance front and back
Don't over tighten the set screws that hold the rails together, Don't ask me how I know this, either<G>
Yeah, I learned that one the hard way, too. LOL
Nothing a few judicious taps with a hammer couldn't fix, tho.
<Yeah, I learned that one the hard way, too. LOLNothing a few judicious taps with a hammer couldn't fix, tho.>For me, those taps were on the back of the head<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
"Bite Me" Makes another excellent point in post 8. it really doesn't take much torque on the set screws to get the rails locked together. Too much pressure, and you will get bumps showing thru on the other side.
Also whoever posted about getting the blade of your saw square to the new base - another excellent post.
Take your time setting this thing up, and it will give you great results.
The only critical thing is to get the smart base mounted so that the groove that will ride on the guide bar is exactly parrallel to your saw blade.
Oh, also it's a nice idea to decide on which blades you'll always use with the rig so that when you do the initial trim of the plastic edge guides the same blade kerf will always be used. ( I, based on Dino's recommendation, always use a 40 tooth Freud Diablo, and am very happy with it.)
I just ordered the ez guide system--can't wait to get started using it! I've been hearing everyone here rave about it for a couple of years, and I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon. EZ users unite!
Did you order the table? Big part of the system in my opinion.
What type of table legs do people use? I presume we are expected to find our own. I think in the short term I'm just going to set the table on sawhorses.
bryan... my EZ table is a 2x4 piece of Advantech.. and we just set it up on horses
here's some newel posts i cut a quadrant out of so they would wrap around a beadboard corner
View Image
i had to use my 8 1/4 saw setup because the rip was 1/8 deeper than my other EZ saw will cut
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 10/19/2005 12:38 am ET by MikeSmith
very cool.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
I know this will seem silly, but is there any problem using a piece of plywood that is only 23 1/2" X 48" I have a piece that used to be a table leaf that I don't need anymore, and before I either pay for another piece of plywood or sacrifice a 2' section of birch that I have, I'd like to use up this other piece. I know the supports will hang over the edge 1/4" on each side, but that shouldn't be a problem, should it?
no..
no problem at all
.. when you assemble your smart table , you'll be so smart you won't need the missing half inch..
really... the 2'x4' is a guide..... go for itMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike, I've been dithering between Festool and Dino's set up for months.Well, today I had a chance to mill up some MDO we are using to clad porch posts -- both sides cut at 45 degree angle. We had tried to do it on my PM 66 table saw in the shop, but it just didn't work right. So the guy I am working with on this job went out and bought a Festool rig. There were a few glitches, but we managed to get the stock milled. Tomorrow we'll see how well it goes together. The cut from the Festool saw was absolutely glass smooth -- as good as you would get with a jointer. My two questions for you: 1) can the EZ guide do these kind of 45 degree cuts, and 2) do you get these kind of smooth cuts with your saw? As I remember, you use a PC, right?Thanks.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
deed i do... and i do it with a $9.95 Marathon blade too
once the EZ base is set up correctly on your saw.. the saw tracks like an SCM.. and the vinyl track edge and the anti-splinter insert on the base give the kind of cuts you are talking about
see these tapered columns i built a couple years ago ?
View Image
they were done on a table saw.. what a bear..
today i could make all of those cuts in a couple hours with my EZ setup
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 10/19/2005 10:35 pm ET by MikeSmith
Is there not one extra post in there? Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"We adore chaos, because we love to restore order"
Mauriets Chavailier Escher
where ?
View ImageMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
The apparent middle one, with the apparent smaller stature..just left of center ...I can see a supporting factor in its placement, but it crowds the run..IMO.
I can C/p the pic and arrow it if needed, but I think it may be the style "up there" and be acceptable. I find it kind of "busy"..
No, attack at your execution, I just question the design. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"We adore chaos, because we love to restore order"
Mauriets Chavailier Escher
RE: the "glass smooth " cuts with the Festool saw.I own two different PC saws I have set up with shooting boards, and while both are equipped with Forrest blades, the splintering is zero (on hardwood ply), but I don't get anything approaching a "glass smooth" cut. So I assumed the very expensive Festool saw was responsible for the smooth cut. But I'll take your word that I can get a comparable surface with the EZ guide and one of my PC's. Besides, I like Dino, and would like to support his product. BTW, I know you can't cut doors (1 3/4") with a 7 1/4" saw, but I assume you can rip 2X stock; is that right?Also, I'd appreciate whatever thoughts you might have on the accessory stuff I should include with an initial order. I find it hard to wade through and understand Dino's web site. Thanks again for your help.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
you can rip 2x with a 7 1/4 but you have to finish the cut with a utility knife.... the cut is about 3/32 shy...
i have an 8 1/4 setup for framing and 1 3/4 doors...
most of the work is built-ins and trim.... all 4/4 & 5/4 stock... piece of cake for a 7 1/4
anything 1 1/2 or thicker requires a bigger saw... i think thta is also true of Festool .. the big saw vs. the smaller sawMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Hey nikki...
If it's helpful, here are some cuts I did just fiddling around when I first bought my SmartGuide. At the time I bought a cheap Ryobi to use on it (have since gotten a second SmartGuide and use PCs on them both). This was some scrap that had a very fragile veneer, and as you can see not a splinter or chip and this was with the stock OEM blade.
Whats that background? You shooting pics in the pool again? Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"We adore chaos, because we love to restore order"
Mauriets Chavailier Escher
Blubbbbb...blubbbbbb...
Would make sense since I feel like I'm drowning...
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/the-F-repeater
Have a nice but "confusing" day Nikki.
This is the Festool guide rail with some of the ez stuff and even with a Porter Cable circular saw. We try to combine the features of both systems and at the end we have two universal systems with no need for you to buy both in order to have it all. Now, you can go for either system and have both.
I'm just trying to make it ez.
Mike. Nice pictures.
YCF Dino
Mike, I recall a discussion where you and Dino discussed gun cases for the EZ Guide but I can't find it in the archives. What did you end up getting?
Mike Maines
MIke, Dino now sells a nice gun case I believe. I bought two real nice shotgun cases at Sports Authority on close out. It's a great way to carry them...
Hey !!I have that same pocket knife !!=0)(The one without the serrated portion of the blade.)
Looking for enlightenment is like looking for a flashlight, when all you need the flashlight for is to find the flashlight.
just folding banquet table legs
EUREKAZONE sells legs which brings the work up to a comfortable height for my 5'10". save your back and your fingers. by the way, i'm a new user and i've found the table guide system and the repeater to be great. today, i wanted a thin molding to apply to a table apron. i used the smart clamps to secure the relatively narrow stock, straightened the edge, routed the molding on my router table (i don;t have the router set up yet) then back to the guide w/ repeaters to cut the molding off the stock,
I did order the table. I emailed Dino, described what I was looking for, and he suggested starting with the 100" kit and the tabletop. I'll just use sawhorses instead of the banquet legs, at least for now.
As others have said, Dino was very helpful and I know I'm getting a good product.