Why should I buy a ez guide/ festool ?
O.k., besides the fact that I dont have one, why should I spend the money on one of these setups??? This isnt a question about which one is better, we already know that…..ha ha ha ha ha……….uhhmm, yeah, right 🙂
Right now I use what I would call a shooter board (piece of plywood with edge guide on it). I have one at 8′ and one at about 50″. I use these every once and a while, but not a whole lot.
Is there that great of an advantage of these systems over a shooter board, for an occasional user. What do these systems do that a shooter board wouldnt be able to do.
I would definately get one if I was using my shooter board alot. Also, what is the storage size of these setups ( when packed away in their storage boxes, how much room does it take up). Im getting very close to max capacity in my van ( got about 6 cubic feet of air space left).
Thanks for any info.
Replies
Those are good questions. Out here where I'm at, I've never seen one in person. I've watched some of the videos, and checked out the website, and I'm still not totally clear. I've seen some posts here from people that I respect, so I believe the system is a good one - and I'm getting closer to purchasing one (I tried to buy the one mentioned in another thread, but when I contacted the seller, he said it was already sold, and he didn't like the system).
But as to where and when I'd use it, and how often, I'm not sure. And how much room it takes up. And can you rip an 8' strip with the shorter guide, and just move it in mid cut, or do you have to buy a longer guide for an 8' rip? And so on.
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
From all thats been posted here, Im thinking Ill stay with a shooter board. Since I dont use it all that often, I dont think I could justify the price. Plus, Im not sure where I would be able to put it ( if its something Im going to buy, I want to have it with me). Making a shooter out of Lexan is an interesting idea.
Im saying a shooter board is just as good (yeah right)! To prove me wrong, just send your festool or ez guide to me ( you can send one to Huck too).Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
Have the Festool 55. Happy mostly. Id get the
75 if I did it over. Only real complaint with
the saw is that the blades are expensive and
if you rip melamine you will be sharpening
blades fairly frequently. EZ makes a point
that they use ordinary blades at ordinary
prices.
Once you use the saw with dust collection
you will never want another tool without it.
It costs a fortune but it is worth it Im afraid.
I have an aluminum straight edge/rip guide which is 100" long and is put together in two pieces. It has a lip on one edge which makes it very easy keep the saw running straight and fast, using either side of the base plate.
I think it cost me about $20, maybe fifteen years ago. For occasional use, even on expensive materials, I'm confident that I can make clean accurate cuts with it.
However, I'm sure that it takes more time, attention and care than the complete systems.
Then again, it's a lot easier to carry, locate and use than any straight edge/shooter board I ever made up. More accurate too.
The guys I have been around lately have the festool set up and swear by it.
For quick cuts, it has this nonskid backing and you can just set the guide down and cut without clamping.
Festool cases crack me up. They look like there should be a computer or something in there.
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
i can see getting the festool, because of the excellent dust remonal technology that they are known for. if all i want is a zero tolerance guide i'll make one in two minutes. the ez guide makes less sense to me.
Every day is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
Edited 12/3/2007 7:44 am ET by arnemckinley
One of the big differences (Idon't have one but am guessing) is when you need to use it it's way easier to find . I look at the stacks of scrap plywood and know I have the shooter in there some where. 1/2 hour later I find the one for the saw boss and not the Milwaukee.
What is your 8' base? 1/2" and what's the guide? 1/4" Hot glued? Pinned?
I think I'd buy a Lexan shooting board, say a 98" a 52" and a 38".
Another thing to do now -make some new shooting boards.
Im not sure what my base is ( either 3/8" or 1/2", I have made them out of masonit or Luann), the guide would be the same material thickness. I dont remember how I attached the last one ( I usually glue and then either screw or tack with nails, screw usually).
When I make my shooter boards, I usually run the saw on one side for the ~5" cut, and then down the other side for the ~1 1/2" cut. That make sense?
I like the Lexan idea. Any idea on the cost for Lexan?
Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
24"x48" enough for more than one sheet from Mcmaster-carr..is this.
<!---->Material > <!----><!---->Shape > <!----><!---->Thickness > <!----><!---->Length > <!----><!---->Width > <!---->Compare Items
<!---->Plastics<!---->
This product matches all of your selections.
View Image
<!---->Part Number: <!---->8184K75
<!----> $280.00 Each<!---->
Pricey and available elsewhere probably a tad less, I used to use a slew of it for templates.
Oh, that is 1/4" click the item number to go to the page I think..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Edited 12/3/2007 6:59 pm ET by Sphere
I have used both, and I like them both. The single advantage I see with the Festool is the dust collection. Both are accurate, quick and perform as advertised. However, if you don't cut a lot of high quality and expensive sheet goods I don't thing you could justify either.
O own the EZ system and have used it for 2 years. I have everyting except the new "power table". I like it, and appreciate the accuracy and repeatablity. The Festool is equally accurate. Both systems demand a dedicated saw (yes, I know you can take the EZ plate off - bet most people don't though). So you should regard both as a "system" comprising of a saw, rail(s), some clamps that come with it.
Festool is more expensive by 20% for saw + rail, and is best used with one of their vacs ($300 more). If dust is your deal then it wins hands down. System summary: flawlessly perfect, dust free, straight line cuts.
EZ system has the advantage of being blade-left if you wish and, if you are a wood mega-nerd, apparently there is nothing it can't do. System summary: near-perfect straight line cutting flexible system that Mcguyver would be envious of. Dust goes everywhere.
FWIW I am buying a SawStop in January and will probably put the EZ stuff up for sale to buy a festool system unless I can get the damn dust under control.
Dust goes everywhere.
Brad,
Use the "free" dust shield from eureakazone.
Call the company or post the dust problem on the ez forum.
david
thanks david, I want to swap a rightie base for a lefty so I'll ask Dino for one as well. However, I am about out of desire to frankenstein one more setup - with the time I am spending fooling with this setup I could have bought a Festool and been done with it.
Not complaining mind you - I really like supporting great new ideas (same reason I bought a clear-vue cyclone). Dino's a heck of a guy, too. But with both systems there is a trade-off: $$ and flexibility vs. complexity. Since I use my setup for sheet breakdown (something I hate to do on a tablesaw) AND dust is a major concern in my small shop (18x18) I am leaning closer to festool each day.
are you talking about the little piece of plastic Dino talked about putting in a PC sidewinder to help with dust collection, or something else, when you mention the "free" dust shield?
One and the same.
The dust shield directs the dust to the dust port.
You need both for good dust collection.
david
I'll have to try another request. No results the first couple times.
You received one from Dino?
Yes.
The dust shield is free to anyone and the dust port is made by Bosch.
david.
I see no one has answered you question.
One of the big features of the EZ and I am not sure, but believe the Festool also, is the zero clearance/anti splinter on the saw.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
the EZ will fit in a standrd Gun case ......( 2) 50" guides & associated clamps
so if you go to Sports Authority and look at gun cases ... that's how big your EZ systemn would be
If it's for only occasional use maybe you're just fine with your shooter board. I used a few in different lengths for years.
The advantage that i see to the ez or festool is the zero clearance on both sides of the blade whereas a shooter board is only zero clearance on one side of the blade.
That assumes the blade in the saw is the one you trimmed your shooter board with.
Zero clearance on both sides of the blade should theoretically equal less tearout.
For an occasional user? Probably not. What would you see as your uses for either? If you are making cabinets, built in's, trimming doors. etc. then the upfront costs will be quickly forgotten but it really depends on your use and the materials you cut. If you are trimming expensive Mahogany doors or expensive finish ply then the quality and speed will be well worth the investment.
To answer Bill's post, festool does have an anti splinter on both the rail and the saw, so both sides of the cut are perfect.
To me, you cannot compare the two. Festool is part of an entire system where the saw and rails are designed to work interchangeably with their other tools and accessories. If you are just talking about the saw and rail set ups, there are two major factors that set the festool apart from the EZ, the saw itself and the dust collection. People will say that they can get great results with a PC, Bosch, Hilti, Milwaukee, etc. saw but having used most of those, they do not compare at all with the festool TS. The saw is not a framing circ with a nice freud or forrest blade, it is engineered far better than any normal circ. The features of the saw will allow you to do thing better, faster and safer. The dust collection is amazing. When you do something with another tool where dust collection is not possible, you really understand how great that one feature is.
I don't work out in the field much anymore except when it's on my house or helping a friend out. But if I was I'd definitely get the Festool setup. It's been great in the shop and I could have used one 15 years ago when trimming was my mainstay. It cuts chipfree and accurately and would have been a good solution over the Makita portable we used to use to cut 4' x 8' plywood down back in the old days. Like someone else said, no need to clamp straight edge down. The non-skid strips hold things in place and all you need to do is line it up and go for it.
Its interesting that no one has mentioned bevel cuts. The Festool saws pivot so that the base does not need to be relocated when changing from a vertical (90 degree) to any bevel between 90 and 45 degrees. No other saw that I know of can do that. That, coupled with the excellent dust collection make the Festool system far superior to anything else out there, with the possible exception of the more costly Mafel system which has a flexible rail.But even the Mafel has to be moved to make bevel cuts.
A flexible rail?
As in cutting a curve or riding over a hump?
having never heard of this before
A bump or dip and twist. They have an American distributor out near Buffalo NY and a web site. Just Google Mafel. They supply the timber framing industry with really big hand held power tools. Very nice stuff. Very German and very pricey but the quality is there. If you need what they sell, probably are no better tools.
Edited 12/3/2007 3:55 pm ET by edwin