Thread: Ez Smart Guide System?

Gidday

Although it can do much much more the EZ Smartguide shines when cutting large sheet panels & indeed this is one of the systems greatest strengths.

All I simply do is mark out clamp the guide down, and off I go!!!!

The great thing about the smartguide is that once you've knocked up a decent cutting table you don't even have to move the stock, no lifting, no tippy roller stands!!!

Theres one thing I do HIGHLY recommend though a circular saw with good dust extraction. I'm not so sure its a feature of my Hitachi C9 but am definately going to look into it or try to make my own.

I've recently got myself some more aluminium extrusions 2* 64 inch which has expanded the capability of my kit dramatically..................Effectively allowing me to Rip up to 228 inches long (yep that figures right) and use the smartguides for all manner of saw and router cuts.

(See Pics)

Gidday

As you can see I just place the guide where I want to do the cut and of I go. The finished product is a 120 * 180 Lamination of 19mm MDF and tempered masonite that I am going to use as a mounting Jig for my Woodrat Precision Joinery system.


................Too easy


REgards Lou

Spooky how we walk other people steps .....:eek:

I was just about to buy the router attachment but got caught a few times speeding on the bike this month - so thats buggered up the old cash flow.

I bought the Hitachi C7SE for the EZ system - if you find a decent way to attach a vac pipe let me know.

NewLou, did you buy in Australia or OS?

What was cost?

I've seen the Northwood site, looks damned expensive, even in comparison with Festool's Australian rip-off pricing!

Gidday Ron

I have no quams stating that I'm truely biased when it comes to the EZ smartguide. Since I first discovered it stumbling over Dinos website by pure luck it sparked curiosity and interest in me.

I guess at the end of the day cost is a relative thing. I've made a number of Ripping Jigs crosscut jigs and other Do Dads to help with my cuts. All with mixed inconsistant results.

I can honestly say that the EZ smartguide is the best purchase I have made to date (pre tablesaw) The ez smartguide offers a fully modular interchangable system thats portable accurate and shines at cutting large sheet materials.

I'm still discovering its limitations and to date I've found few. I can honestly state that if you don't own a table saw this is the next best thing and to me has been worth every cent wether I've bought here in aus through Northwood or direct from Dino in the States.

Regardless I started this thread so that people like yourself can make an informed decision about wether the smartguide is for you. Ask some of the other Ez Smartguide owners round here to and try to get a few different opionions

I'm Biased I LOVE THE DAM THING and am hooked on using it and trying to push it to its limitations. I'll keeping posting my journey as I go along!!!

Regards Lou

Ron - I thought the same but bit the bullet and would now agree with Lou. I do a lot of sheet work and even with a decent TS couldn't work with a whole sheet on my own. The guide system make life so easy, fast and accurate.

If you were to only use the EZ once or twice a year well it may not be a good invertment but if you need this type of tool reasonably regular - go for it.

I bought from Northwood and Colin there is very helpful.

Colin is a pleasure to deal with and has some nice product, I've bought a few of his sawblades and think they are great.

Concur: Colin is a real pleasure to deal with, a fact that I've reported on here a couple of times.

Lou: I generally work with half sheets when using this type of material, largely because of the handling issues working alone - would you really recommend this system, or is it just another gizmo that collects dust after one or two uses?

Cheers!

Highly recommended Steve!!!

Espically if your into working with large sheet material. Is definately not a Gizmo that will collect dust after a few uses.

Mind you I have not got or have ever used a table saw so I honestly can't compare accurately on the difference.....................

But for a 1 man operation like mine I honestly can't see an easier way of cutting large sheet materials! Check out Dino's webpage for more info.

Also Dean has done a great review on his webpage

At the moment its the best powertool related workhorse I have in the Shed.

REgards Lou

Greenie, thanks for the comment. The problem I have is that Festool's package does exactly the same as the EZ Saw Guide, costs a few dollars either way, and INCLUDES the saw. Festool is renowned for over-pricing its stuff (see the Festool section of this forum), and frankly, I think that Northwood Tools is having a lend of us with their pricing.

I have had the same Eurekazone problems mentioned earlier in this thread.
Got confused by the web site, wrote to them through the web link, didn't get a reply. Posted a message on another forum, Dino replied that he basically wasn't interested in messages from his web site!

I might be prepared to take a risk on a relatively unknown product with a short history, but not at the price being charged locally. I made that mistake once - buying expensive machinery from Garrett Wade when they were in Melboure, then being screwed when they shut up shop and there was no local representation for the product.

Now, if I'm going to spend big bucks, attributes like a dealer network, strong after sales support, attention to detail, and a professional image are very strong in my decision making.

If the two products are equivalent price, then my money will most likely go to Festool.

Originally Posted by RonInBendigo

Greenie, thanks for the comment. The problem I have is that Festool's package does exactly the same as the EZ Saw Guide, costs a few dollars either way, and INCLUDES the saw. Festool is renowned for over-pricing its stuff (see the Festool section of this forum), and frankly, I think that Northwood Tools is having a lend of us with their pricing.

Ron. You're confusing everything. The Freedom package with the atf and one guide rail.

I have had the same Eurekazone problems mentioned earlier in this thread.
Got confused by the web site, wrote to them through the web link, didn't get a reply. Posted a message on another forum, Dino replied that he basically wasn't interested in messages from his web site!
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8>From the breaktime forum.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Hi.
I don't have any message from e-mail.
I thought you post a message on the photo gallery.
Please send me another email to:
[email protected]
Thanks and sorry for the confusion.
YCF Dino



What I was trying to say, is that I never got your email. And I thought you post a message on the photo gallery. And I told you to send me another email or post the question to the forum.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I might be prepared to take a risk on a relatively unknown product with a short history, but not at the price being charged locally. I made that mistake once - buying expensive machinery from Garrett Wade when they were in Melboure, then being screwed when they shut up shop and there was no local representation for the product.

The ez smart is the best selling tool in Amazon under panel saws.
At the breaktime forum you saw that the ez smart is more than a panel saw and a straight edge. This guys are real pro's and if they have one problem ...they let you know.

Now, if I'm going to spend big bucks, attributes like a dealer network, strong after sales support, attention to detail, and a professional image are very strong in my decision making.

If the two products are equivalent price, then my money will most likely go to Festool.

Ron.

Ron.
You asked about smart clamps and clamping systems.
Here is the new page. I hope you like it.
http://www.eurekazone.com/products/d...martclamp.html

About the prices , Colin and the rest.
You got everything wrong for some strange reason.
If I can help to clear up some of your concerns, let me know.
Thanks.
YCF dino

Hi<O</O
I was wondering if you might be able to help me. I've been doing some researching on the EZ products and quite like the concepts. I'd like to buy it to try out. I was wondering if you could tell me which product to purchase to do what I wanted now and in the future. Their seems to be a bit of double up as they have improved products. Basically I want something that can rip and square up seconds and old timber. Also I'm looking at doing some cabinets with a wood stained bench top. I'd like to use second’s melamine for the carcass. I notice that northwood doesn't sell the whole range which is on the EZ website do I need to order from the or is everything I need available in Aust? Thanks in Advance
Grant

Originally Posted by grantosw

Hi<O</O
I was wondering if you might be able to help me. I've been doing some researching on the EZ products and quite like the concepts. I'd like to buy it to try out. I was wondering if you could tell me which product to purchase to do what I wanted now and in the future. Their seems to be a bit of double up as they have improved products. Basically I want something that can rip and square up seconds and old timber. Also I'm looking at doing some cabinets with a wood stained bench top. I'd like to use second’s melamine for the carcass. I notice that northwood doesn't sell the whole range which is on the EZ website do I need to order from the or is everything I need available in Aust? Thanks in Advance
Grant

Hi Grand.
Start with the basics.
1. SGS-114".
That very well covers the straight line ripping and you can use the same setup for ripping and cutting cabinet parts.
2. For cabinets you need the square.
3. Build a smart table with or without our kit.

You can use the sustem with the SRK (Smart router kit) or without it.
Just remove the white edge.

The idea with the ez system is that you don't have to buy the entire system. The basic system is very capable.

The Repeaters, cabinetmaker, Power Bench are for pro-use.
Send us an email to [email protected] and we can go over the details.
Thanks.

Dino
Eurekazone.

Have a look at the Sawmill Creek website there are plenty of videos showing Dino's gear in action