Thread: Ez Smart Guide System?

Yep you can make your own that will probably work fine. Yes the chip-free cuts are an advantage of the EZ Smart which come in handy with melamine etc.

I guess one of the other things is that the guide system has "tracks" which the EZ Smart plate that is fixed to your circular saw engages and rides on. This makes it really easy to just push the saw along without needing to concentrate on keeping the saw hard against a fence on your jig. This is important if you need to maximise the material from a sheet where if you went astray with your own saw on a guide you could chew up material you might need for the next cut (if that makes sense).

The system aslo has the advantage in that it can be broken down into smaller pieces for transport. If you need to make 2.4m long cuts with your own homemade jig of the type you show, this needs to be one long piece you have to cart around. Then if you need to make a shorter cut, you have to use that same long guide, or make a second shorter one (but then you have to cart that too).

Under-guide clamping is also good on the EZ Smart. Don't have to raise saw slightly to avoid clamp heads as you push it along.
Lots of little things about the EZ Smart make it cool and easy to use, but again, if your needs are only for knocking down sheet goods into smaller materials and you have good technique and are careful, a homemade jig could be as effective for your needs.

Dean, good answer. Ta.

Welcome
I did do a review of this a while ago if you haven't read it yet, it's at: http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/ezsmart.htm

I saw the review yesterday, actually, and noticed that you gave a quick mention to a homemade alternative, but not with the detail you gave today. I suggest you update that review with the comments you made here.

The worst thing about the EZ system is that it is made by a guy who has the appearance of a not-quite-certifiable lunatic with a persecution complex.

Take a look at the Sawmill Creek forum for a recent thread containing the word "fort" in the title, and you'll get a sense of what I mean.

(I've probably just called the wrath of the cabal down on my head ... be prepared for a deluge of zealotry and Dino-speak mumbo jumbo.)

Keep in mind that the EZ system is actually a kit that you have to fit to your saw, router, etc. If you're good at assembling stuff that may not be a problem, but otherwise you might be more satisfied with a complete system like the Festool stuff.

Ron, had a look at the Festool stuff, and it looks insanely overpriced to me, more of a tradesman's range that can be deducted from tax against income, and where the heavy use requires top quality. For a part-time handyman like me, it'd be like killing a mosquito with a bazooka. Dino does seem a little odd, but I know some Italians and they are emotional people, so maybe not so strange in his culture.

(put's up hand) I bought an EZ guide - a basic one that's the 1200mm (or so?) alum. guide. Since I didn't have a circular saw before, I bought a cheapy Ryobi to go on it. I must admit it does exactly what it's supposed to. I haven't seen any chipout on melamine or ply, and the cuts are both easy to setup and perfectly straight, which is all what I wanted.

The only thing I'd like is that the bottom has slightly more abrasion so it's more optional whether you need the clamps. I'll put some sandpaper or something on it one of these days when it gets really annoying.

Much less expensive than the Festool ( doh!). The quality of the EZ guide et al. is very good. One definite advantage of the Festool is that it's a plunging saw which protects the blade very well - the riving knife and sliding cover doesn't let me easily cover the blade on my Ryobi making it dangerous to just put down temporarily. Oh, and I bet the Festool lasts a hundred times as long as my Ryobi (No, I'm not anti-fes - I've a Domino and 150/3 I'm not parting with for anything! ).

Apparently Makita have come out with a similar idea, and I seem to recall someone else said Hitachi has as well - have a search around.

Oh, and Dean's got it spot-on in his assessment above.

Rob

Hmm, looked on eBay and a few online tool stores, no mention of plunge saws yet ...

Looks like Festool and EZ have the market sewn up right now.

Saw the Makita at the Sydney WWS - didn't have long, but it definitely plunged and ran along rails. I did see that it was about $850 for the saw, two rails (didn't see lengths), connectors etc. Sorry but I can't remember who had it...

Rob

Well, I sent eurakazone (Dino) an email and he hasn't bothered to reply, so I guess I won't be buying his EZ system.

Give him a chance... He could be out of town at a woodworking show or something perhaps?

I bought an EZ system anyway, from the US. It seems a cheaper option than a Festool saw with slide, and for my purposes, probably adequate.

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn

The worst thing about the EZ system is that it is made by a guy who has the appearance of a not-quite-certifiable lunatic with a persecution complex.

Take a look at the Sawmill Creek forum for a recent thread containing the word "fort" in the title, and you'll get a sense of what I mean.

(I've probably just called the wrath of the cabal down on my head ... be prepared for a deluge of zealotry and Dino-speak mumbo jumbo.)

Keep in mind that the EZ system is actually a kit that you have to fit to your saw, router, etc. If you're good at assembling stuff that may not be a problem, but otherwise you might be more satisfied with a complete system like the Festool stuff.

Hi Ron.
Thanks for the compliment and support.
Your endless efforts to fuel your superiority complex was just what we needed
to start a woodworking revolution ...

...without investing a dime for paid reviews and false advertising.

Thanks for the certification.

Gidday

Was wondering if anyone knows if theres a current Australian supplier of the EZ Smartguide in Australia? Northwood tools no longer supply this system.

Im planning to get back into woodworking in the not to distant future and need a few replacement items to fire up my smartguide again...............

IF theres any forum members who are Smartguide owners would you be interested in a bulk order direct from the US?????

Regards Lou