two or three weeks i bought one of eurekazone’s ez smart guide system as a tool for jointing table top boards. when i unpacked it i was impressed by the simplicity of the design and strength and fit of the components. by late afternoon i had jointed 4 boards with acceptable glue joints. i have to admit that a couple of those cuts had to be repeated as i learned to hold and move the saw consistently. but, after all, that’s why we rough cut lumber oversize! The ez smart clamps made it easy to make efficient second cuts with little waste. and, it surely was easier to push a circular saw down a rail than carry 15# of walnut onto a jointer then keep the board straight while jointing the edge.
needless to say i was sold!
this afternoon i received the smart repeater. (evidently the repeater has been in development for quite some time but only now is for sale.) this machine looks like a keeper with well fitting precisely joined components which extend the uses of the guide rails and smart clamps from the guide system. the designer must believe in “waste not – want not!”
well—i’m looking forward to tomorrow and trying the repeater. I bet it will be just the tool for cutting the small parts for some boxes i’m going to make.
what have been your experiences with the ez smart tools? how about tips and techniques?
Replies
Nifty commercial!
T42,
I've heard nothing but great things about Dino's tools over at Breaktime. I plan to buy their router set up; if it's as good as I've heard, I'll take it to school so others can try it out.
Please keep us posted - post pictures if you can.
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
> what have been your experiences with the ez smart tools? <
Well, my friend, since you asked this very open-ended question in your post, I will say that my experience with ez smart tools was just a brief view of them in some web site and reading a thread that went on for about 9000 posts and circled numerous mountains and molehills, and that compared them to Festool stuff. My one lingering impression was a feeling of:
'Way too much gizmocity! I don't need any more of that! I can do the same things with handtools, have more fun, and listen to music while I'm doing it!'
Since you asked,...seriously, I'm sure it's nice stuff,...
ez smart tools
I cut the sticks straight.. Good glue AND a few Car Jacks to the rafters!
If I cannot do them on my short bed jointer I use my router with a guide board and a 1/2" down cut spiral bit. Makes perfect glue joints.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
i've been there and done that. what i like about the ez smart guide rail system is : 1) no worry if the board is straight, 2) the saw or router reliably rides the guide rail, 3) no offset for the tool base need be measured and 4) my shaking hands don't make so much difference.
Doesn't matter if the board is perfectly straight or not. What you do is screw a couple of scab boards on the back of the boards to be jointed, one at each end and leaving about 3/8" clearance between the two boards to be jointed. Then the guide board is clamped on the good side such that the 1/2" router bit will shave about 1/16" off of each board in one pass. The only caution is to keep the router tightly pressed against the guide board. The guide board should be pretty wide, or should be clamped in the middle to prevent bowing as the router pass is made. One or two test passes should be made with the router bit lifted to make sure the cord doesn't get tangled or caught during transit. Couple of saw horses is recommended.
This is the technique I use when I have to edge glue boards 5' or longer. Jointing for shorter glue-ups is done on my 6" Jet jointer.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
I am a new user of the e-z system. I know there is a lot of posts about this tool, that is why I bought it. I've had it for less than two months. I've straight edged about 2000 board feet of 12 foot long cypress to make into trim. I started with a new p-c 7 1/4" saw. I have now bought a 8 1/4" dewalt so I can cut 2x wood and doors. I should have started with dewalt--but live and learn. I am going to finish ripping all of the wood today. I have left a pile of little strips, which I have built a jig for the e-z system to size to make quarter round. With either jointer or router, instead of wood to make quarter round(another 300 dollars of product) I would have more cypress mulch for old man's trail.
I'm very happy with e-z system and with Dino, who I hope to meet at future wood show.
Off the subject, I was wandering where you are able to buy cypress wood? I have been on the hunt.
there is plenty in eastern nc. come on down! seriously, i've seen it offered by some of the furniture wood dealers in the magazines and the internet. good luck
Thanks, the order cost is pretty high and is alittle far for me to go.
Thanks for the help.
table42,
Congratulations on your new tools.
How well does this system handle narrow boards? How narrow have you been able to go with it?
There has been some speculation about linking the EZ Smart Guide with the Festool equipment for a really nice set up.
New at the forum but not new to ez smart system.
you can cut as thin as you like. The narrowest piece was 1/4"?
You can see it all here. (27 albums)
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/the-F-repeater
Before the Ez we cut plastic parts, on the table saw, every day.
Slow and dangerous operation
Now we cut once a week without the need for secondary operation and having fun the same time.
We use the ATF-55 with great results. Recommended by Dino.
Thanks for the informative post. Please tell us more about the ATF-55.
I'd appreciate it if you could give me a little education on the cutting of plastic!
Thanks,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Same as cutting wood. But much easier, faster and safer if you have the the right jig.
I use the PC Mag 325 with Freud Diablo blades. No problem yet.
Similar to this link.
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/the-fun-cutter
But I saw pictures using the ATF for cutting plastics here:
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/narrow-strips
David
Thanks!-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Welcome.
If you have the ATF you may like to see this.
Oh well, another CS for me.
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/the-F-repeater
Have F-un.
David.
david,
This is really interesting to me. I've long believed there must be ways to combine the brilliant inovations of Festool and Eurekazone. I wonder what else we might see in the future?
Matthew.
I wonder what else we might see in the future?
Visit the USPTO.GOV
David
David,
Actually, I check in on patents all the time! It is fun.
Yesterday i decided to directly answer your ? of 11/15/05 the result is illustrated in the pictures below:
#1--smart guide and smart clamps applied to a 15/16" high walnut scrap from table top project. cut is set for 1" thick. <!----><!----><!---->
#2--there was some rounding on the outside edge from router testing so i ripped off and discarded a 3/8" strip leaving ~1/2" width to play with.<!----><!---->
#3--i then ripped a 1/16" strip leaving,~5/16"which had been held by the smart clamps. i decided i had enough fun (which i had risked none of my fingers for) and went back to building my table.PHTO0001.JPGPHTO000 3.JPGPHTO0006.JPG
table42,
The links to your photos aren't working. I'm definitely interested in seeing them!
i' ll try again to send thhe photos from my earlier reply.
DON''T BOTHER WITH THESE PICTURES. GO TO THE NEXT POSTING AND SEE THE RESULTS OF MATTHEW'S FIX.
THANKS MATHEW
CURTIS
Edited 10/19/2005 4:52 pm ET by table42
Edited 10/19/2005 4:54 pm ET by table42
table42,
Those are big photo files!
I reduced them, so they are easier to see.
The reduced (R) photos are attached.
Matthew
Edited 10/19/2005 3:39 pm ET by MatthewSchenker
Opinions? Thats what handplanes are for. Long fences on tablesaws work wonders as well. I guess factory made jigs bug me.
I had other opinions about and aspirations for development of my woodworking skill too. but i also thought a more predictable career was necessary before nurturing an avocation. now i have the time for self development of handwoodworking skills. unfortunately, my physical condition detracts from my steadiness, strength and stamina. so, i use a lot of jigs, powertools and other machines. And i produce some fine woodworking.
in the end i believe there's not much differance between you and I----we both take our vision for some unique wood, apply our skill, note our errors and try to improve the next one. how you and produce the piece are probably much different but it is clear to me that you take pride in your work. i know i do.
If you are someone who learned your skills early, established a wooworking career, and are still at it, my hat is off to you. There was a place where I took the other road. but enough philosophy-- i'm going out to the shop and sand a table top.
More than one way to skin a cat, for sure. Please don't take my remarks as a comment on your techniques, just that particular jigs usefulness in my shop. We of course have different approaches, for various reasons, but they are just means to an end. The final result is the litmus test. Don't get me wrong, I like my machines too, I just use a different method to straight edge a board.<!----><!----><!---->
My career is not only woodworking, by the way, however I'm working towards that goal. Have a good day, hope that table turns out well.<!----><!---->
Steve
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