Replies

1. 
   frenchy | Apr 17, 2006 08:33pm | #1

   757,

    what are you trying to do with it?

         If all you want to do is rip 4x8 plywood isn't it time you buy or build a panel saw?  Grizzly sells one for about $3000 less than the sliding tablesaw..

     

    

1. 
   757 | Apr 18, 2006 12:59am | #2

   Most work in the past has been in hardwoods.  Looking to build a new home in a couple of years and plan to build the majority of cabinetry/casegoods much of which will be with sheetgoods.  A smaller sliding table seemed to be a good option for squaring up materails and one of the smallest complete tablesaw setups with a slider is Grizzly's model G0461.  Thought it would be a good idea to see if anyone had practical experience with the unit and hear their comments. 

   The other options I am toying with are Laguna Tools universal sliding table system and the JessEm master slider 7500 which I would mount to my unisaw.

1. 
   John_D | Apr 18, 2006 03:11am | #3

   Have you considered something like the EZ-Smart or the Festool rail system?  Proponents (users, not shills) say it's precise and safe for cutting sheet goods to final dimensions.  I've just finished a small job that had me pushing some full sheets over my Unisaw, and I'm ready to try something else. :)

   The circular-saw-on-rails idea sure sounds reasonable, and a LOT cheaper than a full-size slider, or a panel saw. :)

   EDIT: PS, are you ex-Boeing?  I used to work in Boeing Computer Services...

   My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

   Edited 4/17/2006 10:56 pm by John_D

1. 
   757 | Apr 18, 2006 08:17am | #5

   Thanks for your input John.  Something I will have to research though I have a feeling that faced with as many casegoods as my wife has planned using the rail system might take a long time.

   I'm still with the company, currently with Surplus Sales in Kent. 

    

2. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 18, 2006 04:02am | #4

   I looked into sliding panel saws a while ago and although I concluded that they did not fit my pocketbook. I still like them and would get one in a heartbeat. I came to like the Mini Max line. ( minimax-usa.com/ ). The combo machines are very nice for cabinet work as the slider and fence are use for the shape as well. Very cool. Check em out.

   Good Luck!

   John

1. 
   757 | Apr 18, 2006 08:22am | #6

   Encouraging, thanks John!

3. 
   Burts | Apr 18, 2006 03:35pm | #7

   I've found that the EZ Smart is a great solution for panel processing.  It is fast, easy and extremely accurate.  With some health issues that I have had recently, it is nice just to be able to lay a piece of plywood on a table and remove the pieces as you cut them.  With the Cabinet Maker, you can also put your pencil into retirement because you can do all of your cuts without measuring.  Just set the width on the repeater and cut as many as you would like.  The web site is http://WWW.eurekazone.com

    

   The ez Cabinet Maker View Image View Image View Image View Image View Image Description : The ultimate panel sizing system. Use your own saw.

      

1. 
   Lataxe | Apr 18, 2006 09:40pm | #8

   If you will have the space and be using some kind of large support table, you might consider a Mafell guided circular saw system.  This is a saw on a guide rail, like the Festool, except that the saw is motorised to travel down the rail (and return!) of its own accord.

   I haven't used one or seen one in action but the concept sounds great for processing sheet goods at a site rather than in a shop.

   Lataxe

1. 
   Burts | Apr 18, 2006 11:51pm | #9

   I haven't seen any data on a saw that moves on a rail by its self.  How about a link.  Does it have repeat capabilites  and anti-chip protection like the EZ Smart?  How expensive is it?  Are they available in the US.

1. 
   John_D | Apr 19, 2006 12:19am | #10

   I haven't seen any data on a saw that moves on a rail by itself.

   They can't be that common, or there would definitely be a Stephen King novel (and movie) about them.

   Heck, I can barely stay safe around a saw that stays put.  Not sure I could handle one that could stalk me around the shop.  "You don't need a blade guard... why don't you slip off my blade guard?... I sure could use a longer cord... Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

2. 
   Lataxe | Apr 19, 2006 12:35am | #11

   Burts,

   Apologies for not providing a link in the original post.  Here is a link to the UK site, which has a better description than the US site, as far as I can determine:

   http://www.powertooldirect.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d1540.html

   The saw is available in the US.  The UK price is £1100+ so I imagine it'll be at least $1500 in the US.

   It is a scary thing!

   Lataxe

1. 
   Burts | Apr 19, 2006 01:01am | #12

   Thanks.  If the UK Site is a better description than the US site, 'don't think I'll bother checking the US site.

2. 
   bakesale1 | Apr 19, 2006 05:23am | #18

   That looks so cool. I'd love to see one in operation. I thought the best job site saw was the Eumenia RAS.

3. 
   Scrit | Apr 20, 2006 02:26pm | #23

   Mafell then follow the link for PSS 3100 SE Portable Panel Saw System

    

1. 
   Burts | Apr 20, 2006 08:38pm | #24

   That is a very nice machine.  Thanks for the link.

2. 
   Scrit | Apr 24, 2006 05:58pm | #25

   Personally I have a Bosch rail system with the GKS86B braked plunge saw. A number of the European power tool makers have these rail systems to go with their circular saws, and that used to include deWalt (in their Elu guise), but they don't seem to sell their system any more which has left the field to Mafell, Festool and Bosch (as well as Metabo I'm told).

   Scrit

3. 
   Burts | Apr 24, 2006 06:36pm | #26

   I'm not at all familiar with th3e European systems

2. 
   dustinf | Apr 19, 2006 01:52am | #13

   Do you work for EZ?If you have any poo, fling it now.

1. 
   Burts | Apr 19, 2006 04:42am | #14

   What kind of question is that?

   I sense that you don't care for EZ Smart.  What is it that you don't like about the EZ?  Do you resent the fact that I think it is a top knotch tool or do you have a problem with a small US company making innovative and superior tools.

1. 
   dustinf | Apr 19, 2006 05:06am | #15

   What kind of question is that?

   It's obviously a fair question.  It's also obviously one you don't want to answer.

   I sense that you don't care for EZ Smart.

   Wrong.  I don't own one, but I was going to buy one.  That is, until your spam filled posts started popping up all over the internet.

   What is it that you don't like about the EZ?

   You blatant abuse of free internet forums.  What you guys do is wrong.  You call it defending your product.  I call it spam.  Dewalt, Paslode, Stanley, Occidental Leather, and lots of small tool manufacturers have to buy advertising in FHB/FWW/JLC. 

   Why don't you guys? If you have any poo, fling it now.

1. 
   Burts | Apr 19, 2006 05:16am | #16

   Why don't you visit the EZ Forum -  http://www.sawmillcreek.org/forumdisplay.php?f=26

2. 
   dustinf | Apr 19, 2006 05:21am | #17

   You are unbelievable.  You answer a question about your spam, with more spam.

   I won't be responding to you any further.

    If you have any poo, fling it now.

3. 
   Burts | Apr 19, 2006 05:33am | #19

   Thank You!

4. 
   John_D | Apr 19, 2006 10:02am | #20

   If you work for them, you really ought to mention it.  Folks like to know what a person's interest is when the person is recommending gear.  Sort of like CharlesM signs his posts with "Freud" proud under his name.  If you do work for 'em, just say so and it's cool.  If you don't, this coy thing is going to sour people on the company.

   I agree with dustinf, in that if you do work for them and aren't disclosing, it makes me think your company is just a little sneaky, and it's harder for me to think it'd be smart to bet on you long term with my money.

   Funny if you worked for some other manufacturer, and all this was an elaborate ruse to tarnish the EZ folks. Hehe.My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

5. 
   Burts | Apr 19, 2006 03:41pm | #21

   John,

   Thanks for your thoughtful note.

   First, there is a history with dustin that runs to other forums.  He is not a freind of EZ Smart.

   As for a little background on myself, I am retired AIr Force and Run a small woodworking business.  I am not employed by EZ Smart and have never met Dino.

   I became involved with the EZ system last fall.  I had purchased a good bit of the EZ stuff and Dino was saying the repeaters were coming out.  I got a little angry, took a stab at Dino on one of the forums, and he told me to call and order what I needed.  From that I  got to know Dino a little and now consider him to be a good friend.  I have helped some with prototypes of some equipment but this has been done as a friend helping a friend.   In December, I had heart surgery and during this recovery period I have spent a good bit of time on line.

   I will stand up for what I believe in.   When I made my first square and put it on an EZ rail, I was sold on  the EZ System.  It is safe, simple and easy to use.  Before I was able to handle a sheet of plywood, I would have an employee put a sheet of plywood on an EZ Smart table and I would use the EZ Cabinet maker to cut it into cabinet parts.  I was able to cut the cabinet parts with no measuring. I could remove the parts I was cutting although my strength was not good enough to move the entire sheet.  The EZ guide rail is the center of a woodworking system that is on the move.  Recently, we have had two guys on the EZ Forum talk about selling their table saw and jointer because of the EZ Smart.

   John, I hope this answers your questions about my status and gives adequate information to the other members of this forum.

   Burt

    

    

6. 
   John_D | Apr 19, 2006 08:59pm | #22

   Sure, it's all clear to me now.  About your history with dustinf, remember that not everyone is following your particular soap opera, and most of us are just trying to figure out what sort of weight to put with each person's opinions.  Thanks for the courteous response. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.