EZ Smart system by Eurekazone

[DarrenM]

Hi all, am in need of some advice here. Currently I have my circular saw mounted under a triton saw table (not the workcentre 2000, it's just their saw table). This was ok to start with but it doesn't have a standard mitre slot so i can't upgrade to a quality mitre fence and the rip fence is adjusted by two scales, one in front of and one behind the blade, obviously a large amount of room for error here. I've been looking at the ez smart and it appears the way to go. Is there anyone in the U.K selling it, or will I have to order direct from them in the states?
Secondly i'm a little confused as to exactly what I need to order?
I would ideally like the bridge system that I saw in one of their videos, whereby I could make up a bench and have everything attached to it complete with rails for clamping, and stops for repeatability, as they had it. I'm guessing that this would be very costly and maybe i'd get a basic rail with fence and fence handle to start with. Could I then add to this at a later date?

Appologies for the long post, but I know there are people on here who at least have the basic rail setup, so any info would be great. Is it as good as it appears?

Darren

 

[Dave S]

Hi Darren,

First of all, no, there is no UK or European distributor as yet, so you will need to order direct from the US. There are several of us who have done this - I've just taken delivery of mine (last piece was delivered today) but have yet to use it.

It is very confusing, I agree. However, I have just bought pretty much what you are looking at. I bought the 114" rail system (needed if you want to be able to rip 8' long sheets), the B200 bridge and 2 short (14") bridge rails for mounting the bridge.

That package would enable you to build a bridge-based system such as the power benches seen in the youtube videos. There are several pics of similar setups in the EZ forums.

Now for the cost - it does add up...

rails - $255
bridge - $190
bridge rails - $40 for shortest length

total = $485 Currently they are offering 20% discount to buyers in EU to offset the high shipping costs. That brings the price down to approx $400

Shipping was $170 which makes the total cost about $570. Working on an exchange rate of $2 (not checked recently) it comes in at about £290

Bear in mind that you are likely to get charged import duty and vat. Along with Parcelforce's clearance charge it will come to about £55.

So all in all you are looking at roughly £350, give or take a bit. That will give you all you need to break down 8'x4' sheets. If you don't need that capacity you could save a bit by getting a shorter rail system.

There are other options, as you are probably aware - for example a cabinetmaker based system. I'm not in a position to make any recommendations - I decided on the above system for myself, but I have yet to find out the wisdom of my choice.

Dave

 

[DarrenM]

Thanks for that Dave. I don't think i'd really need the ability to rip 8' sheets lengthwise so as you say I could save a bit there. I'm really looking at it to replace my saw table. Bearing in mind it'll cost £400 to £500 for a decent saw table I think the price seems pretty good. I am assuming (as I've not seen one in the flesh as it were), that this system will do everything a saw table can do but in some instances better and more accurately.

Darren

 

[Burt Waddell]

Hi all, am in need of some advice here. Currently I have my circular saw mounted under a triton saw table (not the workcentre 2000, it's just their saw table). This was ok to start with but it doesn't have a standard mitre slot so i can't upgrade to a quality mitre fence and the rip fence is adjusted by two scales, one in front of and one behind the blade, obviously a large amount of room for error here. I've been looking at the ez smart and it appears the way to go. Is there anyone in the U.K selling it, or will I have to order direct from them in the states?
Secondly i'm a little confused as to exactly what I need to order?
I would ideally like the bridge system that I saw in one of their videos, whereby I could make up a bench and have everything attached to it complete with rails for clamping, and stops for repeatability, as they had it. I'm guessing that this would be very costly and maybe i'd get a basic rail with fence and fence handle to start with. Could I then add to this at a later date?

Appologies for the long post, but I know there are people on here who at least have the basic rail setup, so any info would be great. Is it as good as it appears?

Darren

Darren,

I've seen several of the guys from this forum on the EZ Smart forum and I thought that I would check this forum out. Dino sells the EZ smart in all different forms and you can add to it when you wish. I would recommend that you start with one of the sets. SGS 64, SGS 100, SGS 114, SGS 200. The reason I recommend one of these is that they include rail (the number is the length of the rails in the package), Saw base, inserts for the saw base and clamps. Add it all up and it is a good deal. My personal preference would be the SGS 114. I noticed that you fellows were talking primarily about sheet goods but I have found that is also good for hardwood. It handles those small cuts very well.

In addition to the SGS set, you would at a minimum, want a square, a cabinet maker, or a bridge. The square attaches to a rail and helps you to make cross cuts. If you use only the square, you need to mark each cut. A cabinet maker is a square plus a repeater. The cabinetmaker is great for cross cuts. Set the size wanted and cut away. The bridge is fairly new and essentially turns a portable tool into a stationary tool. All the EZ setups work well.

It is also possible to buy the rail and make a square or a repeater or a bridge.

Let me know if I can help.

Burt

 

[DarrenM]

Hi Burt.

It's great to have someone reply from across the pond Although most guys on here use it for sheet material, that won't neccesary be the case with me, I would need it for small work more than large panel work, hence my interest in the bridge system. I had noticed on the eurekazone website that there are two bridge systems, which would be right for me? As I said in my previous post I would like it to replace my saw table, so it would be set up constantly in the workshop. Is it best to order direct from them or do you recommend any other suppliers that ship to the U.K?
From what you say it appears that I'd need the basic set plus a bridge and as Dave on here has said, I'll also need a pair of bridge rails. The bridge rails, I notice, come in different lengths,why is this? (Forgive my ignorance but I have only seen the EZ smart in a couple of movies on the web).

Darren

 

[Burt Waddell]

Darren,

I won't attempt to tell you which bridge is best for you. With the B-100, you raise and lower the rail for each cut by loosening and tightening 2 to 4 knobs. The B-200 has a hinge mechanism that allows the rail to hinge up and down. I prefer the B-200 because it is easier to use.

As for purchasing the EZ, Buy directly from Eureka Zone. I talk frequently with the owner and I'm absolutely sure that he will treat you right. I've never seen customer service that comes close to his.

Bridge rail lengths vary because a lot of us build different sizes. I have one that is over 9' and one that is only about 24". Also instead of just using the rail for bridge mounts, a lot of us put it alway around our tables and use it it to attach extensions, hold boards for mortice and tendon cuts,
stop blocks when we are loading a bunch of boards at a time, holding small tools, etc.

Burt

 

[DarrenM]

Many thanks Burt, you have been very helpful. I think I know what's best for my applications now and will most certainly be ordering. I like the idea of extra rails around the bench, opens up a whole load of options.

Thanks Burt.

Darren

 

[Burt Waddell]

Darren,

You're most welcome.

Burt