Replies

1. 
   DougU | Oct 28, 2005 02:55am | #1

   John

   Thanks, I was going to buy the Festool jig saw and kept putting it off, this will help me pull the triger!

   Doug

2. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 28, 2005 05:55am | #2

   Problem is, $25 coupon for Festool anything doesn't make much of a dent in the price.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   JohnT8 | Oct 28, 2005 06:07am | #3

   They have some really neat tools (watched part of the demo CD), but I agree... hard for me to afford them.

    jt8

   "Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. "  --Theodore N. Vail

1. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 28, 2005 07:18am | #4

   I have their jig saw, and it kinda like driving a Mercedes.But just today I used the circular saw with their guide system, and we had a hard time with it. The saw (the smaller of the two they sell) seems woefully underpowered, and it kept stalling out. It was a real struggle to get through what we had to do.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   storme | Oct 28, 2005 09:07am | #5

   I've often wondered how the Festool solution compares to the EZ system - any thoughts?

1. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 28, 2005 04:03pm | #8

   After what I saw today, I will probably buy the EZ system for myself. But with the EZ, here's what bothers me:1) With a 7 1/4" CS, it will not cut all the way through 2X material -- you need an 8 1/4" saw for that. 2) The Festool has been carefully engineered for dust control, and I would guess the DC for most CS's would pale by comparison. 3) The Festool system produces a "glass smooth" cut, which I assumed was in part due to their very expensive saw. But I have been assured by EZ users that you can get the same quality cut with any old CS when using the EZ guide. Still, I wonder, since the cut from the Festool is as good as anything that came out of a jointer. 4) This is a very minor point, but I find the EZ website bewildering and confusing -- difficult for me to figure out which system and collection of accessories would be best for my purposes. Festool makes it much easier.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   BilWil | Oct 28, 2005 11:05pm | #9

   I've usde both, own the older Festool model and use it almost exclusively for sheet goods.  The EZ Smart belongs to the shop I work for and is a great tool as well.  It is easy to set up and does a fine job on sheet goods.  I like both and think the big advantage to the Festool is the dust collection.  If fact the Festool Saw is the saw of choice to use with the EZ Smart when you want to control the dust. 

   Tp my mind the advantage to the Festool is the dust collection and the fact that the guide will stay in place without clamps.  The box that the saw comes in is very nice but I can build my own boxes.  The advantage to the EZ is that you can move the base from one saw to another when the first dies and it doesn't attract the same level of attention at the work site from the other trades as the Festool.  Both are good tools.

3. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 29, 2005 02:53am | #10

   Which would you prefer for ripping lumber?********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   BilWil | Oct 29, 2005 05:33pm | #11

   I would prefer the EZ and an 81/2 inch saw, probalbly a PC with the cast base plate.

5. 
   Burts | Nov 03, 2005 04:13am | #14

   Check the EZ Smart Site.  Dino has been doing some work with a Porter Cable Saw and can show you how to make dust collection even more effective than it is on the Festool.

   As for clamping the EZ Smart guide when doing sheet goods, I don't clamp it and haven't had a problem.

   Just looking at the Web sites, you can tell that the EZ Smart is a lot beefier than the festool system.

   I also agree with the gentleman that said the EZ Smart site can be confusing.  It is getting better.  If you have a question, just drop them an email or call them.  Their customer service is excellent.

    

    

    

6. 
   storme | Nov 03, 2005 04:18am | #15

   I third the comment on EZ website confusion. If they had a simple section that said:If you want X buy this...
   If you want X and Y buy this...
   if you want just Y buy thisit would help a lot.

2. 
   mattias | Oct 28, 2005 10:04am | #6

   "But just today I used the circular saw with their guide system, and we had a hard time with it. The saw (the smaller of the two they sell) seems woefully underpowered, and it kept stalling out. It was a real struggle to get through what we had to do."

   I have had the same problem, when trying to make a rip cut i 2-by stock with the 48-tooth blade. It is obviously not the right blade for that task. There is a special 12- or 14 tooth rip cut blade, called "Panther"

1. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 28, 2005 03:48pm | #7

   I actually called Festool (what other company prints their telephone numbers right on the tool?), and that's what they said -- only the guy I talked to recommended their 28 tooth blade.Apparently, the saw is factory adjusted to slightly toe in, and he also said it might help to fine tune this adjustment. But, we were trying to cut 3/4" MDO -- both at 90 and 45 -- and I would think the saw should easily handle that kind of material.I know they are in the midst of redesigning their CS's, and I would guess they are beefing up the power, since others must be having the same problem. I would like to emphasize that the guy I called was extraordinarily polite, and he really, really wanted to help solve the problem. But I was irritated, and in a great hurry, and I didn't want to have a 30 minute conversation just then to learn how to make these fine tuning adjustments. So we just bulled our way through what we had to do. My colleague (who owns the saw) is on the fence about returning it.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 01, 2005 07:49am | #12

   I have the smaller Festool.

   When I got it, I did so thinking I would use it for sheet goods exclusivley, and have used it mostly on MDO. I can't remember the blade installed, but it has seemed fine to me.

   It doesn't rip thru it at 30 mph, but then i use if for cabinets so cut quality is important, and I just let the saw do the work.

   I was surprised to see your commetn about the difficulties.

   Wet 2 by lumber I coiuld understand, but sheet goods have never been an issue.Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

3. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 01, 2005 03:09pm | #13

   We were using the blade that came with the machine -- a 48 tooth. Is that what you're using?We were certainly not pushing the saw, and I wonder if there is something defective in this particular machine?********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-