Replies

1. 
   Shep | Jun 20, 2007 08:34pm | #1

   I have a Bosch 8-1/4" set up with my EZ.

   If you want to look at it, give me a call. 908-872-0912 cell

   You done with the school year yet?

1. 
   jerseyjeff | Jun 21, 2007 01:57am | #2

    

   today was the last day with my little munchkins,  and I am going back to clean up my classroom tommorrow... should be good fun....   some folks seemed to hint that the bosch tried to wander during the cut... 

   http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=1635&partID=2

   but the saw can be had for pretty cheap from CPO bosch...

   http://bosch.cpotools.com/saws/circular_saws/corded_circular_saws/1656-46.html

   all it needs is a new blade and then I am golden...

   do you find it wanders/binds up at all or are you happy with it?  because for 129,  I could get it,  a new diablo blade and be 40 less than the makita..

   BUT on the other hand,  I havent met a makita tool I didnt like...jmmmm

1. 
   Shep | Jun 21, 2007 02:30am | #3

   I use the Bosch 7-1/4" more on my EZ, but I haven't noticed any wander with the 8-1/4".

   I haven't used a Makita circular saw in years. I didn't like the one my dad had 20 some years ago- it seemed too light and unstable.

   I'm working in Cranford right now. A couple of blocks from the canoe rental place. If you want to hook up some time, let me know. I don't normally carry my EZ, but I'll throw it on my van if you want.

2. 
   Shep | Jun 21, 2007 02:31am | #4

   Oh yeah, one thing to consider- the Bosch doesn't have a blade brake.

1. 
   jerseyjeff | Jun 21, 2007 02:54am | #5

   Shep

   the brake is the deal breaker....  no pun intended...  I am way tired of waiting for my pc 347 to stop spinning after each cut...  I definitely want something with a brake...

   jeffjmmmm

1. 
   rez | Jun 21, 2007 02:59am | #6

   yepWhere is this division of labor to end? and what object does it finally serve? No doubt another may also think for me; but it is not therefore desirable that he should do so to the exclusion of my thinking for myself.

   -Thoreau's Walden

2. 
   Sasquatch | Jun 21, 2007 04:39pm | #12

   Use the last part of the cut to stop the blade.  This is easy to gage.  With a little practice, you can regularly have the blade at a complete stop just as you get to the end of the cut.  It is also the safest way to cut.  It's great pulling the saw away with a stopped blade before the guard has a chance to cover it.  It makes the jobsite a lot quieter too.

3. 
   jerseyjeff | Jun 21, 2007 05:16pm | #13

   after using the ez-smart with a non braked saw,  I figure I want to give the brake a try...  I tend to cut a ton of different types of wood,  and would like it the blade to stop spinning....jmmmm

4. 
   Sasquatch | Jun 23, 2007 04:02pm | #24

   I guess I wasn't too clear.  I referred to cutting in general.  I really don't know if the method will leave you with a smooth enough cut using the EZ.

5. 
   jerseyjeff | Jun 24, 2007 03:09pm | #25

   that has been what I have been doing with my old PC,  but I want to cut faster, deeper and cleaner.  waiting for the blade to stop spinning loses its novelty pretty quick... 

    jmmmm

2. 
   chickenfarmer | Jun 21, 2007 04:53am | #7

   I've got the Bosch.  Like it, works fine for me.

3. 
   Piffin | Jun 21, 2007 04:58am | #8

   I have the Bosch set up for mine

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   davidwood | Jun 21, 2007 05:22am | #9

    I havent met a makita tool I have disliked yet,

   Except this one. Very rough on the adjustments.

   The new 7-14" Makita with electric brake is  one of the top ez recommended saws.

   Cuts deeper than any other 7-14" saw. Except the Hilti E 267.

   You can rip 2xs on the ez with the Makita. You can cut 1-3/4" with the Hilti.

   Think of blade selection, availability and $$$.

    

   david 

    

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/20/2007 10:24 pm ET by davidwood

1. 
   jerseyjeff | Jun 21, 2007 01:07pm | #10

   david....  did you try the 8 1/4 makita or are you refering to the 7 1/4 for rough adjustments?  because if I can get another 7 1/4 that would be great.... easier to find blades for it..jmmmm

1. 
   davidwood | Jun 21, 2007 08:21pm | #14

   Jeff,

   Yes. I tried many saws for the ez and this one was very rough.

   Nice typical smooth and strong Makita motor and quality but the depth and bevel adjustments was very rough.

    

    

   The New 7-1/4 Makita with brake  is a winner.

    

   david

1. 
   Shoeman | Jun 21, 2007 08:37pm | #15

   Do you have a model number for the new Makita you reccommend, and can you tell me how deep it will cut while on the EZ rail?

    

   Thanks in advance,

   Shoe

1. 
   davidwood | Jun 21, 2007 09:27pm | #17

   Makita 5007MGA

   david

2. 
   Shoeman | Jun 21, 2007 10:39pm | #18

   Thanks

   I need to get a different saw for my EZ soon.  Have been running with my old Porter Cable.  Frustrating not being able to cut 2x stock.

3. 
   MikeSmith | Jun 22, 2007 02:55am | #19

   my everyday  EZ saw is the old style PC... works great

   for the 2x stock i use an  8 1/4" Bosch.... the  depth adjustment sticks like crazy...

   works fine... but if i were buying anew one.. i'd be looking for something other than the Bosch 8 1/4

    now.. my regular saw is a Bosch 7 1/4 CS20.. i really like that saw... i think because of  the cord feature.. i keep a 25 ft. soft yellow cord permanently on it

   oneadesedays i'll take a long look at the HiltiMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

4. 
   Shoeman | Jun 23, 2007 04:05am | #21

   Thanks Mike, always appreciate the input.

   I have looked at the Hilti several times, one day might go ahead and drop the three bills it takes to take it home. 

   I had been considering the Bosch 8.25 as well - glad to hear your input.

   Think I will have to take a look at the new Makita mentioned here.

    

   Thanks again,

   Shoe

5. 
   Gene_Davis | Jun 24, 2007 03:31pm | #26

   Mike, the thing that bums me is that I could have gotten enough cut depth to do interior doors, by having used a 7-1/4" Makita with the EZ base, instead of the PC Mag I mounted on it.

   The Makita has more depth-of-cut, I believe, than any other 7.25 saw.  With 7/32" more cut depth than my PC324, it would do the job nicely.

6. 
   Snort | Jun 24, 2007 04:44pm | #27

   You might try a real 7 1/4" blade...I use Makita's, and I've never had a problem cutting down an interior door with the ez and a Milwaukee. Same rig will rip most 2x stock in one pass, if I bear down a little.I did get a PC mag to use on the ez, but never figured out how to drill the base...anyone got any pics of their set up they'd care to share?Think I can get this baby to work on the ez?<G> Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press

   Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.

   They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,

   She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.

   I can't help it if I'm lucky.

7. 
   Gene_Davis | Jun 24, 2007 05:07pm | #28

   You might try a real 7 1/4" blade

   Wow!  You made me take a close look!  But my PC324 is outfitted with a real 7.25-inch blade.  I just checked it and measured.

   Also checked the max depth I can get when it is riding on the EZ guide, and it is a scant 1-1/4".

   That Makita's extra depth of 7/32" would get me through an interior door at 1-3/8".

   My base is stuck to the PC with the 2-side tape, and I would probably have to wreck both the base and the PC's table to dismount it!  The tape may rob me of 1/32 of cut depth, but what the heck, I'm short of door depth by a lot more than that.

8. 
   MikeSmith | Jun 24, 2007 07:55pm | #29

   yes , but it still won't cut an exterior door or rip 2x stock

   so ... i use an 8 1/4 setup for any of the thick stuffMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

9. 
   davidwood | Jun 22, 2007 03:13pm | #20

   Shoeman.

   Get this one.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAveFBfaBIU

    

    

   david.

10. 
    Shoeman | Jun 23, 2007 04:07am | #22

    Thanks David - might be a bit much for me though.

    Interesting to see the Bridge set up in the video though.  Will have to go waste some time at Dino's site and see what he has been up to.

     

    Thanks again,

    Shoe

5. 
   mike_maines | Jun 21, 2007 01:28pm | #11

   I have the 8 1/4" Skil sidewinder set up for the EZ.  It's pretty much the same saw as the Bosch, and it works well--it'll cut through a 1 3/4" door using the guide.

   Only problem is the lack of a brake.  In the last year my guys and I have made a few thousand cuts with the EZ guide.  The extra time spent waiting for the blade to stop spinning so the guide doesn't get chewed up really adds up. 

   2000 cuts, times 5 seconds extra per cut, is around three hours of wasted time.  Find a saw with a brake.

6. 
   BryanSayer | Jun 21, 2007 08:40pm | #16

   Have you checked the EZ-Smart forum at Sawmill Creek? As I recall, Hilti has an 8 1/4" that gets raves.

   What saw for EZ gets asked about once a month.

   http://www.sawmillcreek.org/index.php

7. 
   user-246028 | Jun 23, 2007 06:11am | #23

   I've got a newer makita (without the fancy light) I love it. Good balance, not too heavy, cut's like butter.

   Dave