Guide Rail system

S

Scrap

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
12
I've noticed that the EZ smart system has this really cool feature called "repeaters" I think. It has stops for the guide rails so that you can make a cut and slide the rails over so you can make another cut of the same exact width. This is for ripping not cross cutting.

Does the Festool system have a similar solution? Even though I can't see it being used often, I can still see it coming in handy every now and then.

Also what is Festools system for cutting dadoes to the exact width of the mating piece every time? I'd rather not set the guide rail cut then move and do it again for dadoes.

If you don't understand my second(or first) question, I will find a link of what I have in mind.
 
We don't have anything like the "repeaters" yet. Most people use a pair of combination squares (or similar) to push the guide rail back the same distance on both ends.

Most Festoolians use a router for cutting dadoes. There are a few ways to move the routers the small amount needed to make an undersized bit cut a groove as big as you need.
 
Thanks on the repeaters.

As far as the dadoes go, I was thinking something along the lines of the DadoWiz. I was figuring that you could sandwich the mating piece in between 2 guiderails, to get the same effect, but then the routers would have to cut exactly on the edge of the guiderails and I wasn't sure if they did or not.

If not you could probably use the saw to make the outside lines then just clean up the centers with the router, but that is also a little extra work, that I would prefer to cut out. It would also eliminate the need to use Festool routers though, so I guess that is a plus for somebody who doesn't want to buy them.
 
If you are cutting more than a few dados I think its easier
to just make a t-square jig or a sort of frame to limit the
side-to-side motion of the router.

I have a festool router , etc... and I think the last time
I cut dados for a bookshelf I just used a 12" speed square.

I own an MFT and I have yet to develop a consistent
method of getting smooth, square cuts with it.  It always
seems to be a hair off.  For Dados this probably doesn't
matter.

I've looked at the Ez repeaters and I think the concept
beats the MFT as a crosscutting table for the kind or
work I do 98% of the time - square, straight cuts.
 
Please read the the forum rules here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=11.0.

Rule number 8 specifically covers EZ Smart:
And now, even more specific...
8. Topics dealing with "Festool versus EZ Smart" will be closely monitored.  Honest questions by curious customers are fine, but promotion of EZ Smart over Festool (or vice versa) will not be tolerated, nor will purely negative comparisons between Festool and EZ Smart for the purposes of promotion.  If you do wish to raise this subject, please do so only in the "Off-Topic" area.
Click to expand...

These are the forum rules and I fully support them.  I am not not a FOG moderator or adminstrator, but I have personally been assaulted in forums by EZ enthusiasts and company representatives.  I have ZERO tolerance for these discussions.  EZ enthusiasts have wrecked havoc on multiple forums and I do not want to see it here.

Personally, I can see no reason to purchase EZ products if you own Festool tools.  That said, each person makes their own choices.  If you want to discuss and/or purchase EZ products, please go to the EZ forum on Sawmill Creek.  You will find people very willing to give you positive feedback about EZ products.  Note that Sawmill Creek in general has a similar zero tolerance policy of EZ versus Festool discussions.

While I have not reported this thread to the FOG administrator, no doubt it has already has been reported and is being monitored.  Please proceed with caution.

Regards,

Dan.
 
I'm going to volunteer that I was inappropriate having not recalled that section of the rules and entered into unecessary engagement. I was not aware this was a past issue elsewhere. I am deleting my previous comments in comparison of the two systems. Again, all respect to all methods of work and workers.  ;D
 
Eli said:
I'm going to volunteer that I was inappropriate having not recalled that section of the rules and entered into unecessary engagement. I was not aware this was a past issue elsewhere. I am deleting my previous comments in comparison of the two systems. Again, all respect to all methods of work and workers.  ;D
Click to expand...
Could you PM me whatever it was you said? I don't care if it is insulting, I am just trying to make a decision.

To Dan Clark, I had no intention of starting a debate, I am just trying to find out if the Festool system will do everything that I need it to do.

As for your comments about EZ smart tools, I wasn't trying to discuss them, I was asking specific questions about Festool tools one question simply used EZ Smart as an example.

Just a side note, I find it funny that you come into this thread to talk about rules and whatnot, yet have made no attempt to add to the original topic. I also find it funny that in spite of having ZERO tolerance for "these" discussions, you still managed to slip in a little dig.

I am simply trying to learn some of the capabilities of a system that I am considering spending a LOT of money on, if you don't want to help me learn more about it, feel free to keep your opinions to yourself.
 
It wasn't that important what I said (or volatile for that matter). What's important is that we keep the peace here. Here's the video on the EZ that I watched just before I wrote my comments.

I'll put my response in the off-topic section (which I think is okay per the rules) under the thread name, "EZ duzit". At the first hint of bloodshed, I'll pull it there too.
 
After reading Eli's post I do not see anything that would warrant the removal of his post, this thread just needed more time to mature, and play out uninterrupted.

Dan,
Go finish that bathroom!! ;D ;)

Mirko
 
Whoa! This got interesting real fast, didn't it?

I'm a newbie here as well (several months), and at woodworking, so I'm not familiar with any EZ-Festool debates either here or on other sites. But I think I see what has happened, and I believe everyone really is trying to act in good faith.

Given everyone's experiences on other forums, Dan may have over-reacted slightly, but probably not without good reason. (I do know from past experience that Dan has been a helpful contributor to this forum, and not antagonistic in any way.)

There may be a few red flags here, but again, I see everyone acting in good faith. Both Scrap and Loren are very new members, with only a few previous posts. This lays the groundwork for a familiar pattern; join a site, and then shortly thereafter start dropping bombs to promote your 'favorite brand', or trash our 'favorite brand'.

Looking a little deeper, however, both Scrap and Loren have asked some good questions, and Loren provided considerable helpful information on some other topics. And certainly, both are new enough to not realize the emotional reactions that EZ-Festool might create, based on historical experience. (Same here; I had no clue . . . !)

I was actually composing yet another request to Eli for an e-mail copy of his information because it sounded useful and interesting, when I refreshed the page and found Scrap's honest request for information regarding his entry to the slippery (and expensive) Festool slope.

Suggestion: Let's everyone take a deep breath and get a good night's sleep, and then let's revisit the issue (following Eli's lead), in the "off topic' area. I really would be interested in a relatively objective comparison to satisfy my own curiosity and ignorance -- and I think that is where everyone else is honestly coming from as well.

(Eli is in Australia, so he doesn't have to go to bed. But he has my permission to take a nap if it would help . . . )

Ed Gallaher
 
Did you guys sneak in and put a webcam in the house? The baby and I just finished dinner and had a late siesta! The real baby, not my wife. As promised, I did start that other thread, I don't see why we can't have the discussion over there if anyone's actually interested. I think this would be akin to boxing in the ring instead of in the parking lot.
 
Dan, i have just looked over the demo clip of E-Z and read in the off topic section, Eli's report.  i think he made some very important observations.  you might take a wander over into that other area.  i have made my own observation about his report you might want to read. I don't think you had the same feeling at the time of your own rant. 

PS  We all have bad days and i do appreciate all of the valuable information you have given to me and all FOG members.  i always look forward to what you have to say. It has always been very important and helpful.
Tinker
 
I just wanted to put down for the record I didn't have a problem with moving the discussion to the proper place, no one specifically asked me to move that post, and I'm totally okay Dan brought it up. hugs and kisses all round.
 
Eli,

First, my apologies.  Your post was NOT the reason I posted.  I saw NOTHING wrong with your post.  I wanted to let the new members know that discussions involving EZ products are a sore subject with many people and that those discussions are specifically covered by FOG rules.

In many cases, EZ representatives use EZ vs Festool threads are thinly disguised marketing presentations.  What may start with an innocent question quickly turns ugly.  If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll point you to several threads on other forums that are rather bad examples of these marketing tactics. 

Regards,

Dan.
 
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