Question. Smartbase circular saw winners

[Steve Clardy]

Any of you winners out there used your new base yet? And how do you like it? Give me a thumbs up, progress report, and pics if possible. Thanks, Steve

[Byron Trantham]

Haven't received mine yet. :confused:

[Rob Littleton]

Mine is still in the box. No shop or tools to do anything yet :-(

I'll be interested to hear feedback though...........

[Perry Schmidt]

I JUST got mine yesterday. I've looked though it and was going to try it out today or tomorrow if I have time.

But first impression - looks simple to install and use. The old KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) concept here really applies and I think will work well for it. So far rather looks good.

More as I use it.

Perry

[Matt Meiser]

I got mine on Thursday. I will hopefully get a chance to try it out in the next few days.

[Tyler Howell]

Did the Install today. Not quike universal it doesn't fit the left handed PC cordless I had hoped to use it on. Road test tomorrow.

[Frank Pellow]

Did the Install today. Not quike universal it doesn't fit the left handed PC cordless I had hoped to use it on. Road test tomorrow.

Looking forward to your review, Tyler.

[Perry Schmidt]

OK, got mine and tried it out last night. Here's a review:

First, it's quite simple - which is good. Nothing too complex, you drill 4 holes in your saw base and use the clips to attach the new base. The clips are nice in that there aer a lot of indentations in the base for clip locations. They seat themselves nicely and out of the way. (Sorry - no picture...)

The base though didn’t mount as easily as the instructions say. My base is not flat – it has some ridges (I have the DeWalt circular saw). So most of the holes usually lined up right on the edge of a ridge. To get a nice clean straight hole there was not the easiest. The holes in my base aren’t the prettiest thing. I thought about taking the base completely off the saw and drilling them in the drill press, but opted not to do so. Next time I’ll do it this way. :)

I tightened down the screws and again b/c the base I have is not flat, it would bow the base slightly. I needed to add shims around each hole so the base was completely flat around each hole to prevent the base from bowing up when I tightened down the screws.

So putting it on – could have gone easier. But now it’s on, how did it work?? Very simply very nice! The cuts you see on his website are pretty much an accurate picture. I had a piece of plywood that the face chipped out very badly for me – cut once w/ the zero clearance insert clipped in – cut very nice. Cut it once w/ the clip out – very bad. It’s easy to install/remove the zero clearance clip. That’s one of the nice features. It also doesn’t interfere w/ the blade guard at all. When I first saw it I was wondering why the zero clearance inserts didn’t go back further – that’s so it doesn’t mess w/ the blade guard. The guard wasn’t interfered w/ at all - a big feature in my book.

So – overall: a nice system. Was a bit of a pain to mount on the saw, but once it was on, did a nice job, and very easy to use and cuts very nice.

Worth the $25?? Yup! Can’t go wrong w/ the price!

Would I buy the guide rails? I haven’t use them, so can’t say for sure. They looks like they do a very nice job – not having to measure distance from blade to edge of base would be REALLY nice. But given how I work I would probably wait til he had a ‘Tru-Grip’ clamping style straight-edge/guide. (I put my sheet goods on my workbench on a pair of long 1”x1”…no room underneath to get a clamp.) If he had this, I think it wouldn't be long before I'd order a straight edge/guide.

If you don’t mind drilling 4 holes in your circular saw base, it’s a good addition.

Perry

[Tyler Howell]

Dry and Wet Run Tonight!
Loaded it up a week ago but just got around to the road test.
Mounting wasn't a problem buttttttt It wasn't intended for my 6" PC Left handed cordless. Hard to find a good fit with the lefty. I was able to find some screw holes that would give a secure mount and took it for a ride. As stated not intended for my saw, the blade guard kept getting hung up depending on the position of the dept of the blade
The added ground clearance won't let you cut completely through 2x stock (with the 6" blade).
Used it with my home brew straight edge on sheet stock. Gave consistently clean cuts and smooth action across the guide. I have hard board for the riding surface of my guide.
There is added comfort in the larger platform and starting a cut feels more secure.

Going to give it a try on my antique Cman 6.5 C-Saw :p Hope that added 1/2" will give me the depth to get through a 2X.

As I've stated before I'm not big on "add-ons" The literature showed some interesting options. I might consider.

More to come.

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the reviews Perry and Tyler. What I get from these reviews is about what I expected -the thing is not as easy to use as advertized but, if one persists and gets around the unexpected gliches, it does a nice job.

Still waiting to hear from someone who has both the Dino's guide rail and the Festool guide rail.

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi Guys.
Tyler how you got clean cuts with out the antichip insert?
The base as you notice is not made for left blade saws.
If we need to have better instructions please let me know.
There two ways to attache the smart base to your saw.
If you have problem locating and drill thru your base then you
can use the included VHB tape. It only takes one minute.
I think we need to have better instructions.
Tyler hold on your test drive on your vintage saw
for few days and visit our web site with the improved instructions.
But tell me how you got a clean cut with out the antichip.
Thanks Tyler.Your input can only help. (maybe a picture?)
Frank I don"t think you will find someone with both guides.
The only one who have the need to use both guides is me.
And take it for me you have a very nice system.
Regards.
YCF dino

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi Guys.
The smart base works only on right blade saws.
And we have two installation methods.(and 13 pictures on the instructions.)

#1. You drill thru the selected points and use the provided t nuts & bolts.
#2. ( If you don"t like drilling) Use the provided VHB tape.
The following saws work perfect with the smart base.
Dewalt,Bosch,Porter Cable,
Makita,Millwake,Hitachi,
Ryobi,Sears,Black& Decker,
Skill, Ridgid And all ( 7 1/4 and 8 1/2 blade.)
If you have a short and narrow base saw (OLD SEARS AND SKILL)
you have to position the saw 1 1/2 from the right aligment rib
of the smart base.
Smaller blade saws can be use if you dont mind the depth cut loss.
Any Questions? Call me at 732-259-9984.
(no petitions needed)

[Steve Clardy]

I got Perry's and Tyler's reviews, so I need some more if you all have had time to give er a run for the money.
Just got mine UPS today, still in the box. I am right in the middle of a set of cabs, so look out sheet stock!!:eek:
Steve

[Byron Trantham]

Good for you Steve. :D I was like, the third winner and still haven't received mine. I've sent a couple emails and I am told "it's in the mail." :mad:

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi Byron.
We ship your Smart Base on 6-12
I will send another one tomorrow.
Today we ship another one for
second time to David Wilson.
If you don't receive this one by next Tuesday, Call me.
We ship only priority mail. 2-3 days.
Sorry for the waiting.
Regards
YCF Dino

[David Rose]

Drat it! Guess I'm glad I didn't win one afterall. :(

David


Hi Guys.
The base as you notice is not made for left blade saws.
Regards.
YCF dino

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi David.
The circular saw is one of the safest tools.
...IF you don't cut your fingers with the wood.
And the best way to do this (cut your fingers)
Is holding the wood with your left hand and using
a left bladed saw with your right hand .......

...But we know that many R/H people have
use L/ bladed saws and they like it.
To that I say, Good and I'am happy for them.
(that they still have 10 fingers and 10 toes)
But this people have special skills and...some luck.

The majority of users aren't so skill or special or..lucky.
The facts have shown that the majority of circular saw
accidents happen due the above mention reasons.


And I'am glad to tell you that few hundreed people
so far have made the switch and work safer.
Because after all..you're my friend David

Regards.

[David Rose]

Thank you for your concern, Dino. And thank you for the word of warning. I do see the danger. This circular saw is only used for working panels too large for my bandsaw. I always use a support platform, so no wood needs to be hand held.

And in no way did I mean to infer that your product was deficient. I suspect it is a very good product.

David, your friend and likely customer one day


Hi David.
The circular saw is one of the safest tools.
...IF you don't cut your fingers with the wood.
And the best way to do this (cut your fingers)
Is holding the wood with your left hand and using
a left bladed saw with your right hand .......

...But we know that many R/H people have
use L/ bladed saws and they like it.
To that I say, Good and I'am happy for them.
(that they still have 10 fingers and 10 toes)
But this people have special skills and...some luck.

The majority of users aren't so skill or special or..lucky.
The facts have shown that the majority of circular saw
accidents happen due the above mention reasons.


And I'am glad to tell you that few hundreed people
so far have made the switch and work safer.
Because after all..you're my friend David

Regards.

[Dino Makropoulos]

Morning David.
This is what a visitor must see when
they visit this and other forums.
Your advice about the cutting platform is the best one so far
and the most important step before and during the cutting.
Now ,As to what color is your tool ...Thanks that we have many colors..

One thing to remember David is that many people
in my trade was forced out from what they love and some times
the only thing they knew how to make a living.

Last time I ask my insurance agent why my premium was so high
when for 25 years I never put in a single claim,..
His answer was..But orhers do.
And he refer me to OSHA and the labor dept. stats.


Your advice about allways using a cutting/working platform
It will be feature on our web site on a new SAFETY PAGE
that we're working. And more advices like that from others are welcome
See you my friend.

[David Rose]

Dino,

The idea for the platform was not mine. Many people use them for sheet goods. They work very well too. There have been several magazine articles showing how to build them effectively.

I asked my insurance agent almost exactly the same question a few years ago. He said that since our business (another "hobby turned business") had never had a claim that we were due one statistically. Yes, we pay for the costs of the insurance companies. That is business. But insurance is so important that we do it.

David


Morning David.
This is what a visitor must see when
they visit this and other forums.
Your advice about the cutting platform is the best one so far
and the most important step before and during the cutting.
Now ,As to what color is your tool ...Thanks that we have many colors..

One thing to remember David is that many people
in my trade was forced out from what they love and some times
the only thing they knew how to make a living.

Last time I ask my insurance agent why my premium was so high
when for 25 years I never put in a single claim,..
His answer was..But orhers do.
And he refer me to OSHA and the labor dept. stats.


Your advice about allways using a cutting/working platform
It will be feature on our web site on a new SAFETY PAGE
that we're working. And more advices like that from others are welcome
See you my friend.

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi David.
The right advice is allways a good idea.

Let' say that you own a RAS and you can do miracles with it.
Is that means that the RAS is the right tool for anyone?
Or do you think is a good idea for you to suggest the use of it?

You see David, people have the need to feel good.
And one way to do that is to say...You see,I can do that.
Never mind the stats the facts and the recalls from the factory.

This is what I call...The RAS mentality in its glory.
And this is what drove many people out of business
and loose they'r houses and families.....
..Never mind the others that only lost few fingers

I agree with you David that we need insurance.
But what we need more is good advise, Like yours.
(By the way how do you spell advi e? s or c )
And when I post your advi e on our web site can I use your name?

See you my friend.

[David Rose]

Dino,

When you give someone advice (noun or a "thing") you advise (verb or an "action") them. Both are valid words. "Advice" is what you give them, as in a suggestion. Advising them is what you "do" when you give them the advice. Does that make sense?

Sure, you can use my name. I don't mind that at all. But I would as soon that the "advice" be given as from more experienced woodworkers as the idea was not my own. I was only the first to give that suggestion in this case.

David


Hi David.
The right advice is allways a good idea.

Let' say that you own a RAS and you can do miracles with it.
Is that means that the RAS is the right tool for anyone?
Or do you think is a good idea for you to suggest the use of it?

You see David, people have the need to feel good.
And one way to do that is to say...You see,I can do that.
Never mind the stats the facts and the recalls from the factory.

This is what I call...The RAS mentality in its glory.
And this is what drove many people out of business
and loose they'r houses and families.....
..Never mind the others that only lost few fingers

I agree with you David that we need insurance.
But what we need more is good advise, Like yours.
(By the way how do you spell advi e? s or c )
And when I post your advi e on our web site can I use your name?

See you my friend.

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi David.
Believe it or not I learn my English?
from the street signs and typing
(if you call this typing ) on SMC.

I missed woodworking and construction
that give me so much joy over the years
and now I feel oblicated to give back to
this trades, even if that means.... misspelling..

Because Woodworking is passion,therapy.art,
self- esteem and the refuge that many people need.

See You David.
Yourcarpenterfriend
Dino.

[David Rose]

Dino,

Have you really had no formal English studies? I am impressed. Your English is nearly as good as mine. ;) Some here will probably say yours is better than mine. That's OK. :p There are many things worse than mispelling. I'm not sure which of us is right about the spelling of "mispelling". :) But who is right does not matter to me. You are contributing to our craft and that is worth very much. I hope that you can one day get to enjoy woodworking as a pleasure again. You have a good understanding of what it means to many people.

Feel free to email me directly any time. My address is "roseguns@aol.com".

your gunsmith friend, David


Hi David.
Believe it or not I learn my English?
from the street signs and typing
(if you call this typing ) on SMC.

I missed woodworking and construction
that give me so much joy over the years
and now I feel oblicated to give back to
this trades, even if that means.... misspelling..

Because Woodworking is passion,therapy.art,
self- esteem and the refuge that many people need.

See You David.
Yourcarpenterfriend
Dino.