Thoughts on the EZSmart track saw system?

[Carl Crout]

Anyone use one of these? better than a homemade jig but not as good as a DW, Festool or Makita? Thanks


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=-i3df2FfDgw&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=-i3df2FfDgw&feature=emb_logo)

[Matt Day]

IIRC, they were popular a decade or so ago before track saws were popular. Honestly I thinking’s rather get a cheap track saw.

[Jim Becker]

Unless something has changed recently, EZSmart is no longer in business.

[Mark Gibney]

I use my EZ Smart track for trimming slabs with my 16" beam saw. I make a sled that rides on the track, to hold this large saw.

For regular work I use the Festool track saw system. I think it's easier because it's just there, ready to go. I remember I would take my Skilsaw off the sled to use, then I'd have to remount it.
Plus the Festool connects to dust collection.

I think these components are available thru Lee Valley? Anyone know for sure?

[Thomas Wilson]

I bought my EZ Smart track many years ago before there were other options. I still use it to break down plywood. There may be better systems today. It was a fraction of the cost of Festool.

The manufacturing company, Eureka Zone, shut down in January. They sold all the inventory at reduced prices. I wish I had bought some of the anti-chip strips. Lee Valley and Woodcraft did also. There is not much left.

Since I have been getting my shop back into operation, I have gotten out of storage a lot of tools from now defunct companies. I have been thinkIng of starting a thread about it.

[richard poitras]

I have had my EZ Smart for years and have liked it a lot. But as Jim stated are they still around? I am not sure as I have not had to buy anything from them in years.

[Eric Anderson]

I have a very old system, and it work OK. I've had it for a lot of years, easily over 10 and used it a lot. I dedicated a Porter cable saw to it. It gets much less use, as it doesn't (at least the old ones didn't) have the anti-skid strips like Festool. You also couldn't really do easy plunge cuts like with festool. Now that I have the festool, I have only used the ez system for siding work where I didn't want to have the festool hit with cement dust.

[Eric Anderson]

Just went to the Eurakazone web site and it appears to be up and running.

[Earl McLain]

I got an e-mail from their address a month or so ago, so i went to their site. Not only was it up and running, but i had several anti-chip strips in about 5 days. They seem to have re-opened quietly. I bought an early table with the bridge system from a member here a few years ago. I don't use it often, but it works like a champ.
earl

[BOB OLINGER]

FWIW,, I bought a Kreg track saw system a few months ago. I don't use it a lot, but boy, when i do, it's great for cutting straight and clean!!!!!!

[Carl Crout]

Someone just posted on Woodnet they were open for business thus my interest

[Ken Kortge]

Their tracks and accessories work great for me.

I also was suprized to receive an email from them. Today I replied to the email asking if they're back in business.

[Peter Kelly]

The Ezsmart rail itself seems not bad for what it is but the saw adapter plate is pretty cheap and might not last. The rail and adapter are also really thick so you loose a fair amount of cutting height. This seems to also have an effect on their not great dust collection as only the outer part of a 7 1/4" can contact the workpiece.

I’d probably look into the Kreg system if you’re going this route. Quite a bit less expensive too.

[Peter Kelly]

It looks as though Eurekazone has moved from New Jersey to Florida. Could have something to do with re-opening.

[George Bokros]

It looks as though Eurekazone has moved from New Jersey to Florida. Could have something to do with re-opening.

When I bought mine several years ago (at least 3-4 yrs) they were in Florida. I am pleased with mine, does everything I need it ti do, breaking down sheet goods.

[Keith Outten]

Dino the Carpenter started the EZ Smart track system business many years ago. Dino was responsible for most of the innovation in the early years, many manufacturers copied his designs. EZ Smart had a private forum here for several years and Dino sponsored a long list of FreeStuff Drawings, he was one of our best sponsors for a long time. I have one of his track systems, it works perfectly for me for off-site work. In my shop I have a panel saw that I normally use to break down large sheets.

[Steve Jenkins]

Anyone use one of these? better than a homemade jig but not as good as a DW, Festool or Makita? Thanks[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=-i3df2FfDgw&feature=emb_logo"]

Carl, depending on where you are in TX I have tracks, saw bases and a bunch of other parts I’d make a great deal on if you want. I’m not interested in shipping though.

[Mike Cutler]

Anyone use one of these? better than a homemade jig but not as good as a DW, Festool or Makita? Thanks


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=-i3df2FfDgw&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=-i3df2FfDgw&feature=emb_logo)

For many years. My Makita 7-1/4" circular saw and my Milwaukee 8-1/2" worm drive saw are setup for use on the EZ guide rails.
The system is very rugged and durable. The aluminum extrusions, on mine at least, are much more robust than Festool. I bought mine the first year, or so they came out.
The base plates are very adaptable to any virtually any circular saw, but may require some out of the box thinking.
With some creativity, and ingenuity, it is a very versatile platform.
The downsides;
The base plate and guide rail combined thickness, decreases the depth of cut by ~3/4". A standard 7-1/4" circular saw will be just shy of cutting through 2x material.
The anti chip strips are really a consumable, and they've always been somewhat expensive for what they are, and not always readily available.
There did not used to be a base plate for a left blade, worm drive saw. Easy enough to make you're own though. I made the base for my Milwaukee worm dive myself.
To get the blade running parallel to the guide takes a little bit of finesse. The base plate does not have the ability to adjust the orientation of the blade, so you really have to be sure to square up, and align the blade, and not the circular saw base itself.
It does not have built in dust collection, but there are adapters for various, common circular saws, and most folks just make their own.

It is very much so still a viable guided circular saw system. It is not really a question of inferiority, or not, to any other manufacturer, it's more so a question of application specifics.

I also have the Festool TS75 and guide rails, so I am aware of the pro's and con's of each system.
When I redid the roof on my porch, the EZ system was up on the roof, and the Festool system was down on the ground. ;)

[Prashun Patel]

I have a couple of their tracks from 2004. They are great and work as advertised. However, at the time, you had to use an aftermarket saw, which requires a plate adapter. This adds a critical bit of height which means my circular saw cannot plunge to 2". This is an issue when cutting slabs (which is when I need it most...).

All in all, I prefer the Makita and Festool set ups but mainly because their saws are better integrated to the tracks, plunge easier and have a little more depth. Some of the other track saws come with integrated dust collection ports which is nice.

As for the quality of construction, it's held up well. I met Dino; his NJ operation was about 5 miles from work. He was super passionate and I was happy to support him. He modified the shroud in my circular saw for free. But the ergonomics of it just aren't as good for me as what exist on the Festool.

[Mark W Pugh]

All out of chip guides. Hopefully they restock soon.

[Rich Aldrich]

I have one and use it quite often for sheet goods. Also I use it for ripping some lumber off site ( at my daughters house). I like it.

Glad to see someone bought a Dino out or whatever happened and they are running again. I think the Makita, Kreg, Festool, are faster to get set up for a cut.

[Jim Dwight]

I'm not trying to pick on anybody but I do not see the point. You can get a Wen track saw from Home Depot with 100 inches of track for about $200. I haven't used it but Izzy Swan (youtube) reviewed it and said he will continue to use it. I think even a basic track saw like this is preferable to a circular saw adapted to a track. Just my opinion.

[Jim Matthews]

Love mine.

Built solid, tough as balls and fit a saw I already owned.
8+ years and still dead straight.

If you don't already own a saw, buy based on the saw quality.
A track is a track is a track...

[Mike Cutler]

I'm not trying to pick on anybody but I do not see the point. You can get a Wen track saw from Home Depot with 100 inches of track for about $200. I haven't used it but Izzy Swan (youtube) reviewed it and said he will continue to use it. I think even a basic track saw like this is preferable to a circular saw adapted to a track. Just my opinion.

Jim
I think it's still really a matter of application.
I bought my Festool TS75 to cut through some 2-1/4" thick padauk. The slab was 17'x3'x2-1/4" thick.
I had thought about just buying a 10" circular saw, but at that time they were still pretty expensive, $400.00+ IIRC. I had seen Dino use a 14" Makita on an EZ rail, so I knew it could handle a bigger saw.
The TS-75 worked well for the job it was purchased for, but even it has limitations. No way it will match the depth of cut of a 10", 12" or 14" circular saw. Of course, there are probably very limited applications for a circular saws that big anyway.
In retrospect, I may have been better off just buying a larger circular saw. I've always found the TS75 to be a very nice tool, but underpowered for it's size.

[Jim Dwight]

Maybe we can agree on buying based upon saw attributes. I think the cut quality of my track saw surpasses any cut I have ever seen a circular saw do. So I would give the quality nod to the track saw. But I agree that a track saw has a relative small blade and a not terribly big motor. If your cut depth exceeds what a track saw can do or your material needs more power than a track saw has, then a guided circular saw could be indicated. But I am happy with the 2 inches or so my DeWalt can cut and it's motor, with a good blade, has always cut what I asked within it's depth capabilities (including in oak, cherry, and maple). (The DeWalt track saw draws a couple more amps than the smaller Festool). The WEN track saw has a smaller motor, however, so it could run out of power sooner, like the smaller Festool. But for cutting sheet goods or solid wood up to about 2 inches thickness, I think a track saw is a better tool for the job than a guided circular saw.

[Earl McLain]

I have an early EZ One table built by a member here, has one of Dino's Bridge systems on it. Running a 8 1/2" Makita saw on it is easy. On Saturday i needed a 2.125" rip on a 50" piece of 3/4" walnut. Table saw was set up for 15 deg miters, and i didn't want to move anything on it--so i marked each end of the walnut and put it on the EZ one. Perfect cut, glued with no further work. The bridge made that possible without a doubt, but i become more a believer every time i use mine. Your mileage may vary.
earl

[Mike Goetzke]

I was 110% into EZ for many-many years. Had lots of fun with the extrusions. Was like Tinker Toys for men. Was always waiting for a polished complete system but that never happened. When Makita had a great deal on their cordless track saw system I bit and couldn't be happier. I used one of my long rails for my miter saw cart (like fastcap) but gave most of the rest away. A sad story for a true inventor.

Should say I kept the UEG (universal edge guide). Best tool ever for ripping sheet goods. So compact I bring it with to the big box stores when buying sheet goods to break them down to more easily transport.

[Ken Kortge]

Maybe we can agree on buying based upon saw attributes. I think the cut quality of my track saw surpasses any cut I have ever seen a circular saw do. So I would give the quality nod to the track saw. ...

Jim Dwight, have you been able to directly compare the "cut quality" of your track saw with that of an EZ Smart track system that uses a circular saw?

The EZ Smart track system uses anti chip edges on the tracks and a zero clearance type insert on the EZ Smart Base. These dramatically improve the cut quality in comparison to that of a typical circular saw not used with the EZ Smart track system. This cut quality difference is very well demonstrated in this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSGkG17sNE8&t=9s

[Mike Goetzke]

Maybe we can agree on buying based upon saw attributes. I think the cut quality of my track saw surpasses any cut I have ever seen a circular saw do. So I would give the quality nod to the track saw. My experience shows with the right blade a circular saw can produce splinter free cuts similar to a track saw. But I agree that a track saw has a relative small blade and a not terribly big motor. Todays track saws have power quite comparable to cir saws. If your cut depth exceeds what a track saw can do or your material needs more power than a track saw has, then a guided circular saw could be indicated. Festool's TS75 has cutting depth of 3" (Ha - that being said I just bought a Makita 9-1/4" circ saw that works on a track with similar cutting depth). But I am happy with the 2 inches or so my DeWalt can cut and it's motor, with a good blade, has always cut what I asked within it's depth capabilities (including in oak, cherry, and maple). (The DeWalt track saw draws a couple more amps than the smaller Festool). The WEN track saw has a smaller motor, however, so it could run out of power sooner, like the smaller Festool. But for cutting sheet goods or solid wood up to about 2 inches thickness, I think a track saw is a better tool for the job than a guided circular saw.


See comments in BLUE.

[Ken Kortge]

Should say I kept the UEG (universal edge guide). Best tool ever for ripping sheet goods. So compact I bring it with to the big box stores when buying sheet goods to break them down to more easily transport.

I notice that the UEG isn't listed on the new site.

Mike Goetzke, how do you make sure that the UEG fence is parallel to the blade?? Just careful measurements?

[Earl McLain]

I was 110% into EZ for many-many years. Had lots of fun with the extrusions. Was like Tinker Toys for men. Was always waiting for a polished complete system but that never happened. When Makita had a great deal on their cordless track saw system I bit and couldn't be happier. I used one of my long rails for my miter saw cart (like fastcap) but gave most of the rest away. A sad story for a true inventor.

Should say I kept the UEG (universal edge guide). Best tool ever for ripping sheet goods. So compact I bring it with to the big box stores when buying sheet goods to break them down to more easily transport.

And your fine build lives on--i just used it Saturday. Did add hitch pins to the legs, very stable. And...last week i finally got my winch installed in the rafters, now i only have to mount my pulleys and i'll be able to store it like you did. Honestly, THAT will make it much more usable--ready at the press of a button!! Thanks Mike!!
earl

[Carl Crout]

Thanks for the replies. I have been on vacation and just got back. I will do some more research and let you know which I end up buying.

[Thomas Wilson]

I have tried to order anti-chip strips several times since this thread started. Every time I submit the order, I get a box telling me to enter credit card information. Of course I had entered the card info. I sent an email to their customer service but have not gotten a response.

[Ken Kortge]

You might try calling them.

[Thomas Wilson]

You might try calling them.
I did. No answer.

[Jim Dwight]

No, I have not used the EZ smart track so I have not compared the cut quality. I have used a high tooth count blade (I think it was 40) on my circular saw but it may not have been a really good blade. If the EZ smart track system with a good blade on the circular saw will produce a cut as good as a table saw with a good blade then they are comparable. I believe that the bearings in track saws tend to be better than in circular saws but I don't really know that for sure. What I know for sure is I routinely get as good a cut off my track saw as I get off my table saw (PCS).

I also like the accessories available for track saws but I don't know much about the EZ smart system so they may be comparable. I like to use rail dogs on my shortest track, for instance, to make crosscuts with much shorter dogs in the surface of my accessory table guiding the work. It is simple and quick to get set up to make accurate cross cuts this way up to around 30 inches. I have parallel guides for repeat cuts and also home made track positioning guides that serve much the same purpose. But I bet you can make jigs for the EZ smart that would work like the parallel guides. I would guess that this system is not set up to work with dogs which would be a significant disadvantage for me, perhaps not for you.

My comments were not intended to be negative with respect to those of you who have this tool and like it. There are many was to get things done and I accept that users of this system may get results as good as I get from my track saw. My comments were directed towards somebody thinking of buying this system instead of a track saw. The point about the TS75 is a good one, that could further narrow the range of situations where a system like this makes sense from my point of view. I just don't see many situations where the EZ smart would be preferable. They may exist, but I don't see them. If the only track saw was the quite expensive Festool saws, then there would be a lot more situations where something else would be desirable. That used to be the situation. But today there are many track saw alternatives that are much less expensive.

[Ken Kortge]

I did. No answer.

They may have some restarting pains. I wouldn't be surprised if product is slow to restock due to Covid. Recently I was surprised that my local hardware store could not restock washers - of all things.

[Jeff Freelove]

I have tried to order anti-chip strips several times since this thread started. Every time I submit the order, I get a box telling me to enter credit card information. Of course I had entered the card info. I sent an email to their customer service but have not gotten a response.

Interesting. I have bought anti-chip edges twice this summer from their website without issue. One order arrived in 5 days and the other in 2 weeks.

[Thomas Wilson]

Interesting. I have bought anti-chip edges twice this summer from their website without issue. One order arrived in 5 days and the other in 2 weeks.
I will try again.

[Thomas Wilson]

I will try again.
Good news. Things were different this time. When I put the 54" anti-chip edges in my cart, the program told me they were out of stock. (Previously, it allowed me to put the 54" edges in the cart but then threw a generic error when I submitted.) I switched to 64" edges and was able to add them to the cart. The 64" edges were only a dollar more than 54". The order went through. I look forward to having nice fresh edges to line up on soon.

TW

[John O'Bryan]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add my two cents. I had the EZSmart system for a very long time, and it worked great for me. That being said, there is no way in the world that I would buy it today (or even 2020) with all of the great choices available in the track saw space.
I just bought a cordless Ridgid Track saw with enough track to cut 8' long material for $330. It is better in every way vs my old EZSmart. Now, I don't regret the EZSmart at all. I safely broke down so many sheets with it and my homemade sacrificial cutting table made out of banquet table legs and 2x4's which I broke down into 2x2's with my EZSmart. Eventually I ran out of anti chip edges and my existing ones chipped out so bad the accuracy of cuts was a guess. Still, I used it for all sorts of projects where close enough was fine.
The greatest thing about EZ Smart was that it gave people with a limited budget and limited space a safe way to break down sheets before the advent of affordable track saws. It was similarly priced to a hobby table saw that many people new to shop projects would buy. Table saws are inherently more dangerous tools, and cheap table saws are the most dangerous. Especially for new people who don't know how to safely operate them.

[Bob Cooper]

And I’m still using mine. My goal is just to get close enough to trim to final dimensions on the tablesaw

[Rich Engelhardt]

The really nice thing about my Festool TS55EQ wasn't the close to $800 I paid for it & the extra track, connectors & clamps.
It was the $450 I got when I sold it a dozen years and countless projects later.

Sometimes - "cheaper" isn't all that obvious.