Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion on a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.
dusty wrote:I agree. Most of these "appear" to be flimsy but except for safe transport why do they have to be rigid as long as the edge remains straight? Being that they are extruded aluminum makes them pretty stout. The joint, where an extension is attached, would likely be the weak point.
FYI: Emerson makes a longer version than the one I have. I believe it too is 8'. Emerson also sells a face plate to attach to you saw.
I 'see' one in my future!:) Gotta make sure to get the 'right one' for the SE I already have. Do note that is "E. Emerson Tool Co.".
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Cut quality is effected by ZCI, we all know this from experience with our Shopsmith.
Now look at any circular saw do you see anything on the bottom that even remotely resembles a ZCI(Zero Clearance Insert)? No! Of course not usually the hole in the base is 10 times bigger than the blade.
Now look at the Guided Track systems. On three maybe four (Festool, Dewalt, Makita and possibly Grizzly) manufactures presentations of this the saw itself is built to fit in grooves on the track and is built to have very narrow clearance at the leading edge of the blade. Two or three actually have replaceable ZCI that snap into the base. This along with track that has an antisplinter strip which you cut through on the first use provides for all intents and purposes a perfect ZCI with little or no splintering.
Another approach used by SS Tracksaw and Eurekazone saw they sell a base plate that attached to any saw. This plate is molded to fit their track and provides a ZCI on the leading edge of the blade. On the Eurkazone one is removable and replaceable.
Because the various systems so shroud the blade this improves dust collection thus eliminating the hazard of dust in the air of which you breathe. On the Festool, Dewalt systems they build the blade enclosure to fully cover the blade above the wood.
Another factor is since the saw is captured in grooves which guarantees the blade remaining parallel to the guide, it is impossible to cant the rear of the saw in or out to bind the blade or cause a rough cut.
So it is more than just ZCI it is the idea the saw blade is held parallel to the guide that insures an excellent cut. An added bonus is the excellent dust collection.
Admittedly a home made guide and perfect execution of the saw cut will render a very good cut. I think most of us will agree from time to time as we are pushing a circular saw through particularly long cuts( ripping 8 ft sheet of ply) we tend to cant the saw to one side or the other and cause slight binding of the blade.
My understanding is people that used systems like Festool and the others aren't just after sizing up sheet stock into workable pieces. They are producing finish size pieces that need no edge treatment because of cut quality. They are enjoying woodworking without the cost and expense of a high quality table saw and they have regained the shop space such a saw occupied.
To me a guide saw system goes hand in hand with most Shopsmith owners needs. An efficient way to cut sheet goods without having to man handle huge sheets in a saw, space savings, multipurpose usages and a demand for high quality.
As for the track connector systems don't judge them all by one or two companies. There are two Festool and Eurekazone that used a connector system that is self aligning and produces a joint that is as strong as the extruded aluminum of the track itself.
One other factor I didn't mentioned is on the two or more of the systems the circular saw have riving knifes and the blade is retracted into the saw until it is plunged out to make the cut. Also the saw are variable speed and use similar technology to the Power Pro to maintain a constant speed.
Plus in the systems where the saw itself is part of the package they have been engineered to cut quieter than a normal circular saw.
When you add it all up it becomes a pretty impressive package and one I believe fits into the most SS owners mindset.
Cut quality is effected by ZCI, we all know this from experience with our Shopsmith.
Now look at any circular saw do you see anything on the bottom that even remotely resembles a ZCI(Zero Clearance Insert)? No! Of course not usually the hole in the base is 10 times bigger than the blade.
Now look at the Guided Track systems. On three maybe four (Festool, Dewalt, Makita and possibly Grizzly) manufactures presentations of this the saw itself is built to fit in grooves on the track and is built to have very narrow clearance at the leading edge of the blade. Two or three actually have replaceable ZCI that snap into the base. This along with track that has an antisplinter strip which you cut through on the first use provides for all intents and purposes a perfect ZCI with little or no splintering.
Another approach used by SS Tracksaw and Eurekazone saw they sell a base plate that attached to any saw. This plate is molded to fit their track and provides a ZCI on the leading edge of the blade. On the Eurkazone one is removable and replaceable.
Because the various systems so shroud the blade this improves dust collection thus eliminating the hazard of dust in the air of which you breathe. On the Festool, Dewalt systems they build the blade enclosure to fully cover the blade above the wood.
Another factor is since the saw is captured in grooves which guarantees the blade remaining parallel to the guide, it is impossible to cant the rear of the saw in or out to bind the blade or cause a rough cut.
So it is more than just ZCI it is the idea the saw blade is held parallel to the guide that insures an excellent cut. An added bonus is the excellent dust collection.
Admittedly a home made guide and perfect execution of the saw cut will render a very good cut. I think most of us will agree from time to time as we are pushing a circular saw through particularly long cuts( ripping 8 ft sheet of ply) we tend to cant the saw to one side or the other and cause slight binding of the blade.
My understanding is people that used systems like Festool and the others aren't just after sizing up sheet stock into workable pieces. They are producing finish size pieces that need no edge treatment because of cut quality. They are enjoying woodworking without the cost and expense of a high quality table saw and they have regained the shop space such a saw occupied.
To me a guide saw system goes hand in hand with most Shopsmith owners needs. An efficient way to cut sheet goods without having to man handle huge sheets in a saw, space savings, multipurpose usages and a demand for high quality.
As for the track connector systems don't judge them all by one or two companies. There are two Festool and Eurekazone that used a connector system that is self aligning and produces a joint that is as strong as the extruded aluminum of the track itself.
One other factor I didn't mentioned is on the two or more of the systems the circular saw have riving knifes and the blade is retracted into the saw until it is plunged out to make the cut. Also the saw are variable speed and use similar technology to the Power Pro to maintain a constant speed.
Plus in the systems where the saw itself is part of the package they have been engineered to cut quieter than a normal circular saw.
When you add it all up it becomes a pretty impressive package and one I believe fits into the most SS owners mindset.
This is the post from when I got the 99" long straight edge, gives you an idea of the price back in 2011. I've had no reason to price them since so up/down/same you will have to see what you can find if you want one.
