EZSmart now available in the UK

[pewe]

Hello All.

Let me first say that the purpose of this post is not in any way to start a debate drawing comparisons between the products mentioned and other tooling, but is for information only - a Press Release if you like.
Any views expressed are purely my own and not in any way influenced by any other party.

The reason for the post is simply to make anyone who may be interested aware that later this month at the Harrogate woodworking show I will be launching the EZSmart range of tooling from Eurekazone here in the UK.

I have decided to do this primarily because I have owned and used their tooling for the last 12 months, and have been very impressed with the product and it's flexibility. As a result of my satisfaction I visited them in New Jersey and have offered my services to work with them to launch the system in Europe.
It is not the 'perfect' product, nor is it every mans (or womans) answer to working with wood, but it is a very flexible, accurate and safe product to work with. what has impressed me more than anything is the receptive attitude of the manufacturer in listening to suggestions (even though they may have seemed critical) and acting on them if they would have the effect of improving the product.

We will be launching our own web site for the UK/EU market shortly and intend to try and make the site as user friendly as possible for both professionals and the casual DIY'er, giving them an understanding of what they can do with the tools.
For example at the Harrogate show we will be launching the product range by offering a Cabinet Makers Table system for the cutting down of 8' x 4' boards into cabinet size components along with a software package for 3D room design which will produce complete cutting lists of all the panels required to make the cabinets used in the design.

The web site will be under continuous development for the next few months, and when it is launched I would welcome any feedback that anyone cares to volunteer - our aim is not to be contentious, not to make any wild unfounded claims and to try and price the products at a fair and reasonable level.

I have already communicated with Jason to discuss the fact that I wished to post this information here, and have also discussed with him an offer for any registered member of this forum whereby they will receive a 10% discount off any purchases made between the launch and the end of January 2008.

We have not yet finalised the price list, but as a guideline for anyone interested, the UK £ price including VAT will equate to approximately 80% of the retail $US prices shown on the Eurekazone site www.eurekazone.com (ignoring any offers they may have from time to time). The actual prices will be published on our UK web site when it is made public.

If anyone has any comments they would like to make, or questions they would like to ask, feel free to post them.

[jfc]

I'm wondering if the power bench system could be used in making a wall saw ?

[pewe]

This question has been asked before on the EZ forum.
The general concensus of opinion was that it would not be impossible, but it may not be easy as a wall panel saw requires the the saw and carriage to be held securely to the rails in a vertical position - which guide rails are not designed to do.

However some of the US EZ users are looking at various alternative uses for the system, and if someone comes up with a wall saw solution I'm sure the manufacturers would be happy to consider it (as they would if a UK user comes up with one).

This is one of the things I like about the manufacturer, he listens to his users and has incorporated a number of improvements in the products as a result of ideas/recommendations from them.

Having said that, if someone has the space to man handle an 8' x 4' panel onto a wall saw frame, they would probably have enough space to lay the panel on a 'flat' power bench for cutting.

[engineerone]

welcome and congrats for getting it basically done at last pewe.

re you r comments about the wall saw, you are wrong actually,
in principle a wall saw could take up only 2 feet of floor space in depth plus the width of the operator, where as the bench needs to have about 12x8 feet of space to ensure you can walk around properly.

typical jason can't lose the idea that he needs a wall saw

paul

[colincott]

I will be happy to know that I can get parts from here ;D

Yes I have the EZ rail ( plus other bits )and very happy with it

[pewe]

Hi engineer,

in principle a wall saw could take up only 2 feet of floor space in depth plus the width of the operator

In principle I would agree, but in practice I think that few people have a facility to get an 8'x4' board into a workshop in the vertical (8' upright) position as their doors would not have enough height. To they take in length ways, they need about 10' plus ceiling height to turn in upright, which most people also do not have. So they have to turn it 'flat' to 'lay' it upright on the wall panel saw. If they can do that then they probably have room to lay it flat on a table.

Maybe my logic is not applicable to everyones workshop, but it certainly is in those that I have visited.

However, the beauty of the EZ Power bench is that the parts can be transferred quickly to other tables, and a number of people have more than one table, each designed for specific purposes.
One such idea was to build one which is portable using a Mitre Saw stand to support it.
This can then be moved for example outside (weather permitting) where the boards can be ripped to a manageable size before being taken in to the workshop.
Not ideal, but it is a way of overcoming a lack of space easily for those occassions when large boards need cutting down.

One customer in the US actually built a cheap 'Car Porch' outside his workshop for this very purpose, and refers to the occassions he uses it as 'EZ Parking' ;D

[thatsnotafestool]

Really good luck to you, Pewe. It's not easy starting something up from scratch. More power to your elbow, mate.

Well, you'll need it won't you...after all it's not a Festool

Seriously, all the best.

[pewe]

Well, you'll need it won't you...after all it's not a Festool

Is that name short for a foot rest of some sort (Feet Stool) ;D



(Thanks for your good wishes)

[Dave S]

Hi Peter,

Best of luck. I agree with Colin - it will be great to be able to get bits without the hassle of importing oneself.

Dave

[wizer]

pewe I have some questions about the show.

Will you have stock available to sell on the day? Or just taking orders? I know you mentioned the 10% for forum members, but are further discounts negotiable? Will you be offering proper hands-on demo's at the show or will it be basic show-throughs?

My main reason for travelling 4hrs to the show is to compare the EZ against Festool and hopefully make an informed purchase.

[pewe]

Wizer

Will you have stock available to sell on the day? Or just taking orders?

The first stock order is on it's way, and is scheduled to be here early/mid December.

Will you be offering proper hands-on demo's at the show or will it be basic show-throughs?

I doubt that we will be able to offer hands on demos at the show, health and safety and our insurance prohibits this type of activity.
At the show we are demonstrating a 'system' (or kit if you like) designed for manufacturing/assembling cabinets quickly and easily, although we will have other items like the self squaring attachment, the router attachment and the repeaters.

I know you mentioned the 10% for forum members, but are further discounts negotiable?
- is to compare the EZ against Festool

I am happy to answer general questions about the system here, but I'm not sure the forum is the right place to discuss individual requirements or to try and draw general comparison with other systems, so I will send you a PM later today.

[wizer]

ahh so I wont be able to walk away with any of the EZ Products on the day? That's a shame and will probably prevent me from travelling up.

I am still interested in the EZ System and would welcome a PM to work out my best options.

[Angela]

So is that the Pewe who wrote about the EZ system in the UK just around Christmas of last year _{in another forum}? And would that be the same Pewe who was offering the EZ stuff at prices greater than we could buy direct from Dino at Eurekazone? And would that be the same Pewe that put up this website... www.eztooling.co.uk/index2.html? Although, granted, the site has changed a bit in the intervening year... the prices are no longer on display!

If all the answers are yes then I have another reason to be glad I'm no longer living in the UK.

You guys really ought to think before you allow somone to interpose themselves in an already perfectly good supply chain direct from the manufacturer. But I suppose there will always be silly boys wanting to throw their money away won't there?

[pewe]

But I suppose there will always be silly boys wanting to throw their money away won't there?

Your comments are somewhat premature. The price list has not yet been published so how can you make such premature critiscism of what you call 'silly boys'.

Before making such critiscism, why not take the 'adult' approach and get the facts before being prematurely negative?

In the past some of your posts have given the impression that enjoy spoiling for a heated debate, and if you are now trying to bring this gentlemans forum down to the same level as some of the other forums, I for one will not be drawn in.

[jfc]

There will also be very smart boys that make a living from buying machinery to use and know what the best deal for them is . Discounting a supplier because you didnt like their last offer is madness

[Angela]

The facts are these; Pewe's post says that he expects the UK price in pounds to be around 80% of the US Dollar price.

With the current exchange rate being about $2 to the £ that makes the maths quite simple. On a $200 purchase from Eurekazone.com direct we would expect to be charged £100 plus postage. BUT Dino from Eurekazone gives a 20% discount to all EU purchasers to offset the high postage costs. So £100 becomes £80 plus postage.

Now, Pewe's 80% of the US dollar rate in UK pounds translates to £160 plus UK postage.

So the factory gate cost is £80 from the US and double that at £160 from Pewe's gate given given his cost prediction.

Yes, I know you say we WILL get charged VAT and duty and a collection fee. Yes sometimes you do - but 2 out of 3 times on average, you don't. And when, on occasion, you do get charged, customs ALWAYS under-value the goods because Dino never puts a price on the parcel. So you end up paying a token. The last time I got caught I think I paid £28 (customs + collection), on goods worth over $450.

It's your money, people, you spend it how you like - but I know where I will go when I want more EZ kit.

Finally, yes I enjoy a good debate - anything wrong with that? I usually pitch in when I suspect humbug.

[mrgrimsdale]

Cheaper alternative to the ez thingy is the good old saw board e.g. members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm
There are dozens of other sites if you google "saw board". Don't waste your money.
Re Humbug; the whole point of having a woodworkers site is to be independent of commercial interests so it's always a good sign if sales people are given a roughish ride. I'm all for it ;D

cheers
Jacob
Oh - and Pee-wee's comments re Angela's post are distinctly patronising verging on the offensive, but I wouldn't want him banned as long as we all have the same right of response - unlike in _{another place}
PPS anyone remember Nick Glibb and all that fuss in _{another place}? Deja Vu?
Perhaps we should simply say no to all overt sales pitches.

[jfc]

I see no problem at all with dealers telling us what they have for sale in the "for sale " section . As long as they are open and let everyone know they are a trader then whats the problem . Pewe asked Admin if he was allowed to post in this section and offered a discount to forum members . If there is a better deal else where then buy from there

[mrgrimsdale]

Why give them free advertising space? There are ads already on the site and Peewee & co could pay for space same as the others.
Then there are the incentives - 10% discount sounds harmless, then there's free samples for "testing" etc etc and its a slippery slope leading to complete loss of independence, just like the rest of the woodwork media, which is what we are getting away from and why we are here in the first place.
They are all welcome as individuals as far as I am concerned, but a complete ban on trade advertising would be a good thing - it's our space, not theirs.
Don't forget that it was the trade/media lobby on _{another place} who banned us. What they want is a docile mob of forelock-pulling amateurs who they can groom into buying loads of gadgets and other unnecessary crap.

cheers
Jacob
PS saw board - members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm much better value than ez gadget ;D ;D

[mrgrimsdale]

Bin having a look at the EZ website - to see in what way it is better than a DIY sawboard.
Well I couldn't see any advantage at all, except OK yes you have to make your own saw board - but it is extremely simple to do, and we are woodworkers after all.
Have I missed something or is EZ thingy just another virtually useless gadget?

cheers
Jacob

[colincott]

mrgrimsdale said:

Bin having a look at the EZ website - to see in what way it is better than a DIY sawboard.
Well I couldn't see any advantage at all, except OK yes you have to make your own saw board - but it is extremely simple to do, and we are woodworkers after all.
Have I missed something or is EZ thingy just another virtually useless gadget?

cheers
Jacob

Hi Jacob

Can I ask do you use a table saw?

Well in my workshop I dont have the room for one and I have the the EZ rails.

I have use a saw board and can say that the EZ is easier to use and when cutting veneered boards, I will have a lot less waste.

I have used it for cutting boarders for a parquet floor that was down already plus it fits in the car

I have been very happy with and glad I got it.

By the way not one size fits all
I made this with my rails

[engineerone]

you should have told me you needed help colin

i could have made it fit for you ;D ;D

you know i have the best size of hammer
looks nice though

paul

[jfc]

Have I missed something or is EZ thingy just another virtually useless gadget?

Isnt that like saying why should i buy a spindle moulder when i have a router ;D

[colincott]

jfc said:

Have I missed something or is EZ thingy just another virtually useless gadget?

Isnt that like saying why should i buy a spindle moulder when i have a router ;D

;D

[mrgrimsdale]

Not the same as far as I can see - ez thing seems to be just an ali sawboard with a few extras. i.e. just the same more or less. Wossit do that a sawboard doesn't?

cheers
Jacob
PS Colin - yes I do use a table saw and also a sawboard quite often esp for long lengths/big pieces. Sometimes use a short sawboard for crosscutting. But there is no waste particularly with a sawboard - it's dead accurate, probably more accurate than a table saw as it's easy to set the board to the line or marks - even precisely up to a knife in the mark if you want to.
I found out about it in _{another place} I have to admit. It's amazing how some really simple ideas can be so effective.