Being a professional carpenter means a lot of hard work and experiences that learning from could lead you to a high level of efficiency. Nevertheless, carpentry has always attracted many; some took it as a main profession and dedicated their lives for mastering it; others adopted it as a hobby they enjoy practicing from time to time. It’s a beneficial one actually if you viewed it from a practical perspective. Imagine the money you would save when all that you need to buy are plain wood panels. As a hobbyist, you can apply carpentry on a small scale such as DIY-ing toys for your kids or some Christmas and New Year wooden decorations. Maybe you can do bigger and more challenging projects, like a small piece of furniture, every once in a while due to the limitation of skills and time. But what if with the help of a machine, you can replace all the furniture of your home, DIY it 20 times faster than the human hand?
CNC machines, what are they?
Yes, it is theoretically possible with a CNC machine or a computer numerical control machine. By entering a few numbers, mostly dimensions, in it, the machine will start cutting and carving wood, or any other similar material, according to the design and specifications provided. It helps you achieve results of high quality, apply complicated designs only professionals can do after years of training, even if you still new to woodworking.
The CNC machine is a 100% self-correcting device, and unfortunately, a good one is worthy of 10,000$ at least. For the both reasons, using this computerized machines is relatively limited to professionals and woodworking companies. Now here is another what if; what if you can DIY your own CNC machine at the coast of 500$ with the help of an over-detailed guidance? That’s what Alex Grayson claims his DIY Smart Saw program can achieve.
The DIY Smart Saw
Grayson works in the car industry as an engineer. Since he was a kid he has been curious about how machines work, the parts that form them to the smallest piece. Apparently, his parents suffered from that, as he used to took apart the home’s electrical appliances to see how they work. His hobby of dismantling his parents’ machines plus engineering background came in handy when he took a new hobby, woodworking; he decided to build his own CNC machine.
The product’s name and short, undetailed reviews got many to think it’s a machine, but it is actually a guide or an e-book of how to DIY a CNC machine, based on Alex’s experience in making his own one. The guide comprises the list of the tools and parts needed, step-by-step video tutorial, written manual that falls into 4 phases with detailed imagery and designs, and 3D app to provide you 360° view of the whole project. Grayson, the creator of the guide, assures that he made the process so easy even if you have never DIY-ed before. And the ultimate product is a CNC machine of high quality with which any woodworking design can be applied only with the push of a button, and a computer or laptop attached to it.
There are 2 cornerstones Grayson based his guide on; simplifying the process of making the machine, and lowering the expense of making it to the least possible. The smart saw, that’s what he calls his DIY CNC machine, cost 500$ because he used only brand new parts and components, but he states on his website that it can be made even for under 160$ with second-hand parts taken from an old car or printer, for example. The DIY Smart Saw guide is available at the price of 39$ plus “101 Woodworking”, a video guide shows how to create the designs you want using the smart saw, as a bonus. The offer also includes a 60-day money back.
Few satisfying reviews
A good deal of the reviews are undetailed or seem more like a propaganda. Detailed, satisfying reviews that you feel you can trust are few. Consequently, many started to question the credibility of the product and even the existence of Alex’s original DIY Smart Saw, doubting that the whole thing is a scam. After doing our research, we present you three reviews that we found to be the most beneficial so far.
1 Andrew Peters little adventure
Seeking to reach the bottom of it, Andrew Peters – a member of the Router Forums- decided to buy the Smart Saw Project. Apparently he did some math and research, and found the expense of the required tools and parts will exceed 500$ using the links provided by Alex. On the other hand, he found the support group reachable when emailed them enquiring about some details, but they didn’t provide him with a video of the Smart Saw in action, so he requested a refund. After having his money back, he doesn’t believe it is a scam. You can find Peters’ full review among the comments here.
2 Hobbiesphere.com review
The second review on hobbiesphere.com is a detailed one, and – this time – the reviewer actually built a smart saw. Among the pros found are the high level of detailing provided in the guide which includes even techniques to fix up mistakes without needing to bring the whole work down, the created machine can work on all types of computers and laptops, almost every design can be applied using it, and you can start your own business with the help of it.
On the other hands, no doubt that it would have been easier if the product was the tool itself, so commitment and patience are needed to create the project and until you learn how to make the designs using it; regarding this matter Alex states on the official website that learning how to use the smart saw is east, but the time needed to draw up your designs will vary from someone to the other. Another thing that can bore some, especially who are not used to DIY-ing, is that despite the ease of the guide you are going to need to repetitively go back to the instructions to be sure you won’t mistaken. View the complete review here.
3 Steamspoils.com review
Another good review where you can find more details. Here the reviewer is satisfied with the cost at which he DIY-ed his smart saw. Apparently, he/ she made it at much lesser than 500$. It is stated that most of the parts are small, cheap and easy to find. And the more expensive parts can be bought at a bargain. Thus the reviewer assures the fact that the machine can be built at 160$. Another important point is brought up here, the size of the smart saw; however much smaller that other CNC machines, it is hard to place it in an apartment; a house or basement is needed. Here is the complete review.
We hope that you found the information provided is useful, and that the picture became clearer and more realistic; the DIY Smart Saw is neither magic nor a scam; it’s simply a product with advantages and disadvantages. And it is up to you to figure out if it works for you. If you know other good reviews, share it with us.