This is in part a review and in part, a how to!
My recent Festool purchase was posted under Festool, Fixy & Fate! So further to this and prompted by Chris Meggersee, so here we go.
As part of the Festool System way of thinking the CMS set up brings a lot to the party. It is adaptable, robust and good looking. ( Suzy says that describes Clint Eastwood, well, at least he's got 'wood' in his name )
Anyway we want pic's so here is the base unit that lets possibilities and imagination run free.
The base unit CMS_GE in its folded position.
 


End view showing the NVR switch, this one is for the UK site requirements and has plugs/sockets for 110v power.


Cable storage, lazily illustrated.


With legs extended/unfolded it matches the height of the MFT/3. Bottom right of the picture shows the adjustable foot to counteract against uneven floors.


The router table top, laid in place, this is a stunning 7mm thick of high grade aluminium. I even double checked my micrometre, to be sure.


The slotted screws in the above pic relate to the cams (2no). These lock the table down to the CMS base unit.
This router table top, is apparently a new version (it is what I was informed), it now accepts the OF1010, OF1400 and OF2200. So a different table is not required for each model.
How's it done?
Supplied as standard, going clockwise from the left, we get the dark grey centring ring (473810) for the OF1010, the light grey centring ring (473809) for the OF1400
and the Festool green one for the OF2200.

Release the router plunge lock, make sure the raise and fall mechanism is engaged.



The operating handle for the mechanism fits above and below the table for ease of use.



Flip the table over, ease the router and rise and fall mechanism into the opening, then connect the far edge( with the cup and round hinging edge) first. When installed give the slotted screws a half turn to lock into place. Looks neat.



Festool supply a range of bushings to cater for a variety of bit radii.



The router table fence, would not be lost on some high end shaper/spindle moulders!



This is a serious bit of kit, it may be ali' but it is weighty ali'.
To aid with adjustment there are metric scales and the table is etched with reference lines either side (at the 41mm mark here).



Also included are the clear plastic 'Shaw Guard' and the dark plastic hold down, both easily adjustable, and lift back out of the way for cutter adjustment/ installation.



The infeed part of the fence has a large indexed knob to allow for a planing action type of cut.

I like the adjustable infeed fence.... can you get infeed/outfeed extension tables for longer work pieces?

Rob it does look like a very nice bit of kit. I have the trend prt and t11 what I like about that is the router attaches is seconds tool free with no loose parts to lose. but it is not as sofisticated as the festool...

And, since it has the 'V' groove, and is the same height as the MFT (and therefore the same height as the Kapex on either the MFT Kapex or the new stand) you can use the new KA-UG Kapex extensions as infeed/outfeed tables, too.

Dontcha just love a system?

When I want a router table I want it set up and not have to take the router out when I need to route by hand.

When I want a table saw I want the table saw  ready to go while still having my circular saw ready to go.

In short I do not think these integrated systems are so great.  I want everything separate ready to go and be used within seconds of each other. I do not want to mess around changing configurations.

The CMS set I don't ever see being such a big item in the US. Personally I want a table saw that weighs something, even if it is a portable saw. I want a better, heavier, smoother, flatter  top than this system offers and as I said I would rather have all separates to make the work flow go smoother. Moving MFT's around is not what I want to do either. Once we set up our job site for a month long job its like a little shop and we set up stations and don't want to mess around changing configurations every-time we need a different tool. I do not cross cut much on a small table saw of the CMS size, but the sliding option does look neat on it the though.

In short I do not think there is a great rush for Festool to get these over here in the USA because most people I know(90% which are in the trades as there primary income) and the general public are not going to buy these. Now on this forum maybe the fans will, but the general public in the US I personally do not think so. Festool seems smart and this may be the most important reason they are not selling them here, they just don't think  they will make enough profit to warrant it. It's a business. If they thought it would make them multi-millions of dollars they would get UL approval in a matter of months or weeks and would be selling them here. Now in this economy even guys that want them may not be able to afford them so most likely we will not see them for a long time, if ever.

I stand to be corrected here but to my knowledge the Preciso CS isn't in the US either and that would suit your needs perfectly wouldn't it? So then the next question would be "Why aren't they rushing to push the Preciso through to the US?" Most likely it is being held up for the same reason as the CMS.

Also to my knowledge the CMS system (is that not what the "S" stands for in CMS?) is not designed to be a permanent saw or router table. I can see where you are coming from though. I know I would much rather buy the Preciso CS over the CMS and table saw attachment. However the latter would save me about R10 000 and allow me to save space in my shop as I could potentially throw away my table saw and router table. Understand where I am coming from?

To Rob,

Thanks for the review. It is much appreciated. Once you get comfortable with it please let us know what it is like and how you feel about it. Eg Is it very simple to use, is extraction clean and good, are there things you would like to see changed or added?

I just do not buy the UL approval thing at all. If it were that they would change the tools in question  and get it done in a month if they really wanted to. This has been talked about at least 4 years and nothing takes 4 years to get through. So to me it is a business decision. Festool engineers are more than smart enough to make a few quick changes to get UL approval if they wanted to.

I just do not think the American woodworkers in general would be receptive to the idea. And the Preciso CS is exactly the type tool I am talking  about that Americans don't like. It is a light weight system and even advertised as that. Not a heavy sturdy machine like we are used to in the States. It may take a bit longer for Americans to warm up to the lighter weight tools.

We are biased here on Festool forum as we know and love Festool. Still to this day I have never ever been on a job site here in the US where anyone had a Festool and most still never even heard of Festool except me. And the Festools have been here and out quite a while. Most carpenters and woodworkers that I know in the US want bigger heavier machines even if they have to make the laborers lug them around.

I had some carpenters over here last week and showed them some of my shop and they were not impressed by the Festools at all, especially when they asked about cost.

Festool probably knows what they are doing and they may not believe certain tools will make them money here or they would be here. I think once they believe the tools can be profitable for them the tools will get here.

The tools may be a hit here on the Festool forums and for people that already have and/or know Festool. I am not so sure it would be such a hit with carpenters and woodworkers here in the states in general.

IMHO at this point I believe it just has to be about profit, not UL approval.

In this little corner of the country, none of the above holds true.  Several companies in my little town have nice assortments of Festools.  And I am certain that this CMS would be a hit here -- and the Preciso CS too.

I just don't understand the UL thing. How is it that Harbor Freight can have a store section full of crappy electrically operated tools selling for cheap? They seem to have no problem getting UL licensing. How is it that Home Depot can sell hundreds of cheap light fixtures that always seem to be changing versions and they have UL stamp? Are the Chinese the only ones who know how to go through the UL approval system? Dremel constantly changes their power tools, Milwaukee seems to be constantly introducing new tools. Guess you just have to manufacture in China now. Sears is always coming out with revised household vacuums and carpet cleaners with UL stamps. Appliances change frequently requiring updating of their UL stamp. Curious.

I remember an earlier post where you mentioned this. At the end of the day you know you have reliable and quality tools, as for being asked not to use them.... jealousy is a green eyed monster! Just not Festool green.  Hope you find a better friendlier place to work soon.

Rob.

With one exception, the only time I have seen Festool on a job site was when I brought them there. The one exception was a plumber with a C style drill.

I don't know about you Nick, but around here the majority of union carpenters make concrete forms for bridge work. I have yet to meet a union carpenter that does any finish work. I do a lot of my work in metro-Boston and granted it ain't Chicago, but still...


I would have to agree that the CMS stuff could/would get pretty beat up in a general crew work environment, I do not think that would be the case for finish crews. The finish crews that I have worked on simply had too much respect for everything that they did or touched. Framers on the other hand.......


Shared tools definitely take more abuse, but a lot depends on the crew. The CMS or any Festool products are not really tools for framers. Finish guys have a much different attitude and It seems to me that the more refined the work, the more refined the worker and as such the better the tools (and everything else) are treated. Big iron is for shops, not for job sites. Job sites need portability and adaptability. and before you head down the road about dedicated tools, it is not about want or not want, it is about able or not able.

Using the CMS as an example. Yes, I think that we would all prefer to have dedicated router tables with motors. However I can only think of a handful of times when I actually needed one on a job site. Having something like a CMS would give me that option. I do not see a CMS as a `production tool`, but more accurately a tool to help me produce. I'll show you my emergency router table in another thread.



NO ONE wants to spend more than is necessary. Guys are starving out there. Tradesmen (companies) are downsizing. There are no margins for carrying extra people any more. There are fewer laborers to carry that heavy metal you referred to earlier. My Bosch 4000 table saw now sits in my garage for a saw that weighs 1/2 as much. There are also no margins for replacing disposable tools. The downtime alone can be the difference between brand X and a Festool.

I think Festool waiting it out is a double edged sword. Now is the time when guys in the trades are trying to adapt to a changing marketplace. I think that many if not all of the NAINA products couldprovide a means to that end.

I will agree, in part, to your earlier post about it might take time to for Americans to warm up to the idea(s) of.....

Nigel,

You hit the nail right on the head, I am a boat builder and space is always very tight on a boat, I run the same set up as you - cms, ts75, of1400, and I always work on my own, it is the best set up that I have had to date, the saw is the most time consuming tool to take in  and out, but once you have done it a few times it is easy and not to slow, but as you say just leave it in there and use the 55 for all other cuts except for all but the deepest - hardest cuts.

Dan.

        jmb,  
 
 I wouldn't go for the MFT 3 VL myself for site work cos you always have to have the mft3 with you.A right pain to have to set it all up just to rip a piece of wood.Different for  constant workshop use though.
  Incidentally I would recommend to you and ROB GB to get the sliding table as I reckon it's a gem.Very light and quick to attach with 2 thumbscrews.You can also lock it as a little extension table to increase ripping capacity,the standard base being a bit shy on that score.

       Dan,

    I agree the saw being the most time consuming especially if you change the riving knife which I find awkward.I also cut that wire off that holds the depth arm to the module!Just could not get on with it...As for swapping the modules after a few goes it gets a lot quicker.

Congrats Rob, on a very good choice !

Very nice review of a great Set.
I can completly understand your decision for the CMS system. I also dont like to carry heavy equipment around and try to be as flexible as possible without loosing options. I've got the OF2200 as well, but standalone in the Kit Version without the CMS. I'm stiil using the OF1010 for small application in my former Basis 1A (former CMS system)  table in change with an ATF55 plunge saw.

A table Router does not have to be tons in weight to be called sturdy and robust. I fact, it is much more sturdy than lot of table Router on the market today. I have seen quite a few made out of sheet metal in very light constructions and without molded Aluminium parts. So not only consists the CMS of molded Aluminium parts, they are also in forged quality because Festool uses high quality die-cast processes. The only thing, which i had had some hassle with my older system was the change of the router and Plunge saw.. the insets itself are quicly changeable, but the tools in the inlets not. so this is the reason, why i have additonal the OF1400 for hand work, the OF220 for tough work, and a TS55 for cutting sheet goods with different rails.

Would be great, if you give us little more insight on the usage of the CMS OF2200 and your experience..

kind regards, Mike