Hello Everyone

It has taken a lot of careful planning and some sacrifices but I now have the most fantastic table saw - the TS55R in the CMS Unit. I had to put the Carvex on hold and put the C15 off yet again. The table saw is very important for me and I had mistakenly thought that I could manage with a cheap and cheerful Jet. I was unable to do rebate work safely and could not use it for cutting my boxes in half but now all that has changed.

In the first video I describe the bits and pieces and show how it should all be put together.

Festool CMS Unit with TS55R Saw - Part 1

I have now completed Part 2. I put everything through its paces and tell you what I think and how it might be improved. I demonstrate rebate work and ask you to use this technique at your own risk as it is not in the Festool manual. I am sorry that this lovely unit is NAINA and only hope that something is sorted out soon. To me it feels much safer that any of my previous table saws and I love using it.

Festool CMS Unit with TS55R Saw - Part 2

Peter

Hi Kev

Gosh you have been busy buying up all of that stuff - well done.

I did consider the MFT3 VL but, for me, it lacked flexibility. I would always be tied to the MFT3 when I might want it set up for something different. Also, I use my MFT3 as an outfeed table quite a bit (this is illustrated in Part 2) and I don't think that would be possible with the VL. I was originally going to put my OF2200 in the CMS first but I got so fed up with the Jet table saw that I went for the TS55R instead. By the way, that saw is super and a big step forward for Festool.

My wish list has the C15 at the very top, followed by the Carvex but with only the RO90 I am thinking of getting the RO125. I am making do with my homemade router table (with an old CMT router) which does a reasonable job. When I eventually get the OF2200 in the CMS I will get the sliding table then I can do angled cuts when using the saw.

Needless to say it is pouring with rain here. Please don't tell me that you are in a heat wave!

Take care,

Peter

Peter - thanks for another interesting video. If we cannot get the CMS at least we get to ogle

I've been told the issue with range in the US is all about Festool's ability to manage enough "stuff" to meet a launch requirement. The US distribution pattern sees a massive initial burst. Getting this right with bulky and expensive to ship items like CMS would be tricky for Festool.

On a side note, I don't think the US 110v saws have the "B" (brake) in the model ... I could be wrong.

Hi Richard

Yes the TS55R CMS Module is different from the module for the TS55. I am only guessing but I think that the significant change must be to do with the riving knife extension. I have both the TS55 and the TS55R and I have checked to see if it might be possible to 'mix and match' but it is not possible. I do not think that this is a cynical move on Festool's part but a simple reflection of the changes made with the new (and brilliant) TS55R.

I am sure that sooner or later some bright spark will identify the detail of the difference and it might them be possible to get an 'upgrade' component to allow either the TS55R to fit into a TS55 CMS Support Unit or to allow the TS55 to fit into the TS55R CMS Support Unit.

Previously I had only seen the TS55 demonstrated in a CMS unit and had not 'played' with one myself. I am so pleased with my TS55R /CMS setup - it is very accurate, smooth and an absolute pleasure to use....

Anyone want a rubbishy (almost new) Jet table saw?

Peter

The cms looks like a rite faff to deal with mite be ok with a router permanently in it but other than that I can't see I being very practical.

It is!  

I hate removing my OF2200 router out of the CMS module!    I try and keep it in as long as possible!    I only really use my router out of the CMS for work tops and shaping ends of long timber which would be to awkward to do on the CMS.

If it was 50/50 I had to use the OF2200 in and out of the CMS I think I would HAVE TO buy another OF2200 router! but cus its more like 80/20 im hesitant at buying another OF2200.

JMB

I'd agree that it's more "adaption" than "system". Mounting the Carvex and the OF2200 should have been "snap in" efforts as both tools have modular bases.

It's a real shame they didn't put more thought into the TS55R in relation to CMS. makes me think the CMS setup could be up for review (that and the fact it hasn't made it to the US). Could there be a new CMS setup in the near future ?!?

yeah, we keep hearing this story. I was under the impression it was due to UL concerns about safety of the module jumping out of the CMS base. I think it was our (now defunct) local dealer who told me that.

But after seeing this video, and how the module screw securely into the CMS base, I have to call BS on that. I honestly don't see how this function/design is any less safe than my portable Bosch contractors saw:

- upside down mounted saw with blade attached directly to motor  - check
- Blad splitter (my bosch doesn't even have one!)
- blade guard which is easily removable - check
- heigh adjust that requires to reach under the table top - checkack
- kick back guards on the splitter - missing, but I don't think those were standard on my unisaw either, and they're REALLY easy to add to the splitter attachment

So I'm just not buying that is any real safety concern with the CMS. There must be something else going on here.....

Perhaps the Germans just don't get (or refuse to) that you have grease wheels of the corrupt UL with some dollars to get it approved....

Just a point I'm pondering Peter ...

TS55 v's TS75 for the CMS - what do you see as the deciding factor?

My thinking is to put a TS75 in the CMS and mostly leave it there - using the TS55 for the majority of track and MFT work (always having the TS75 in reserve for that 5% of the time you need it).

So, penny for your thoughts ...

Kev

Hi everyone!

This is my first post.I am going to tell you what i think about the cms +ts 55.Writing english is not easy for me because i'm not a native speaker and i'll do my best to make it simple.

I have used the cms+ts 55 for 5 years .I decided to buy it because i didn't have a table saw and i heard a lot about FESTOOL.I Have made furniture and built in for my house and today i'm about to start a business as furniture maker.The cms is very helpful because it is light and well thought.Definitely,it is the best system for those who don't have space to work and if you don't  mind  wasting few minutes to set up your ts 55 on the cms when you need a table saw .Also,removing the sawbench module to put another module takes few seconds and from my point of view,it is the most interesting part of the cms system.

Today,i have a workshop(small one)......and i still need a sawbench.I mean a real one.I am not saying the cms sawbench is bad as I have already said,it is good enough if you don't need a saw bench on a regular basis.But when you need to work on your cms sawbench  only for few cuts and then coming back to the rail system.....it is not convenient.And setting the blade at an angle on the cms sawbench is not easy.Also,I used it with the extension table(the one without leg) and the table is so light that it may fall over on its side.

But since i have a small workshop and i need to keep it as clear as possible,the lightness of the cms system is a very big advantage because it's so easy to put everything aside when i need space .

I need a sawbench and i'll get the cs 50 precisio +extention table(the one WITH legs).I already have the router module(of1400) and i'll get the one for the jigsaw(i won a carvex..... [embarassed]i know) because it is much easier now to put it underneath the module than it was with the ps 300.Don't buy the cms  if it's only for the saw bench because TO MY MIND,it is not the best module of the cms system.

By the way,I would like to thank all of you for being so helpful .

Marty

welcome marty.
it is vedry hard to get info on here on the cms. as most dont have any experience of it.

I have BOTH

VL-CMS and Basic-CMS as you know!

With sliding table.

I dont even know where my VL-cms is lol I think its in the garage some where gathering dust!   Now that thing was a waste of money I can tell ya that for free!  

The basic CMS with the modules are fiddle and I have a Large systainer to store ALL the random small bits for it cus their are alot of pieces to it.



Kev :  

I would use my TS75 in the CMS over the TS55 like you said you use the TS55 more often and are so more likely to leave the TS75 in the CMS also you have more power and large cutting capacity using the TS75.   I personally would NOT use my TS55 in the CMS

I love the OF2200! I would buy a second one if I needed to.

   I have had a look at the OF1400 but I love the dust extraction on the OF2200 is beats all the OF routers and it has so much power!  So buying a router with less power doesnt appeal to me.  

JMB

First of all: THANKS Peter for the video, I'm looking forward to Part II 

Buying Festool power tools and using them in the Basis gives me the possibility to safely use the circular saw, the router and the jigg saw inverted. Please don't forget that you buy a portable system! If you have limited space (who doesn't?) or if you need to take your tools with you, Festool is great stuff. The big problem is: you always want MORE. 

However I hate these minor points of the TS75 in the CMS unit: the height adjuster, the tilting of the sawblade,the non-zero clearance of the sawblade, no groove in the module and the lack of 'aluminium magnets'. If you can live with that, you will be fine otherwise you need a decent tablesaw.

To all of you that have a TS-CMS combination: CHECK the alignment of the sawblade after inserting the module in the unit. Mis-alignment will cause jamming or kickback! Trust me I know wood can fly towards you... 

I am still working on improving my box joint setting. Check the post out here:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/cms-of-finger-joint-jigg-19279/?topicseen

Fair enough . Interesting idea those toggle clamps but they'd have to be carefully positioned as you can't swing them out the way. Not sure how you would fix them either as you know the existing clamps have special threaded inserts....