Anyone got 1st hand experience of the CMS / Precisio 50 optional fence?

[RC]

I've been looking at the precision fence/Stopper (492095) for the CMS for use with the TS55 insert to have a sturdier fence, but every time I touch it at the local Festool showroom I can't figure out how to adjust it precisely much less use the fine adjustment. It just seems to hang from the back and not clamp solidly when tightened. 

I've been wondering is the showroom one somehow broken or is it just that flimsy/unprecise in reality?

 

[Nigel]

It clamps solidly front and back with the big knob for the front and the lever on the fence front for the back. The micro adjustment if needed - you clamp the little lever on the bottom left in your link and then dial in right or left with knob on the far left - then clamp front and back. It's definitely not flimsy and pretty simple. The one you've seen must be broken.

 

[RC]

Now that you explained what which knob does I can tell that the showroom one must have been broken since I can't remember even seeing the front latch on the fence at all (rightmost latch in the picture now that I knew to look for it) and I was trying to tighten the back with the latch underneath that is for the micro adjuster and wondering why the back was wiggling around loose all the time and the front was clamped in place.

When the fence is working properly, how would you describe the sideway movement of it? Smooth sliding like a table/bandsaw fence or a piece of aluminium that you place manually where you want it and clamp down?

Does the fence automatically align itself parallel to the blade when tightened or do you have to worry about it being at an angle and possibly trapping wood between the blade and the fence?

 

[greg mann]

Now that you explained what which knob does I can tell that the showroom one must have been broken since I can't remember even seeing the front latch on the fence at all (rightmost latch in the picture now that I knew to look for it) and I was trying to tighten the back with the latch underneath that is for the micro adjuster and wondering why the back was wiggling around loose all the time and the front was clamped in place.

When the fence is working properly, how would you describe the sideway movement of it? Smooth sliding like a table/bandsaw fence or a piece of aluminium that you place manually where you want it and clamp down?

Does the fence automatically align itself parallel to the blade when tightened or do you have to worry about it being at an angle and possibly trapping wood between the blade and the fence?

I have the CS 70 Precisio and I believe the fence is the same as the CMS. I generally don't use the fine adjustfeature but that is personal preference only and I think it works well enough that I occasionally find myself re-considering. The locking front to rear is very consistent and I cannot recall ever having an alignment issue relative to the blade. I really like the fence.

 

[windmill man]

Hi Reiska,

The fence is a good solid one, that slides quite smoothly. It clamps very firmly both front and back. The toe in/out can be adjusted if need be,and once set is good. The fence is alot better than the cms standard set up but a bit pricey.

John

 

[Nigel]

As above - and I rarely use the micro adjust either as it's pretty easy to set straight off the fence. Incidentally if you have the side extension table sometimes the fence has trouble bridging the gap smoothly. A bit of supergleit or something like helps.

 

[RC]

Thanks fellows! I guess this is definitely on my xmas wishlist  [big grin]