CMS Brinkmanship

[Birdhunter]

I am a total Festool advocate and own every tool they make for which I can generate a case for. I just can't push myself to take the plunge for a CMS kit. I built a great router table with a wonderful fence and so so dust collection. I can do any routing job on the home built table with total precision. I do spend a lot of time with a broom.

I look at the CMS sliding table, clean integrated design, and superior dust collection and get the fever. I then think about to so so fence and the wobbly base and get cold feet.

I don't need a portable router table. If the CMS could grow a sturdy base and a high quality fence, my checkbook would be out an ID have my pen in hand.

 

[charley1968]

Hi!
I,being an hobbyist, wouldn't see the need to buy a new routertable, if you're fine with the old one. The only issue you've got is with the DE. Peter Parfitt has made a video where he measures exposure to dust in relation to machines working. I believe the highest exposure came with (hand-)sanding,but check it out for yourself. So, given you've adequate ventilation or are using a halfmask when routing MDF, beech, oak and certain other hardwoods, i think you ought to be fine. But of course it also depends if you're doing woodworking for a living or are a 'week-end warrior'.
That said: i recently aquired the CMS with OF and TS55 insert, but that was mainly due the workspace restrictions. And i don't agree on the stability issue you mentioned. My CMS is stable enough.
My 2 cent.
Best regards, whatever you choose..

 

[bkharman]

Hey man!

I am a big fan of the CMS. And even more in particular, the CMS-VL.

I am not sure if you have seen any of my threads but I have solutions for most of your cold feet items:

Wobble-
I tried the cross braces and they worked... Just not the way I wanted them to, my ultimate solution will be like others around here have done and build a cabinet for it to sit on. I don't need to travel with my stuff, so I am fine with it.

Fence-
I use the MFT for my fence. In particular, I use an Incra LS Positioner that gives me a ton of space to work with. Oh and it is massively incremental in its adjustment. Works so well.

Full disclosure, I use mine for a lot more than the routing, but PM me if you want some details there. I will say that I love everything about my setup. I also have the clear stock rollers for feeding and a few other bells and whistles to help that along.

I can't help you on price because I have a fair bit in mine but I am neck deep into "the system" so I am fine with it. At the end of the day, I can take it all apart and set up anywhere else and be fine.

Good luck!  Bryan.

 

[Jaybolishes]

Cannot say once has instability come to mind.  The fact this thing is portable and you can easily break it down to a small size has made my cms a purchase one I'll never regret.  You can bring it with you and it's versatile. It's very stable to be useful and I'd say it if it wasn't. I like the fence, maybe other folks don't like it but I use mine all the time and it works.  Try using one and then you'll know if it's for you or not. It really depends on what you do, how it might help you,  what your needs are, and if you can afford it. The sliding table is awesome, my cabinet doors I make on site now are a breeze.  Every contractor I've showed it to wants one, they just never can justify the price.  Well mines already paid for itself and I just enjoy using it. Never a bad thing to buy a tool to make work more enjoyable and easier.

Before I bought my cms I  was also in the camp of folks who thought if they offered the rest of the inserts in NA I'll get one.  But after having a few conversations with people who used the inserts and informed me of their shortcomings, I decided not to get the cms.  Then I happened to work on a job where the owner had one and he let me us it.  I bought one a couple weeks later. 

 

[erock]

As a hobbyist I don't need a portable router table.

I invested  in a Incra router table.  Cheaper with a much better fence, a long with other features that I find better  then the CMS router table

If Festool would ever offer the full CMS line in the states then maybe I would consider the CMS system.  But for the price of the CMS router table, which does NOT include a router, the Incra system is a better system if you don't need a porter router table.

Eric

 

[SoonerFan]

If Festool would ever offer the full CMS line in the states then maybe I would consider the CMS system.

Eric

I agree with Eric.  If I could get the full CMS line I would make the investment.

 

[Slartibartfass]

Hey Europe just got cheap. Maybe time for a trip to a Festool dealer....?

 

[rljatl]

To improve dust collection, switch to an Incra router plate and use these:

INCRA 6-pc CleanSweep MagnaLOCK Ring Set

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks for all the inputs. I'm still on the fence but that sliding table on the CMS is pulling on me. I've already got a 1400 and a vac so those costs are not a factor.

 

[Linbro]

The sliding table is 'ok' - I wouldn't let it decide whether to get the table or not.
I had the full set up, but sold it and I'm going to build my own with a plate, and a Woodpeckers 'Super Fence' that I already have bought. A good coping sled, either an aftermarket one, or a shop built one, would be as good or better, than the sliding table.
It's all good being 'in the system', but it shouldn't always be the deciding factor.

 

[sancho57]

My feelings are,

" it depends"  are you planning on buying festools routers  for table use? Then it makes sense. Though none of the guys in the states use the 2200 in the router table even though all the mounting hardware comes with it and IMO it's the best router on the market today, it so then by all means get the CMS. if not then use what you got.

As far as portability mobile, I keep mines shop bound. But when I'm in the states, if I'm doing some remodeling/ home improvement type projects, I can set up in which ever room part of the yard etc I'm doing the work at. Saves walking back to the shop to make a cut or route something.
Though they aren't available in the states some Foggers have managed to acquire some of the other modules. The Ts55/75 modules will save you time if you are working around the house being able to set up wherever your working.
However yes you can do the same thing with a job site saw as well.

 

[Birdhunter]

FYI, The Woodpeckers coping sled is a great tool.

 

[rst]

I have a PC 3 1/4hp body mounted in a Bench Dog lift in a self made table.  My table is 30" X 49", made from 1 1/8" double face melamine commercial particle board, heavy as h*** and stable as a rock.  I rout large pieces, hence the size.  i have an Incra LS 17 for positioning and it is great.  I discovered the  Keen Products Dust Router and ended my cleanup nightmares.  You have not really had to cleanup until you have routed 1/2" acrylic or polycarbonate... electro static city!  [scared]    I use a Festool CMS hose which I got from Amazon warehouse and cleanup takes minutes. http://www.keen-products.com/routertables.htm  All that being said the CMS-VL is still on my list as sometimes it is useful to have two tables and a sliding table.