CMS Discontinued

[bertv]

So I'm curious how the stability of the CMS router table compares to the MFT?

The CMS is more stable than the MFT/3. The pivot points for the legs are lower, the leg assemblies sturdier. The smaller footprint also helps (the legs cantilever outwards, more than the MFT's, that need to fold into the top — whereas the CMS legs fold onto the table part).

 

[TinyShop]

So I'm curious how the stability of the CMS router table compares to the MFT?

The CMS is more stable than the MFT/3. The pivot points for the legs are lower, the leg assemblies sturdier. The smaller footprint also helps (the legs cantilever outwards, more than the MFT's, that need to fold into the top — whereas the CMS legs fold onto the table part).

I'll echo Bert's assessment. I have the TS 75 module as well and regularly use it to rip all kinds of material (the kind of motion that you may concerned about). When I first began acquiring the various components of my current CMS setup (CMS-GE, CMS TS 75, sliding table, outfeed and off-cut extension tables) I was concerned that I'd need to rig up some kind of sandbags or the like (draped over the cross members on the legs) to stabilize the lightweight (compared to a cast iron TS!) nature of the CMS. In practice, however, I've never seen the need. The CMS stays rock solid regardless of what I push through it. Maybe someday I'll encounter a situation where I'll need to add some aditional weight but I can't foresee having to do so. I cut all my sheet goods down to size using a track saw so the days of manhandling full sheets of ply through a TS are gone (which means that any need for a heavy TS are also gone). 

 

[DeformedTree]

What matters is material-blade-fence stay together.  If they move all as one on a pile of jello, all will still be good.  In some ways having flex in the legs can be a benefit as it means the system won't flex say the blade when you get some side load on the material passing thru, it will flex the legs instead.

 

[Cheese]

Well that’s the reason I asked the question...having used a friends MFT, that abomination is like jello. That’s the reason I haven’t purchased one and also why I have no interest in owning one.
Better to be someone else’s curse than mine.    [tongue]

 

[DeformedTree]

I have 2 MFTs,  sure they wiggle a little, but I haven't seen how in usage it would matter. I also don't use them as a stand in for a Anvil.  I appreciate them having nice solid tops, but overall not too bad of weight.

My comments were simply that people will comment on things flexing, but in a lot of situations it's not an issue and could be a benefit or the less flex option could have much bigger downsides.  It's all about the particular locations of a flex.

I suspect MFTs fall into a circular loop, the person who things they flex to much does stuff on them that puts a lot of load on them that makes the flexing seam like a lot more than it would be to others. This extra forcing of it, over time loosens things up more, which causes more flexing and the cycle just snow balls, and eventually you have a table that is completely jello.  Since it happened over time, the person never notices the degrading, and just thinks it was like that from the start and or doesn't think they abused it.

 

[Svar]

I have 2 MFTs,  sure they wiggle a little, but I haven't seen how in usage it would matter.

It matters if you use hand tools.

 

[bertv]

As has been said often, Festool should have included the bracings to the MFT/3 package, not sell them as an accessory… Even better would have been an improved design with foldaway bracing.

My MFT/3 with bracing is very solid (but I have to admit that a permanently attached CMS/VL adds a lot to that, not to mention the TSB1/MW1000 on the other end).

 

[jamboclaat]

Hi,

I'm after a CMS-OF module, can't seem to track one down for love nor money... can anyone out there help?

Many thanks,

James

 

[bertv]

The CMS-products have been discontinued due to EU-regulations (several threads about this on FOG).

According to fellow-FOGers you should be able to build a module yourself by obtaining the separate parts — which will be available for at least 5 years (as per other EU-regs…). EKAT has all the product numbers you need for ordering. (Spare Parts Cat under Additional Websites in the Menu here).