CMS GE issue

[HowardH]

I noticed that the black rings that guard the bits are sitting down about .5mm from the table height.  Not an issue on the infeed side but a major problem on the out feed side.  The workpiece is always hanging up .  These rings are not made to be adjustable so I was wondering if I should put some tape underneath to lift up the ring slightly.  Ideas?

 

[Cheese]

I would certainly try that.

That’s funny as my rings were about .5 mm proud of the surface instead. I took an ETS EC sander to them and now they’re within .001” of the surface.

 

[Sparktrician]

I would certainly try that.

That’s funny as my rings were about .5 mm proud of the surface instead. I took an ETS EC sander to them and now they’re within .001” of the surface.

I'm with [member=44099]Cheese[/member] on this one, but I'd use a small piece of aluminum duct tape at four points around the circumference of the ring.  Try it one thickness at a time.  I had to use a similar build-up on the main plate of the CMS-GE to get it level at the front.  [smile]

 

[Samo]

This has been a big gripe of mine. Love the CMS system but have a few things I’ve wanted to fix.

I was thinking of applying veneer on the adaptors and rings?

Let us know how it goes? 

 

[HowardH]

Will do.

 

[bkharman]

This has been a big gripe of mine. Love the CMS system but have a few things I’ve wanted to fix.

I was thinking of applying veneer on the adaptors and rings?

Let us know how it goes?  [emoji851]

Mine as well. I was going to talk to Jerry [mention]Precision Dogs [/mention] or Hans at [mention]TSO Products [/mention] about an aluminum set a few years ago but time got away. Happy to discuss options here.

Cheers. Bryan.

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[HowardH]

I took [member=7493]Sparktrician[/member] advice and got some aluminum duct tape.  The shoulder is not more than a mm or two wide so I had to carefully attach it to the ring.  It took 2 layers but as you can see in the second photo, it leveled out the rings with the table. 

 

[HowardH]

I spoke to a gentlemen at Festool and he informed me the issue we have been talking about is a design element.  He said the CMS is not designed to route end grain vertically, especially if the piece is fairly short.  It works perfectly when the piece is laid flat on the table, not so much the other way.  I suppose I have to use a wider workpiece initially, cut that end grain first, then cut it down to length and then do the flat side. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I spoke to a gentlemen at Festool and he informed me the issue we have been talking about is a design element.  He said the CMS is not designed to route end grain vertically, especially if the piece is fairly short.  It works perfectly when the piece is laid flat on the table, not so much the other way.  I suppose I have to use a wider workpiece initially, cut that end grain first, then cut it down to length and then do the flat side.

I don't understand the issue that you're having with end-grain stock.  Can you post a picture or two of the issue? 

 

[HowardH]

Check my first post.  you will see where the insert rings are slightly below the table level.  If you take let's say a board 5" wide, 6" long and 1/2" thick and put it on the table with the end flat against the fence, then only part touching the table is the .5" wide end.  Like when you are using a bandsaw to resaw a thick board.  that's the problem.  If I laid the board flat on the table, it's area is covering the the rings so there is no way for the lip to "catch" the edge as it comes through.  Hope this helps. I can always take a pic of when I get home. 

 

[Sparktrician]

Check my first post.  you will see where the insert rings are slightly below the table level.  If you take let's say a board 5" wide, 6" long and 1/2" thick and put it on the table with the end flat against the fence, then only part touching the table is the .5" wide end.  Like when you are using a bandsaw to resaw a thick board.  that's the problem.  If I laid the board flat on the table, it's area is covering the the rings so there is no way for the lip to "catch" the edge as it comes through.  Hope this helps. I can always take a pic of when I get home.

OK.  Got it.  Suggest that you might use a backer board to push the work piece through the bit.  To use your example, I'd grab a piece of 1/2" plywood (or other handy stock, 18" long and 4" wide.  I'd use that piece to push the work piece through the bit to keep the work piece truly vertical until it clears the bit.  Let me know if you need a picture.  [smile]

 

[HowardH]

I got it. make perfect sense...here is what i was trying to do.  BTW, I simply moved the fence back into relative position for purposes of the post...

[attachimg=1]

 

[Cheese]

Well I’m certainly not buying what the Festool service person said. There’s no reason why those rings shouldn’t be sitting flush with the table.

If it’s such a desireable “design element”, then why hasn’t every other router table manufacturer incorporated it into their product?

 

[Sparktrician]

I got it. make perfect sense...here is what i was trying to do.  BTW, I simply moved the fence back into relative position for purposes of the post...

I see what you're doing.  I do think a push board as suggested might help significantly.  I use one here all the time, and it's made this kind of cut much easier and more stable.  [smile]

 

[Sparktrician]

Well I’m certainly not buying what the Festool service person said. There’s no reason why those rings shouldn’t be sitting flush with the table.

If it’s such a desireable “design element”, then why hasn’t every other router table manufacturer incorporated it into their product?

Spot on!!! 

 

[bkharman]

Well I’m certainly not buying what the Festool service person said. There’s no reason why those rings shouldn’t be sitting flush with the table.

If it’s such a desireable “design element”, then why hasn’t every other router table manufacturer incorporated it into their product?

Agreed. I have often complained here about the two items I like least about my VL. One is that fence. The other is the rings. I know that can be fixed, I just don’t have anyway to kill aluminum. I will try reaching out to Hans at TSO or Jerry at Precision Dogs directly. Not sure if there is enough CMS users to warrant it or not, but I am happy to run it down.

In the past my pitch was to make it clean sweep style.

Cheers. Bryan.

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[FestitaMakool]

I’ve read with interest here.
As a CMS OF (2x  [embarassed]) owner and user myself, there’s an idea that I have thought of.
I do have an older version of the module (plate) that is different than the newest version (fence is the same). I like very much the fence - very good dust extraction, relatively easy to adjust, can be used as a jointer.. But the older plate only accepts older insert rings, and only OF 1400 and OF 2000/2200, not the OF 1010. So for it to accept other routers I need to find new and longer attachment bars (not very difficult) - but then there’s the hole and adapter rings..

The older table is noticeably stiffer as it also has two “T track’s” that works as reinforcements.
I have thought of going to a CNC shop to cut out the plate - to adopt “regular” router insert plates - preserving the t-tracks, as well as “original configuration” but now as a smaller plate, regarding attachment of FT’s two routers for this table. But: cutting out means that it can also be adopted to a “regular” router insert. Then one can use aftermarket router lifts, adapter plates, insert rings and so on, including the “original” center portion of the plate.

However, I have not taken any measurement to witch “system” to adopt to - as there’s no “standard” unfortunately. There are amongst others I don’t remember - but maybe you?
Jessem, Rockler, Kreg, Woodpecker.. they seem to operate with their own proprietary sizes.. [mad]

If one shall jump to such non reversible modification, which manufacturer would you choose?
The benefit would be to continue use of the CMS, but added versatility of other plates, lifts, insert rings and so on. It would be modular within Festool modular..  [big grin]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - I have noted your great skills.. have you ever been into thinking something as I’m describing?
- It could solve a few niggles to the CMS OF, and keeping it’s best features..  [smile]

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - I have noted your great skills.. have you ever been into thinking something as I’m describing?
- It could solve a few niggles to the CMS OF, and keeping it’s best features..  [smile]

I think you have a great idea...the only issue may be that the Woodpeckers version is quite large. I wonder if that would compromise the stiffness of the Festool plate?  The upside though is that Woodpeckers offers these rings every now & then in aluminum.

Maybe this would be something that Hans [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] would be interested in?

 

[bkharman]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - I have noted your great skills.. have you ever been into thinking something as I’m describing?
- It could solve a few niggles to the CMS OF, and keeping it’s best features..  [smile]

I think you have a great idea...the only issue may be that the Woodpeckers version is quite large. I wonder if that would compromise the stiffness of the Festool plate?  The upside though is that Woodpeckers offers these rings every now & then in aluminum.

Maybe this would be something that Hans [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] would be interested in?

I was tagging Hans in as well. I have had the same thought about rigidity of the plate and was more thinking of a shallow route with my Shaper-O for the Incra magnalocks. I was going to use the magnet areas to also “shim” up and down somehow. Hadn’t gotten all the way through my engineering of it [emoji6].

HANS!!

Cheers. Bryan.

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[DynaGlide]

Even though I know the CMS is a niche and fading market with its removal from Europe, count me in as interested.