CMS or ??? router table

[bruegf]

I've decided its time to buy my first router table and am debating as to what is the best choice.  I currently own the OF1400 and MFK700 routers, but don't have any other brand routers (with the exception of a really old porter cable 537m with a 536b base).

I've briefly used the CMS router table at the Festool router class and loved the dust extraction, sliding table, and the fact that I can use my OF1400 in it.  I don't need the portability as this will only be used in my home shop.  On the other hand its quite expensive and the lack of micro adjust for the entire fence seems like a major omission.

I've just started looking and there's a dizzying array of choices.  I wondering as a hobbyist if the CMS is worth the cost, or is there a choice that would be a better value?

I'll be interested in hearing your opinions.

Thanks

Fred

 

[Jaybolishes]

Depending on what you are doing, I'd check for a moulder or shaper on Craigslist, with a feeder if possible, but that may be overkill for you needs.  The price could be comparable.  If the other modules were available I'd have the CMs, but if you can only do one thing, a moulder has way more power and versatility. Then sell the shaper when the CMs is finally available with all it's goodies. That sliding table sure is aluring though on the cms.  I want a portable option, so I'm about to pull the trigger on the CMs.

 

[Alan m]

it depends on what you want a router table for. if its only basic rounding over,grooves etc then a router bolted to a piece of ply would surfice
if you want it for fancy joinery  etc then i would go for the incra system (i have it and its great)
i dont the cms in the usa version is worth the money. over here we have all the modules and it makes sence being able to swap them.

if you only want it for shop use i would build one and put an incra top adn ls postition on it. it would be a lot cheaper thatn the cms adn have way more capabitilies
im not sure what advantages a sliding tabe would have over a large super acurate incra mitergauge

 

[sancho57]

depends on a few things, how much ya want to spend, ow much room ya got, if yer the type that has to have a cadillac when toyota would do.
How much what type of routing ya gonna do.

You could get away just fine with the router mounted to a oiece of ply and hung in a barrel.

Its all personal preferance.

Especially when it comes to spending that kinda $$$$

Hobbiest or pro doesnt matter. I bought it and I love it.

Another decision is do you get the VL or GE? Do you get the one with al the do dads or the basic and buy what ya feel you'd need.

Those are things only you can answer.

 

[skids]

I used to think I could just get by with a regular table for the amount of use I would put to a Router Table. Of course I could get by with it, but after seeing the CMS at Connect I think I would hold out for it. The fence and featherboard system is just incredible.

Like I said one could do with a lesser table and would be just fine, but call me spoiled. I am used to the Festool system and the logic of it, and let's not forget the dust collection part.

 

[peter halle]

Router tables are like cars.  You have a huge selection and can start with the least expensive and say that it will do.  Then you think about it and add an option.  Then another.  And another.  Then when you are ready to sign on the bottom line you see what you are spending and getting and all of a sudden the total is close to what you really wanted all along.  Then you go and get the one you really wanted and two weeks later you laugh at yourself for going thru the effort and are happy with your decision.

If you buy another brand table - or build your own - you will end up still spending $1000 + for the fence, lift, and router.  You already have the 1400.  It is not difficult to swap in and out.  Get the GE set and integrate it into what you already have.

Peter

 

[Runhard]

Hey Fred,

I will sell you my Kreg/PC router table setup with Kreg lift, casters and a few other extras. I have around $1350 in it and it seriously only has about 1hr of use. I was thinking about selling it for $1000. I'm in northern Indiana right next to Michigan.

If you want to know why I'm selling it... It's to buy a CMS  [big grin]

Daniel

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[bmikl]

Dust collection, dust collection and dust collection. I bought the CMS a few weeks ago. Like you, this is a hobby. A few things to consider: Even though portability is not an issue right now, it may be an asset as you aquire more tools. The fence was an issue for me but with some creativity it will suit your needs. As you know the router takes very little time and effort to install or take out. The fact the it can easily be used as a joiner is a big plus for me. There some nice features on this machine. I have used mine alot in the few weeks I've had it and really like the results. If your on the fence about what type of table you want/need, then wait a while before purchasing anything. You will be more sure of what you want from a router table. Did I mention the dust collection? I have a small space to do my woodworking. I like that I can spend more time making saw dust rather than cleaning it up.

 

[dsweetser]

If portability is not an issue, consider the CMS-VL which attaches to the MFT/3 table. The complete set is $1300.

 

[NoBreyner]

I build my own router tables.  I can't see paying huge amounts of money on a CMS to do the same job a home made table can do.

 

[Wonderwino]

Daniel, I was on the verge of going the Kreg route, and I went with the CMS instead for the same reason.  By the time you add all the "bells & whistles" to conventional router tables, you have almost as much tied up in that mess as you do with the CMS.  It is also difficult to find sliding-table router tables.

The biggest positive about the CMS is that it was designed as part of a system, so everything was designed to work together.  You're not trying to "make" stuff from different manufacturers come together in a usable whole.  As for the micro adjustment conundrum, I am working on a jig to attach to the sliding table miter gauge to solve this.

 

[Rob-GB]

I have used a selection of home made and shop bought router tables over the years and a large number of shapers/spindle moulders.
Very few shapers/spindle moulders have sliding tables even less have micro adjustment on the fences, in the trade a variable force thump with your hand is the go to fence adjuster!

The beauty of the CMS is that it is part of the whole system, I have on occasion used the side extensions from my Kapex as in and out feed tables, the sliding table has been used as a wide panel support (raised and fielded panels), helped machine tenons with ease and cope the moulded shoulder. It is easy to pack out of the way when workspace is tight.
In my work it fits right in. If I was a hobby woodworker, it would be on my tool list as a priority. I have over the years spent far more than its cost on other efforts and bits to make my own and none have been so easy to set up and use accurately.

Rob.

 

[bruegf]

Right now I only anticipate doing basic things, round-overs, grooving, etc.  I'm in the process of building a set of euro-style full overlay kitchen cabinets, so won't be doing a lot of router table work, but every once in a while it would be very convenient.

I have the older MFT1080, so going with the option to connect to an MFT/3 won't work for me.  I also have limited space so the ability to knock the router table down and stand it against a wall or store under the MFT would be an advantage.  Definitely don't have the space for a shaper, plus my dad has an old cast iron monster of a shaper if I ever do really need one.

Dust collection is really high on my list of must-haves.  The CMS is impressive in that regard, but I have no idea how good any of the others are in that regard.

The CMS seems like a great fit for my expected use, but I guess I'm having trouble w/ the fact it doesn't have a micro adjust fence for the amount of money it costs.

Thanks for the input.

Fred

 

[ridgenj]

I had  a similar debate but went with the CMS-VL and I am using it with the OF2200. My main reason was that Festool USA could one day decide to offer the other modules they have over in Europe and I be delighted to use my Kapex as a table saw too.
I have space in my three car garage and I regret not buying a stand alone version. I am within my 30 days window but just to remember how the CMS-VL was delivered, can't imagine being able to repack it back that way. I was like in a vault or Panzer.
BTW, if the MFT would be packed like that, a lot of exchanges would not be necessary.
Cheers
Luis

 

[Papajoe]

hi luis,
i'm considering the vl version, and would be very interested why you regret not getting the stand alone cms? i have never owned a router table, but seen the 2 cms displays at a woodcraft. what i liked of the v version was; bigger table surface length and width; more stable attached to mft; possibility to utilize mft work surface. i relise the cms has a fold up extension wing to make it wider, but i didn't like the surface step problems with it. please enlighten me why you "regret" not getting the stand alone. thanks

 

[Birdhunter]

I had built a very nice router table around the Kreg system just before the CMS came out. The Kreg table is big, solid, and has a fair fence. I heavily modified the table to get reasonable dust collection.

I've looked at the CMS and really like the sliding table and the dust collection. I don't like the fence and the whole thing is smallish and a tad wobbly.

If Festool came up with a better fence for the CMS, I'd find room in my shop for it.

 

[DBurner]

As a fellow hobbyist, I hesitated greatly before ultimately deciding on the CMS - and I am now really happy I got it. What was said earlier about adding up the bells and whistles on another alternative and coming out in the ballpark of the CMS cost is true.

But the other piece of it is that I use Festool because I want woodworking to be a joy, not a chore. I have a limited amount of time I can devote to this hobby, and I want that time to be as good an experience as possible. When visiting my mother I can use her more conventional router table, but it's a process filled with little annoyances. By contrast, every time I use the CMS, the work is a pleasure and what I produce is better than my meager skills deserve. To me, the extra enjoyment is worth the premium -- though everyone does that calculation differently.

(My mother thinks I'm crazy for buying Festool. But I love woodworking, and she has largely stopped doing it. Which is the better investment?)

Darcy (but not the Darcy whose picture graces the cover of the latest Festool catalog; just a mere hobbyist Darcy)

 

[sancho57]

I've decided its time to buy my first router table and am debating as to what is the best choice.   I currently own the OF1400 and MFK700 routers, but don't have any other brand routers (with the exception of a really old porter cable 537m with a 536b base).

I've briefly used the CMS router table at the Festool router class and loved the dust extraction, sliding table, and the fact that I can use my OF1400 in it.   I don't need the portability as this will only be used in my home shop.   On the other hand its quite expensive and the lack of micro adjust for the entire fence seems like a major omission.

I've just started looking and there's a dizzying array of choices.  I wondering as a hobbyist if the CMS is worth the cost, or is there a choice that would be a better value?

I'll be interested in hearing your opinions.

Thanks

Fred

Depends like others have said. Really this is all personal preference.

I bought a CMS and gave my old router table away. It did it because I felt that since I really like the festool SYSTEM I will stick with the system. The CMS is designed to be used with all te festool routers and if approved by the US the TS 55/75 and jig saws and a belt sander. All the accessories for te CMS can be used with each of the modules I mentioned.

Other things such as the kapex extension wings can be used with it.

It came with everything I needed in a router table, sliding table, extension,  awesome dust collection and a solid fence.

But if your not interested in all that, you can look hard at a small shaper. That might work for you and its about the same $$$ maybe even a little cheaper depending on which model you get.

 

[Clay]

Has anyone had experience with the new Rockler ready2rout? I was interested in knowing if this would be something to consider when deciding which router table to buy or is this like comparing apples to oranges. Maybe it would be something to consider for a designated shop router table. Anyway I just find the opinions and experience of the members on here very helpful and informative.

 

[BMH]

I am within my 30 days window but just to remember how the CMS-VL was delivered, can't imagine being able to repack it back that way. I was like in a vault or Panzer.
I agree I did go with the stand alone and do not regret it. It permits you to have a glue up on the MFT and still work on the CMS table. I can align both table in any direction and use them as a large work surface.

I bought a CMS and gave my old router table away. It did it because I felt that since I really like the festool SYSTEM I will stick with the system. The CMS is designed to be used with all te festool routers and if approved by the US the TS 55/75 and jig saws and a belt sander. All the accessories for te CMS can be used with each of the modules I mentioned.
We have many discussions on this and other sites on how good each individual tool is compared to different other brands. This is where other Brands would like to keep the discussion, if you take a step back you realize no other Brand has the System that Festool offers. Integration of all of these tools, makes one a lot more productive in a small and portable format. The debate on the inability of the Carvex to scribe on a narrow surface is an example, I use the RAS 115 for that job; faster, easier and smarter.

The CMS is living up to my expectations and fits nicely in my shop and into the system I am building. If you can afford it, get the stand alone model and all of the attachments as it is the best package. I would add that the festool push stick is a must at 12 dollars and should be offered with the CMS table as a bonus from Festool. It comes in TS 55 insert in Europe. Remember that thanks to the internet and the global business market, one should be able to give it the added European flair that makes it a lot more versatile.

Bruce