CMS plates

[flagre]

So, this is my first post on this forum. Tried to search allover for this but have yet to find anything.

As many others I'm starting the build of some sort of Paulk table soon, most likely the PTS with some modifications.

I want to control the dust and getting a table saw that is virtually dust free is difficult and require a properly sized blower etc. Not very portable. Hence, since having the TS 55 R I would really like to use that in a table saw setup.

Festool takes care of that with their CMS insert. Obviously I do not want to use the Festool table, only the insert plates. I also do not want the fence etc. since I will put tracks down on the table itself to avoid stuff hanging on the outside. I think I will just buy the spare parts I need from each system.

Unfortunately they edges of those plates are not really planar and thus not so easy to put down in a router plate like assembly in a custom table. However, should not be too difficult either, just need to make some insert hangers with some details etc.

I also have the 420 jigsaw and would like to setup that upside down in a similar way. The band sander also looks promising as a future expansion route.

Given all this I have a question with respect to the CMS insert systems. Hopefully you might be able to give me some answers.

Are all the insert plates similarly shaped underneath? E.g. the jigsaw, ts 55, band saw and router plates. All seems to have the rail going under and the locking screws. In principle I would assume they were all equals let us say one inch in from all the sides. Can anyone confirm/disconfirm this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AlexThePalex]

No, they are not shaped similarly underneath, they all have their own shapes to accommodate different tools.

And welcome to the forum.  [cool] [smile]

 

[GarryMartin]

As Alex mentions, they are all shaped for the tools they support.

But do you mean are they all the same around the outside edges? i.e. that they all connect to the CMS tables in the same way? If so, then the answer to that would be yes.

Also, when you say the edges are not planar, they can and have been fitted to homemade tables. The secret seems to be to use an 8mm aluminium bar on the left hand side. This is the perfect diameter for the plate to connect into.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/custome-cms-table-saw-for-ts55/ has some details, but sadly has been hit with the "missing photos" problem that hopefully will be resolved soon. Luckily, I'd saved some of them in my notes.

I hope the original author doesn't mind them being reproduced here.

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[timbertailor]

If you need the portability for on site work, than cordless makes sense. But, the cost of batteries and their relatively short life, make cordless tools a real gamble. Half the time, the batteries you need to replace are no longer made or cost more than the tool they are designed to work for when it is time to replace them.

 

[flagre]

Thanks. Particularly for showing the missing pictures. I've seen the post, but still missing the pictures as you say.

I thought about making the rests for the table much wider and just make a dado or something similar so that the table rests uniform on a wide base. Then modify the locking mechanisms with something wider and a bit more solid. But from you comments it seems that the outer edge of the table (maybe in an inch or so) are similar between the different versions. This would make the CMS work really great for me.

I'll buy a test plate and try a few setups for the resting system, including the bar above. Seems nice.

Thanks again.

 

[Acrobat]

Hi
You mentioned the Band sander....There is the band type version you mention, made especially for the cms with its own plate. Quite different to other plates from what I can tell, although the size must be the same to fit it. Seems a very pricey unit though for what it does. Not sure what the ref number or what its called sorry, only seen it in brochures for the cms table.
Alternatively, both the 75 and 105 sized Belt sanders have available, feet and main fence, accessories to enable the sander to be inverted and have the belt side facing up and placed on a tabletop. Very handy this way and easily fitted/removed in a minute or two. Not sure if it would really be worth it trying to fit it into a cms plate for the cms table like the other version but I guess it could be done. I love using mine with the feet and inverted such a handy thing for small jobs.