CMS Router table set.

[Wenyce]

I have to ask and already probably know, has someone mounted the Incra LS on the CMS and how easy or difficult was it to do. Is it a matter of a few holes being drilled and tapped or is there more to it.
Also the LS 17 or 25 which will work more efficiently

All of this may have been already answered somewhere else but I ask anyway

I did attach acouple aluminum extrusions to my mft to add the ls positioner,  u do have to have a good amount of space in your shop if u add the 32" positioner ( which is what I choose), the installation I choose was the simplest one ( just like in the pic) I drilled two holes through the extrusion up against the side of the mft and bolted it up against it with two t-nuts in the t rack, it holds in extremely well. soon enough I'll post my setup in the workshop/ mobile workshop thread so I can feel I've contributed to this great forum

 

[Theshipstore]

Wenyce.  This is an awesome idea, it looks like you used 8020 extrusion to set this up, I like it and if you don't object would like to use your idea

 

[Wenyce]

Wenyce.  This is an awesome idea, it looks like you used 8020 extrusion to set this up, I like it and if you don't object would like to use your idea

Actually it wasn't my idea, bkharman posted a link that previously had the picture in it but on the 4th page of that link he posted there's a poster named "plouf" that links another website where a a man name "Walter h. " details how he went about doing this, he doesn't explain how he did it, but looking at the picture I guess I arrived at his same conclusion, so I can't take the credit. But I'm glad that you like the idea, I used the 6 (30/90?) series aluminum extrusions actually.

 

[NEW2FES]

In REPLY #15 can you easily flip the fence so the MFT can be used as a larger table surface say for cabinet doors?

I would love the dust free work the CMS provides and is what has me looking into one. There are some clumsy parts of it that when compared to price also keeps me on the sidelines.

Right now I have a simple hole cut in my MFT and a wooden fence attached to the MFT adjustable fence. Crude but have built several kitchens and vanities with it. Like everyone else I am chasing an easier and cleaner work place.

Also not sure of benefits of sliding table vs coping sled. I also think that part of it was designed for the non US table saw portion.

You can get a full tilt Jessem or Woodpecker with router for about $1200 which is a substantial savings. Problem is you can't fold it up and it doesn't have the same dust collection abilities. For someone using their 2 car garage that has to be cleaned up after a project the $800 difference might be justified.

 

[rljatl]

Here's my alternative.  I am building an MFT cart in the next couple months.  The router table will be stored in a recessed area on the left end of the cart.  The Incra Positioner will be stored in a recessed area on the right end of the cart.  The router table will be hinged and lifted into place assisted by two inexpensive gas struts. I've been using it quite a bit as is and it works great.

$199.00 Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top
$59.00 Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs
$37.00 Festool 452898 Hose Sleeve, Antistatic Y-Adapter
$34.99 Bosch VAC005 5-Meter Vacuum Hose 35mm
$116.07 Incra Cast Aluminum Router Mounting Plate Triton Routers
$59.44 CleanSweep MagnaLOCK Ring Set
$505.50    Total

 

[bkharman]

In REPLY #15 can you easily flip the fence so the MFT can be used as a larger table surface say for cabinet doors?

I would love the dust free work the CMS provides and is what has me looking into one. There are some clumsy parts of it that when compared to price also keeps me on the sidelines.

Right now I have a simple hole cut in my MFT and a wooden fence attached to the MFT adjustable fence. Crude but have built several kitchens and vanities with it. Like everyone else I am chasing an easier and cleaner work place.

Also not sure of benefits of sliding table vs coping sled. I also think that part of it was designed for the non US table saw portion.

You can get a full tilt Jessem or Woodpecker with router for about $1200 which is a substantial savings. Problem is you can't fold it up and it doesn't have the same dust collection abilities. For someone using their 2 car garage that has to be cleaned up after a project the $800 difference might be justified.

If you are asking if you can use the MFT as a surface for large items, the short answer is no.  Two reasons why it is not a good idea.  The power switch would end up being on the opposite site of the table (from your infeed) and if anything were to happen, you wouldn't be in a good position to shut it down. 

The larger part of the 'no' would be that the stock fence has specific holes on the MFT side for mounting the fence.  There are no holes on the other side to accommodate that setup.  I suppose you could tap some, but I wouldn't go that route.  If you do the Incra LS with the Wonderfence, it has a tall attachment that sits on top of the regular fence that allows panels, doors, etc. when using vertical bits.  It works quite well actually.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[bkharman]

Here's my alternative.  I am building an MFT cart in the next couple months.  The router table will be stored in a recessed area on the left end of the cart.  The Incra Positioner will be stored in a recessed area on the right end of the cart.  The router table will be hinged and lifted into place assisted by two inexpensive gas struts. I've been using it quite a bit as is and it works great.

$199.00 Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top
$59.00 Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs
$37.00 Festool 452898 Hose Sleeve, Antistatic Y-Adapter
$34.99 Bosch VAC005 5-Meter Vacuum Hose 35mm
$116.07 Incra Cast Aluminum Router Mounting Plate Triton Routers
$59.44 CleanSweep MagnaLOCK Ring Set
$505.50    Total

I will say, that is a very nice alternative.... nice indeed!

 

[wow]

Here's my alternative.  I am building an MFT cart in the next couple months.  The router table will be stored in a recessed area on the left end of the cart.  The Incra Positioner will be stored in a recessed area on the right end of the cart.  The router table will be hinged and lifted into place assisted by two inexpensive gas struts. I've been using it quite a bit as is and it works great.

$199.00 Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top
$59.00 Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs
$37.00 Festool 452898 Hose Sleeve, Antistatic Y-Adapter
$34.99 Bosch VAC005 5-Meter Vacuum Hose 35mm
$116.07 Incra Cast Aluminum Router Mounting Plate Triton Routers
$59.44 CleanSweep MagnaLOCK Ring Set
$505.50    Total

Which router are you going to use with that? I am still learning about Festool routers and what will fit where. And I have ZERO knowledge of the Triton routers. Is their faceplate the equivalent of a PC router faceplate here, i.e. kind of a 'universal' mount to the EU routers? Or are you planning to dedicate a Triton to your router cable because it excels in certain ways?

 

[rljatl]

Which router are you going to use with that? I am still learning about Festool routers and what will fit where. And I have ZERO knowledge of the Triton routers. Is their faceplate the equivalent of a PC router faceplate here, i.e. kind of a 'universal' mount to the EU routers? Or are you planning to dedicate a Triton to your router cable because it excels in certain ways?

Yes, I am using a dedicated Triton 3 1/2 hp.  It will fit any standard router plate that has been drilled for Triton routers.  It does require an extra hole in the router plate for the crank to lower and raise the bit.  I have an old P-C 690 with interchangeable bases that I can use with my Festool guide rails.  I may get a Festool 1400 one of these days.

 

[NEW2FES]

Can you show how that cast top is attached to the MFT?

Thanks

 

[rljatl]

Can you show how that cast top is attached to the MFT?

Thanks

I just mounted a couple of these to the MFT turned upside down from the way they are in the picture.  (Item #: 33338)
Multi Track Brackets

Then used a piece of 3/16" thick stainless steel plate that I bought off of eBay to use as mounting plate.  The plate bolts to the existing holes on the bottom of the cast iron router table.  Easy to move to any of the four MFT sides.
2 Pieces 3/16" X 5" ALUMINUM 6061 FLAT BAR 8" long

The picture below shows the hole that I drilled and tapped in the mounting plate.  The red knob goes through the slot in the Rockler bracket and screws into the mounting plate.  I also added quick release pins that fit in holes that I drilled through the legs.  The pin is a safety device that keeps the legs from folding up because they can fold up with enough weight or force applied.  Once set up it is very sturdy and secure.  The cast iron really absorbs the vibration for smooth cuts.

 

[schtumpig]

Just made my own Cast Iron CMS based on the design by zxcv. Thank you xxcv! And I wanted to post some pics incase anyone else wants to build an alternative to the Festool CM$-GE...
I bought the:
Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top $250
Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs $59
Rockler Multi-Track Brackets Set Item #33338 $20
1/4" thick x 5" wide x 8" long 6061 aluminum plate on eBay from 6061dude $12.85

I drilled the plate to screw into the cast iron top with the included bolts. Then using bolts attached the Rockler brackets to the plate. I just test fit it tonight and it is very close to perfectly flush with the MFT. I still need to drill two more bolts holes to attach each aluminum plate with 3 bolts to the cast iron top. And I want to add a locking pin to the legs so they can't accidentally fold up. This thing came out beautifully. Much better than I had expected so I am on the hunt for a router lift, a permanent router for the table, and an Incra LS fence. If anyone has advice on a router lift or the router they recommend I am all ears!

 

[ear3]

Great work!  If I ever get space to have my MFT set up permanently, I might try this solution.

Rather than a router lift + router motor, have you considered a Triton router, which has above the table adjustment and bit changing?

Just made my own Cast Iron CMS based on the design by zxcv. Thank you xxcv! And I wanted to post some pics incase anyone else wants to build an alternative to the Festool CM$-GE...
I bought the:
Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top $250
Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs $59
Rockler Multi-Track Brackets Set Item #33338 $20
1/4" thick x 5" wide x 8" long 6061 aluminum plate on eBay from 6061dude $12.85

I drilled the plate to screw into the cast iron top with the included bolts. Then using bolts attached the Rockler brackets to the plate. I just test fit it tonight and it is very close to perfectly flush with the MFT. I still need to drill two more bolts holes to attach each aluminum plate with 3 bolts to the cast iron top. And I want to add a locking pin to the legs so they can't accidentally fold up. This thing came out beautifully. Much better than I had expected so I am on the hunt for a router lift, a permanent router for the table, and an Incra LS fence. If anyone has advice on a router lift or the router they recommend I am all ears!

 

[rljatl]

I use the big Triton in my version of this setup.  Works great.  If I can ever find the time, I am planning to build an 8020 cart with the MFT/3 on top of it.  I'll use gas struts to assist raising the cast iron table into place.  The cast iron table will fold down into a recessed area on the end of the cart with the LS Positioner stored at the other end of the cart.

 

[schtumpig]

Great work!  If I ever get space to have my MFT set up permanently, I might try this solution.

Rather than a router lift + router motor, have you considered a Triton router, which has above the table adjustment and bit changing?

Yeah I thought about the Triton same as zxcv's setup. What I love about the Incra Mast-R-Lift II is that you can add the Wixey Remote digital readout to get very precise height info so you can repeat setups. Also the Mast-R-Lift has a height lock to lock things down permanently. But I haven't settled on that setup yet. I am still fine tuning the setup and I will post pics once it is all setup incase anyone else is thinking about a good alternative to the CM$ table.

I use the big Triton in my version of this setup.  Works great.  If I can ever find the time, I am planning to build an 8020 cart with the MFT/3 on top of it.  I'll use gas struts to assist raising the cast iron table into place.  The cast iron table will fold down into a recessed area on the end of the cart with the LS Positioner stored at the other end of the cart.

I would love to see it when you build it. Long term I love the idea of 8020 carts with storage and the gas strut sounds wicked cool. Again mad props for sharing such an awesome plug-n-play design that works perfectly out of the box. What can I say: Cast Iron table, Incra LS fence, uses my existing MFT, ability to use the Triton or Jessem or Woodpecker's lift, Awesomeness!  [smile]

For now the next purchase is the Precision Dogs Plate v2.0.