erock said:
INCRA TABLE !
Save your money and buy the Incra system. The fence on the Incra system is the best on the market, my opinion. That's why you see guys incorporate it on the MFT/3. [tongue]
HEY! I resemble that remark [wink]
I am one of the "dark side" guys that like the CMS, strike that... LOVE my CMS. I am also in the minority that have the VL (has to connect to the MFT). I do agree that you will need to evaluate how you mostly will be using it. When I was going through that process, I had the same thoughts. Do I want a solid setup of red and gold that will be pretty stationary OR do I want one that is part of my Festool system and can leverage my existing components. Mainly my MFT and OF 1400 router.
I do this as a hobby with the occasional commission for some work for my wives friends... thank you Pinterest (fists shaking to the sky). For me, portability was about 10% of my equation, the rest was "will it meet what I hope to do" which at the time was to make some new cabinets/doors for a kitchen and a small bath project. I had worked with Incra stuff in the past and had already planned for an LS 25 before I even bought the CMS. Expensive option... check! Does it do everything I throw at it... check! Do I wish i had the modular purching options of the EU and other parts of the world outside of North America... CHECK! [wink]
Here is my breakdown so you don't need to sort through a large # of threads (but you should becuase there are a lot of nice setups from lots of members on this forum):
~MFT/3
~CMS-VL (full kit with sliding table)
~OF Module/fence/bits and peices
~OF 1400
~Incra LS 25 (with Superfence)
~KA UG Wings (L & R to use for infeed/outfeed)
~CT 26
~Precision Dogs Precision Plate (interface between my MFT and the Incra LS)
~Some other NAINA CMS items that make this all REALLY worth while...
As you can see, each item serves a specific purpose for me and the 90% that it is all in my shop, it works great. I have a very nice setup, that can be broken down quickly, stood up just as quick and offers me very quick and repeatable operations. On the off chance that I need to load it up in my SUV, tote it across to a McMansion nearby, set it up in one of their open bays in their 8 car garage, do some work and pack it up just as quick without cleaning up a huge dust pile... it will be a bit slower, but I can do it. Freehanding with the 1400 is great, ripping and cross cutting with the 55 or 75, also great. Doing a majority of this on a movable table... really great.
You are bound to get a ton of people chime in from either side and the problem is that we are all correct... either setup is great. It depends on what you NEED/WANT out of it. Oh, and one other thing... forget what Eric said as he is from the wrong side of Ohio... just ask him what we did to his Indians last night. [wink] I kid... I kid...
Hope this is somewhat of use to you...
Cheers. Bryan.