CMS Sliding Table, How to install/ adjust

[Tinker]

Altho I picked up my CMS on 1 October, I am only just now (Thanksgiving Day) finding time to set it up. I have given it a couple of very minor test runs and I am very happy.

i have run into a couple of problems in the set up and wonder if anybody else has had the same problems.  

#1  When I installed that guard arrangement for free hand cutting, the four holes to line up and install were all in the right places: no problem.
When i tried installing the bolt with the sleve/bushing that allows the arm to rotate, the bolt was either too short, or the sleve was too long.   A hacksaw and file, and a few minutes later, it all fit perfectly.  

#2  I installed the slider mount for the sliding table.  I cannot line up the back edge (closest to the router table) to line up perfectly with the table top.  The rear bolts (one at each back corner) do not seem to have any adjustment allowance. No matter what i do, the back edge of the slider remains too high. The two near (closet to operator) bolts are adjustable and I can get the entire sliding table to line up perfectly with the center of the router table, but with a straight edge placed from corner of slider to far side of table, there is a space of about 1mm between the closest edge of router table and the straight edge.   I have not figured how to eliminate the space without total disassembly.  

I have gone over the directions and it appears that the two bolts closet to the main table are NOT adjustable.  everything else of the slider are adjustable.  For most projects in near future, the discrepancy will not be a problem.  I do have some projects in mind for later in season that i can foresee a problem.  

I do have my HL 850 to do edge jointing where I can see a problem and i can set the fence on that to compensate for bevel edges.
Tinker

 

[peter halle]

Tinker,

I don't have a CMS yet, but in case you haven't seen Ric's supplemental manual, maybe there is something in it that will help.

CMS Suppplemental Manual

Peter

 

[Theshipstore]

Tinker  The supplemental manual should help you out alot asit did me

Sal

 

[tjbnwi]

I set the main table edge of the sliding table even with the main table top surface, by adjusting the rail gibs. I then set a straight edge (I used the CMS angle head fence) across the tables, adjusted the jack screws so the two table surfaces were on plane. This took a couple of attempts, but I got it done. The sliding table is on plane with the top across the entire surface and through the entire linear travel along the rail. The rail is about 1mm below the surface.

Tom has the step by step set up on his web site.

Router install;

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/festool_cms_of.php

Sliding table set up;

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/festool_cms_slider.php

Extension table set up;

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/festool_cms_extension.php

I have read on this forum that some of the "safety pins" were package wit the wrong hardware. That may be why you had the bolt issue.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Or, a video with info on setup and calibration.

Sliding table begins at 7:40.

 

[lambeater]

Altho I picked up my CMS on 1 October, I am only just now (Thanksgiving Day) finding time to set it up. I have given it a couple of very minor test runs and I am very happy.

i have run into a couple of problems in the set up and wonder if anybody else has had the same problems. 

#1  When I installed that guard arrangement for free hand cutting, the four holes to line up and install were all in the right places: no problem.
When i tried installing the bolt with the sleve/bushing that allows the arm to rotate, the bolt was either too short, or the sleve was too long.   A hacksaw and file, and a few minutes later, it all fit perfectly. 

#2  I installed the slider mount for the sliding table.  I cannot line up the back edge (closest to the router table) to line up perfectly with the table top.  The rear bolts (one at each back corner) do not seem to have any adjustment allowance. No matter what i do, the back edge of the slider remains too high. The two near (closet to operator) bolts are adjustable and I can get the entire sliding table to line up perfectly with the center of the router table, but with a straight edge placed from corner of slider to far side of table, there is a space of about 1mm between the closest edge of router table and the straight edge.   I have not figured how to eliminate the space without total disassembly. 

I have gone over the directions and it appears that the two bolts closet to the main table are NOT adjustable.  everything else of the slider are adjustable.  For most projects in near future, the discrepancy will not be a problem.  I do have some projects in mind for later in season that i can foresee a problem. 

I do have my HL 850 to do edge jointing where I can see a problem and i can set the fence on that to compensate for bevel edges.
Tinker

Tinker you will find that some of the CMS kits were mix matched. Some came with the clear guard and rings to mount all size routers but the threaded rod that came with the unit  is too short to screw into the table threaded insert. If you need to order it is part no. 485667 M6 x 111mm

thx
Lambeater

 

[Tim Morris]

Tinker I was in the same boat as you until last night. I had tripped over mine for about a month. I watched the video, tried the included instructions then talked to Rick about his manual. The manual is perfect will cover all set up and fine adjustments. Took me 15 minutes, minus router mounting and it's ready to run.

 

[Tinker]

Thanks ALL,
I will check Rick's manual along with the other suggestions for leveling the sliding table.
So far, everything else seems to be ok. 

About the short bolt/long sleve issue, it is no longer an issue as i just happen to have a little old hack saw with metal cutting blade.  Much easier than trying to stretch the bolt  :
Tinker

 

[Tinker]

OK Guys,
I looked at the Festoy instructions (from Shane >>> no disregard to Shane) and could not determine my problem.  As often the case, Festools directions stop just short of a needed step. 

I went to Rick's supplemental manual.  I read thru his directions, thinking all the way that I had been doing everything he (and Festool) were telling me.  At the end, or almost the end, he mentioned one thing that the other manuals did not mention.  He noted by word and pic that there should be a slight space between the sliding fence and the table.  Voila!!!!!  Problem solved. 

For others who might be as thick (remember, I used to be a stoned mason >>> er, ah, that should be "a stone mason".  Some of the rocks fell in between my ears.  just ask my wife  [huh]) It seems i was working from the business end (from the router fence and bit end) out to the sliding table.  [doh] But I'm left handed, so that is my Xcuse

Thanks to all and especially to Rick who, as always, seems to have just the right solution.  All one has to do is to pay attention.
Tinker

 

[Tim Morris]

Glad to hear you got the problem resolved. Now go enjoy that new toy oops tool.

 

[Caroline]

I'm having a problem with adjusting my table . The left side and right side don't line up perfectly. From what I have read I should be able to make this adjusting using the dial on the rear of the right side of the table but it won't move forward enough to align the two sides of the fence. When I put my piece through it "hangs" up on the left side of the fence. I looked at the supplemental manual but that didn't answer my adjustment question.

 

[tbellemare]

Try this page. Toward the middle of the page, there's a section on fine tuning the fence.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm having a problem with adjusting my table . The left side and right side don't line up perfectly. From what I have read I should be able to make this adjusting using the dial on the rear of the right side of the table but it won't move forward enough to align the two sides of the fence. When I put my piece through it "hangs" up on the left side of the fence. I looked at the supplemental manual but that didn't answer my adjustment question.

If I understand the problem you're having correctly it is the adjustable side of the split fence and there isn't enough adjustment in the plastic screws to correct the problem.  I had this same problem. 

Unfortunately it's been months since I dealt with this so I don't remember the exactly what I did to fix it.  If I recall correctly I loosened the allen screw that acts as stop for the micro adjustment knob.  This screw right above the indexing line for the scale for the micro adjustment knob.  Loosen this screw (don't forget to loosen the small thumb screw for the micro adjust of the split fence too).  Now you should be able to keep turning the micro adjust until the two fences align.   

 

[Tinker]

I'm having a problem with adjusting my table . The left side and right side don't line up perfectly. From what I have read I should be able to make this adjusting using the dial on the rear of the right side of the table but it won't move forward enough to align the two sides of the fence. When I put my piece through it "hangs" up on the left side of the fence. I looked at the supplemental manual but that didn't answer my adjustment question.

First off  [welcome]
As many of us have found, you also can find a lot of info here on the slippery slopes of the fog.
a great place to visit.

I did not have he answer for your question, but I do notice there are several screws scattered arounf in almost hidden locations.  Since my fence seems to be on the money, i have ot messed with anything but the knobs meant for adjustment.

Tom and Brice seem to have the answers.  Tom's answer supplies pics and i think your answer is somewhere in there.
Tinker