CMS TS55 setup help needed

[denisburns]

My first post!  Just retired (well semi anyway ).  Purchased a CMS and TS 55.  My aim is to make picture frames/ small boxes and then move onto furniture...however I'm a beginner and a failed Ikea assembler...  I have been assembling the CMS and saw and all has gone OK, except for one area of concern that I can't fathom.

I removed the riving knife (also called a spacer wedge I believe) and have been trying to fit the protective cover mounting bracket (which is bigger than the riving knife).  Even if I push it it as far as I can and tighten, the mounting bracket still seems loose.  I carried on and finished the assembly and all is good except again the protective cover seems to have quite a bit of play.  What am I doing wrong?  I would appreciate any help please...I have even read the manuals!

Many thanks

denis

 

[justinmcf]

gday denis and welcome to the forum.
this is a fantastic source of information for your new found toys!

i own the cms ts-75 and i had the same issue when i set it up for the first time.

just try the whole procedure again.
it took me 3 times to get it right, i was also concerned about the amount of play in the larger riving knife.
mine still has a little play, but it does not affect the use of the saw when pushing timber through.

where did you buy your cms?
maybe try calling your local festool dealer if you dont have any lucky rectifying the issue yourself.

btw. if you change your profile to show which state you are from, it makes it easier to answer some questions.

best of luck, justin.

 

[denisburns]

Hi Justin

Thanks for your reply....really appreciated.  I'm new to woodworking....so really tentative...but have big dreams!  It was good to hear that you still have some movement in your mounting bracket and that it doesn't effect operation. (I didn't feel confident enough to start the saw)

I will start again from square one...I want to get it right.  We have just moved up to Forster on the Mid North Coast of NSW from Newcastle where I purchased my saw.  So looking forward to using it.  Thanks for the heads up on the profile, I will change it straight away...and thanks again for your input.  Justin if you are ever driving down this way... would love to shout you a coffee.

Thanks heaps
Denis

 

[justinmcf]

i will be happy to have a coffee with you denis! lets make it an irish coffee!
i am originally from tyrone, northern ireland myself.

i love forster.
been there a couple of times.
the scuba diving is spectacular.

the cms is a great tool.
i highly recommend that you use it with a vac.
doesn't matter which brand you use, just make sure you use a vac.
because the inside housing of the ts-55/ ts-75 will clog up very quickly with wood dust as you are using the table saw.
dont ask me how i know this!

to hook a vac up to the cms you will need the festool dust extraction set. festool order no. 488 292. AU$165.10.
the dust extraction set consists of a 36mm and 27mm hose and "Y" connector.
these hoses connect to the supplied "Y" connector which in turn connects to the vac.

regards, justin.

 

[denisburns]

Thanks again Justin

Irish coffee it is. Have never been to Ireland, but spent a week in Wales about 10 years ago and just loved it.

Thanks again for your help.  Great advice re the vac.  I am using our attached garage as 'the shop' and I am very aware of the dust issue...so will follow this up.  By the way on your CMS, how much 'play' would your protective cover have...mine has about a 3-6mm 'wobble' at the top of the plastic. And this was my fourth attempt!
Everything else just came together so beautifully; so well engineered....I just figured I was doing something wrong...but it doesn't look to me like any safety issues...so I might give it one last go later today and fire her up.

Thanks again
Denis

 

[justinmcf]

hi denis.
i just checked mine.
it is the exact same as yours. about 3mm - 6mm play.
time to start making some serious dust!

justin.

 

[denisburns]

Hi Justin

thanks mate....you have been a great help...I'm good to go....I have so many projects....I'll have to live to be a 150!

this is a great owners group...over the coming years I might even be able to answer somebody's else's question....who knows?

again...thanks

Denis