CMS-VL versus CMS-GE table size/depth
- Thread starter jeh
- Start date
Uhm, I'm not totally sure what you mean as the VL is attached to your MFT/3 and you can slide the fence over to the MFT side giving you massively more space that way and I think it's kinda larger in all directions compared to the GE table both width and depth as it needs to match the width of the MFT/3. Note however that you need to pair the VL with the CS70 fence vs. the GE with the CS50 fence if you want to use the Festool ones.
I personally prefer my Incra setup that is documented here.
I personally prefer my Incra setup that is documented here.
What I meant was is the distance from the front edge of the VL to the front of the fence (from the fences furthest position back. I think there are two places to attach the fence.)
I am thinking since the VL table is deeper this distance will be further than that of the GE.
I am down to the wire on VL versus GE. I like the larger table of the VL and more flexibility, but keep thinking I need a standalone. I have the Kapex extensions so out and indeed won't be an issue with the VL.
For those that have the VL are any of you disappointed you did not purchase the GE.
I will look at the CS70 or CS50 does is it the width of the MFT and mounts to rails of the MFT. I think that is what you mean. Any chance you have (or someone) has a photo of the CS70/50 mounted to the VL/MFT?
I am thinking since the VL table is deeper this distance will be further than that of the GE.
I am down to the wire on VL versus GE. I like the larger table of the VL and more flexibility, but keep thinking I need a standalone. I have the Kapex extensions so out and indeed won't be an issue with the VL.
For those that have the VL are any of you disappointed you did not purchase the GE.
I will look at the CS70 or CS50 does is it the width of the MFT and mounts to rails of the MFT. I think that is what you mean. Any chance you have (or someone) has a photo of the CS70/50 mounted to the VL/MFT?
AlexThePalex
Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 7,808
The plate is centered in both the CMS-VL and the CMS-GE. Since the VL is a little bigger than the GE, you get a little extra space with the VL on all 4 sides, in equal amounts.
As for the CS70 with a CMS-VL, I haven't seen that combination anywhere. Few people have the CS70 and the saw has its own extensions so the CMS-VL is not really needed.
About stand-alone vs add-on, what is best probably depends on your own situation. If you have a permanent setup of an MFT/3 with the VL you have a large table as extra surface so this might come in very handy. But if you have to move your CMS around all the time or collapse it for storage, the stand-alone CMS-GE might be the better choice. I remember one post/rant of JMB here on the FOG who has both, and if I remember correctly, he dislikes the VL and prefers the CMS-GE.
As for the CS70 with a CMS-VL, I haven't seen that combination anywhere. Few people have the CS70 and the saw has its own extensions so the CMS-VL is not really needed.
About stand-alone vs add-on, what is best probably depends on your own situation. If you have a permanent setup of an MFT/3 with the VL you have a large table as extra surface so this might come in very handy. But if you have to move your CMS around all the time or collapse it for storage, the stand-alone CMS-GE might be the better choice. I remember one post/rant of JMB here on the FOG who has both, and if I remember correctly, he dislikes the VL and prefers the CMS-GE.
Well, I have both and I personally prefer the VL over the GE, but since I have them I've more-or-less dedicated the GE for the CMS-PS module and occasionally have my CMS-OF in it for ball-bearing guided tasks (as the Festool router fence sucks compared to my Incra) and I have my CMS-TS55 permanently in the VL as the much extended width with the MFT helps alot with using it as my 'table saw'.
I sometimes use the GE as an out feed support for larger panels I saw on the VL, but mostly it's now gathering dust in the corner.
My shop is semi-stationary in my back yard during the summer so I don't need to move the VL+MFT combo much - which is good as its a pain to move as the VL/MFT-connection doesn't like twisting when sort of dragging it along the terrace alone one end at a time. I push it under the balcony for the night abt. 3 feet back in the evenings and pull it out for the day.
If I was moving around like JMB does, I would have rather gotten the extension table for the GE and the CS50 fence for them. As the VL + Incra fence setup I have costs abt. the same as the Festool fence + extension table for the GE I decided to go with my setup as a mostly stationary setup and reap the benefit of the superb accuracy of the Incra fence system since mobility in the contractor sense is not an parameter for me. (My Festool addiction has its roots at not having a shop space available, so I need something that I can pack away at the end of the day into a closet / shed and pull out the next day into the back yard)
I sometimes use the GE as an out feed support for larger panels I saw on the VL, but mostly it's now gathering dust in the corner.
My shop is semi-stationary in my back yard during the summer so I don't need to move the VL+MFT combo much - which is good as its a pain to move as the VL/MFT-connection doesn't like twisting when sort of dragging it along the terrace alone one end at a time. I push it under the balcony for the night abt. 3 feet back in the evenings and pull it out for the day.
If I was moving around like JMB does, I would have rather gotten the extension table for the GE and the CS50 fence for them. As the VL + Incra fence setup I have costs abt. the same as the Festool fence + extension table for the GE I decided to go with my setup as a mostly stationary setup and reap the benefit of the superb accuracy of the Incra fence system since mobility in the contractor sense is not an parameter for me. (My Festool addiction has its roots at not having a shop space available, so I need something that I can pack away at the end of the day into a closet / shed and pull out the next day into the back yard)
Reiska said:
I'm still unclear about the CS70 working with the VL and MFT. I don't need the table saw module as I have a portable saw. Does the CS70 straddle the narrow width of the MFT meaning that I could use it as a router fence for dados?
It looks like dados more than a few inches from the edge of a board are possible. If the CS70 would work then you would only be limited by the long dimension of your MFT.
Are we talking about the same thing as 'the fence'? I'm talking about this "Stopper" in Festool language.
And no, you don't do anything with it unless you have the saw module in the CMS.
I'm not implying that you could somehow connect a Precisio CS70 and an MFT-VL or an MFT/3 together in any way (since you can't).
And no, you don't do anything with it unless you have the saw module in the CMS.
I'm not implying that you could somehow connect a Precisio CS70 and an MFT-VL or an MFT/3 together in any way (since you can't).
Reiska said:
Yes, the Stopper (CS 70 LA). I got the nomenclature mixed up. What I meant to ask was could the Stopper be used on the MFT that the CMS-VL is attached to as a fence. If the Stopper is meant to slide to mount on an MFT then it could. I am not completely familiar with the other CMS or Precisio components.
This type of setup would have limited uses such as dadoes that are more than a few inches from the maximum set back of the CMS fence, which I would guess is only a few inches given the small size of the VL top.
When I was researching my options (either buy the CMS-GE extension tables + the CS50 'Stopper' fence or get an MFT-VL + either the CS70 'stopper' or the Incra LS-system I ended up getting) I read somewhere that the CS70 stopper linked above should be able to slide over from the VL to the MFT edge tracks to give you a fence with travel the whole lenght of your MFT/3 to the right of the blade. It does list the MFT-VL in its product description as compatible.
Since I didn't buy this option as the Incra Superfence offering was more of intrest to me I cannot verify if this is the case or not.
Maybe Alex can give it a try since he has the CS70 and I assume he's got an MFT as well?
Since I didn't buy this option as the Incra Superfence offering was more of intrest to me I cannot verify if this is the case or not.
Maybe Alex can give it a try since he has the CS70 and I assume he's got an MFT as well?
jmbfestool
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2009
- Messages
- 6,646
Alex said:
Rant lol!
I don't actually dislike the VL it just doesn't do it for me because I do alot of "site" work.
I know they both have their pros and cons.
I have never used my VL for a job lol .
AlexThePalex
Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 7,808
Reiska said:
Nope, no MFT here unfortunately. [sad]
[member=41214]Phil Beckley[/member] can you take a look at this thread please?
Thanks,
Peter
Thanks,
Peter
Phil Beckley
Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2014
- Messages
- 1,518
JimH2 said:
Yes the 'Stopper' (C.S.70 Fence) can be used across the width of an MFT3 with the V.L unit in place. I use the VL in my workshop for the reason it saves a lot of space. For site use the CMS-GE would be the preferred choice.
rg
Phil
.
The C.S.70 is a stand alone saw and not part of the CMS system.
