CMS VL vs GE ?

[WAKA2020]

Anyone has experience with those two, could you share your experience please.

I am a hobbyist and just doing some homework in a two car garage in the summer and have to store everything in the garage meanwhile park two vehicles.
Just have opportunities to buy barely used CMS GE and VL with good discount . Don't have much time to play but need to be effective and always easy to store.
I do have mft and of 1400 and other stuff. Just very first time to get a router table.
Can someone give me some advice please.
Much appreciated.

 

[Hawkeye0001]

Great system if you have limited space and mobility requirements but with some shortcomings. One of them being that it is not supported by Festool anymore as it was discontinued in April 2019, the other big one being that swapping machines in and out severely disturbs your work flow if you don't plan ahead.

CMS GE: stand-alone unit that allows insertion of the different modules (GE = Grundeinheit - base unit)

MFT-3/VL: Same function as the CMS-GE but as a one-legged extension to your existing MFT-3, cannot be used stand-alone like the GE.

CMS VL / VB: As far as the router table goes you won't need the VL (Verlängerung - extension) or VB (Verbreiterung - side extension); if you use it as a table saw it is a very handy addition instead of sawhorses

CMS OF Router insert: if you want to use it as a router table with your OF 1400 I recommend making your own CMS insert (from e.g. resin coated plywood, takes $100 and a few hours) as the CMS-OF insert is massively overrated and costs ridiculous money even for used units.

CMS TS Table saw insert: awesome if you can only have a track saw but want the flexibility of a table saw without extra space requirement. Biggest shortcoming here is precision between the saw and the fence (better check for accuracy after every installation) and the time required for installing / removing the plunge saw (3 minutes if you're fast).

CMS PS Jig saw insert: often times replaces the need for a band saw, my least used but most favorite module.

Loved it and hated it at the same time; used it as a stepping stone for a CS 50 (all attachments interchangeable), and still ended up with two of them to this day... [big grin]. Bottom line: for your purpose I'd definitely go for it.

 

[southrider]

I have the cms vl and keep it permanently mounted to my mft as a a router table. Works great, and when not routing it is a valuable extension to the mft. Never take it down - so not sure whether you'd be better off removing a vl and then folding up the mft, or folding up the mft and ge separately and storing.

With the VL you WOULD have 2 less legs in the way though.

 

[weekendwarrior]

If you must store it away, the VL stores flatter, e.g. for propping against or hanging on a wall.

 

[DynaGlide]

I went with the GE. Not having to have an MFT is a plus for me. The only advantage the VL might have is that you can put an Incra fence on the MFT but with that kind of investment might as well get a different router table.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Having both, I agree what others says here. Apart from having the router insert from Festool (with an OF 1400 mounted) which I think is the best insert.

The GE offers transportability and a very sturdy table top design. Legs unfolded it’s less sturdy than CMS VL. You may add braces to get a GE sturdy though.

The VL is wider, thus having more surface area (also combined with a MFT/3..which do also make the MFT sturdier) so this is the setup I use stationary as the fence for the router insert has space to spare on each end compared to the GE where the fence protrudes outside the table surface.
The VL is easily collapsible to hang or store with a supporting wall behind.
For a mobile setup the GE shines, also as a table top station where it is very solid and sturdy.

 

[bertv]

I own both. The VL adds a lot of stability to the MFT/3. Being able to shuffle inserts between the VL and the GE is a plus for efficient work flow. That being said, the fact that de GE is EOL and there is no 'update' in sight makes this discussion kind of moot… you depend on the second hand market to score inserts, so… you may wish for, but not get your hands on.