CMS

[bigarm]

I am fairly new to Festool, but really like them and have the track saw, Domino, new sander, MFT/3 and the 1400.  I understand, here in the states, you can use either an OF1400 or 1010 in the CMS, but not the 2200. At some point, if and when I sell an item, I will upgrade my benchtop router table.  For the price of the CMS, I could probably get just about any top of the line table top, stand, lift and a 3+ hp router.  I like the fact that the CMS folds up for storage as I have a very small shop.  That is a big plus.  Another table would have to be able to be rolled into my wood shop from the "man cave" and back.  My concern is whether the 1400 can handle the big tasks that a 3+ hp router can, like cabinet panels.  Let's hear from the users of both CMS and traditional router tables.

 

[Kev]

The big plus for CMS is the availability of other modules .. Not for NA as present though. The 1400 is very capable, but it's not a 2200. You can do raised panel work with a 1400 but if you have been pushing deep profile cuts through a brute you may need to change you feed rate expectations.

 

[rst]

  My original table is 28 X 49 with a PC-7518, Benchdog lift, Incra LS17 with super fence, and collect dust with the Dust Router.  My table works very well but at times having two would make life easier.  I recently bought the CMS VL to compliment my self made table.
I mount my 2200 in the CMS but run my dust collection separately on two different circuits.  The 2200 is unbelievably smooth, not leaving burn even if I stop in the middle of a cut.  I chalk this up to the 2200 having much better bearings than the PC.  I bought the VL as I had the bigger table and now that I have it, I am seriously considering buying the basic version and mounting them back to back.  Of course that means buying another 2200 and another circuit.... JEEZ  [crying]

 

[mouppe]

The OF1400 is powerful enough to do raised panels, but the problem is the aperture on the router base is not large enough to take the biggest bits. There is a workaround, but if it's your intention to do this regularly, I would go for the 2200.

 

[bigarm]

The OF1400 is powerful enough to do raised panels, but the problem is the aperture on the router base is not large enough to take the biggest bits. There is a workaround, but if it's your intention to do this regularly, I would go for the 2200.

I am a just an amateur so this would not be done on a regular basis, just now and then.  What is the workaround?

 

[Gordon Bombay]

[member=8352]erock[/member] had an explanation in one of his Youtube videos about why he didn't go with the CMS. My next "investment" will be a router-table setup, and I am leaning towards a traditional setup. I do really enjoy my 1400 though and would love to continue with the system...

 

[bertv]

You could put a router under your MFT/3, like this guy did:

 

[Peter_C]

I went ultra cheap and just re-purposed my parents temporary kitchen counter tops which were melamine. Then went to the scrap yard and for $5 got a piece of aluminum that I mounted to my OF2000 router. The track rail is used as the fence, and I can use blocks of wood or plastic to split the fence. They can be offset if desired. The work surface is far larger than most tiny router table setups. Since it is just set on saw horses, it stores flat leaning up, taking up little storage.

 

[mouppe]

The OF1400 is powerful enough to do raised panels, but the problem is the aperture on the router base is not large enough to take the biggest bits. There is a workaround, but if it's your intention to do this regularly, I would go for the 2200.

I am a just an amateur so this would not be done on a regular basis, just now and then.  What is the workaround?

You need to use a false base screwed to the router or a false table with a large enough hole to accommodate the router bit and thick enough to cover the cutting depth. Then you can insert the bit and not have it fully exposed when you start the cut.

Something like a 1/2" thick piece of wood with a 4" diameter hole should do it. You can clamp it on top of your router table.

 

[peter halle]

If you want to make raised panels and have the 1400 here is an option that Sedge showed at Festool connect 2013.  The raised panel bits that he used were from Lee Valley I believe.



Peter

 

[bigarm]

Peter,
Thanks that looks pretty good.  I think that should work for me.

Gordon Bombay,
I tried looking up erock on youtube but didn't find woodworking stuff.  Should I look for another name?

 

[copcarcollector]

I tried looking up erock on youtube but didn't find woodworking stuff.  Should I look for another name?

His newer Youtube name is The Poplar Shop

Not sure if he has linked his older videos to this name.

Also try Mr. Bigerock

 

[bigarm]

Thanks