CMS55 sliding table alignment off

[WoodWorkingEric]

I'm sorry if I'm repeating what has already been pointed out, but I picked up a VL with the router insert setup yesterday, and spent today adjusting the setup.  I had the exact same issue with the sliding table being too high.  On my sliding table, with the four clamping screws loose, the sliding table top will pivot on the adjustment screw.  I found all four clamping screws had "slop" to allow adjustments.  My biggest issue was locking things back down, since the adjustment screw isn't centered, so too much pressure on either end of the sliding table caused tilt problems.  I ended up with a straightedge pressed hard on the router table part while I pushed up on the sliding table making sure it was level, and tightened up the clamping screws.......

-Eric

 

[Aegir]

I'm sorry if I'm repeating what has already been pointed out, but I picked up a VL with the router insert setup yesterday, and spent today adjusting the setup.  I had the exact same issue with the sliding table being too high.  On my sliding table, with the four clamping screws loose, the sliding table top will pivot on the adjustment screw.  I found all four clamping screws had "slop" to allow adjustments.  My biggest issue was locking things back down, since the adjustment screw isn't centered, so too much pressure on either end of the sliding table caused tilt problems.  I ended up with a straightedge pressed hard on the router table part while I pushed up on the sliding table making sure it was level, and tightened up the clamping screws.......

-Eric

Tried that, but still does not go low enough

 

[Michael Kellough]

How high is too high?

A sliding table should be a little higher than an adjacent stationary table.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Really? How so? Wouldn't that make the whole construction out of square? Genuinely asking.

 

[Michael Kellough]

“The whole construction”?

Isn’t the sliding table basically an improvement over the miter gauge on an ordinary table saw? If the work is flat and rigid, and you hold it down to the sliding table only the cut should be square.

 

[sancho57]

True, What Michael said. Once you square the fence to the blade, the cut should be square. I use mine all the time. Its great for drawer bottoms

 

[peter halle]

I believe what is being referenced as "Square" is a concern that the when the blade cuts it might be 90 degrees to the table but because of the elevation differences the workpiece will not be flat on the stationary table and thus the resulting cut won't be 90 degrees vertical.

Peter

 

[Sanderxpander]

That's what I meant yes. Is this not an issue?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I understand how you’d prefer to have the sliding table at the same level as the stationary table (so that you can hold the work down near the blade) but if the two tables are co-planar (even if the sliding table is much higher) there should be no difference in the bevel of the cut, as long you hold the work down over the sliding table only (and don’t feed too fast).

I agree (I’d prefer) there should be enough adjustment of the sliding table height to fix it at (or even below) the main table height.

 

[Aegir]

How high is too high?

A sliding table should be a little higher than an adjacent stationary table.

But then if you lean on the piece you are cutting near the blade, it will not be 90 degrees. Defeats the purpose of the saw

 

[peter halle]

It won’t be if your blade is adjusted to the tqble holding it.

 

[Aegir]

It won’t be if your blade is adjusted to the tqble holding it.

That is true, but are you seriously suggesting that if you pay the asking price for the CMS 55 , that you should have to figure out and add an angle into the saw to compensate for the difference in height of the sliding table? If Festool suggest that to me, I will return it! Now having said that, by the time the rep comes out next week to try another sliding table, it might be past their 30 days.

 

[peter halle]

I am hoping that Festool can get all this sorted out for you and you can happily use your saw

 

[Gregor]

How high is too high?

A sliding table should be a little higher than an adjacent stationary table.

But then if you lean on the piece you are cutting near the blade, it will not be 90 degrees. Defeats the purpose of the saw

Not having the workpiece on the table directly at the saw also leads to it vibrating (especially with thinner material).

 

[Aegir]

How high is too high?

A sliding table should be a little higher than an adjacent stationary table.

But then if you lean on the piece you are cutting near the blade, it will not be 90 degrees. Defeats the purpose of the saw

Not having the workpiece on the table directly at the saw also leads to it vibrating (especially with thinner material).

I agree. It makes no sense to me that things would not be level and in line. Rep is coming over Tuesday, so hopefully we can get this done. They are bringing their own sliding table over as well. Still buying the mtf table and a sander this morning, as overall I like the brand and concept. Shame they won’t haggle though, this is starting to add up!

 

[Aegir]

So now I have the reps sliding table on mine and that has 98% fixed the issue. I cant dial it in perfectly, but that might be something to do with the bow in the cms module plate. YEP, that you read correctly. Rep agrees and is bringing another to me on Monday.
I regret buying the table to be honest, which I had just got the 55 saw and bought the Sawstop table saw. But if the table gets sorted with a new plate, I will buy the 1400 router and module, which is why I bought this system in the first place.  Got an MFT table the other day and the 150/5 sander, like those and really enjoying the Kapex 120 with the 26 vacuum , but if you are reading this and thinking of a CMS 55 , I would suggest to go over it very very carefully

 

[Roachmill]

I'm glad to hear you've made some positive progress and hopefully the replacement insert will see you to 100%. It's a great system [when it's working correctly] and the OF insert + OF1400 is one of those tools I look forward to using.

 

[Aegir]

CMS had some issue, maybe in the table itself hard to tell. New module has not fixed it, so I am handing it back. In the meantime I have borrowed a MFT , CMS single leg which I just installed and will use tomorrow. I fixed the sliding table to it and everything seems level and as it should be. Might be something for me, as I am going to refuse another CMS table unit.  Have to say, I might have lost my sense of humor on the CMS itself, but I cant fault the reps and the service that I have received so far from them and Festool as a company. 

 

[sancho57]

are you right or left handed? the reason I asked is because you can use the fence on only one side of the blade (for the most part) if you are using the angle stop (protractor) that comes with the TS55 CMS.

But then if the MFT is aligned with the CMS the angle stop attaches to the MFT which could increase your cutting width tremendously. Especially if the extension table works. But youd have to remove the sliding table and set up the extension table. which once adjusted shouldnt be that big a deal.

For others here who have one, will the CS70 fence work on the MFT?

 

[Aegir]

are you right or left handed? the reason I asked is because you can use the fence on only one side of the blade (for the most part) if you are using the angle stop (protractor) that comes with the TS55 CMS.

But then if the MFT is aligned with the CMS the angle stop attaches to the MFT which could increase your cutting width tremendously. Especially if the extension table works. But youd have to remove the sliding table and set up the extension table. which once adjusted shouldnt be that big a deal.

For others here who have one, will the CS70 fence work on the MFT?

Right handed, but not a big deal to cut the other way.
I was just playing with it in its current configuration and I see your point on the extension, as the sliding table has no real use like this. The bonus there , is I have to hand that back anyway, as it came with the CMS.  The fence with the mitre gauge has a very short travel, so I am going to see some videos ( if I can find some ) to figure out how best to use it.