Compact Module Support (CMS) Table and Inserts
- Thread starter NMacK
- Start date
Well for the record, I was totally content with the Dewalt 745 I had in Cali, and really wanted to get the same one here, because I love that geared fence. But for the money I would have paid for it here, it just made sense to go with something that had a longer life, more adjustable accuracy (no, it wasn't right out of the box, so cut the crap already ;D ), and and more than one useful purpose.
I bought the DW for 400, and sold it for exactly half that. If I sell the CMS at all, I'm sure I'll get a better return on my money. I do use a large rolling pelican case for all the tables and modules and hoses and crap, so although the saw itself is compact, I'm carrying an extra case now. But being able to mount the jigsaw is a good thing that's helped me out a few times already. I'd love to have the router table, but it's a future upgrade at this point.
I bought the DW for 400, and sold it for exactly half that. If I sell the CMS at all, I'm sure I'll get a better return on my money. I do use a large rolling pelican case for all the tables and modules and hoses and crap, so although the saw itself is compact, I'm carrying an extra case now. But being able to mount the jigsaw is a good thing that's helped me out a few times already. I'd love to have the router table, but it's a future upgrade at this point.
Here, right off the northwestern tip of the guide rail in the picture, behind my friend Brad.
This case, no foam, lid insert. I said somewhere else, I used to get these cases from www.cases4less.com
haven't checked any prices for a while. Anyway, this one's big enough for side and rear tables, wye hoses and guard, wrenches, splitter, etc. I keep the stuff separated with rectangles of carpet. I had the case, I don't know if I'd get one specifically for this, but it does work really well. The table modules and extensions can be awkward to carry.
This case, no foam, lid insert. I said somewhere else, I used to get these cases from www.cases4less.com
haven't checked any prices for a while. Anyway, this one's big enough for side and rear tables, wye hoses and guard, wrenches, splitter, etc. I keep the stuff separated with rectangles of carpet. I had the case, I don't know if I'd get one specifically for this, but it does work really well. The table modules and extensions can be awkward to carry.
nickao said:
Thanks. You wouldn't have wanted this job, it was a love thing for a mate of mine. Now if I can just figure out how to get out of the field. The grass is always greener....
Scotty, these cases are around forever once you have them. Bombproof. I think they were originally designed to move SCUBA equipment around. Photographers use them a lot, and we always used them a bunch for camera equipment in the film biz.
martingchapman
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 36
To return to the original subject:
I have the CMS with the TS75 Saw module and Router module (but I have a large Triton router in the Router module).
My main reason for going down the CMS route is that I have very limited workshop space but wanted a table saw and router table.
The CMS gives both in the same space.
Mounting and demounting the saw in the module is a fiddle but with practise takes a couple of minutes. Only necessary if you want to use the saw out of the module, say with a guide rail.
Swapping the Saw module and Router module in the CMS leg module is dead easy, loosen two screws in the top of the module and lift it out, takes no time at all.
The sliding table/angle stop combination is superb, very solid very accurate, cross cutting is a dream. Also works very well with the Router module for moulding end grain.
The angle stop can be mounted on either side of the leg module for rip cutting, again works very well.
The Router module fence is very solid and easily adjustable with a micro adjustment of the in feed fence so you can use it for planning timber.
I have the dual extractor hose for use with my CT33 extractor and this works well with both the saw and router.
There are a couple of negatives;
When you fit the saw in the table you have to change the riving knife for a much taller fixed version which supports the blade guard. This means you can not take the guard off and cut tennon shoulders (see Norm Abraham) as the riving knife projects above the top of the blade (some may see this as an advantage as it prevents a possible accident through using the saw without the guard).
I have the Extension Table VL (which fits on the end of the table to support rip cuts and mouldings) and the Support AF which is an extending rail that fits on the side of the table to support cross cuts.
BE AWARE THAT YOU CAN NOT FIT THESE TWO ITEMS TO THE CMS AT THE SAME TIME. USING THE STANDARD MOUNTING BRACKETS THE ETVL FITS TOO CLOSE TO THE END OF THE TABLE TO ALLOW ROOM FOR THE SUPPORT VF MOUNTING.
I have modified the ETVL bracket to extend it away from the table which allows the Support VF to be fitted at the same time (there is more information on an earlier post of mine on this subject).
I have no regrets about going down the CMS route, however I am now considering buying a TS55 saw to use with a guide rail for easy cutting of larger sheet material. The CMS will accurately cross cut a 600mm wide board however the top is not really big enough to give adequate support for this type of cutting. I think it would be easier to make these size cuts on the bench.
Martin.
I have the CMS with the TS75 Saw module and Router module (but I have a large Triton router in the Router module).
My main reason for going down the CMS route is that I have very limited workshop space but wanted a table saw and router table.
The CMS gives both in the same space.
Mounting and demounting the saw in the module is a fiddle but with practise takes a couple of minutes. Only necessary if you want to use the saw out of the module, say with a guide rail.
Swapping the Saw module and Router module in the CMS leg module is dead easy, loosen two screws in the top of the module and lift it out, takes no time at all.
The sliding table/angle stop combination is superb, very solid very accurate, cross cutting is a dream. Also works very well with the Router module for moulding end grain.
The angle stop can be mounted on either side of the leg module for rip cutting, again works very well.
The Router module fence is very solid and easily adjustable with a micro adjustment of the in feed fence so you can use it for planning timber.
I have the dual extractor hose for use with my CT33 extractor and this works well with both the saw and router.
There are a couple of negatives;
When you fit the saw in the table you have to change the riving knife for a much taller fixed version which supports the blade guard. This means you can not take the guard off and cut tennon shoulders (see Norm Abraham) as the riving knife projects above the top of the blade (some may see this as an advantage as it prevents a possible accident through using the saw without the guard).
I have the Extension Table VL (which fits on the end of the table to support rip cuts and mouldings) and the Support AF which is an extending rail that fits on the side of the table to support cross cuts.
BE AWARE THAT YOU CAN NOT FIT THESE TWO ITEMS TO THE CMS AT THE SAME TIME. USING THE STANDARD MOUNTING BRACKETS THE ETVL FITS TOO CLOSE TO THE END OF THE TABLE TO ALLOW ROOM FOR THE SUPPORT VF MOUNTING.
I have modified the ETVL bracket to extend it away from the table which allows the Support VF to be fitted at the same time (there is more information on an earlier post of mine on this subject).
I have no regrets about going down the CMS route, however I am now considering buying a TS55 saw to use with a guide rail for easy cutting of larger sheet material. The CMS will accurately cross cut a 600mm wide board however the top is not really big enough to give adequate support for this type of cutting. I think it would be easier to make these size cuts on the bench.
Martin.
You can (and I have) used the saw in the table with standard riving knife attached, allowing you to make any cut that would have the blade buried in the work. for that matter you could make the same cut with neither knife attached, although I'm sure it isn't recommended.
I'm not sure what designation my extension tables are, but mine do allow for the table after the blade (the VL?) and the table to the right of the blade to be attached at the same time. Is your support AF part of the sliding table?
I'm not sure what designation my extension tables are, but mine do allow for the table after the blade (the VL?) and the table to the right of the blade to be attached at the same time. Is your support AF part of the sliding table?
martingchapman
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 36
Eli,
Yes you are correct, you can use the saw in the CMS table with the standard riving knife however this means you have no guard over the blade and no means of attaching the smaller dust extractor hose above the table (you can still attache the larger hose under the table to the saw dust port).
I for one would not be happy using it without the guard and would definitely not use it without a riving knife which in my opinion is essential for safe ripping and cross cutting wider stock.
Regards the support AF this fits onto the same side of the table as the side extension table VB (the opposite side to the sliding table).
The problem with the AF is that it has two sliding clamps that fit onto the v groove in the ends, ie in front and behind the blade (not sides) of the main unit (see the earlier illustration, you can see the two clamps on the end of the support arms).
The AF clamp that is at the front of the main table (in front of the blade) is not a problem but the AF clamp at the back of the main table (behind the blade) is the problem. When the end extension table (VL) is fitted to the end of the main table (behind the blade) there is not enough room between it and the end of the main table for the AF clamp to fit onto the v groove that runs along the end of the main table. The VL table needs to be mounted about 40mm further away from the main table (ie moved away from the back of the blade by 40mm) which then opens up a big enough gap between it and the main table for the AF clamp to be mounted on the end v groove.
The reason why you can fit the side extension (VB) at the same time as the end extension (VL) is because the side extension is mounted onto the side of the main unit, not onto the end of it like the AF.
I was very fortunate to be able to get hold of two more of the brackets that mount the end table (VL) to the main table and I have piggy backed the end table with its original brackets off of the two additional brackets, this gives just enough clearance between the end of the end table (VL) and the end of the main table for the AF bracket to fit onto the v groove.
To permanently resolve this Festool need to redesign the end table (VL) mounting bracket to be about 40mm longer.
Last October I submitted all the details of the problem including an engineering drawing of the modified bracket to TTL the Festool importers in the UK and received a reply that they would forward this to Festool, but have heard nothing more.
If any of the Festool employees who participate in this forum could take this up with Festool I would appreciate it.
If anyone can tell me how to insert an image (I have tried "Insert in-line image" and browsing to the jpg file but does not seem to work) I can show you what I mean.
Martin.
Yes you are correct, you can use the saw in the CMS table with the standard riving knife however this means you have no guard over the blade and no means of attaching the smaller dust extractor hose above the table (you can still attache the larger hose under the table to the saw dust port).
I for one would not be happy using it without the guard and would definitely not use it without a riving knife which in my opinion is essential for safe ripping and cross cutting wider stock.
Regards the support AF this fits onto the same side of the table as the side extension table VB (the opposite side to the sliding table).
The problem with the AF is that it has two sliding clamps that fit onto the v groove in the ends, ie in front and behind the blade (not sides) of the main unit (see the earlier illustration, you can see the two clamps on the end of the support arms).
The AF clamp that is at the front of the main table (in front of the blade) is not a problem but the AF clamp at the back of the main table (behind the blade) is the problem. When the end extension table (VL) is fitted to the end of the main table (behind the blade) there is not enough room between it and the end of the main table for the AF clamp to fit onto the v groove that runs along the end of the main table. The VL table needs to be mounted about 40mm further away from the main table (ie moved away from the back of the blade by 40mm) which then opens up a big enough gap between it and the main table for the AF clamp to be mounted on the end v groove.
The reason why you can fit the side extension (VB) at the same time as the end extension (VL) is because the side extension is mounted onto the side of the main unit, not onto the end of it like the AF.
I was very fortunate to be able to get hold of two more of the brackets that mount the end table (VL) to the main table and I have piggy backed the end table with its original brackets off of the two additional brackets, this gives just enough clearance between the end of the end table (VL) and the end of the main table for the AF bracket to fit onto the v groove.
To permanently resolve this Festool need to redesign the end table (VL) mounting bracket to be about 40mm longer.
Last October I submitted all the details of the problem including an engineering drawing of the modified bracket to TTL the Festool importers in the UK and received a reply that they would forward this to Festool, but have heard nothing more.
If any of the Festool employees who participate in this forum could take this up with Festool I would appreciate it.
If anyone can tell me how to insert an image (I have tried "Insert in-line image" and browsing to the jpg file but does not seem to work) I can show you what I mean.
Martin.
martingchapman
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 36
Update,
Surprise suprise, the image was included???
Martin.
Surprise suprise, the image was included???
Martin.
martingchapman
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 36
Here's the image of the two brackets
Martin
Martin
martingchapman
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 36
And here's the suggested modification to the original bracket.
Martin.
Martin.
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