Consolidated Q&A for CMS Router Table

I waited more than three years.  Not my choice.  The table is a premium priced product and I personally have enjoyed it over the last month. 

I have to admit that we haven't seen more comments or threads from those who have them.

Peter
 
Peter Halle said:
I waited more than three years.  Not my choice.  The table is a premium priced product and I personally have enjoyed it over the last month. 

I have to admit that we haven't seen more comments or threads from those who have them.

Peter

I'm too busy using mine to start a thread! Lol...I'm very much enjoying my CMS!  Portability is the biggest plus. I still use my Incra table with the LS positioner simply because I can zero out and always refer back to that. I know that's achievable on the CMS with blocks and the sliding fence, etc but I use em both and it works!  Can't take the incra to a jobsite though!  When (if) I ever make time I'm going to take my LS positioner fence off and attempt to adapt it to the CMS!  Back to work I go!

Bob
 
Had a long weekend to decide to build a mobile base cabinet to store the fence, bits and wrenches. Also, made a few mods to the CMS.

- Added an infeed table
- shifted the slide table to center on the CMS
- Shortened the hose
- Moved Original CMS on/off switch
- Added a secong shutoff switch that can be tapped with the knee

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

The mobile base:

-Top drawers hold wrenches/ accessories
[attachimg=4]
-Second drawer holds 1/4" router bits
[attachimg=5]
-Third drawer holds 1/2" router bits
[attachimg=6]
-Bottom drawer holds fences and mitre fence
[attachimg=7]

Drawer handles fashioned after the T-lok handles.

Rob

 
That is a beautiful base that you have made, Rob. I have a tip for you, or others thinking about making this. For probably close to 10 years, I have been meaning to write a magazine article about this, but I never get around to because writing for magazines doesn't pay very well. So I'm just going to go ahead and throw it out there for others to use.

When I create router bit holders, I like to organize my bits according to profile. So for example, I want all of my ogee bits of different sizes in the same area. The problem is that some cutters are 1/4" shank and some are 1/2" shank. So I want to be able to organize my bits regardless what size shank they have.

The solution that I came up with about 17 years ago was to drill concentric holes of 1/4" and 1/2" in the same location. This way, either size bit can be stored in the same location.

1) Lay out a grid for the hole pattern. The grid can be variable distance between holes. So for example, the area where straight cutters could have a tighter spacing, and the area for ogee profiles could be wider.

2) Using a 1/2" forstner bit, drill a 1/2" bore, down 3/8" (deep). You drill the larger bore first, because the pilot tip of the forstner bit will leave a pilot hole for the smaller bit to follow.

3) Using a 1/4" forstner bit, drill a 1/4" bore, down 3/4" (deep). Use the pilot created by the 1/2" bit for centering.

[attachimg=#]
 
Thanks Rick. I could still do that. The actual structural base of the drawers are 1/4" plywood. The bit holders are in a 3/4" plywood that just sits in the drawer. That way I am not locked into one bit pattern and can easily change the drawing use by making a new insert for the drawer.

rob
 
Rob,
  Sweet set up!  I'm sorry, but I'm stealing the T-loc handle idea.  I am currently building new cabinets for my shop and this is a great idea!  [thumbs up] 

Eric
 
Nice job!

Can you tell us more about hood on the router fence in the first picture?
 
Richard Leon said:
Nice job!

Can you tell us more about hood on the router fence in the first picture?

Looks like WoodRiver Clear Panel-Guard Featherboard , about $14 on Amazon

51OV04JzXkL.jpg
 
Thanks all, also I did route out the insert on the bottom drawer to match the outline of the fence/guards so they stay in place when you open/close the drawer.

ERIC: Steal away, it's not like I thought up the design for the T-lok  pattern [big grin]

Richard: Got the guard at Woodcraft during thier 10% off sale. Same as the one copcarcollector posted. It is a whole lot more usable than the one that cames with the table.

Rob

 
Very nicely done!!!  I've added an infeed table to mine as you did.  I noticed, too, that you centered the sliding table track.  It will be even better when Festool brings out a switch that can handle the 20 amp current draw of the OF 2200.  It would be nice if it had a paddle for easy off. 

[smile]
 
Shane Holland said:
Hey, Nick. Thanks for the questions. The CMS is actually not the first version, the Basis was (I believe). No plans for a new version in the foreseeable future. Also, no plans for other modules in the US/Canada right now. We wouldn't introduce it in the US/Canada in Sept. 2012 and then have a new model any time soon, we would have just waited had that been the case.

So, in essence, no reason to wait.

Shane
What????

Could you imagine if Festool did like Apple? [scared] [scared]

I need to know if my CT Mini will work with the Duxt extraction on this?  I have the older one that has less than 100CFM..

 
The dust collection is very effective and concentrated.  I doubt that you would have an issue.

Peter
 
adubeau said:
....I need to know if my CT Mini will work with the Duxt extraction on this?  I have the older one that has less than 100CFM..

The problem is that Y-splitter doesn't fit the Mini or Midi vacs.
 
Brice Burrell said:
adubeau said:
....I need to know if my CT Mini will work with the Duxt extraction on this?  I have the older one that has less than 100CFM..

The problem is that Y-splitter doesn't fit the Mini or Midi vacs.

OOPS!!  This posted inadvertantly.
Brice, Is that because the Mini & Midi do not take the larger hose?  (the "Y" is 36mm and 27mm)  Would a short section of the smaller hose at the router work?

I can see where a short length of smaller hose might be a problem in a situation where quantity production is needed; but how about with small projects of hobbiests?
 
Tinker said:
Brice Burrell said:
adubeau said:
....I need to know if my CT Mini will work with the Duxt extraction on this?  I have the older one that has less than 100CFM..

The problem is that Y-splitter doesn't fit the Mini or Midi vacs.

OOPS!!  This posted inadvertantly.
Brice, Is that because the Mini & Midi do not take the larger hose?  (the "Y" is 36mm and 27mm)  Would a short section of the smaller hose at the router work?

I can see where a short length of smaller hose might be a problem in a situation where quantity production is needed; but how about with small projects of hobbiests?

The D36 hose fits the Mini and Midi extractors, it's only the Y that doesn't fit.  It's don't fit down inside the hose garage with the inlet is on the Mini/Midi.
 
Thanks Brice,

For a home shop (the way I am set up>>> not necessarily every home shop) I don't need the hose garage. I have two Ct's and the 22 is hooked up to My Rat and sometimes, to the CMS.  I have an intermediate collection system that takes care of both the 33 and 22. 

My questions are that I am thinking of getting rid of one of the old Ct's (33 or 22) and replacing with a mini or midi.  I try to have hose setups at various stations so all I need to do is move the vac from point to point.  Hose garage is a non factor. Wouldn't the mini or midi work in such a situation?
Tinker

 
Tinker said:
Thanks Brice,

For a home shop (the way I am set up>>> not necessarily every home shop) I don't need the hose garage. I have two Ct's and the 22 is hooked up to My Rat and sometimes, to the CMS.  I have an intermediate collection system that takes care of both the 33 and 22. 

My questions are that I am thinking of getting rid of one of the old Ct's (33 or 22) and replacing with a mini or midi.  I try to have hose setups at various stations so all I need to do is move the vac from point to point.  Hose garage is a non factor. Wouldn't the mini or midi work in such a situation?
Tinker

You could remove the built-in hose garage from the mini/midi and the Y would work.  Or, you could use only one hose attached to the CMS-mini/midi, however, I wouldn't advise it.  The whole point in investing a premium in Festool tools in large part is dust collection so why do anything to reduce that.
 
Brice Burrell said:
Tinker said:
Thanks Brice,

For a home shop (the way I am set up>>> not necessarily every home shop) I don't need the hose garage. I have two Ct's and the 22 is hooked up to My Rat and sometimes, to the CMS.  I have an intermediate collection system that takes care of both the 33 and 22. 

My questions are that I am thinking of getting rid of one of the old Ct's (33 or 22) and replacing with a mini or midi.  I try to have hose setups at various stations so all I need to do is move the vac from point to point.  Hose garage is a non factor. Wouldn't the mini or midi work in such a situation?
Tinker

You could remove the built-in hose garage from the mini/midi and the Y would work.  Or, you could use only one hose attached to the CMS-mini/midi, however, I wouldn't advise it.  The whole point in investing a premium in Festool tools in large part is dust collection so why do anything to reduce that.

I'm not thinking about removing one of the hoses.  I have a Rockler "Dust Rite" Seperator.  I have adapters that can use any hose from the Dust Rite to the vac. I can hook up any sized hose to either side of the DustRite.  Currently, I have the 2 hoses hooked up to my CMS/1400 permanently.  Other hoses that can go between other work stations and the DustRite. 

As I read the specs for the newer CT's, they all have higher vacuum than my older CT 22/33.  There is only slight drop in vacuum when using the DustRite.  I would think even if i had to use a smaller hose from the mini/midi to the DustRite, i would not lose any efficiency from DustRite to vac. I would not have to change hose size from DustRite to CMS.

[oops], Am I argueing my way into a mini? [scared]
Tinker
 
There is no hose hose size limitations on the Mini/Midi so you should be good to go with the same hose setup you have on your CT22/33 and Dust Rite now.
 
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