CS 50 / CS 70 or CMS/TS55/TS75

[Loren Woirhaye]

I don't see room for improvement with the CS70 honestly.  It's based on a tough,  proven Mafell design  that's set a professional standard in Europe for a long time.  I looked it up and about 8 years ago Festool was trying to get it approved by UL (insurance regulations) in the USA but was having trouble due to the lack of anti-kickback pawls.  Presumably they gave up. Interestingly,  the Mafell Ericka is available in N. America. 

That said, if we're going to pay over $2k for a fold-up table saw over here we (the market) might want a bigger blade or something.

I understand the attraction to things like integrated electronics that measure everything, but that proprietary digital stuff scares me off big time, especially in a high-end portable tool that gets moved around a lot.  Pros over here are well aware that if the electronics on a Felder or Altendorf machine go haywire it's going to be an expensive repair. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

but I really think the CS70 is end of life.

Ok, please elaborate. The link where you express your desires doesn't really explain why you think the CS70 in its current form doesn't cut it anymore.

I think the CS70 exists for at least 20 years now, probably more and I think it's because it is a very solid design with all the features most people want in a portable table saw. Of course there are always some improvements or adjustments people want for their particular situation, but a manufacturer has to find a common denominator, and I think they hit a very good spot in that regard, with what the CS70 is now.

I like your coffee idea though.

 

[Kev]

but I really think the CS70 is end of life.

Ok, please elaborate. The link where you express your desires doesn't really explain why you think the CS70 in its current form doesn't cut it anymore.

I think the CS70 exists for at least 20 years now, probably more and I think it's because it is a very solid design with all the features most people want in a portable table saw. Of course there are always some improvements or adjustments people want for their particular situation, but a manufacturer has to find a common denominator, and I think they hit a very good spot in that regard, with what the CS70 is now.

I like your coffee idea though.

"End of life" doesn't mean it won't continue to sell in its current form for decades. At no point do I say it "doesn't cut it anymore".

You make the point yourself - why change it - it works ... BUT, Festool doesn't have a table saw solution for NA and they have penetrated the market with CMS. The rest is obvious deduction in my view.

Maybe I confused when I said "rejuvenate".

Don't worry, nobody's going to take your precious CS70 away any time soon. I was a whisker from buying one myself and I'm still borderline on regret ... the full house TS75 + CMS-GE, rip fence, slider, hose, rear table, side table, etc were close on price. I just rolled the dice differently.

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

Bosch hasn't put their track saw on the N. American market either.  I think perhaps these companies are agreeing not to compete too much in some markets.