Do I need CMS/Kapex?

[CNX]

Hi all,

I need some advises and suggestions about purchase of a new CMS, probably a Kapex.
I have two connected MFT; one is used for usual crosscuts and the other for parallel rips. Between the two, my work flow is very efficient and accurate for both solid woods and plywood. I am perfectly happy with them. However, I know that CMS is one of the tools most frequently equipped in workshops. Polls often say it is one of the "must have" and "I can't live without it". I heard things like, "why I didn't buy it earlier". There are several things in my shop which I initially thought just for luxury, but now I feel I can't live without them; the second MFT, second CT, second router, WCR1000, etc. Is CMS one of them?

My shop now has all the basic stuff and space is becoming tight. Now I need to think hard about any major additions. I'm also looking at a drum sander (Supermax). I don't use my small tablesaw anymore and it may have to go if I need a space.  I suspect that I need the UG and extension wings too because I don't have space for a stationary workstation for a CMS and the Kapex may be stowed away when it is not used, but then, maybe it would be quicker to use my MFT for crosscuts. I don't expect to carry around the CMS to anywhere else. I don't do miter/bevel cuts very often. No molding, either. Rough cut of a long board is done by a Carvex. Taking these into consideration, would you recommend me to buy a CMS/Kapex?

Your thought would be appreciated.

 

[kfitzsimons]

If you're using your MFT and the TS55 with guide rails and that system is working perfectly fine, why waste (spend) the money. It's duplicating what you already have. And, probably not as accurate.

 

[roblg3]

is speed a necessity to you?  if not, you already have a huge crosscutting saw!
you mention you already have a router...is there anything you can't do with it?  sure a router table is super nice to have...but i can do just about everything with attachments.festool is bad ass likethat

 

[Slartibartfass]

I certainly use my non-Kapex CSM saw quite often. How's your space size wise? Maybe post a footprint and we can come up with some creative ideas.

My workshop is cramped.... I got rid of my Bosch table saw to make some room.

Still need to squeeze a jointer/planer combo and a band saw in there somehow...

I like the CMS-VL as I do not move my stuff and you have the INCRA LS Positioner option for the router table.

I am planning on getting rid of the Dewalt CSM saw and get the Kapex eventually and put it in between my 2 Galdiator workbenches.

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[Birdhunter]

My Kapex replaced a very good miter saw for two reasons. One, it could be used indoors due to excellent dust collection. Two, it could be backed up to a wall due to the way the head slides in its rails. The Kapex has been one of my best decisions. It is a delightful tool.

I've looked at the CMS many times. Its sliding table appears to be its best feature. Its fence, wobbly support, and small table size are the downsides for me. If I needed a portable router table, I'd snap it up.

 

[pjblues]

I thought the same thing about the Kapex, do I really need it? The question for me was not one of need but it was one of how much better can I be with it? I ended up purchasing the Kapex and I really am glad I have it. It cuts perfect and I have no regrets. I do not use it daily but when I do, the thing is dead on the money for cutting.

 

[NHSP759]

I certainly use my non-Kapex CSM saw quite often. How's your space size wise? Maybe post a footprint and we can come up with some creative ideas.

My workshop is cramped.... I got rid of my Bosch table saw to make some room.

Still need to squeeze a jointer/planer combo and a band saw in there somehow...

I like the CMS-VL as I do not move my stuff and you have the INCRA LS Positioner option for the router table.

I am planning on getting rid of the Dewalt CSM saw and get the Kapex eventually and put it in between my 2 Galdiator workbenches.

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So can I ask why your replacing the Dewalt? I don't have a SCMS but am really in the market for one. My wife wants me to buy the Kapex and I purposely put a $1000 cap on my cc so I don't go hog wild. I can normally pay off a max charge within two to three months and that's what the card is for but fronting 1400 for a DIY hobby is really making me question my motives here  [tongue]
So I have been thinking about the DWS717 with the LED kit Or the Makita LS1016L but truthfully I want the Kapex. I figure I can go for a lesser machine and wait a couple of years and just save my pennies for the Kapex. I know your not using the 717 (That looks like a 708) but do you find the Dewalt makes quality cuts aside from the blade? The Makita looks like a decent saw too and with the Midi attached in my smaller than yours work shop I should be okay for dc.

 

[NHSP759]

Oh yeah...I have the MFT/3 and the TS55REQ

 

[grbmds]

Given your stated amount of miter/bevel cuts and not really any trim, I wouldn't buy a Kapex. I have an MFT and a TS55 and have found that with some dogs for the MFT, I can cut miters better than I ever have before. True, I never owned a Kapex but, if you are mainly using it to to square cuts to length it would seem to me the money could be spent elsewhere than on a Kapex. Just use your MFT  with the TS 55 (although I didn't see that you had a TS55). I think that, unless you do trim work or cut a lot of miters and bevels, you don't need the Kapex no matter how great a miter saw it is. As for the CMS, I assume you'd be using it with a Festool router. If you don't already have a router table with a mounted router, this might be a good purchase. It all depends on what your uses are and what type of work you do in the shop.

 

[Slartibartfass]

i am planning on replacing the Dewalt as i have a model that you cannot back up to the wall based on how the sliding mechanism works. Want to integrate a CSM saw into a more staionary setting with my workbenches acting as extensions to the CMS saw.

 

[CNX]

Thank you all for the advises.
First of all, I apologize the confusion. What I meant by CMS is compound miter saw, not the Festool router table.
Glad to hear pjblues and ChrisK1970 are in similar situations.
Yes, I do have TS55. So, if I take out the portability and trim-cutting, which I don't do, from Kapex, a Kapex is definitely a luxury, more than necessity. If I buy a CMS, Kapex is top of the list because dust collection is very important for me, but many factors such as  price, space, and priority get quite complicated...

Oh well, maybe I'll postpone it for half a year or so and think about it again.
By the way, my shop is 14x24 in the basement. Not too small but not too large. I still have some space left but I want to keep some free space.