Festool CMS advise

[Graham]

Just getting into woodworking/DIY (laying new solid wood floor, building fitted cupboards, etc.) and realising that quality tools make a big difference.

Trying to buy tools that fit with short term projects (fitted wardrobes), current space constraints (no workshop, so tools put away in cupboard) with longer term aspirations (furniture making - maybe even a career change!).

Started out looking at table saw, router table, compound mitre etc but don't really have space at the mo.

Found the Festool MFT/3 TS 55 and rail, spent lot time reading about them in various forums and I'm sold!

Currently looking at
TS55 + Rails, 800 and 1400
MFT/3
CT22

And poss
CMS with router module and/or table saw module

Any advise and or answers to following questions would be much appreciated
1. Would it be better to get CMS stand alone module or one that attaches to MFT?
2. How does the CMS router table compare to other tables on the market? I was looking at the Trend tables but read some negative comments regarding the flatness of the table bed
3. Will my Trend T11 fit in CMS router table module or do I need to get Festool model?
4. If I have the MFT and rail do I really need the CMS saw table or is this overkill?
5. Is the TS 55 big enough for the table or do I need the 75
6. Is the CT22 big enough or should I be looking at the 33?
7. Will the festool vac fit other tools such as Metabo SXE 450 Duo sander?

I know that it is best not to have to unmount the saw and router from the table to use elsewhere but in the short term this is more economical. If the T11 fits in the table then I will consider one of the smaller Festool models for freehand/use with guide rail at some point in the future.

Sorry for so many questions but it's a lot of cash and I don't want to blow it unnecessarily!

Thanks for your help

Graham

 

[Dan Clermont]

Welcome to the forum Graham. I don't know where you live but can tell you that the CMS is not available in North America at this time. It is in the plans and was shown at the recent IWF in Atlanta.

I haven't played with the CMS because I live in North America but I can answer questions 5 and 6 with confidence

The TS 55 is a great saw which will cut just shy of 2" thick material. It is also significantly lighter then the TS 75 and from what I can tell the more popular of the two saws.

The TS 75 will cut2 3/4" thick material on the guide rail so if you see yourself working large projects it may be the way to go.

The CT22 and CT33 are pretty much the same vac. Only difference is the amount of material they will hold before you need to dump them. If you are going to use the vac with a planer or some other material hogging tool you'll want the larger capacity of the CT 33 but most people prefer the CT 22 for its smaller size.

Festool vac will fit other manufacturer tools providing the tool accepts a 27mm hose

Hope that helps
Dan Clermont

 

[Eli]

Any advise and or answers to following questions would be much appreciated
1. Would it be better to get CMS stand alone module or one that attaches to MFT?
2. How does the CMS router table compare to other tables on the market? I was looking at the Trend tables but read some negative comments regarding the flatness of the table bed
3. Will my Trend T11 fit in CMS router table module or do I need to get Festool model?
4. If I have the MFT and rail do I really need the CMS saw table or is this overkill?
5. Is the TS 55 big enough for the table or do I need the 75
6. Is the CT22 big enough or should I be looking at the 33?
7. Will the festool vac fit other tools such as Metabo SXE 450 Duo sander?

1.The CMS attaches to the MFT3
2.I have neither the CMS module (although I've used it) or any other router table. Most of my stuff I do handheld, but the router module is on my list. It's pretty nice
3. No. Yes. Also depends on how much of a shady tree mechanic you are.
4. I have both. Both have a place. For you it might be overkill at first. If you're starting, the rail would be fine for a while.
5. It's big enough for most work. Probably plenty good enough for you.
6. CT22 plenty big.
7. You can use it with other stuff, but there is sometimes hose diameter issues. Measure the opening of your sander and post it here and somebody will answer this question better/ more accurately.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Festool vac will fit other manufacturer tools providing the tool accepts a 27mm hose

I would like to add to Dan's comments that the Festool CT vacuum machines will accept standard 2 1/2 inch (nominal size) hoses from other makers.  I frequently use my Fein and Craftsman brand hoses in my Festool vac and vice versa.  The tool end fitting of the Festool 27mm hose fits inside the tools that came with my Fein vacuum and the tool end fitting of Festool's 36mm hose fits over those same Fein tools.  If the OD of the dust collection outlet of your non-Festool machines is smaller than the ID of your Festool or other brand vacuum hose, you might try fitting a rubber O-ring over the outlet of the tool to bridge the difference in diameters.  I do this frequently with my Festool sanders to connect them to my Fein vacuum hose whenever I need a longer or more flexible hose.  The Fein hose is not antistatic and is definitely not the product of choice to use with my old belt sander which acts like a van de graaf static charge generator if not grounded!

Consider adding a minicyclone to your vacuum if you plan to generate a lot of chips, e.g. using a planer or router for many operations.  It holds more and it much faster to dump than the bag in a CT 33.  The CT bags will last nearly indefinitely if a good cyclone is used between the tool and the vacuum.

Dave R.

 

[Graham]

Folks,

Thanks for the info and advice.

Think my best option is to go and look at a CMS and take my Trend to see if it will fit. 

Thanks again

Graham