Festool CMS Router Table/Kapex

[Charles Wilson]

Seth,

You cut the pieces to size, used butt joints (glue and Sipo dominoes), assembled, then ran a rabbet around the inside of the storms, corner chisel to square off, place glass in, then glazing compound?  No running through a router table with rail and stile bit?  I you have pictures, share them please as I have a ton of them to make.

Also, if no rail/stile joinery, what are your expectations for durability?

Thanks

Correct on the method.

As far as durability .... they have been up for several years with no issues.  Joint seem very strong when I built them.   Inch thick  x about 4" wide surface area  plus two Dominos per joint. All glued.

Nothing wrong with  the  rail and stile / router table method either though.  I really don't remember why I chose to Domino the joints. Maybe just to try it? 

Seth

By using your method, the following would happen:

1) Ability to crank out the number that I need much faster that with rail/stile/router table method.

2) Eliminate immediate need for the CMS.

3) Possibly put off the purchase of a Kapex (repair harbor freight, needs switch)

4) Purchase Domino (spend money but save money)

Question:  I know they have the domino xl BUT have any of you ever used the the domino standard to make a door?

Chuck

 

[sancho57]

I was looking at up grading/ changing my router table. I thought the CMS was way to expensive or what I needed/ wanted. Especially when compared to other after market router tables.Well when you add in the cost of a router lift, folding legs, outfeed table and sliding table and fence combined with portability and its part of the festool system

I still wasnt convinced :>D.

But I had somethings happened where I felt it would be a good idea to buy the CMS as I might be able to get the other modules.

Well I bought the GE version with all the accessories.

I must say that I am very pleasantly surprised. The craftsmanship  and quality were excellent and it actually exceeded my expectations. Really feel I got my $$ worth.  

I'm kind of in the same boat. I have a pretty new Kreg router table, kreg lift, PC7518 and a few other accessories with very light use (in fact I made 5 storm windows with it and haven't used it since.) If I could sell it for around $1000 I would buy the CMS. I initially thought it was too expensive, but after thinking about dust collection, the systems approach, and reading the good reviews I will probably end up buying one... Now time to put my kreg router table setup in the classifieds  [smile]

So to the OP, I can highly recommend the Kapex and wish that the CMS was available when I was searching for my router table 16 months ago.

The dust collection is excellent. But impressed me is the sliding table along with the miter attachment. Plus the ease of installing and removing the router when its needed for free hand work.

The router lift is pretty cool too

 

[semenza]

Chuck,

If you have a router of some type and a serviceable miter saw , then I think your reasoning above makes sense. The Domino will definitely add new capability to what you can do.

Seth

 

[Runhard]

Here are a few pictures of how I built my storm windows:

 

[adubeau]

The Kapex is a great saw, I used mine over the last few days to put in trim after the carpet was riped out and wood flooring put in... it was great and did iits job well...

My only compliant is the dust extraction shroud breaks to easily from pieces being kick up in to it.....

 

[Birdhunter]

to Jeep Jake........

Go to the "Festool Jigs" section. The thread is under "MFT Vise" and was posted on Oct 27. There are several photos.. The MFT is rock solid. I can whack away with a cross cut saw at a big hunk of wood in the vise.

I'm not sure why Festool doesn't offer a mod like the one I made. I'm sure theirs would be better.

 

[Charles Wilson]

Here are a few pictures of how I built my storm windows:

Runhard,

The million dollar question is this:  How did you put the profile on the rails and stiles.  I am assuming a router table.  No?

Chuck

 

[Runhard]

Here are a few pictures of how I built my storm windows:

Runhard,

The million dollar question is this:  How did you put the profile on the rails and stiles.  I am assuming a router table.  No?

Chuck

Yes, I used a router table and Whitesides' window sash router bit. I went overkill with pocket screws at the bottom and I pinned all the dominos with 18g nails. It was my fist project using a router and it went pretty well.

 

[MrMac]

I use the kapex pretty much every day in my finishing carpentry business. I used to have a bosch/Makita/Milwaukee. 12" saws all of them. I've also used the 10" hitachi.

Then I got a kapex- and it was all over. Nothing else compares! light weight, dead on accurate, lasers that are useful, a hold down that works, and the throttle grip bevel feature.

Example of how it's way better: Today I was finishing up a small shelving unit for a client. I glue on the 1/4" wood edging, hold it with tape over night, then hand plane it down to the thickness of the plywood. (I can't justify a lip planer at this point)

The edging I usually cut long, so it's about an inch or so past the ends of the plywood.

On my "other" saws, I wouldn't dare cut this tag end off, as the blade wobble or some other such gremlin would cause the blade to move after I fire it up, leaving a cut mark in the side of the plywood upwards of 1/8".

Now with the kapex: slide my work piece in till it "just" touches the saw tooth, fire up the saw and cut. Dead on! can't feel any bit of trim sticking out from the plywood, and absolutely no tooth marks on the plywood itself. Time after time!

So yea, the kapex was expensive, but holy crap it's worth it, time saving and accuracy.

A few features I'd like to see on the next model if there ever is one, some sort of vernier scale on both axis. Some other type of locking mechanisim on the miter table. Maybe an extended reach hold down, so it can hold pieces that are shorter.

Domino is great! it's a learning curve though. don't hit nails

 

[Charles Wilson]

Here are a few pictures of how I built my storm windows:

Runhard,

The million dollar question is this:  How did you put the profile on the rails and stiles.  I am assuming a router table.  No?

Chuck

Yes, I used a router table and Whitesides' window sash router bit. I went overkill with pocket screws at the bottom and I pinned all the dominos with 18g nails. It was my fist project using a router and it went pretty well.

What kind of table/router combo?

 

[Runhard]

Here are a few pictures of how I built my storm windows:

Runhard,

The million dollar question is this:  How did you put the profile on the rails and stiles.  I am assuming a router table.  No?

Chuck

Yes, I used a router table and Whitesides' window sash router bit. I went overkill with pocket screws at the bottom and I pinned all the dominos with 18g nails. It was my fist project using a router and it went pretty well.

What kind of table/router combo?

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