Festool CMS with Leigh RTJ400

[nerves]

Good Day to all,

Now that I'm down the line (still a new hobbyist) with my festool collection and a few projects under my belt.  I'm seriously considering the Festool CMS GE set.  One question I have, is anyone using the CMS with the Leigh RTJ400?  If so can you share you experience good or bad.  I'm concern with the "ridges" on the CMS table not being able to provide a "smooth" sliding/movement of the jig.

My next 4 projects ("Honey-do's) add to more than 20 sliding drawers...

So I looking for repeatable (dovetails) and fast (easier) way to accomplish this.  A friend of mine has one but, runs it on his self built router table.

thank you,

 

[nerves]

so how are folks doing dove tails without a jig?

 

[egmiii]

Take a look at the Incra LS Super System. I was going down the CMS route, but wasn't satisfied with the price. I ended up with a 43x17 phenolic top, Incra lift, and Incra fence. Granted it is not portable, but overall a higher quality and more capable solution in my opinion.

 

[tjskinny]

This is what one of the FOG members, Brian and his son, came up with;
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/leigh-rtj400/msg358047/#msg358047
http://festoolownersgroup.com/class...-bushing-insert-for-sale/msg365590/#msg365590

 

[nerves]

Thank you all. 

 

[goko]

so how are folks doing dove tails without a jig?

Whats wrong with a dovetailsaw and a chisel ?

 

[nerves]

Lack of skills (me) and time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[501_Blues]

Low cost solution for making your CMS capable of using the Leigh RTJ400 Dovetail Jig.  If using the OF1010, OF1400, or OF2200 with the CMS, order a spare centering ring from Festool (p/n: 473810 for the 1010, p/n: 473809 for the 1400, and p/n: 473812 for the 2200), and then order the 704R template ring adapter from Leigh.  The 704R has just a bit smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the Festool router centering ring, but using some spacers and epoxy, you can make a permanent centering ring with a template ring adapter that will fit the CMS.  This modification will only take you the time that it takes for the epoxy to cure, and about 20 minutes of hand sanding after the epoxy has cured.  The solution works well, but the only drawback is that if you are using the OF1010 or OF1400, you will have to do all your bit changes by actually removing the router from the CMS insert as there is no possible way to reach the router collar nut from above the table.  If using the OF2200, I believe that you can pop out the inner ring because I believe that the green ring (p/n: 473808) is actually the centering ring.  For the OF1010 and OF1400, it's a bit of a pain.  However, if you are doing assembly line production, it really doesn't matter that much.

 

[tkat]

I am interested in duplicating your RTJ400 adapter plate.  When I contacted Leigh Woodworking, they were concerned that since both the Festool CMS GE table and the RTJ400 dovetail jig use hard anodized aluminum, the jig would tend to scratch the surface of the table when used.  What has been your experience over since you posted in December of 2016?  Any updates on how well this setup has worked for you since you posted?  Did the plate modification hold up?

Thanks

 

[501_Blues]

There haven't been any problems with regards to scratching.  I'm sure that over time that there may be some wear over time just like there would be with rubbing any two materials against each other, but nothing noticeable since I have been using this set-up.  Both surfaces are smooth, so I don't know that there would be any difference if I had an aluminum top, cast iron top, or pheno top on the router table.  The plate modification has held up, I used a JB Weld epoxy to mate the two pieces together.