Festool CS70-EB set

[mr.belt]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a new table saw for my hobby-workshop. Till today I used Makita MLT100, it's still running, but it's just too wobbly and it's hard to achieve reasonable precision.

As my workshop is quite small I'm thinking to buy a table saw that is more or less portable, so I could move it out of the way for other tools etc. Also in my area (East Europe) there isn't really big choice of 'cabinet saws'.

At the begining I was planning to buy Bosch GTS 10XC, but then I found the Festool CS70 EB Set.
'On the paper' it seems like an ideal solution for me - it has all the features I want, it should be quite precise... But costs a kidney - if it would cost around 1500 EUR - I would buy it without heasitating, but the best price I found localy was around 2600 EUR...

As there isn't many reviews of this saw and the ones I have found are inconsistent - some say it's great and worth every peny, others say that it's a dissapointment, I'm afraid to buy it, because as it's only for hobby and I can't affort to buy a crappy saw for such money.

I have read all the threads on this forum regarding CS70, but as they were quite old I tought I try my luck again - maybe here are some new users who could enlighten me...

P.S.
Sorry for my English.

Best regards,
Mr. Belt

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have this saw and I don't think it is crappy at all. I use it for what it is meant to be, a portable saw. For what do you use a portable saw mostly? Working out of the shop, in homes, stores and gardens, building what's needed there. And for that the saw is great. If you're mainly building fine furniture where you require the utmost precision, then a steady table saw might be better. Some people say it's crap because they put a micrometer to the fence and frame and don't like it if it's 3 micron out of alignment. 

 

[mr.belt]

Thank you for your input!

3 micron misalignement doesn't really bother me.

I use the table saw for many purpouses, for some my Makita MLT100 is more than enough, but for some precision work it just can't deliver.. All woodwork I do is just for fun (I strictly do not do it for money) - I make a few things from time to time for my friends or family, so I don't mind to fiddle with the saw for a bit to get the result I want, but I want the saw to be predictable and be able to deliver a very precise cut if I need one.

Do you have the Set version? Are there any accesories I should definitely buy with the saw?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the set version, very complete already. I have bought just a small amount of extras:

- the flag stop KA-AR 488560 which comes in very handy for repeat cuts
- the splinter guards 490340
- the special blade 488291 for laminates and plastics (though I have the 190 mm version which I got cheaply in a sale and also fits my DW65 circular saw). This blade stays sharp forever, while the standard blade dulls just after a few cuts in laminate.
- and the Y-split hose CS 70 AB 488292 because it didn't come with my used version, don't know if it comes with a new saw.