Help with next purchase decision please!

[cliffp]

I am thinking of acquiring some more Festool machines to utilise a couple of £50 vouchers. I have the CMS with TS55R module and am seriously interested in buying a second TS55R to avoid having to swap the machine in and out of the module. I am fairly comfortable with this idea (though feel free to suggest buying something else instead). I am torn between buying an OF1010 to give me a machine more suitable for trimming edge banding (which I  do quite a lot) and for edge treatments and other small jobs. I am a bit unsure of the merit of this idea as there is a fair bit of overlap with my OF1400 and I would need to buy 1/4" or 8mm router cutters to use with it. The other idea I am considering is to buy an HL850 plus bench unit and fence. This would be for general trimming duties and perhaps jointing (I know I can do this using the CMS but it takes some setting up as I invariably have to adjust the infeed fence to make it co-planar). I already have a number of good quality hand planes so there would be some overlap here as well.

Given my existing tools (see my signature) what would you buy?

 

[Alli]

Depending on what you use it for, would a TS75 be of more use being able to cut thicker stock when the need arises. I know I like the TS55 for being nice and light when cutting small piece which has me lifting the saw on and off the stock a lot, but I keep looking at its big brother thinking I should add it to my wish list.

 

[cliffp]

Alli, I was very interested in getting the Ts75 to put in the CMS module but that would require me to sell the TS55 insert and buy the TS75 one which would involve taking quite a loss on the one I sell. I suppose I could use part of the voucher's value to fund the TS75 insert and this would to some extent offset this loss. Its a good suggestion - I'll think about it.

 

[GarryMartin]

What do you do Cliff? What do you make?

 

[cliffp]

GarryMartin, I am only a hobbyist. So far I have made mostly cabinets (AV unit, sideboard, sysport) and coffee tables. I will probably mostly continue to make cabinets but may do some built in furniture and some other items such as tables and chairs that would use real timber instead of mostly veneered MDF.

 

[GarryMartin]

I am only a hobbyist.

I am only a hobbyist too  [big grin] ; mostly DIY and renovation.

We have a similar signature line (!) and I'm looking to add the CMS-GE to my list with the latest £50 voucher promotion.

I have the OF1010 with various attachments as well as the OF1400, but standardised at the outset on mostly 8mm cutters (which both routers accept). Depending on how much table work you do, dedicating the OF1400 to the CMS-OF (mostly) might be a good way to go, with the OF1010 certainly being a better router for smaller jobs and definitely for use with the LR-32 system. That's certainly my plan.

The KAPEX KS 120 would be a great choice, but it's obviously a lot more expensive than other tools.

I've not considered the HL 850, but the EHL 65 is on my "to buy" list too.

The TS 75 for use in the table rather than two TS 55R machines would be awesome; I've considered getting rid of my TS 55 and replacing it with a TS 75 for use in the CMS, but I don't have any inserts yet to sway the decision (unlike you).

The other thing I love is my ETS 150/3, but maybe you have enough sanders already?  [poke]

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

The Festool sanders are brilliant. I love my ETS125 most of all! The RO90 is a must. Granat sandpaper...you will never regret it!

 

[cliffp]

We have a similar signature line

We do, but I think I have fewer machines! (even if I have listed more of my accessories). I am tempted by the OF1010 but am a bit put off at the thought of having to duplicate cutters. The main area of weakness for the OF1400 has been its use in trimming edge banding with the edging plate where it seems far too heavy for the job. For everything else it is just the most amazing tool. I think I am likely to carry out more edge treatments such as round overs on assembled items in future so this is an area where the OF1010 would be better I guess.

I quite like the idea of a Kapex KS120 but have not yet had much need to cut either thick timber or do fancy angles. As soon as I do I can see myself buying one.

I am definitely tempted by the HL850 as it sounds like an amazing piece of kit particularly when used with the bench unit and fence. Although you can joint with the CMS I have found it tedious to set up and have had poor results when I didn't take the necessary finicky steps to get everything perfectly aligned and positioned (and the technique right). I guess a negative for the HL850 is the lack of plug-it connector which one can imagine will be added at some point. When it is added, the value of legacy versions will no doubt drop.

I like the idea of the TS75 in the CMS but the cost to trade up for me would be around £250 (the difference in price between the new TS55 and TS75 plus the cost of trading up the inserts). I suppose the main benefit of this would be the extra capacity (which up to now I haven't needed) and the extra power. I wonder if the extra power gives better results (cut quality) or just the ability to cut quicker?

I would love an ETS 150/3 and have not ruled this out even in the short term. I find my RO150 pretty good in its random orbit (non aggressive) mode - certainly in terms of the results it produces. I find the RO90 harder to control in its 'gentle' mode.

 

[ldmillar1981]

I am only a hobbyist.

I am only a hobbyist too  [big grin] ; mostly DIY and renovation.

We have a similar signature line (!) and I'm looking to add the CMS-GE to my list with the latest £50 voucher promotion.

I have the OF1010 with various attachments as well as the OF1400, but standardised at the outset on mostly 8mm cutters (which both routers accept). Depending on how much table work you do, dedicating the OF1400 to the CMS-OF (mostly) might be a good way to go, with the OF1010 certainly being a better router for smaller jobs and definitely for use with the LR-32 system. That's certainly my plan.

The KAPEX KS 120 would be a great choice, but it's obviously a lot more expensive than other tools.

I've not considered the HL 850, but the EHL 65 is on my "to buy" list too.

The TS 75 for use in the table rather than two TS 55R machines would be awesome; I've considered getting rid of my TS 55 and replacing it with a TS 75 for use in the CMS, but I don't have any inserts yet to sway the decision (unlike you).

The other thing I love is my ETS 150/3, but maybe you have enough sanders already?  [poke]

Hi Garry I too am interested in the cms but with powertool supplies its too cheap for the voucher Cms GE

Cliff if you do trade up to the ts75 how much would you be interested in selling the ts55r mobule you have for?

 

[cliffp]

Well I've done the deal! I have ordered a TS75, TS75 CMS insert, OF1010, chip catcher for the router (already had the edging plate etc for use with my OF1400), MFS 1000 profiles.

I'll be advertising my TS55R CMS insert on here soon.

 

[GarryMartin]

Well I've done the deal!

Looks like you made some intelligent choices there.

Still not pulled the trigger on the CMS-GE and inserts/accessories yet. I'm a little concerned that I may not have enough indoor space to make the most use of them, as it seems the extension and sliding tables really make the system shine. Much measuring to be done today!  [unsure]

 

[cliffp]

as it seems the extension and sliding tables really make the system shine.

I think these are essential along with the LA stopper.

Thanks to Alli and GarryMartin for the encouragement to buy the TS75. Much of the intelligence for this purchase came from you guys.

I should also thank John Street of Festool who I tried to call for advice but was in a meeting at the time and although I didn't leave a message, he detected my missed call and phoned me back within 5 minutes of his meeting finishing to see if he could help (which he did of course). People like John are a real credit to Festool.

 

[Alli]

I see Christmas has come early  ;D

Let us know how you get on with the TS75 as I've almost convinced myself to buy one.  [scared]

 

[GarryMartin]

as it seems the extension and sliding tables really make the system shine.

I think these are essential along with the LA stopper.

I've gone for the full package in the end, including the tables and LA stopper.  [big grin]

Thanks to Alli and GarryMartin for the encouragement to buy the TS75.

I've also done the same; went for the TS 75 and the CMS-TS 75 rather than just buying the plate for my TS 55. Given the other items you've just purchased, I think our signature lines are close to total convergence!  [wink]

 

[cliffp]

I've also done the same; went for the TS 75 and the CMS-TS 75

We'll have to compare notes on the TS75/CMS setup! I am upping my dumbell weights in circuit training in readiness!