Marc Spagnuolo, the Wood Whisperer, first impressions of the CMS Router Table

[Administrator_JSVN]

Marc posted a video and accompanying blog entry over on his website with his first impressions of the CMS. Check it out over on his website. Great video.

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/festool-cms-router-table/

If you have questions about the CMS, please post them over in our existing CMS Q&A thread:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/consolidated-qa-for-cms-router-table/

For details on the CMS, visit our website:

http://www.festoolcms.com

In the spirit of full disclosure, Marc was provided the CMS for evaluation by Festool USA.

 

[Tintin]

Hi Shane / Marc,

First off great video. Kudos to Marc - his Wood Whisperer feed has been particularly useful to a hobbyist like me. Can't say enough good about him.

A couple of questions from the video:

(1) When using a rabbeting bit for instance (I happen to have the "Multi Rabbet Set" from Whiteside. URL: Whiteside Router Bits Catalogue), should we always be using the zero clearance insert as shown in the video? What if the rabbet bit does not fit in the zero clearance profile?

(2) I have tried using the Multi Rabbet Set with the dust shroud that comes with the OF1400 and I know that the bit is too big for the shroud. I fear that dust collection might suffer. Do you have a solution for this?  [crying] Is there a way to use the rabbet set with the OF1400 while having the same level of dust collection? (I currently use the rabbet set with my 2200 as the dust collection is exceptional - but since I am typically doing long narrow stocks of wood, the CMS would be  more ergonomic IMHO ).

Best Regards,
- Tintin

 

[Brice Burrell]

Tintin, I think I can answer your questions.  The CMS comes with several different size ring inserts so you shouldn't have any problem finding one to fit the any bit that fits in the CMS.  Also, these rings aren't meant to be a "zero clearance" but rather to reduce the the size of the opening as much as possible without contacting the bit. 

As for the OF1400's dust shroud, again you shouldn't have any problem with any bit that fits in the router.  However, you can't plunge the larger bits through the small opening in the shroud.  You can set the height of a large diameter bit then attach the dust shroud.  This is the case with the 1400 in or out of the CMS.   

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Looks like Brice answered it for you already. Like he said, there are several rings that come with the CNS that you can use depending on the bit being used. It's designed to offer more material support instead of having a big hole in the table with a tiny bit, for instance, like a spacer of sorts. You just pick the one that's as big as possible without it contacting the bit.

Like he said about the larger diameter bits, just plunge the router far enough that the collet allows the bit to clear where the dust shroud opening normally is. Insert your bit, then the dust shroud.

Hope what he and I makes sense without actually seeing it in action.

 

[Theshipstore]

Marc / Shane  well if I was somewhat concerned about my pre-order and my need for the CMS, well it gone for sure I can not wait until the first to have my newset Festool Toy added to my goodies.

I will be at the door of The Tool Nut bright and early to pick this up, come home and have fun..

Marc you video and explanation was real helpful, Thanks

Sal

 

[Tintin]

Thank You Brice and Shane.... I had already pre-ordered the CMS and glad to know that it will accomodate the bit while doing dust extraction.

Cheers,
- Tintin

 

[erock]

From what I got from the video is that in order to change the router bit, one would have to completely remove the fence from the top?

So in order to change the bit, I would have to disconnect the two hoses. Unscrew all the screws.  Raise the router up and reach under the table to

hold the green ratchet button while using my other hand to loosen the bit.  Install a new bit, reach under and tighten the bit.  Then install the fence and

hoses.  Every time to change a bit. 

Seems like a lot of steps to change the bits.

Am I wrong on this?   

Because I am toying with the idea of selling my Incra table with my Porter Cable router and buying the CMS router table. 

Now I'm not changing bits every 2 minutes.  But if this is the case and the steps needed to change a bit.  It's a lot easier to change the bits on my Incra.

Eric

 

[nclemmons]

Eric

I don't have a CMS but am looking at it as well.  And I had that same question about ease of changing bits.

I saw a demo of it last Saturday by a Festool rep here in Chicago.  The only reason I saw to remove the fence is if you wanted to turn the router upside down and take it out of the table entirely.  He did that on one larger bit, but on most smaller bits, I was able to change the bits from above the table and did not see a need to remove the fence.  You do have to likely loosen the fence and slide it back so you can remove the ring depending on where it is set.  But I don't think you HAVE to take it off completely or disconnect hoses.  You have to learn to reach under the table to hold the ratchet clip, but I think with practice, it could get to be relatively easy and quick.  On larger bits you may have to use the wrench from below which requires some coordination of both hands being out of site.  Changing bits does get a bit more complex if you have to disconnect the dust shroud on the 1400 router as well.

I too have an existing router table - a Jessem with PC router.  The dust collection is not as good as the CMS.  But I like the sliding fence on the CMS.  I like that I can extend the table with wings I made for my Kapex.  And the portability can't be beat.  Definitely tradeoffs and new ways of working / thinking if you go down the CMS path.

I'm sure there are others that can speak from experience as well.

neil

 

[Brice Burrell]

Neil, you pretty much nailed it.  And you're right about it getting easier after you've done it a few times.

 

[RC]

As long as the bits you use fit into the material support ring installed in the table you dont need to remove the fence. You'll have to loosen it up and push back to change the support ring if I recall correctly. On a 1400 using the ratchet lock with one hand and the spanner above the table is quite possible.

 

[Charlie Maus]

I can't seem to find out if this setup will handle a 3 1/4 panel raising bit. It looks like a QF2200 router would be needed. Does this table accept this router? 

 

[vwdave]

The CMS sold in the US is not compatible with the of2200, only the 1400 and 1010. The 1400's opening is not large enough for a 3-1/4" raised panel bit but you could use a vertical raised panel bit in the 1400.

Dave