Need Router Table. CMS discontinued any ideas ??

[BJM9818]

Have a project in about a month where I need to rout out a bunch of clear cedar. 2x4, 6x6 and 1x. Backyard build.  Well Over $10k worth of wood so really can’t afford to screw up too many pieces.  Clear cedar isn’t cheap.

Should I search around for a used CMS (already have two MFT’s plus the Kapex one) or any other options on a decent router table. Not looking to have a Rockler table I need to store.  Already gave an old one away years ago.

Also Not sure the cheap Bosch $200 table will be large enough. I have the 1400 router and an old Bosch.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[RustE]

https://tsoproducts.com/workstations-components/router-table-extension-for-mft-3/
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...er-table-hybrid-using-the-parf-guide-systems/

 

[Packard]

If I were starting over, I would go right to a shaper.  Some of the smaller shapers are less expensive than router tables with lifts and they have better dust collection to boot.

This screen shot shows the range of prices from $500.00 to about $5,000.00.

Plus you can add an automatic feed for some that is supposed to improve quality.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I agree with [member=74278]Packard[/member] , have you considered a small shaper? The smallest ones are serviceable but typically have pretty crude fences, but there's nothing stopping you from adapting a high end router table fence to them.

If you do seriously consider a shaper, I'd suggest that the Jet JWS-25X would seem to be a good compact shaper that also features a decent fence system:https://www.acmetools.com/jet-jws-25x-shaper-3hp-1ph-708309/662756003942.html

The shaper I listed above ships with 1/2" and 3/4" spindles, but can also be fitted with a router collet, or a 30mm spindle. This way you can use the machine to run router bits, smaller shaper cutters, and even larger bore 30mm and 1-1/4" tooling.

As Packard suggests, a power feeder is a worthwhile addition, and yields noticeably better finished quality and consistency as compared to hand feeding, and much safer. This would be a good match for a compact shaper:https://www.shopgearinc.com/products/Junior-Power-Feeder-p492730332

If you only use the machine for your one project you could turn around and sell it.

Having used a shaper for a few years now I'd never go back to a router table unless using a shaper wasn't an option.

 

[Coen]

You might still be able to buy the CMS in parts. That is how I got the jigsawmodule for it.

Note that the newer machines, including the routers have the restart protection. I think it was 2018 for the OF 1400? So newer than that and it won't turn on and off with switch of the CMS.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I forgot to mention that another advantage of a shaper (or I suppose a router table with a cast iron top with sufficiently tall apron) is that you have the option to add Aigner table extension mounting bars, which allow you to use Aigner table extensions. Could be really handy if you're processing longer stock.

The bolts for the table extension mounting bars are located 30mm below the table surface and use M8 bolts, so your machine apron probably needs to be at least ~40mm tall.

Example photo from the Aigner catalog:

[attachimg=1]

 

[onocoffee]

[member=10579]BJM9818[/member] There was a guy here in Baltimore selling a CMS setup and asking I think about $2500. It was on FB Marketplace.

 

[Coen]

I forgot to mention that another advantage of a shaper (or I suppose a router table with a cast iron top with sufficiently tall apron) is that you have the option to add Aigner table extension mounting bars, which allow you to use Aigner table extensions. Could be really handy if you're processing longer stock.

The bolts for the table extension mounting bars are located 30mm below the table surface and use M8 bolts, so your machine apron probably needs to be at least ~40mm tall.

Example photo from the Aigner catalog:

[attachimg=1]

I would think the category that can only be moved with heavy machinery and the Festool CMS that can be picked up by 1 person without any special equipment are two very different categories  [tongue]

If you have the space for the former and don't need to be mobile... by all means go for it. If you don't have the space and/or need to be mobile with it; nope.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi [member=8955]Coen[/member] ,

The compact shapers Packard and I are suggesting have a similar footprint to the CMS OF, so no meaningful difference there.

That being said, yes I definitely agree with you that the CMS is certainly mobile, whereas a shaper (even a compact machine) is going to be limited to Shop-based work.

My suggestion for a compact shaper was based on the OP's mention that they would be using it to produce parts for their shed, which I interpreted as home- or shop- based work.

The Aigner table extensions are awesome, I'm amazed that only Felder and Ruwi have produced similar/competing products, I would think that Harvey, Rockler, and the other knock-off brands would be all over this type of accessory. All of my Shop machinery is set up with mounting bars to accept either the Aigner or Felder table extensions, next up is to order the Ruwi parts to add table extensions to my Erika 70 and MFT/3 tables.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=10579]BJM9818[/member] in addition to the new machines mentioned, there are usually lots of options available on Facebook marketplace at usually significant savings over new.

If you are running a lot of wood through the machine the addition of an automatic feeder will give you better results and be easier on your body.

Or buy new and sell after your project is done.

Ron

 

[Packard]

In terms of portability, no commercial router table could beat my first one.

It was a piece of 3/4” plywood about 24” x 30”.  In the center, instead of a router plate, I simply thinned out the plywood (with my router) to about 1/4” and mounted my router directly to the plywood.

The whole shebang rested on two saw horses. 

My fence was a couple of narrow pieces of plywood and two clamps.

It worked fine.  No dust collection though.  No router lift either.  But access to the router made bit changes easy and depth of cut changes even easier. 

Back then I didn’t know I needed a router table.  [big grin]

I got the plans from a woodworking magazine, though I cannot remember which one.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hi [member=8955]Coen[/member] ,

The compact shapers Packard and I are suggesting have a similar footprint to the CMS OF, so no meaningful difference there.

That being said, yes I definitely agree with you that the CMS is certainly mobile, whereas a shaper (even a compact machine) is going to be limited to Shop-based work.

My suggestion for a compact shaper was based on the OP's mention that they would be using it to produce parts for their shed, which I interpreted as home- or shop- based work.

The Aigner table extensions are awesome, I'm amazed that only Felder and Ruwi have produced similar/competing products, I would think that Harvey, Rockler, and the other knock-off brands would be all over this type of accessory. All of my Shop machinery is set up with mounting bars to accept either the Aigner or Felder table extensions, next up is to order the Ruwi parts to add table extensions to my Erika 70 and MFT/3 tables.

Table extensions seem like an easy DIY project for all but extra heavy stock.

 

[BJM9818]

Thanks everybody for the replies. 

I like the idea of the shaper, but not sure I want to dedicate that much space to it.  A few weeks ago a buddy of mine who has some health issues and is moving out of the area let me know I can have his Bridgeport mill and a 13” Southbend lathe if I pay to move them.  Movers set up for mid January so things will be a little more cramped in the shop. 

While my Festool collection rivals 95% of the FOG members, Over the past few years I’ve drifter more to Welding and fabrication.

I looked on marketplace for some shapers and boy people are very proud of their older and well used powermatic’s.  I still have some time but not sure If I want to spend $2500 on a CMS either but do like it’s compact storage. 

I think I’ll keep browsing marketplace for a shaper or some type of router table I wouldn’t mind picking up for the job and selling after. 

 

[sancho57]

little late to this party, but why not make your own?

Also what table saw do you have?

You can buy or make a router table extension for it.

 

[Packard]

little late to this party, but why not make your own?

Also what table saw do you have?

You can buy or make a router table extension for it.

I did that, make a router table built into the extension.  I clamp a shop-made fence/dust collection device that clamps onto the saw’s fence for easy moving.  But I do have to fully lower the router bit to go back to using it as a table saw. 

All together, not as convenient as I imagined, but still, I have it for about 10 years and it has not gone away.  It helps that my fence slides fore and aft so I can often move it around the router bit.  But not always.  So if my sequence of work has me bouncing back and forth between router table and table saw, it can be a nuisance.

But, still, I am disinclined to replace it.  If you go this route, make sure you use a machinery on/off switch with a large red paddle to stop the router.  Fishing around for the on/off switch can be either a hazard or make hazard avoidance an issue.

I have one like this: