I am a new lover of Festool and first-time poster. (Damn that felt like I was in a Festool AA group lol) I got my first hit of the green kool-aid in Oct/Nov and I already have two MFT3 tables, Domino 500, CT36 and just purchased the CMS GE Router Table. As I was getting excited for the table that comes tomorrow I started to see posts on GE vs VL and using the Incra LS system. I am sorry if there is a clear post for this but I am trying to figure out if purchase the Incra LS can and how do I use it. I have found old posts that talk about it but none of them have images as they seem to have been lost when the DB changes happened. Can someone please share how they are using an Incra LS or other similar stuff with an extra MFT3 table or anything in between. Because after coming here I felt like I should have bought the VL instead. If this has been discussed please point me in the right direction but I have searched the forum for days. The closest thing I have found is this -https://blog.xuite.net/yyf3576891/twblog/181976280 But this seems super custom. I would prefer to use my MFT3 table instead if possible or something else.
Please Help!! MFT3, CMS-GE and Incra LS
- Thread starter thedevme
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GarryMartin
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Start here...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...th-router-table-incra-ls-and-precision-plate/http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/sysport-cms-mft-(work-in-progress)/http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/mft-upgrade!-incra-ls-positioner-incremental-system-vs-table-saw-fence-on-mft3/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...th-router-table-incra-ls-and-precision-plate/http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/sysport-cms-mft-(work-in-progress)/http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/mft-upgrade!-incra-ls-positioner-incremental-system-vs-table-saw-fence-on-mft3/
Thanks [member=11629]GarryMartin[/member] the last two links were actually what I was talking about - I see them saying it can be done but none of the pics are appearing. The first link is the only one I feel in concept would work but I was hoping that someone actually did it so that verify before spending money.
GarryMartin
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Are you referring to using the Incra LS with the CMS GE or with the VL? I personally have the MFT/3 and MFT/3-VL setup with the Incra LS and the Precision Dogs Precision Plate and can confirm it works and is indeed an awesome setup. Mine is paired with the Incra Wonder Fence.
I have the MFT/3 CMS-VL and Incra with the precision dogs. I posted a picture here of my MFT with two CMS-VL based attachments (non Festool tools) that I can rotate the Incra LS 90 degree to switch between them:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...and-cms-edge-accessories/msg564911/#msg564911
I think your issue with the CMS GE will be how to attach it to the MFT/3 so it remains parallel to the Incra fence. The CMS-VL attaches to the profile on the MFT and once tightened down is fixed.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...and-cms-edge-accessories/msg564911/#msg564911
I think your issue with the CMS GE will be how to attach it to the MFT/3 so it remains parallel to the Incra fence. The CMS-VL attaches to the profile on the MFT and once tightened down is fixed.
GarryMartin
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Unfortunately the GE has a different table profile to the MFT/3 and so you cannot connect the two easily.
One of those links discusses uses 80/20 profile aluminium extrusion to create something that you could attach the Incra LS positioner plate to when using the GE, but I haven't seen it done in practice. The other option (which I think I've seen but can't now find) is to put the CMS GE (with legs folded) on a stepped base that also holds a folded MFT/3 and use the base to maintain necessary alignment.
I have the CMS GE as well as the MFT/3-VL and find them useful in different scenarios, but I have only used the Incra LS with the MFT/3-VL.
One of those links discusses uses 80/20 profile aluminium extrusion to create something that you could attach the Incra LS positioner plate to when using the GE, but I haven't seen it done in practice. The other option (which I think I've seen but can't now find) is to put the CMS GE (with legs folded) on a stepped base that also holds a folded MFT/3 and use the base to maintain necessary alignment.
I have the CMS GE as well as the MFT/3-VL and find them useful in different scenarios, but I have only used the Incra LS with the MFT/3-VL.
You can easily attach the Incra ls to the CMS GE using a kapex crown stop. As for the MFT/3 GE connection I have no idea.
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Closer view.
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You can see my Incra LS + MFT-VL setup in the pictures of my sysport build
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/my-take-on-a-sysport/msg521635/#msg521635
It's mounted with the Precision Plate to the MFT/3 fromhttps://precisiondogs.us/
Love my setup and would have a hard time shelling the excess cash on the extension table for the CMS-GE I have as well to be able to do the crown-stop installation shown above.
The TCO calculation swung me in the VL direction as well as the larger capacity sideways when running my TS55 in the CMS-TS55 module as a table saw.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/my-take-on-a-sysport/msg521635/#msg521635
It's mounted with the Precision Plate to the MFT/3 fromhttps://precisiondogs.us/
Love my setup and would have a hard time shelling the excess cash on the extension table for the CMS-GE I have as well to be able to do the crown-stop installation shown above.
The TCO calculation swung me in the VL direction as well as the larger capacity sideways when running my TS55 in the CMS-TS55 module as a table saw.
[member=12043]Reiska[/member] Thank you for posting - yea I bought the CE before I realized but looks like I can do similar stuff with the GE and I have an extra MFT3 table so I can get the extra space from that. I did like some of your other setups you have that I am going to try for ripping narrow stock
I was talking to The Woodgrafter on YouTube about doing this setup and he was so intrigued that he decided to buy and now he is doing a series on using it with the MFT and the CMS. I got a peek at part 3 and I am sold on getting this for my MFT.
You can check out the series here:
Part 1:=253s
Part 2:=208s
Part 3:
Part 4
As far as I know hes the only one that has done a video on this.
You can check out the series here:
Part 1:=253s
Part 2:=208s
Part 3:
Part 4
As far as I know hes the only one that has done a video on this.
bkharman
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Glad to see these posts are well and alive. I have the original plate from Precision And still use it all of the time. Doing this on a VL is a treat. I have done a lot of routing and cutting with my setup and really no issues. I am shop bound so the MFT + VL really isn’t an issue at all.
Look up some of my old threads and reach out if you need more details!
Cheers. Bryan.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Look up some of my old threads and reach out if you need more details!
Cheers. Bryan.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While this may be slightly off topic, since you're still in the process of putting things together, as your main concern appears to relate to using an Incra LS Positioner on a router table I thought I'd add a possible alternative to the mix. I purchased an Incra LS17 Positioner and a Rockler router lift in 2006, i.e., well before I purchased my first Festool product (a Domino Joiner) in 2007. I then built a router table using melamine, and while I know that I will receive many comments about that, the fact is that it's worked great for 13 years. I initially posted my setup in 2009 at Home Brewed Router Table.
More recently, I replaced the 2x4 base with a Folding MFT-style Bench with Router Table that is also described at Portable, Folding Workbench With MFT, Router Table, and Other Tops.
The system works great. It's portable. The tops are interchangeable. And, to the melamine nay sayers. My comments and opinions are based on 13 years of actual experience.
Sandy
More recently, I replaced the 2x4 base with a Folding MFT-style Bench with Router Table that is also described at Portable, Folding Workbench With MFT, Router Table, and Other Tops.
The system works great. It's portable. The tops are interchangeable. And, to the melamine nay sayers. My comments and opinions are based on 13 years of actual experience.
Sandy
[member=21412]bkharman[/member] Yes, I am glad that people like [member=11629]GarryMartin[/member] are still here helping us newbies. I ended up buying a CE before I realized everyone preferred the GE but as of now I actually really love my GE. I do not regret my purchase at all.
[member=3194]sandy[/member] There is nothing wrong with your setup just because it's not Festool. I am a new woodworker and for me building a router table is not something I am comfortable with. One of the main things that attracted me to Festool is that it's an entire system. Its why I like Apple - everything works together. Yes its expensive but I am very happy with all my purchases. I haven't bought my LS yet as I am trying to spend a bit less but I will def get one soon as I can now see the benefit.
[member=3194]sandy[/member] There is nothing wrong with your setup just because it's not Festool. I am a new woodworker and for me building a router table is not something I am comfortable with. One of the main things that attracted me to Festool is that it's an entire system. Its why I like Apple - everything works together. Yes its expensive but I am very happy with all my purchases. I haven't bought my LS yet as I am trying to spend a bit less but I will def get one soon as I can now see the benefit.
[member=69101]thedevme[/member]
While I can understand that you might not want to build the folding bench prior to getting some experience, the actual router table only requires routing the opening for the lift, and templates are available to do that. It's too bad that Festool apparently stopped making and selling their own MFS Router templates, although others do make similar items. Attaching the Incra LS Positioner is simply a matter of drilling some holes and bolting it in place on the top. As with the version of the base that served me well for over a decade, it was simply some 2x4s that were bolted together. Note that while I used a Rockler lift, you can certainly use a Festool router
While I can understand that you might not want to build the folding bench prior to getting some experience, the actual router table only requires routing the opening for the lift, and templates are available to do that. It's too bad that Festool apparently stopped making and selling their own MFS Router templates, although others do make similar items. Attaching the Incra LS Positioner is simply a matter of drilling some holes and bolting it in place on the top. As with the version of the base that served me well for over a decade, it was simply some 2x4s that were bolted together. Note that while I used a Rockler lift, you can certainly use a Festool router
