Precision CS 70 trimming saw

[H18sfn]

Looking for a new bench saw is this the one for me ? I've not heard any reviews please help  [wink]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have this saw and I like it. But I don't know if it is the saw for you. I don't know what you want to do. The CS 70 is meant to be mobile, so that's where it shines. 

 

[Kev]

It's not available in the US, so you won't see a lot of talk about it on the forum. It's probably on my shopping list, I keep faltering between TS75 with CMS and the Precisio. I've been looking at fixed table saws, but my space is at a premium.

You probably won't find a better portable saw than the Precisio IMHO.

To Alex's point though - what's your intended use.

 

[Samo]

It's not available in the US.

[censored] [dead horse]

 

[H18sfn]

I work out my van doing all types of joinery work from skirtings to exstentions I've had the Elu flip saw for about 15 years and its not let me down but it's so heavy and I only use it for ripping as I have the kapex

 

[AlexThePalex]

If you're used to an Elu flip saw the CS 70 is quite a step up, although you lose the chop functionality. But the CS 70 is heavy as well, the basic unit is 33 kilo and it's bulky. 

 

[Kev]

I had to search for a picture of an Elu flip saw. [embarassed]

The CS70 is certainly at the other end of town. I'd be looking at a CS70 with the various table extensions, which makes it a significant machine. I couldn't imagine someone getting it out of a truck on a daily basis!

It's probably not worth holding my breath for, but I'd love to see a dedicated saw module for the CMS (not a TS adaptor), one with easy and accurate controls for tilt and depth and blade change ... I'd happily pay more than the combined price of a CMS TS module and a TS75 for that, sucks that you'd need to set up everything for a CMS for routing and then all of the extras of a CS70 (though I believe a few bits cross over).

TS in a CMS still reminds me of my Hitachi in a Triton in a lot of ways [sad]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'd be looking at a CS70 with the various table extensions, which makes it a significant machine. I couldn't imagine someone getting it out of a truck on a daily basis!

It's actually quite easy to set up, takes less than 10 minutes. If you have only the basic unit it doesn't take so much room in your van, but all the extras do, especially the sliding table is very bulky. The sliding table is really a PITA to store.

It's probably not worth holding my breath for, but I'd love to see a dedicated saw module for the CMS (not a TS adaptor), one with easy and accurate controls for tilt and depth and blade change ... I'd happily pay more than the combined price of a CMS TS module and a TS75 for that, sucks that you'd need to set up everything for a CMS for routing and then all of the extras of a CS70 (though I believe a few bits cross over).

No, nothing actually. The CMS has the same size as the CS 50, not the CS 70. Only the dust extraction hose could be used on both the CMS and the CS 70.

The CS 50 is a far more mobile solution than the CS 70, but you lose quite some cutting depth, width and power.

 

[H18sfn]

Thanks for that guys I think I'm going to get one on e I get it up and running I might try and do a review on it thanks again

 

[Floorman70]

I have the CS50,but nearly all my work is less than 1" thick,so blade size and power isn`t an issue,it`s very light and compact and combined with the kapex extensions it gives me plenty of length to work with and if i ever needed the extra width,i could always just combine it with the MFT(at least i think so,haven`t had to try it yet)

 

[Floorman70]

I have just one complaint though,the hoses are not green ;D

 

[kev carpenter]

Cs 70 is far to big I think and is really heavy, I'm getting cs 50 soon from websters in wishaw.

 

[cliffp]

if i ever needed the extra width,i could always just combine it with the MFT

Presumably using the MFT for side support is only for support? Or would you attempt to attach a fence to the MFT so that a wide board can be cut, referencing off this fence?

 

[RC]

Some of the CS70 assessories (like the fence 488062) work on the CMS-VL + MFT/3 combination whereas the CS50 shares bits and dimensions with the CMS-GE (for example the shorter fence 492095).

To my understanding you cannot attach a CS70 to your MFT/3 but, suprise, suprise, it happens to be at identical height (900mm) than the MFT/3 which enable the MFT to be used as a support table on level ground.

I only looked into the different fence options when I was thinking of upgrading the standard CMS-GE/CMS-TS55 fence thingy that came with it to find out that the most solid Festool fence is too long for the GE base. Ended looking and planning a CMS-VL + CMS-TS55 + MFT/3 + Incra TS fence-system... Still in the drooling phase though - almost sold the wife on it being a must have thingy to build boxes with [tongue]

 

[sancho57]

Just Curious but what is the advantage of a CS70 over the CMS with a saw module.

 

[bellchippy]

Just Curious but what is the advantage of a CS70 over the CMS with a saw module.

Cms is a bit DIY compared to CS 70, I think it's a great saw.

 

[Floorman70]

Some of the CS70 assessories (like the fence 488062) work on the CMS-VL + MFT/3 combination whereas the CS50 shares bits and dimensions with the CMS-GE (for example the shorter fence 492095).

To my understanding you cannot attach a CS70 to your MFT/3 but, suprise, suprise, it happens to be at identical height (900mm) than the MFT/3 which enable the MFT to be used as a support table on level ground.

I only looked into the different fence options when I was thinking of upgrading the standard CMS-GE/CMS-TS55 fence thingy that came with it to find out that the most solid Festool fence is too long for the GE base. Ended looking and planning a CMS-VL + CMS-TS55 + MFT/3 + Incra TS fence-system... Still in the drooling phase though - almost sold the wife on it being a must have thingy to build boxes with [tongue]

I was only thinking as a support,but now you mention it,if it was something i was going to use every now and then,then i`m sure it wouldn`t be difficult to connect the two,or even one either side,plus a fence would be quite simple,obviously if was something i needed all the time,then i would buy a saw for that purpose

 

[Kev]

Just Curious but what is the advantage of a CS70 over the CMS with a saw module.

Cms is a bit DIY compared to CS 70, I think it's a great saw.

Keep in mind the CS50 is far more modern than the CS70 - the CS70 does have great features though.

The big down side with CMS is that height and angle are still in the realm of playing with a hand tool attached to a table. I've said it before many times ... Festool needs to replace the CS70 with a comprehensive saw module for the CMS.

 

[RC]

I so agree with Kev - A proper dedicated saw, planer, thicknesser, undulating sprindle sander or drum sander and router modules for CMS would be the beeznees. With proper angle adjustment gor the saw blade like in the precisio and possibility to use Us style dado blades in one and large blade diametre would be what I'd go for in a blink of an eye.

Not saying that my TS55 in the CMS is bad, but it feels stupid to purchase hand tools to have permanently attached to CMS modules when in my opinion the versatility of the CMS comes from it being light weight, portable and transformable tool by changing inserts i.e. You save floor space by having one table that transforms into multiple machines and is still portable - not by moving your hand tools into and out of inserts.

The more I use my router and TS saw in the CMS I find myself trying to constantly think of ways to work that do not involve removing my tools from the inserts and I find myself postponing tasks that do require removal.

I would much rather purchase 'dedicated machinery' specced CMS modules to swap back and forth in my CMS base and reclaim my hand tools for what they are meant for than buy another TS saw or a second router for hand held use. The storage of the CMS modules take up exactly the same space regardless if there is a machine attached or not (because there might be) so it wouldnnot make a difference in that regard either.

If none of the above is doable by Festool I would at least urge them to look into then fitting all tools that are CMS convertible with quick release faceplates that just clip onto the underside of the CMS insert as simply as the Carvex does or like JMB did with his modification OF2200 to make swapping a 'one click'-thing with perfect alignment out of the box.

Edit: Carvex base is a stupid screw-in place installation as well, but due to the nature of interchangeable bases in the saw itself it is possible to leave the guiderail/CMS-unit base permanently screwed into the CMS unit until you need to insert a new zero-clearance insert and just 'change the base' of the saw to do quick swap in- and out of the CMS-PS module.

 

[cliffp]

It is very interesting to read your insight into the CMS system Reiska. I have had my CMS table and TS55R insert for over two months and still haven't been able to use it! As I posted on another thread, there is a problem with the compatibility of my saw's riving knife and guard carrier (riving knife extension). Festool have re-designed the part and I should be receiving it shortly. Despite not being able to use the set-up, I have experimented with it a lot to make sure my problem wasn't user error and I concur with your desire to avoid swapping it - I find this a considerable PITA.