Router table or cms with router module?

[briandewar]

Hi guys

Ok so I'm looking to buy some more festool toys. I fancy a mft and also a router table. I do like the look of the cms despite the price tag, however I'm curious if it's that much better than any of the universal router tables to justify the cost difference. I've also looked at the trend pro router table(£400)and the ujk router table from Axminster(£800 with accessories).

I am unlikely to buy or use any of the other modules (jigsaw ts55 sander)for the cms

I am also curious if I can buy the cms as a package including the router module, extraction hose, sliding fence and extension table in the uk 110v option?

I own the festool of 2200 router

Thanks for any input or suggestions

 

[TOOLTOWN]

I can't give UK specifics, as I am in the US... But here is what I tell my customers.

If you are shop based (not moving the router table from site to site) get yourself a large, beefy router table system.  The Incra LS packages are really awesome for setup accuracy and repeatability.

If you are site based (moving your "shop" from site to site) the CMS is great as a mobile full function router table.  Plus it offers use of the festool system and great dust extraction.  In the UK you also have the option to add other modules if you change your mind in the future.

I hope these insights help and not just add more considerations to your predicament. 

Ken

 

[Acrobat]

I'd put the money towards a mft/3 instead of the cms router table if you aren't going to expand it's use. The benefit I see of the cms router table is its portability and module change-outs to suit the task required. If you don't need to swap the cms modules then there are plenty of well priced router tables available. If in the future you likely to place the ts sawmoule in it then it becomes multi purpose and may say your decision.

 

[Catosen]

Remember you can also get a CMS add on to the MFT table (495510) then you can expand from there  [smile]

 

[Catosen]

By the way, Ive got the CMS with adapters for Plungesaw, Router and Jigsaw. I only use it at home while renovating my house, but its nice to have it portable since I work my self throught the house room by room. And last but not least, its very space saving when not in use...

 

[bkharman]

Why not have the best of both worlds?  I started with a MFT then added a CMS-VL. I loved it but repeatability sucked for me. Is then I got an Incra LS positioner and it was better but I fidgeted a lot with it to get it setup. So I tried to make an interface plate but instead started my relationship with Precision Dogs. They built what I had envisioned and then my life changed.

I was routing things very precisely!  I then picked up a plate to put my TS 75 in (not approved for N. America) and now routing and cutting became a precision event for me. My workflow efficiency increased dramatically. I still love my track saw on top of boards and panels, but I did my my table saw and now I had it all. I have grown leaps and bounds with my setup and when I move to my new house and build a proper shop space, I am knocking the legs out from under my setup to put it on a cart...  Which will be made using my setup. Ah...the circle of life!

My setup cost a few pennies more than a Woodpecker table or one from Incra but it does all I want and is very flexible for my demands.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Birdhunter]

I really tried to convinced myself to buy the CMS after it became available. But, I don't need a portable router table and I do need a large router table surface. I loved the CMS sliding table but felt the fence was a weak point.

I ended up with a hodgepodge router table that a does every thing I need. It's got a big flat table, accurate lift system, great fence, good Porter cable motor, and decent dust collection.

It is super sturdy and stable, powerful, sports the Jessem roller guides, and a fence that can be fine tuned to a fraction of a millimeter.

 

[sancho57]

I own a CMS GE unit. I really do like it, the dust collection is great. What I like about it is that it is all inclusive, meaning its got a awesome sliding table, good fence and it also have a router lift and it being a festool is capatiable with your festool router which is easily mountable.

Now I also have a fairly small shop (stateside) which is a 2 car garage. So the CMS having the ability to be folded up and placed out of the way which is a big plus depending on what you plan on doing at the time.
Plus I am a avid DIY'er who is always working o his home and will be buying another one that will ned renovation when I return to the states  I can easily move the RT to the work. Yes I d have the TS 75 module and the Scroll saw module. I have some other bench top tools so I can count them to a piece of ply that is cut to fit the CMS table which expands the use of it. Just plug it in to the CMS hook up the CT and your good to go.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi guys

Ok so I'm looking to buy some more festool toys. I fancy a mft and also a router table. I do like the look of the cms despite the price tag, however I'm curious if it's that much better than any of the universal router tables to justify the cost difference. I've also looked at the trend pro router table(£400)and the ujk router table from Axminster(£800 with accessories).

I am unlikely to buy or use any of the other modules (jigsaw ts55 sander)for the cms

I am also curious if I can buy the cms as a package including the router module, extraction hose, sliding fence and extension table in the uk 110v option?

I own the festool of 2200 router

Thanks for any input or suggestions

Hi Brian

I appreciate that other people may be coming at this from different angles but...

The CMS concept is outstanding. I use the CMS-OF (with an OF 2200) and CMS TS (with a  TS 55) almost daily. If you are in NA then I understand that neither of these are an approved option.

The CMS OF is so simple to set up for whatever task is in hand. There are some minor niggles with the fence but nothing that stops me working to quite tight tolerances and quite quickly. The OF 2200 is born to be there.

The CMS TS in combination with the TS and guide rails has replaced a big old table saw. I can do rebates on the CMS TS, I do trenches with it and it is very accurate. The TS and rails makes the work with sheet goods simple and far less tiring.

Without these Festool tools I would have given up woodwork due to quite tricky arthritis.

Peter

 

[briandewar]

Thanks for all the input. I'm swaying towards the cms now. I know I can count on the quality and it will always compliment the rest of my festool collection
Thanks guys

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I've just read this post from start to finish and noticed Peter Parfitt says "the OF2200 was born to be there" (CMS table) and I absolutely agree. It is a brilliant combination that does everything really well. If you already have the OF2200 get the CMS SET for it.

 

[briandewar]

Definitely convinced now, cms it is. Just need to get my local dealer to price match the cheapest uk online price now [emoji12]

 

[dutchie]

Hi guys

Ok so I'm looking to buy some more festool toys. I fancy a mft and also a router table. I do like the look of the cms despite the price tag, however I'm curious if it's that much better than any of the universal router tables to justify the cost difference. I've also looked at the trend pro router table(£400)and the ujk router table from Axminster(£800 with accessories).

I am unlikely to buy or use any of the other modules (jigsaw ts55 sander)for the cms

I am also curious if I can buy the cms as a package including the router module, extraction hose, sliding fence and extension table in the uk 110v option?

I own the festool of 2200 router

Thanks for any input or suggestions

Hi Brian

I appreciate that other people may be coming at this from different angles but...

The CMS concept is outstanding. I use the CMS-OF (with an OF 2200) and CMS TS (with a  TS 55) almost daily. If you are in NA then I understand that neither of these are an approved option.

The CMS OF is so simple to set up for whatever task is in hand. There are some minor niggles with the fence but nothing that stops me working to quite tight tolerances and quite quickly. The OF 2200 is born to be there.

The CMS TS in combination with the TS and guide rails has replaced a big old table saw. I can do rebates on the CMS TS, I do trenches with it and it is very accurate. The TS and rails makes the work with sheet goods simple and far less tiring.

Without these Festool tools I would have given up woodwork due to quite tricky arthritis.

Peter

Hi Peter,

How would you rate the UJK Router Table to the CMS OF? Just the tables as is? I believe you're also quite enthusiastic about the UJK in one of your videos?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter,

How would you rate the UJK Router Table to the CMS OF? Just the tables as is? I believe you're also quite enthusiastic about the UJK in one of your videos?

I like both but for different reasons...

The Festool CMS-OF provides the most compact and easy to use system that anyone could wish for. I could easily put it in the back of the Yaris, with loads of other kit in order to work away from base. Remember it is part of the Festool "Family" or "System" and so many accessories that you may have already will fit and be useful - bits from the MFT3, clamps, hoses and your CT to name just a few. Also, the CMS-OF unit can be flipped out in a few seconds to allow you to insert a CMS-TS unit or whatever else you might have. The CMS-OF can take any of the 3 main Festool routers and these can be removed very easily (at worst 2 minutes for the OF 2200) for hand held use.

The UJK table that I have has a cast iron top. There is no way that this can go in the back of the Yaris or even my X3. However, the cast iron gives it some gravitas which helps when doing chunkier work. The precision fence is excellent and far less complicated than the Festool setup. It can take just about any router but once there that is where the router will stay. Cutter changes are nowhere near as quick and simple as they are with the CMS and dust extraction is also less effective.

I have been asked about this many times before, both here and on my YouTube channel, and for some I have recommended the UJK solution and others the CMS-OF. It really does depend on your type of work, mobility and those little factors that one person might find trivial and another sees as a show stopper. I use both.

Peter

 

[dutchie]

Hi Peter,

How would you rate the UJK Router Table to the CMS OF? Just the tables as is? I believe you're also quite enthusiastic about the UJK in one of your videos?

I like both but for different reasons...

The Festool CMS-OF provides the most compact and easy to use system that anyone could wish for. I could easily put it in the back of the Yaris, with loads of other kit in order to work away from base. Remember it is part of the Festool "Family" or "System" and so many accessories that you may have already will fit and be useful - bits from the MFT3, clamps, hoses and your CT to name just a few. Also, the CMS-OF unit can be flipped out in a few seconds to allow you to insert a CMS-TS unit or whatever else you might have. The CMS-OF can take any of the 3 main Festool routers and these can be removed very easily (at worst 2 minutes for the OF 2200) for hand held use.

The UJK table that I have has a cast iron top. There is no way that this can go in the back of the Yaris or even my X3. However, the cast iron gives it some gravitas which helps when doing chunkier work. The precision fence is excellent and far less complicated than the Festool setup. It can take just about any router but once there that is where the router will stay. Cutter changes are nowhere near as quick and simple as they are with the CMS and dust extraction is also less effective.

I have been asked about this many times before, both here and on my YouTube channel, and for some I have recommended the UJK solution and others the CMS-OF. It really does depend on your type of work, mobility and those little factors that one person might find trivial and another sees as a show stopper. I use both.

Peter

Thanks I see what you mean! Personally I own a Festool Basis table with the older 5a or 6a router insert. However I only have a OF1010 and it's a bit underpowered for under the table. Also I'm a little underwhelmed by the fence alignment and under the table height adjustment. No deal breakers, but sometimes I wonder if I'm better off getting a UJK Table as I don't use any other CMS/Basis inserts, or if I should get a OF1400 or OF2000/2200 and the newer insert.

Since I'm no professional woodworker I feel that might also be a bit overkill. But I think I'll probably wait till someday I stumble across a good deal for a used CMS OF and/or OF2000.

Also I was wondering if someone here could explain to me for what kind of uses the micro adjustment of the CMS OF Fence (which only adjusts half the fence) is meant for?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Dutchie

That micro adjust is, for me at least, an odd thing as I have never had such a thing on any of my other router tables.

It allows you to operate just like a planning machine so that you would be cutting a slither away from the stock which then continues to be supported when it gets to the other side of the cutter.

I have never used this at all but I am sure that there will be many others who need it every day.

Peter

 

[Kynasf]

I use the micro adjust for jointing.  As I'm often glueing up smaller boards into panels I use it a lot

 

[Robert Hewetson]

I have removed the outfeed fence, and extended the infeed fence (which has the micro adjustment) with a piece of mdf attached to the infeed fence to replace the original outfeed fence.  Now I have a micro ajustable fence, works perfectly!