Hello, I would love to hear from anyone that has had experience with Festool's CMS system and Incra's LS25 combo which is around $1,200 complete with table top, new dust collection and all the whistles, etc. I own several routers, including the OF1400 and Porter Cable's 3 1/2 HP 3579 which unfortunately is the one i was hoping to install on the Incra's table if I went that way, but I found out that it only accepts the 7518. If I were to buy a PC 7518 around $230 used to $340 new, it's comparable in price with the CMS system. I guess I'd love to hear if those of you who've worked with both can see a clear winner, of if it's really just apples to oranges. I don't have time to build one from scratch and thus willing to spend the money to get going. thank you in advance! Alfonso
router table.
- Thread starter alfonsoc
- Start date
I would get the Incra. I’m using a hybrid of the CMS top with an Incra fence attached to an MFT. The Incra micro adjustability and integrated scales are terrific. The fence will accept aftermarket accessories. The CMS fence offers only micro adjust between the two halves of the fence if you were jointing. The entire fence adjusts fore and aft with a bump and tap (comparatively crude). Also the many parts of the CMS frame and the router plate aren’t dead flat. The sliding table is nice, however I would trade it for a flat table. Finally, if you want to put a 3hp router, no problem with the Incra. With Festool, you’re looking at 2200 router, which is great if you need it for other purposes, but expensive if you just park it under the table.
3PedalMINI
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2012
- Messages
- 492
I just got the Incra "The Works" package less the clean sweep. It took 7 weeks from the time of order and havent had time to put it together since im going to copy Guys Woodshop design. (just received it last week)
I did research for weeks on what the right system was. The thing that kept me from the festool system is the fact that you cant use a dedicated motor. I wanted a system that I could walk over, flip a switch and go to town. I could have ordered another OF1400 but that would have made the cost more expensive then the incra system. There are also alot of really nice features the Incra system has that the CMS does not.
I went with the jessem motor. Im hoping to get my system put together over the next few weeks and will do an indepth review! The Mast-R-Lift is actually made by jessem. Im fairly certain your motor works but requires a few shims. I do think im going to goahead and order the clean sweep. I was going to make my own enclosure but realized that it wont work with the cabinet im going to build..
All of this being said....I ordered the mobile base to save time and to make "Guys Woodshop" design. However the time that it took to put together the base and the wheels I could have built a cabinet carcas in half the time. If you are going to make a router table cabinet I would save the $120 bucks and just make your own!
I did research for weeks on what the right system was. The thing that kept me from the festool system is the fact that you cant use a dedicated motor. I wanted a system that I could walk over, flip a switch and go to town. I could have ordered another OF1400 but that would have made the cost more expensive then the incra system. There are also alot of really nice features the Incra system has that the CMS does not.
I went with the jessem motor. Im hoping to get my system put together over the next few weeks and will do an indepth review! The Mast-R-Lift is actually made by jessem. Im fairly certain your motor works but requires a few shims. I do think im going to goahead and order the clean sweep. I was going to make my own enclosure but realized that it wont work with the cabinet im going to build..
All of this being said....I ordered the mobile base to save time and to make "Guys Woodshop" design. However the time that it took to put together the base and the wheels I could have built a cabinet carcas in half the time. If you are going to make a router table cabinet I would save the $120 bucks and just make your own!
