Router tables with OF 1400

[Tayler_mann]

I am just getting my carpentry/woodworking company started. I want to get a decent router table that is versatile and will hold up for the long haul. I have the OF 1400 and absolutely love the versatility and the use with the track systems etc. I was wandering if there are any router tables that the OF 1400 fits into cleanly (in other words without a lot of modifications) other than the CMS. I just don't know if I can afford to by a CMS table at this time. However, the way any of my other festool tools have worked I am sure they are worth the money. Also, please give thoughts on the CMS table and its conveniences over other tables etc. pros and cons.

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[Stone Message]

Hi TM,

There may be tables that take the OF1400 other than the CMS but do watch the incremental costs...

The CMS always looks like the high cost option but if you ever think that you might get more than one insert, perhaps the CMS-TS, then it starts to look quite reasonable.

Remember the key Festool "system" concept and the versatility that comes with that. For example...

My MFT3 has an angle unit which I now use with my CMS-TS to hold a finger board in place. The dust extraction provided by Festool tools is simply the best. If you are a professional user then good tools save time and pay for themselves in a very short time. If you are a hobby guy then why look forward to many years of buying second quality and having to replace it time and again - in the long run it is cost effective to buy quality at the start.

The CMS concept folds away when not needed, is easy to transport and is robust.

It has taken me 40 years to realise all of this. I appreciate that one has to buy tools in stages and sometimes the best just seems to hard to get but try. My woodwork has been completely transformed by Festool. Other manufacturers that have helped include Incra and Lee Valley (Veritas).

Try and get the CMS.

Peter

 

[charley1968]

Hi.
I've bought the router- and tracksaw-module (TS-55) recently, so, for all its worth:
I do like the router- module. Easy-to-install, stowable, and good accessories. Usable as a jointer.
On the flip-side: small table-surface w/o the extension tables, sliding-table is another-item-to buy..that said: there's sets available that come with all the trim. Much cheaper.
As for the table saw module: unless you own a TS75, don't bother. The TS 55  had trouble ripping 45x45 pine. Haven't done any small stock. The fence is ok, but has to be adjusted to width. I think the unit is bulkier with the height-adjustment connected by cable than it would be without.
My 2 cent, after about 2 weeks (hobby-) use.
Best regards: A.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi.
I've bought the router- and tracksaw-module (TS-55) recently, so, for all its worth:
I do like the router- module. Easy-to-install, stowable, and good accessories. Usable as a jointer.
On the flip-side: small table-surface w/o the extension tables, sliding-table is another-item-to buy..that said: there's sets available that come with all the trim. Much cheaper.
As for the table saw module: unless you own a TS75, don't bother. The TS 55  had trouble ripping 45x45 pine. Haven't done any small stock. The fence is ok, but has to be adjusted to width. I think the unit is bulkier with the height-adjustment connected by cable than it would be without.
My 2 cent, after about 2 weeks (hobby-) use.
Best regards: A.

I regularly rip 48 mm oak without any trouble at all. I use the Universal blade as I do a lot of finer work and it is a good compromise. Others find the Panther blade better for serious ripping.

Peter

 

[Tayler_mann]

Hi TM,

There may be tables that take the OF1400 other than the CMS but do watch the incremental costs...

The CMS always looks like the high cost option but if you ever think that you might get more than one insert, perhaps the CMS-TS, then it starts to look quite reasonable.

Remember the key Festool "system" concept and the versatility that comes with that. For example...

My MFT3 has an angle unit which I now use with my CMS-TS to hold a finger board in place. The dust extraction provided by Festool tools is simply the best. If you are a professional user then good tools save time and pay for themselves in a very short time. If you are a hobby guy then why look forward to many years of buying second quality and having to replace it time and again - in the long run it is cost effective to buy quality at the start.

The CMS concept folds away when not needed, is easy to transport and is robust.

It has taken me 40 years to realise all of this. I appreciate that one has to buy tools in stages and sometimes the best just seems to hard to get but try. My woodwork has been completely transformed by Festool. Other manufacturers that have helped include Incra and Lee Valley (Veritas).

Try and get the CMS.

Peter

Thanks for the great advice. I feel like I will wait and use my Bench Dog table for now and buy the CMS table when I have the financials set aside. When you stated the Festool "System" I was immediately sold on the CMS table. It makes me laugh because one year ago before I owned any Festool I would say you are crazy. Now...I know exactly what you mean and have people tell me I am crazy for my purchases. The time and money these tools have saved me thus far is immense. Again thanks for the excellent advice.

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks for the great advice. I feel like I will wait and use my Bench Dog table for now and buy the CMS table when I have the financials set aside. When you stated the Festool "System" I was immediately sold on the CMS table. It makes me laugh because one year ago before I owned any Festool I would say you are crazy. Now...I know exactly what you mean and have people tell me I am crazy for my purchases. The time and money these tools have saved me thus far is immense. Again thanks for the excellent advice.

I know we only get one shot at life but boy do I wish that I had found the FOG and Festool 5 years earlier. My woodwork has change completely now and I enjoy every second of it. The things that I make seem to be so much better than anything in the pre-Festool years.

Save up for the Festool kit. It will be worth it. Good luck.

Peter

 

[bkharman]

Thanks for the great advice. I feel like I will wait and use my Bench Dog table for now and buy the CMS table when I have the financials set aside. When you stated the Festool "System" I was immediately sold on the CMS table. It makes me laugh because one year ago before I owned any Festool I would say you are crazy. Now...I know exactly what you mean and have people tell me I am crazy for my purchases. The time and money these tools have saved me thus far is immense. Again thanks for the excellent advice.

I know we only get one shot at life but boy do I wish that I had found the FOG and Festool 5 years earlier. My woodwork has change completely now and I enjoy every second of it. The things that I make seem to be so much better than anything in the pre-Festool years.

Save up for the Festool kit. It will be worth it. Good luck.

Peter

Peter,

I always get a kick out of your videos and commentary. Born as a Kiwi, moved to Aus as a teen, and lived in London as a young adult so I get a LOT.

Here is to meeting in person one day soon!

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[hcoyote]

I'm still curious what the "good" alternatives are.  The CMS is nice (though, seems like more of a one-hit wonder in the US because of the router plate being the only option). 

I'm looking hard at it ... but it's difficult to justify $1600 for it at this time.  At the very least, what are the options for fitting an OF1400 into a third-party lift or plate? 

I don't have a problem building a table in the interim, but having a starting point for attaching the router would be helpful. 

 

[Stone Message]

I appreciate that in NA there are no official additional CMS units other than the CMS-OF but...

I have two router tables; one is a fixed cast iron based monster and the other is the CMS-OF. I like them both and each can beat the other for different reasons. If I had to have just one then there is no doubt that it would be the CMS-OF.

In my big heavy table I have to have a dedicated router and, in order to do the investment justice, I have put a 200 UK Pound router in there. It is a pain to get the router out and something that is not going to happen if I need to do some freehand router work. I know of no other router table, other than the CMS-OF, which allows easy removal/replacement of the router. So when you are comparing costs you do have to include the cost of the dedicated router in the non Festool solution.

This thread is centred on the OF1400 - probably the best all round router in the world. By using the CMS-OF you end up with two OF1400s - one for freehand work and, less than 2 minutes later, one in a super router table. If you put the OF1400 into a non Festool router table then you say goodbye to the most brilliant freehand router.

I know that a lot of people in NA have managed to get other CMS units. I cannot get involved in the rights and wrongs of that but, if it helps, in the rest of the world the cost of the CMS basic unit (legs) gets factored across several other workshop capabilities - one for each CMS insert that the individual purchases. So, if you had as a minimum a CMS-OF and CMS-TS then they would share the same CMS base unit and hence you halve that cost between the two capabilities; router table and table saw. And don't forget that your TS55 or TS75 can still be used solo or in the table and switching takes less than 2 minutes. You then end up, for the cost of the one basic CMS unit and two CMS units (OF and TS) with a router table, table saw, a freehand router and a saw for guide rail work.

Although this outlay may seem daunting remember the Festool "System" and the interchangeability of important parts and extras. The sliding table is a great option for the CMS-OF and some see it as essential with the CMS-TS for cross cut work. Well, you only need the one as it serves both. My CT26 is all the vacuum that I need for my CMS-TS and CMS-OF. My big heavy router table needs a dedicated, non Festool, extractor. I can use some of the parts from my MFT3 to augment both the CMS-OF and CMS-TS setups. The list goes on.

Now in a large business you would create a migration plan to take the business from zero Festool to full Festool (or zero CMS to full CMS) and this would minimise nugatory or wasteful non Festool purchases en route. If you have already got the OF1400 then you have made an important step along the migration route. If you have a CT then, again, you have taken another important step.

Once you are on this route and feel committed then don't give up. You will not regret sticking to the plan.

Peter

 

[SMJoinery]

Firstly I'm with Peter all the way on this.
I recently purchased the CMS (GE) with router plate (OF) to site my OF1400 in.
I have no intention to get any other modules as I have other portable machines in the workshop but I have the option.
Before I purchased the CMS I already owned the OF1400 and OF1010 but used them "free style" not in tables. My router table at that time was in comparison cheap and nasty and in reflection inaccurate based on my experiences now.
Yesterday my apprentice and I whilst drawer making for some ensuite cabinets found ourselves needing the same tool (OF1400). He was already on the CMS forming the drawer base rebates and I was doing the counter top joints and bolt recesses.
In literally minutes the 1400 was out of the CMS and the 1010 inserted. The CMS fence set up and height adjustment was easily repeated and off he went again.
I cannot stress how accurate, dust free and user friendly the CMS is to another professional except to say that I now find it an intrinsic part of my business and it has allowed me to further augment the standards I set for my work.

So to answer your question (sort of) knowing what I know but not at that point able to fund the entire purchase, what would I do to get my 1400 router into a table. I would probably get the OF insert and try to build as good a table as I could almost copying the GE set up. At least when you had funds for the GE you already have the insert.

Finally I debated a long time before the purchase on wether to go for it and if I did should I go GE or VL. I'm so glad I went GE. For example, Yesterday upon completion of rebating the drawers etc we had the cabinets to build, drawers to assemble and tops to finish etc needless to say the workshop was full. I have 2 mft3's as my assembly table and had i the VL attached we would have had to disconnect it from the mft. The GE was simply lifted into a corner with everything still attached.

I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Scott

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Scott

I wish we had a thumbs up button next to people's posts with a counter that showed how many people agreed. We could also have a thumbs down if necessary but I think that it better to force the objector to state his or her case instead.

Well done Scott.

Peter