Swings and roundabouts - CS70 v's CMS+TS75 v's Other table saw

[Kev]

Every time I start to get a little closer to pulling the trigger on this I get cold feet and confused. If anyone has been on the brink of this decision before themselves I'd really appreciate their thoughts and experience.

First the foundation info:

I have MFT/3, MFT/3+VL and CMS insert for the jig saw.
The MFT gear "lives" against the wall and it is a bother to move.
My workshop space is somewhat limited and cutting anything of length needs a shift to outside (but under cover).
I have among othe Festools a TS55, PS400, OF1400, OF1010 (also lots of other brand stuff - but of note a large Hitachi circular saw).
I will be buying the OF2200 set at some point in the future along with it's CMS router insert.

So ... if I buy ...

1. CS70

1.1 I still need to house the CMS router module in something as the MFT against the wall is too limiting.
1.2 I'd need to buy a TS75 if I wanted to do deep track cuts or suffer the big Hitachi.
1.3 The CS70 is quite bulky and retails for $4.5K locally with all of it's bits.
1.4 The CS70 really is a pretty nice bit of kit!

2. CMS+TS75

2.1 I get something useful for the router module to stand in for outside work and get to use the table extensions and fence for the router.
2.2 I then have the TS75 for the odd deep track cuts.
2.3 The CMS+TS75 isn't as easy to use as the CS70 for setup of depth and angle and doesn't support docking cuts.
2.4 The CMS+TS75 is more space saving than the CS70.
2.5 The CMS+TS75, including all of the module and tables, sliding tables, fences, etc is about $3.5K locally.

3. Other table saw

3.1 Here I can spend from $1K for something pretty decent through to stupid money.
3.2 I can choose something portable, but most portable stuff isn't satisfyingly accurate, quiet, dust free, etc.
3.3 Something fixed will be bulk and it REALLY causes me space problems.
3.4 I still need something to support the router module for outside work and still find myself with the big Hitachi circular saw for big freehand stuff.

So what does common sense say?

To me the CMS+TS75 with all the bells and whistles seems to be a reasonable compromise - with the downside of setup overhead and no docking cut function, but with all of the reuse for the router module ... and even the option of dropping the saw module into the MFT/3-VL inside if I've only got a little bit of stuff to do. Plus I have the TS75 for occasional "track work".

The CS70 seems to be an attractive distraction (costing more money, saving execution time and chewing valuable space) that would probably see me still buying a CMS with table accessories for the OF 2200 and no doubt a TS75 in the future. The other table saw option looks to be my "keep the thinking open" option - but I don't think it's appropriate. All the obvious considerations of "what project will I be doing?" and the like aren't a help - as a DIYer/home hobbyist you never know where your heart will take you.

Please review my thinking all - this simple decision is doing my head in [embarassed]

Kev.

 

[peter halle]

Kev,

Many over here in NA would like to be in your decision making spot.  [big grin]  Personally I think that the key to your decision will be space constraints and the percentage of time that you will use a table saw or a TS-75 as a table saw.  If you have the space and frequently find a need in your workflow to jump to a table saw type device for just one cut and work a lot with wood thicker than the TS-55 can handle on a rail, then I don't think that the CMS insert is for you.  If not, then a CMS might work out well and all you would need to have on hand on a shelf (not floor space) would be the parts needed for the CMS TS conversion.

If you decide that a stationary saw is determined by the above to be the choice, then I would look at the maximum depth of cut that I anticipated to use ON A REGULAR BASIS.  If that cut exceeded that provided what is available thru the CS line or the TS-75 in the CMS, then you have your easy answer.  If the cut could be achieved by both then I would look next as movability to allow inside / outside cutting.  If both a table saw that you liked and a CS ranked equal in movability, then I would look lastly at storage of the unit (space utilization) when the saw was not absolutely needed.  The winner would be the one that took up the least space when folded / moved out of the way.

Just my  [2cents](AU)

I bet that you will do the TS-75 and the CMS insert and the sliding table and fence and try it in your VL.  Later you will go to the CMS and insert this into it so that you can break this down for movement in and out.

Peter

 

[RC]

If money wasn't an issue I would go for a CS70 for proper tilt control and pull sawing with a sliding table and the better fence.

Then I'd get the OF2200 as a CMS-set to save a bit of mulah and have that as a dedicted fold down router table with the router fence permanently attached to it. Keep the CMS-PS in the VL if you can't pull your table away from the wall.

If you then still need a TS75 for track use it's just a question of purchasing the saw alone when need arises.

What I've seen of the CS's they seem to take abt. the same space as the CMS-GE when folded and the router module with its assessories takes almost as much space as the CMS-GE.

You could probably make a cabinet with cubby holes for both the CMS-GE with the router & fence attached and another for the CS70 underneath it.

 

[Nigel]

What's a docking cut Kev?

 

[fezza]

Kev, i bought a cs70set during a bout of green fever, and although its a great saw, i find i don't use it much. Most of my work is onsite and the cs is big and heavy to hump about, i have a little metabo table saw that i tend to take along with the Kapex.

I also have the cms of2200 and a 1400 router. To get you going, why not just get the cms table with inserts for your 1400 router and ts55, you could always add the ts75 insert and saw if you really (really) need it. 

If you're a DIYer/home hobbyist, you already have half the kit that is more than capable for most tasks around the house, just get the stand and make full use of the system.

Do you have the Kapex? You'll get far more use out of it than the cs, if you're ripping sheet goods, use your track.

 

[Kev]

What's a docking cut Kev?

Theres a handle under the saw table, you can pull the entire motor/blade assembly towards yourself through the stock you are cutting.

 

[Kev]

Kev, i bought a cs70set during a bout of green fever, and although its a great saw, i find i don't use it much. Most of my work is onsite and the cs is big and heavy to hump about, i have a little metabo table saw that i tend to take along with the Kapex.

I also have the cms of2200 and a 1400 router. To get you going, why not just get the cms table with inserts for your 1400 router and ts55, you could always add the ts75 insert and saw if you really (really) need it. 

If you're a DIYer/home hobbyist, you already have half the kit that is more than capable for most tasks around the house, just get the stand and make full use of the system.

Do you have the Kapex? You'll get far more use out of it than the cs, if you're ripping sheet goods, use your track.

Yes, I have a KAPEX and lots of tracks too !

My temptation for the OF2200 as a CMS based router is because of the ease of removal/fit if I semi permanently fit a base (jmb style) to the module.

Laziness would have me not wanting to remove the TS55 from the module, so another track saw also becomes attractive. I'd dedicate the TS75 to a module because it would be a rare event to run the TS75 down a track for me.

I'm very close to being persuaded away from the CS70 ... realistically if you're cutting angles or set depths you'll perform test cuts, etc and that trivialises the saw adjustment effort ... further, as mentioned, the KAPEX and the TS55 on the MFT/3 deal with a lot of other tasks.

Seems a decision is looming  [wink]

 

[Nigel]

What's a docking cut Kev?

Theres a handle under the saw table, you can pull the entire motor/blade assembly towards yourself through the stock you are cutting.

Oh right I didn't know it was called that.

Well for versatility the cms is hard to beat. I have the 75 in the module most of the time and just take it out for the odd deep track cut which is really very handy.

I'm sure the cs is a fantastic saw if you don't have to move it about much. I've always thought of it as a shop saw that you can move if you have to.

The cms is easy to move but you need the sliding table for crosscuts.As for setting angle cuts, it is bit of a compromise but something you get used to same as changing modules,at first it's a pain but after a while it's OK. I wouldn't worry about the depth setting,it might not be slick but it works and it's quick.

I reckon if you are looking for somewhere to put a router and have a decent saw and be able to occasionally use the 75 on a track the answer is easy.