Table Saw options for a Small Workshop

Joined
Oct 16, 2018
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2
Hi folks,
So I have set up a very small workshop and had originally planned on buying a CMS unit to put my TS55 into for a table saw. But now it's discontinued, I want to explore other options. Ideally I wanted the CMS because it's also then a router table as well.

Anyway the stuff I do is small furniture stuff, like coffee tables, small tables, book shelves etc. I'm still learning my craft as a woodworker and absolutely love my Festool kit thus far.

Anyway advice would be great and if you need to know anything I've forgotten to mention, please let me know.

Cheers!
 
I have the compact module system and I believe you could still source the stuff if you act fast?

Would I invest in it again if I had to do it all over?  Hell yeah, the table saw module I have is the CMS-TS75 and I need the big track saw for entry doors mostly, so when not needed it is in the plate.  I have a rolling rack for the stuff that I keep in my small home shop.  saves a lot of floor space.  The table saw in the GE stand is a bit fiddly and I need to reset the extension outfeed table usually when I set up for the table saw.

But, overall I would recommend a SawStop Jobsite saw PRO.  We use them as our small saws at work and they are much safer and you will want a better table surface and setup eventually anyway.
 
Personally, I wouldn't let the fact that the CMS has been discontinued turn you off from considering it as a viable option. Parts are guaranteed by Festool to be available to 10 years.

I personally own the free standing CMS with router module, TS-75 module, offcut and outfeed tables and sliding table and couldn't be happier. In fact, I've got essentially an entire portable cabinet shop, light machine shop, assembly shop, trim shop, construction shop and handyman shop contained in what's visible below (plus what's off camera - not shown is my MFT/3, my Walko 4 MKII, all my vacuum hoses, a couple of shorter ladders, two folding saw horses and a small amount of free space - ~70 sq ft, partially with 12' of headroom - where I can set up whatever equipment I need for whatever project I'm involved in):

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BTW this tiny room also serves double, triple, quadruple and quintuple duty as protected bicycle storage, bicycle maintenance shop, gym/workout room, supply room and, thanks to a loft, storage room (for other personal items) - all of which is behind me in the photo). My materials and length-adustable 8' bicycle trailer are stored in an out-building (along with landscaping and gardening equipment). I process panels and longer lumber outdoors and then accomplish the smaller-format tasks indoors (though, in cold weather, I will lean my Walko 4 on a wall in the "shop" and process panels that way). This means I tend to accomplish (or prep for) most large scale projects (which take place at this location) in the warmer months. Smaller stuff I'll do year round indoors. 

Sure, my choice of tools equates to ~$15-grand worth of machinery. But, in the world of wooodworking, that amount is often eaten up in just the cost of one or two stationary machines (or, hell, in the cost of a private automobile - something I happily haven't owned for almost a decade). 

Sure, the space I've made available for these tasks is tiny. But that's just the way I roll. For me, more space just isn't a priority.

In my world, the name of the game is a combination of accuracy, versatility, portability, space-savings and superior dust collection (plus a passion to support ethical manufacturing). And, towards those ends, the CMS system - along with an MFT/3, several 55" long guide rails, an SCMS and folding SCMS stand (the latter of which I rarely use and when I do, I only do-so outdoors) - allows me to accomplish basically everything I need in terms of routing, ripping, cross-cutting, fabrication, assembly, etc. (tasks which, historically, required typically much larger tools and much more space). For when I really need them, I've also got access to a planer, a jointer and a full machine shop.

Sure, working in the way I do takes a lot more time. But, I've found that taking the extra time often forces me to slow down so that I make less errors. Plus, I have more time to consider different ways to accomplish a given task. It helps, I guess, to also have a good imagination. Plus, I work for and by myself...so that makes all of this doable.

I'm constantly amazed, though, what I am able to accomplish in such a tiny amount of space (but even more so with such a tiny footprint's-worth of tools). I set up outdoors when its nice or indoors onsite and I am always relieved when everything's put back in its place (as I despise clutter and, for that matter, large spaces). I guess I have more of a "European" mindset in this regard.

Eventually, the room pictured will be properly built-out with appropriate flooring, a combination of built-in and modular custom-built floor-to-ceiling shelving, everything (not just most things) on wheels, etc. I've only recently returned to this space and may not spend much time here in the future but I still want to come up a simple, space-saving and ergonomic design given that I will always be returning periodically to accomplish various projects.

FWIW.
 

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My shop is 9’x12’ and I have a Roubo and mft/3 there. For crosscuts I usually use ts55 and for ripping I have Dewalt’s dw7480. Lots of moving things around but it works...
 

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I have a DW745 integrated into a CMS-VL with some longer extrusions.

I also have Jessem router table and lift integrated into another CMS-VL. With abit of engineering it's fairly easy to integrate other tools into the MFT system.

I've made a few changes since these pictures. I now use the Jessem mitre gauge and also the Jessem fence for the router table.
 

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I recently picked up the DeWalt table saw others have mentioned.  Not that I have a small shop but for jobs in the field.  I love it.  I spent some time aligning the blade and replaced it with a $30 Freud Diablo ripping blade.  It's amazing how smooth and accurate it is.  On par with my Sawstop PCS.  Short money for under $300

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 
I have 2 of the DW745's. An older one that the fence only goes to something like 16" and a newer on with the fence going to 24 or 25 inches. for the price/size/weight it can't be beat. I look forward to a SawStop coming in at that size/weight.
 
I have the complete CMS table saw setup TS75 all Options.

It is very accurate and smooth lite and compact.

What country do you call home?
 

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Hi,
I have the CS 50 EBG full set, similar to the CMS with TS module. I searched the CMS at the time of purchase, but found that many didn’t like to pull the plunge saw out, re-attach, pull out again..  I do see the benefit of having the table saw as a table saw, and better buy a plunge saw to use as a plunge saw.
Since the CMS, at least for now has been discontinued, consider instead buying separate stations, as most will so how excel over a module based system. At least for efficiency, and features.
Remember that both CS 50 and CS 70 are pull saws. This might be beneficial to some applications. Control and handling is better too. My main grip with buying the CS 50 is portability. The CS 70 is way heavier, as so are many table saws. These are things to consider.. Both CMS and CS’ alternatives are easy to strip down from “full set” versions, to a relatively light package.
They can be used with legs extended, and legs folded. They will also be compatible with Kapex’s  MFT’s accessories etc. when used with legs extended. So if you like Festool a lot, considered as a system, this is also to be considered compared to other table saws from other manufacturers (most which are probably just as good) You will more likely have an easier task making a sled from other manufacturers though.
 
Been using a Dewalt DWE4791 nearly daily for 2 years. Once setup, it's quite capable for both ripping and dados. The miter slots are so inaccurate I haven't had good results with sleds / miter fences. Sanding down the surface and waxing helps material slide through better.

If money wasn't an issue, I'd get a Sawstop Industrial and use it without the excess table wings.
 

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simonh said:
I have a DW745 integrated into a CMS-VL with some longer extrusions.

I also have Jessem router table and lift integrated into another CMS-VL. With abit of engineering it's fairly easy to integrate other tools into the MFT system.

I've made a few changes since these pictures. I now use the Jessem mitre gauge and also the Jessem fence for the router table.

I am really interested in this setup. Can you provide some more details and photos?
 
I have used the Sawstop Jobsite Saw for several years. I mostly use it for ripping and, sometimes, crosscutting of small pieces that I can't easily do on my MFT with the TS55. I like the convenience of folding the Sawstop up and moving it out of the way when I don't need it. Dust collection is good (not great) and I also am secure in the knowledge that, if I my hands do touch the blade, I won't suffer injury. While I always try to be safe, it is possible I will make one of those mental errors one day. Whether it's this saw or another job site type saw, I think those are good options. While they don't have the same power as a regular table saw, they are generally powerful enough for ripping up to 2" hardwood, they can be moved out of the way, and I found that mine is actually very accurate and precise enough for building furniture, drawers, cabinets, and anything else I make.
 
Another DW 745 here - on a locking wheel table under the MFT/3 along with incra miter etc. Roller under there too, for longer pieces. Setup takes 60 seconds.

 

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Also in a small garage/workshop space. I have the full CMS GE set and the DW745 at work. Do your self a favor and don’t try the Mafell Erika 85. It ruins you ;-)
 
I bought the Mafell Erika 85 a couple of months ago, im not impressed. The saw itself is pretty well built, but the sliding table, adjustment of stops, and the ripfence, is what really bothers me. None of the parts slide very well when you have to adjust it. The worst part is the ripfence and the way they designed the microadjustment, it bugs me everytime I use it. I plan on selling the saw, and buy a small, old, used,  cast iron tablesaw.

I thought the Erika could be used as a small shopsaw, and onsite, but for me, no thanks.
 
Michel said:
I bought the Mafell Erika 85 a couple of months ago, im not impressed. The saw itself is pretty well built, but the sliding table, adjustment of stops, and the ripfence, is what really bothers me. None of the parts slide very well when you have to adjust it. The worst part is the ripfence and the way they designed the microadjustment, it bugs me everytime I use it. I plan on selling the saw, and buy a small, old, used,  cast iron tablesaw.

I thought the Erika could be used as a small shopsaw, and onsite, but for me, no thanks.

Michel, thanks for daring to present a critical opinion about the Erica. So far it seemed like that saw was somehow exempt from anything negative (other than price) which didn’t seem plausible. Nothing is perfect.
 
Years back after redoing our kitchen and realizing probably 90% of my work was done with my track saw system I sold my 4 year old 3HP Uni and tried to do without a table saw.

I missed one so much I bought a small Bosch table top. This was too small. Sold it and bought a Craftsman 15 amp portable TS 21829. That worked out well but then I found a 1950 Uni for $150! Had a blast refurbishing the whole thing. This old Uni has a surprisingly small footprint especially with shorter rails yet can muster wood with a 1-1/2 HP repulsion inductive motor as well as my old 3HP modern Uni.

Just another option if you can find one.

Mike
 
If you dont use the sliding table (european) and the rip fence at the right side of the blade, and instead use it as most people do, with the angle-ish fence at the left side of the blade, maybe the saw is for you. The saw itself is well build and good quality.
 
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