Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
With all of the rave going on about the TS75 currently I thought I'd try and drive a thread with some positive future spin. For perspective, I'll paint my situation, the short comings with what I have and then what I'd like to see in a future product. My perspective is going to be totally self centred, so the idea would be to contribute in a manner that expands the flexibility into something Festool could / may develop.
I currently have:
CMS-VL + MFT/3, CMS-GE, CMS-TS75, CMS-OF, CMS-PS ... plus the various tools and extras to fit. I went with this setup because I thought it was the appropriate investment while I haven't got space for the bigger machinery I'd ideally like.
I didn't go for the CS70 because it's got to be up for a rejuvenation soon and the flexibility of having two CMS receivers and a TS75 that can easily be detached and used on a track if the TS55 isn't beefy enough is quite good.
The short comings:
The CMS-GE table could be a little larger for sawing and routing (I understand it may be the perfect portable size for vehicle transport).
Adjustment of the blade angle when the TS75 is in the CMS-TS75 module is awkward - no better than adjusting a cheap saw in a Triton to be honest. Plus the riving knife is annoyingly floppy and rattles.
The CMS-OF fence doesn't adjust easily, Incra completely shames it!
What I'd like to see:
A TS90R with 2200+ watts with super accuracy and better DC.
A CMS-TS90 module that has some clever top mounted cranks to adjust blade height and blade angle (a bit like the height adjuster for the CMS-OF).
A CMS-GEplus, being a larger version of the CMS-GE by ~30% (the width equalling that of the MFT/3 ... almost square), still accepting the same modules and designed to use the full width of a connected MFT/3 as an out feed table (with a new and smoother rip fence too please). I'd also like to see this used as a platform for the Conturo as the MFTenstein currently offered for the Conturo is a real amateur affair!
A more sophisticated and calibrated fence adjustment mechanism for the CMS-OF.
A CMS-SAW module that effectively replaces the CS70 and CS50. One that "plops" into the CMS-GEplus, takes multiple blade sizes, offers heaps of power, electronic angle and depth adjustment, quick change blades, better riving knife and yeh ... makes coffee.
Also an update "pack" to the TS75, for the Festool brothers that are limited to one track saw for various reasons, that improves DC and other related issues when used to cut thin boards (as a retro-fit kit or accessory pack too ... not as a new model only).
So in conclusion ... [smile]
... Well maybe not conclusion - these changes would pave the way for me never needing "big machines". If Festool could introduce a couple of further modules in the CMS dedicated form like the CMS-SAW concept ... Rieska's planer / thicknesser CMS module and a trick 4 wheel compact deep throat bandsaw CMS module I'd be a happy camper.
(I've got a few ideas on a compact 4 wheel bandsaw design, but that one's probably worth starting a separate thread on!)
I'm imagining everything I'd like to see being incremental and interchangeable as the things are today.
To me this is an approach Festool could take to offer the 'total workshop" for the small professional outfit and the high end DIYer. I believe this is a solid niche - a compact premium workshop where big machines just aren't feasible.
I currently have:
CMS-VL + MFT/3, CMS-GE, CMS-TS75, CMS-OF, CMS-PS ... plus the various tools and extras to fit. I went with this setup because I thought it was the appropriate investment while I haven't got space for the bigger machinery I'd ideally like.
I didn't go for the CS70 because it's got to be up for a rejuvenation soon and the flexibility of having two CMS receivers and a TS75 that can easily be detached and used on a track if the TS55 isn't beefy enough is quite good.
The short comings:
The CMS-GE table could be a little larger for sawing and routing (I understand it may be the perfect portable size for vehicle transport).
Adjustment of the blade angle when the TS75 is in the CMS-TS75 module is awkward - no better than adjusting a cheap saw in a Triton to be honest. Plus the riving knife is annoyingly floppy and rattles.
The CMS-OF fence doesn't adjust easily, Incra completely shames it!
What I'd like to see:
A TS90R with 2200+ watts with super accuracy and better DC.
A CMS-TS90 module that has some clever top mounted cranks to adjust blade height and blade angle (a bit like the height adjuster for the CMS-OF).
A CMS-GEplus, being a larger version of the CMS-GE by ~30% (the width equalling that of the MFT/3 ... almost square), still accepting the same modules and designed to use the full width of a connected MFT/3 as an out feed table (with a new and smoother rip fence too please). I'd also like to see this used as a platform for the Conturo as the MFTenstein currently offered for the Conturo is a real amateur affair!
A more sophisticated and calibrated fence adjustment mechanism for the CMS-OF.
A CMS-SAW module that effectively replaces the CS70 and CS50. One that "plops" into the CMS-GEplus, takes multiple blade sizes, offers heaps of power, electronic angle and depth adjustment, quick change blades, better riving knife and yeh ... makes coffee.
Also an update "pack" to the TS75, for the Festool brothers that are limited to one track saw for various reasons, that improves DC and other related issues when used to cut thin boards (as a retro-fit kit or accessory pack too ... not as a new model only).
So in conclusion ... [smile]
... Well maybe not conclusion - these changes would pave the way for me never needing "big machines". If Festool could introduce a couple of further modules in the CMS dedicated form like the CMS-SAW concept ... Rieska's planer / thicknesser CMS module and a trick 4 wheel compact deep throat bandsaw CMS module I'd be a happy camper.
(I've got a few ideas on a compact 4 wheel bandsaw design, but that one's probably worth starting a separate thread on!)
I'm imagining everything I'd like to see being incremental and interchangeable as the things are today.
To me this is an approach Festool could take to offer the 'total workshop" for the small professional outfit and the high end DIYer. I believe this is a solid niche - a compact premium workshop where big machines just aren't feasible.
