TS55R in CMS Unit - Video - Updated Part 1 and Part 2

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

It has taken a lot of careful planning and some sacrifices but I now have the most fantastic table saw - the TS55R in the CMS Unit. I had to put the Carvex on hold and put the C15 off yet again. The table saw is very important for me and I had mistakenly thought that I could manage with a cheap and cheerful Jet. I was unable to do rebate work safely and could not use it for cutting my boxes in half but now all that has changed.

In the first video I describe the bits and pieces and show how it should all be put together.

Festool CMS Unit with TS55R Saw - Part 1

I have now completed Part 2. I put everything through its paces and tell you what I think and how it might be improved. I demonstrate rebate work and ask you to use this technique at your own risk as it is not in the Festool manual. I am sorry that this lovely unit is NAINA and only hope that something is sorted out soon. To me it feels much safer that any of my previous table saws and I love using it.

Festool CMS Unit with TS55R Saw - Part 2

Peter

 

[Kev]

Thanks Peter  [smile]

You know, I think you're getting as bad as George Lucas with your parts l, ll, lll ... etc

I have every intent of the CMS unit, but my own impulsiveness keeps getting in the way. I went to a ROTEX demo this afternoon (I have to be safe going to this I thought - I already have a RO 90, RO 150 and both abrasive assortment systainers) ... but there was an end of financial year promotion on and I came out with a Protool DRP 16 (corded drill), Protool AGP 150 (angle grinder), Festool ETS150/3 and another 150mm abrasive assortment systainer ... and more sandpaper.

They have Sortainers discounted as well [blink] I've avoided buying any of those thus far .... but .... maybe I'll have another peek on Saturday. Arghh!

Tell me please, did you consider the MFT/3-VL ? I can can see pro's and cons both ways.

Keep it up!

cheers,

Kev

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Kev

Gosh you have been busy buying up all of that stuff - well done.

I did consider the MFT3 VL but, for me, it lacked flexibility. I would always be tied to the MFT3 when I might want it set up for something different. Also, I use my MFT3 as an outfeed table quite a bit (this is illustrated in Part 2) and I don't think that would be possible with the VL. I was originally going to put my OF2200 in the CMS first but I got so fed up with the Jet table saw that I went for the TS55R instead. By the way, that saw is super and a big step forward for Festool.

My wish list has the C15 at the very top, followed by the Carvex but with only the RO90 I am thinking of getting the RO125. I am making do with my homemade router table (with an old CMT router) which does a reasonable job. When I eventually get the OF2200 in the CMS I will get the sliding table then I can do angled cuts when using the saw.

Needless to say it is pouring with rain here. Please don't tell me that you are in a heat wave!

Take care,

Peter

 

[Kev]

Needless to say it is pouring with rain here. Please don't tell me that you are in a heat wave!

We've had shocking storms. The framing I finally completed a couple of weekends ago and got into place has suffered a lot of rain ... despite careful applications or tarps, etc the strongest winds we've had for ages have taken their toll (I had to panel and paint the outside because two sides were going hard up against the corner fences, but the bare inside ply is soaked).

This weekend is the Queen's Birthday weekend here (Monday off) - I'm hoping for a bit of dry and to finally finish this annoying outside job. I need to make some custom doors, but at least I can still do that under cover if the weather is horrid over the next month or so!

All the best,

Kev

 

[bijeshj]

Peter - thanks for another interesting video. If we cannot get the CMS at least we get to ogle

 

[Stone Message]

Does anyone know why the CMS is NAINA? I know that as part of the setup the saw trigger switch is kept on with the clip. This stops the braking effect when the power is turned off - perhaps it is a safety issue. The CMS is available in both 240v and 110v here in the UK so voltage cannot be an issue. The power relay box must surely work on 60 Hz so I cannot think what else might be the issue.

Shane...SHANE....SHANE over to you.

Perhaps I should set up an export business to North America!

Peter

 

[Kev]

I've been told the issue with range in the US is all about Festool's ability to manage enough "stuff" to meet a launch requirement. The US distribution pattern sees a massive initial burst. Getting this right with bulky and expensive to ship items like CMS would be tricky for Festool.

On a side note, I don't think the US 110v saws have the "B" (brake) in the model ... I could be wrong.

 

[mouppe]

Peter,

Please could you clarify one thing? You mentioned in your video that this module is for the TS55R- is there a new module specific to the 55R saw or is it the existing module?

Thanks
Richard.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Richard

Yes the TS55R CMS Module is different from the module for the TS55. I am only guessing but I think that the significant change must be to do with the riving knife extension. I have both the TS55 and the TS55R and I have checked to see if it might be possible to 'mix and match' but it is not possible. I do not think that this is a cynical move on Festool's part but a simple reflection of the changes made with the new (and brilliant) TS55R.

I am sure that sooner or later some bright spark will identify the detail of the difference and it might them be possible to get an 'upgrade' component to allow either the TS55R to fit into a TS55 CMS Support Unit or to allow the TS55 to fit into the TS55R CMS Support Unit.

Previously I had only seen the TS55 demonstrated in a CMS unit and had not 'played' with one myself. I am so pleased with my TS55R /CMS setup - it is very accurate, smooth and an absolute pleasure to use....

Anyone want a rubbishy (almost new) Jet table saw?

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

This weekend is the Queen's Birthday weekend here (Monday off) - I'm hoping for a bit of dry and to finally finish this annoying outside job. I need to make some custom doors, but at least I can still do that under cover if the weather is horrid over the next month or so!

All the best,

Kev

We had some spectacular things going on in London for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee but what a shame about the rain on the day of the Thames trip. The poor old Duke of Edinborough must have caught a chill - he is still in hospital. The band concert the following day went really well and that was followed  by a fly past...great stuff.

Take care,

Peter

 

[Mattywhit]

The cms looks like a rite faff to deal with mite be ok with a router permanently in it but other than that I can't see I being very practical.

 

[mouppe]

The cms looks like a rite faff to deal with mite be ok with a router permanently in it but other than that I can't see I being very practical.

It may look like that but it isn't really. Imagine one table for your router, jigsaw, table saw. It takes a few minutes to set up but you save so much time instead of going back and forth to pack up the van etc.

For me it's also an incredible space-saver.

 

[jmbfestool]

The cms looks like a rite faff to deal with mite be ok with a router permanently in it but other than that I can't see I being very practical.

It is!  

I hate removing my OF2200 router out of the CMS module!    I try and keep it in as long as possible!    I only really use my router out of the CMS for work tops and shaping ends of long timber which would be to awkward to do on the CMS.

If it was 50/50 I had to use the OF2200 in and out of the CMS I think I would HAVE TO buy another OF2200 router! but cus its more like 80/20 im hesitant at buying another OF2200.

JMB

 

[Alan m]

i dont think i would buy the cms after seeing that.
great video but a lot of work putting it in and out.
ok if you are leaving it in.
store the cms modules must be a pain on site. .
i would rather have a dedicated table saw.

they should design it in such a way that all you do is clip it in at the front and back and it automatically puts the heght adjust in place .

 

[Kev]

i dont think i would buy the cms after seeing that.
great video but a lot of work putting it in and out.
ok if you are leaving it in.
store the cms modules must be a pain on site. .
i would rather have a dedicated table saw.

they should design it in such a way that all you do is clip it in at the front and back and it automatically puts the heght adjust in place .

I'd agree that it's more "adaption" than "system". Mounting the Carvex and the OF2200 should have been "snap in" efforts as both tools have modular bases.

It's a real shame they didn't put more thought into the TS55R in relation to CMS. makes me think the CMS setup could be up for review (that and the fact it hasn't made it to the US). Could there be a new CMS setup in the near future ?!?

 

[peter halle]

I am not speaking on Festool USA behalf's, but the CMS is a different animal and with our litigation history and insurance regulations the introduction here has not yet occurred. 

I can honestly say that one day I expect the CMS to appear here but not in the some configuration as in Europe or other places in the world.  My guess is that the full utilization of the possibilities of the CMS "system" will not be available here.

I know for a fact that since 2009 when I first saw the CMS here that Festool has been working to bring it here.

Peter

 

[fritter63]

I am not speaking on Festool USA behalf's, but the CMS is a different animal and with our litigation history and insurance regulations the introduction here has not yet occurred. 

I can honestly say that one day I expect the CMS to appear here but not in the some configuration as in Europe or other places in the world.  My guess is that the full utilization of the possibilities of the CMS "system" will not be available here.

I know for a fact that since 2009 when I first saw the CMS here that Festool has been working to bring it here.

Peter

yeah, we keep hearing this story. I was under the impression it was due to UL concerns about safety of the module jumping out of the CMS base. I think it was our (now defunct) local dealer who told me that.

But after seeing this video, and how the module screw securely into the CMS base, I have to call BS on that. I honestly don't see how this function/design is any less safe than my portable Bosch contractors saw:

- upside down mounted saw with blade attached directly to motor  - check
- Blad splitter (my bosch doesn't even have one!)
- blade guard which is easily removable - check
- heigh adjust that requires to reach under the table top - checkack
- kick back guards on the splitter - missing, but I don't think those were standard on my unisaw either, and they're REALLY easy to add to the splitter attachment

So I'm just not buying that is any real safety concern with the CMS. There must be something else going on here.....

Perhaps the Germans just don't get (or refuse to) that you have grease wheels of the corrupt UL with some dollars to get it approved....

 

[Stone Message]

For those that are worried about how long it takes to put the saw into or take it out of the CMS unit you will (hopefully) be pleasantly surprised when you see the second part. I will show unedited video of both operations running against the clock and without any undue haste I can do each operation in under 2 minutes.

Having said that I know that one might feel reluctant to keeping switching the circular saw in and out but if you are away from base then the option of having just one saw but with two distinct roles does seem attractive.

Peter

 

[Kev]

Just a point I'm pondering Peter ...

TS55 v's TS75 for the CMS - what do you see as the deciding factor?

My thinking is to put a TS75 in the CMS and mostly leave it there - using the TS55 for the majority of track and MFT work (always having the TS75 in reserve for that 5% of the time you need it).

So, penny for your thoughts ...

Kev

 

[Kev]

The cms looks like a rite faff to deal with mite be ok with a router permanently in it but other than that I can't see I being very practical.

It is!  

I hate removing my OF2200 router out of the CMS module!    I try and keep it in as long as possible!    I only really use my router out of the CMS for work tops and shaping ends of long timber which would be to awkward to do on the CMS.

If it was 50/50 I had to use the OF2200 in and out of the CMS I think I would HAVE TO buy another OF2200 router! but cus its more like 80/20 im hesitant at buying another OF2200.

JMB

Hey JMB,

Are you really that smitten with the OF2200 that you'd go for another rather than a OF1400 as a second router? I ask because I have an OF1400 and am thinking of dedicating an OF2200 to a CMS (which mean the systainer full of bases would be of marginal value).

Really starting to believe a combo of OF2200 and OF1010 is the thinking mans choice [embarassed] [sad]

Kev.