Use of CMS and TS55R Module

[cliffp]

I recently acquired these items and am trying to get my head around the best way to utilise them.

I noticed that the detent position for 0 deg in the mitre fence does not result in the fence being exactly parallel to the saw blade. I can easily sort this out by lifting up the detent lever so the angle is set by the scale so that is no problem but I wonder what would happen with a sliding table (which I plan to get next week) if its line of travel is not parallel to the saw blade? Is there any adjustment for this? I read the set-up instructions here:

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/festool_cms_slider.php

and didn't see any adjustment for it. If there is no adjustment, what are the consequences and how do I mitigate them?

The second question is that I tried making a narrow rip cut (for practise) and found that I was getting a slightly non-straight cut. It isn't cutting perfectly straight at an angle but periodically deviating away from the correct line of cut. The maximum error is around 0.4mm. I am quite sure this is operator error probably exacerbated by the fact that the fence moves when force is applied to it through my attempts to keep the wood properly registered against the fence. I dare say this will improve with practise as I learn to apply the minimum necessary force and get the overall technique mastered. It also makes me realise why there is a so-called 'stopper' AKA rip fence which I imagine would fix this problem.

 

[tjbnwi]

Your link has me confused, you mention the miter fence but linked the sliding table. My miter gauge is adjustable the same way I adjust it for the MFT.

This is the miter gauge;

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/24881

Set the pin, loosen the screws, adjust the gauge, tighten the screws.

Here is a link to the miter gauge adjustment;

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/festool_mft3fence_mt.php

Tom

 

[cliffp]

Hi Tom, Thanks for the reply. My point (probably badly made) was that the blade appears to be mis-aligned with respect to the table and though I can compensate for this when ripping by adjusting the mitre fence to be parallel, I am not sure that I can do the same thing with the sliding table (which is what I am concerned about) as the link does not show this adjustment being available.

 

[tjbnwi]

Got it.

I'm thinking the TS can be adjusted on the plate but..........We do not have the TS insert across the pond. I'd like to help but I would only be guessing (probably poorly).

If you want to send me the set up, I'll test it out for you and let you know how it works out ;D

Tom

 

[cliffp]

I dont think the TS can be adjusted on the plate. It just fits onto the guide rail. I'd love to send it to you but I'd probably be in breach of some health and safety rule. You are always welcome to come over here and experiment with it!

 

[tjbnwi]

Do you have an RAS, that should make short work of what ever is preventing it from locating properly  ;D

I don't have a passport, otherwise I'd take you up on the offer.  They wouldn't let me back in if I left either.

Tom

 

[cliffp]

I dont has a RAS but I do have a big hammer - that should do the trick!

 

[green fever]

where is peter p ? he has one and has to be the man who would have the answer to this one ? .

 

[GarryMartin]

While we wait for Peter, just a note that he posted a couple of videos on the CMS TS 55 R set up and use on YouTube that might be useful.

Part 1
Part 2

 

[cliffp]

Garry, thanks for the link. I had seen it before but it was good to see it again. Unfortunately nothing relating to my issue (maybe a non-issue I don't know). I'll speak to Festool tomorrow.

 

[cliffp]

Festool have arranged for a site visit this Friday (how about that for service!).

 

[GarryMartin]

Festool have arranged for a site visit this Friday (how about that for service!).

Great service indeed. Perhaps they'll let you video and post any tips or crucial observations to correct use?

 

[cliffp]

I'll see how it goes. I think Phil Beckley of Festool is thinking of producing something.

 

[cliffp]

The Festool guy came round today but couldn't identify the problem. He was happy that the CMS and saw were set up ok but I was still getting non straight cuts (deviation of up to 1mm in 50cm). He was also happy with my technique. He suggested I get a sliding table (on sale or return) and tried that to completely eliminate the possibility of user error. If the problem still persists I can return the whole set up again (its all been back once before already). Of course I can send the whole lot back now if I prefer.

 

[cliffp]

Festool have acknowledged that there was a problem with the guard carrier and have issued a new part that aligns correctly with the riving knife. I should be getting the replacement part soon and will report back to say how it is working.

 

[cliffp]

The replacement parts don't appear to be any different to the originals (the kit consists of a riving knife and guard carrier which are, I think, intended to be retrofitted to a TS55).

I tried changing to these parts and there was no improvement.

I then tried investigating the set-up with the saw out of the module to see how the parts align and to identify what was preventing the blade and riving knife parts from aligning. If I used the bolt to connect the riving knife and guard carrier WITHOUT passing this through the saw's casing, everything was fine. It was only when passing the bolt through the casing that the problem arose. It seemed to me that the cylindrical part of the bolt (see first link below and ignore the washer for now) was too short and the threaded part too long. This was pulling the combined riving knife/guard carrier towards the allen key used to tighten it.
 

I decided to add a 1.5mm thick washer as shown. After adding this washer and inserting the saw in the CMS unit, there was quite a bit of play in the riving knife but it was now possible for it to be co-planar with the saw blade without the necessity to apply a lot of force.

I shot a couple of videos to show the set-up after adding the washer (note that it will take a few hours for the videos to upload):
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21223051/20130704_155755.mp4

And one showing the set-up without the washer:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21223051/20130704_160128.mp4

I made a trial cut on a 40cm long piece of 12mm thick mdf and achieved an accuracy of 1 thou whereas I was getting an error of typically 20 thou and sometimes as much as 40 thou on a similar cut (I was using a completely straight piece of wood to start with in all cases).

I have passed this info on to Festool UK and will be interested to find out what they make of it.