Which setup should I be thinking of next?

[AJCruise]

Hello everyone!  I'm a new member, but I've been following the forum for a while, so I would appreciate your valued input as to which way I should invest some of my hard earned cash in the new year.

The main question is which "table-saw" model should I go for, Precisio CS70 or CMS + TS75 (GE or VL?), or both?

I earn my living with my tools, so getting this decision right is imperative.

Most of my work is fitting/making custom kitchen and bedroom furniture, but also wood flooring, decking, fencing and 2nd-fix trim-work.

I don't have a permanent workshop at present, (planned for summer) so it's a totally mobile setup in clients' homes/premises, with workshop space courtesy of my father. Having fast setup/breakdown times will influence my decision, since we all know "Time is money!"

Obviously, this question will probably be aimed at those of you outside the U.S. / Canada (NAINA) but as the Precisio doesn't get much attention on the forum, any input will be welcome!

Thanks, Alan

 

[peter halle]

Alan,

Sorry to be so late in welcoming you to the FOG!  [welcome] [welcome]

Peter

 

[AJCruise]

Thanks Peter, I look forward to hearing from you, and other members, and making contributions to this brilliant forum!!

 

[wrightwoodwork]

If it was me I would get the table saw depending on budget I would actually get the mafell Erika as it is a slightly better saw being more stable easier to set up with a tap of the foot to level off instead of having to turn the bottom of a foot but is a lot more money than the cs 70 I guess you will be cutting sheet good with rips over 250 so for either saw would need to extend the table with the mafe you can extend it 1m not sure how wide the festool can be extended for both you can get sliding tables which will give a cross cut of 900mm. What about a plunge saw and the guide rails with an mft table or a kapex. What tools do you currently use

 

[Kev]

This is a question I've been beating myself up over for ages - as I'm simply DIY/Hobby, I haven't been pressured to decide ... simply frustrated.

Firstly my issue with the CS70 is it seems long overdue for an update. The CS50 is a much fresher design, but limited in cut capacity.

The TS75 in a CMS is an ok option and the height and angle adjustment are "ok" if you don't mind bending over a bit and are also happy to check your blade angle frequently if you're doing precision work.

Something to also keep in mind is the CS70 has a 2000W motor - the TS75 is only 1600W.

I've said a number of times that Festool should discontinue the CSxx range and offer CMS saw modules with proper speed, angle and height adjustment (not adapted hand tools, proper modules ... along the lines of the sander module).

Back to immediate choices - if I needed it for work and it was going to make money for me today, I'd get the CS70 if I was choosing Festool. No to anything from Mafell for me on Oz, they're unfriendly to the down under market.

I did spend a moment or two considering the Metabo contractors saw, but I just feel it lacks quality calibration and alignment and is just suitable for it's target market of building contractor.

Flip-side thought for the TS75+CMS ... if you also have a TS55 and feel you would benefit from the odd use of the TS75 in the track (you wouldn't want to be constantly taking it out of the module) you are getting minor additional benefit.

 

[RC]

+1 to Kev's reply above.

Since time matters as a professional and I presume you will need to make angled cuts somewhat frequently a CS or Erika saw would probably be better for your use.

The CMS + TS-saw is a bit fiddly with its angle adjustment and if I was using mine professionally I would have a dedicated saw permanently in the CMS module anyway so its not that much cheaper as a combo to a CS saw with proper adjustments and sliding cut for cabinet parts.

 

[sancho57]

Alan

Welcome to FOG.

Well to answer your question... It depends

I can only tell you what made me go for the CMS w/ the TS 75.

I have a small shop and I like my tools to be versatile. The CS is a saw, thats it. The CMS is my router table and saw and soon to be scroll saw wen I get the jig saw module. So I have many different tools using the same table. Is it the best saw? No. Does it have the cutting capacity of my delta? No. Does it do what I need Yes.

But its all personal preference.

 

[RC]

Jobsworth, I would not hold my breath for the 'scroll saw replacement' of the CMS-PS module.

I have it, bought it with the assumption that it would be a compact replacement for a scroll saw and have tried scrolling with my Carvex 420 in it and yes you can do rough scroll sawing type of cutting with it like signs of 6mm plywood and such, but by no means is it a scroll saw.

You cannot use anything as thin as the blades of a scroll saw nor do you have blade control of a blade attached from both ends so to do anything intricate on a jigsaw in a CMS you most likely will fail.

Another thing to realize is that you can't use the battery models in the CMS-insert so I hope you have a corded Carvex or Trion that you are planning on putting into it.

 

[peter halle]

I believe that you can use the battery Carvex in the appropriate CMS plate.  Otherwise they wouldn't have included in the base kit the lock out tab on the lanyard.  For those in NA we refer to those as either necklaces or key chain fobs.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[Kev]

I believe that you can use the battery Carvex in the appropriate CMS plate.  Otherwise they wouldn't have included in the base kit the lock out tab on the lanyard.  For those in NA we refer to those as either necklaces or key chain fobs.  [big grin]

Peter

You end up without a remote ON/OFF switch (not ideal). I kept my 400 to use in the CMS module, my cordless 420 is the one that gets out and about.

 

[AJCruise]

Thank you all for your responses. I am actually drawn to the CMS setup for its ability to use different tools in the same body, similar to how cordless tool ranges now revolve around a common battery.

I agree with Kev, that a dedicated saw module should be an option, just like the belt sander. I really like the PS jigsaw module (not sure if my old PS1E will fit) for rapid, controllable scribe work, effectively a basic site bandsaw. At the moment I clamp the jigsaw to the side of my MFT/3 with screw clamps, and a piece of neoprene rubber to stop the vibration shaking it loose.

I have heard from an inside source, who shall remain nameless (as I can't remember his name right now!), that an edgebanding module is due for release mid-2014 in Europe, (along with a cordless TS). This, if true, would definitely push me towards the CMS.

I should say that I use a torsion-box style frame, on trestles, to breakdown sheets, then my MFT/3 for subsequent cross-cutting etc. The CMS/CS option is really to handle awkward cuts that are difficult, if not unsafe, for my TS55. I am not looking to produce fine M&T joinery on this setup, I have access to high quality woodworking equipment at my father's workshop for that.

What drew me to Festool more recently has been the ability to interchange different components to overcome certain challenges. I use the Kapex UG extensions to support long strips being cut on the MFT/3. The adjustable stops from the extensions also fit on the MFT fence, so I can preset multiple cut lengths.

I also askedthat if I opted for the CMS, should I go for the freestanding GE model, or the MFT dependent VL? If a V-groove connecting mechanism was available (something for the aftermarket fraternity to consider), I would probably go for the GE model, giving me the best of both worlds!

Thanks again
Alan

 

[peter halle]

I read your post and that last you posted was should you go with a CMS GE vs a CMS VL.  That would depend on whether or not you envision getting into a situation where you would want to use the CMS away from the MFT.  I am very glad that I got the GE and would recommend most of the time the GE vs the VL.  The advantages of having a separate station offset in my mind the cost - at least here in NA.

Either way you will have fun!

Peter

 

[Kev]

I've also heard talk of a Festool edge bander [cool]

Peter is spot on about going for the GE over the VL ... I have a VL and will add a GE to get the flexibility. Because the heights are constant you have a lot of options when it comes to positioning for the big stuff.

Narrow rip cuts to me are the biggest challenge without some form of table saw - so think carefully on GE v's VL when it comes to fence selection as there's a depth/length difference between the two.

488062 fits CS70 and VL
492095 fits CS50 and GE

 

[sancho57]

Festool edge bander eh???

Man just when my wallet was recovering from the shock of getting a bunch of NAINA stuff when I got here. Poor thing, it will need therapy if they come out with one