Festool has announced that their CMS router table will be available in the USA starting in October 2012. The CMS router table is being marketing with some very serious claims that have attracted our full attention.
Festool CMS Router Table Features & Advantages
Amazing Dust Extraction
Those of you that use routers with or without router tables know that they create a ton of dust and debris. Festool is advertising that the CMS Router Table, with its top and bottom dust ports, leaves no chip behind.
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A lot of router tables have dust collection ports, ducts, and all sorts of accessories, but this is the first one I’ve ever seen being advertised as dust-free. Hopefully this is an accurate representation and not just marketing hype!
The CMS Router Table has an in-fence dust port and a below-the-table dust port to collect chips as soon as they are created. The appropriate hoses – 36mm for in-fence port and 27mm or 36mm for chip guard – are available as an optional add-on or included with the complete set.
Precision Adjustability
Router bit height adjustment can be fine-tuned at 1/256″ (0.1mm) increments, and the fence is fully adjustable with micro-adjust capabilities. You also get an integrated hold-down and featherboard-like guard assembly to keep workpieces in contact with the fence and table.
Portability
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We have space issues and so we’ve looked at compact and portable router tables before. Our large router table is packed away in storage at the moment, but the portable router tables we’ve seen are so lousy that we’re making due without any at the moment.
The CMS Router Table looks compact, perhaps as small as or smaller than a portable table saw. Coupled with excellent dust extraction, we can see these router tables being suitable for use at jobsites and compact workspaces like ours. Heck, the whole shebang looks better than many complete full-size router table setups we’ve seen.
CMS Router Table Options
There will be two core models, the standalone CMS table setup, and a Festool multi-function table (MFT/3) add-on.
Free-Standing with Folding Legs CMS GE
Model P00111 is a complete set that includes the basic components and optional accessories listed below, and P00112 is the basic more economical option.
Stationary MFT/3 Add-on CMS VL
If you don’t have an MFT/3, don’t plan to buy one, or don’t know what it even is, stick with the free-standing models.
As with the free-standing configurations, there will be a complete set, P00109, and a basic package, P00110.
Included with Complete Sets
- router table
- router module and fence
- auxiliary dust hood with starting pin
- miter gauge
- sliding table
- table extension (not included with MFT/3 add-on)
- dust extraction hose set
Included with Basic Sets
- router table
- router module and fence
- auxiliary dust hood with starting pin
Available Options (Included with Complete Sets)
- outfeed extension table (not compatible with MFT/3 add-on)
- sliding table
- miter gauge
- dust extraction hose set
Of course you will also need a Festool router to go along with the router table. OF 1010 is a smaller model compatible with 8mm and 1/4″ bits, and OF 1400 is compatible with 8mm, 1/4″, and 1/2″ router bits. Both routers feature plunge bases. A Festool dust extractor – or any other compatible with 27mm and 36mm hoses – will be needed to take advantage of the router table’s dust extraction capabilities.
Pricing
CMS-GE complete set, P00111: $1600
CMS-GE basic set, P00112: $1200
CMS-VL complete MFT/3 add-on set, P00109: $1300
CMS-VL basic MFT/3 add-on set, P00110: $1000
Our Impressions
Festool points out that the CMS Router Table was designed as a complete system, with every component designed to integrate seamlessly. It’s not a bunch of components cobbled together from various manufacturers. (Hey! We’re actually quite fond of cobbled-together components when well-established standards are in place.)
Festool makes some very bold assertions about the CMS Router Table. From what we’ve seen about some of Festool’s other tools, most notably the saw and dust extractor we purchased over a year ago, we’re inclined to believe their claims.
Still, this is something we would need to see to believe. $1600 is a lot of coin for a router table when there are some very excellent designs out there at half the price.
One more thing that’s nagging at the back of our minds – there are other CMS modules available overseas. We are almost desperate for a plunge saw module to be released in the USA. We doubt that will happen anytime soon, but it would certainly help us get past how many portable table saws are prone to terribly inefficient dust collection.
Shawn Dehner
Nice pre-review. I’m wondering if you’ve finally been able to try one out? It also looks like a great tool to me as well; the sliding table is a nice touch, I’ve yet to see another portable router table with that feature. Already owning an OF1010 I have to admit that this little table is very appealing – too bad it’s so pricey of course…
Stuart
Actually, my first impressions review went up earlier today at https://toolguyd.com/festool-cms-router-table-review/.
The CMS router table is actually quite a bit better than I anticipated, in terms of ease of use and performance.
I’m very much hoping that Festool releases other CMS tool modules in the future, such as their EU table saw module. That would help spread the cost of shared components such as the stand and accessories.