Within its limits I've enjoyed owning the CMS-GE. For what it is designed to do it is great. There are times I wish I had a big fully setup Incra or Jessem table but for the reasons already mentioned in this thread, they aren't for me. I'd buy it again if I mine were to go missing. I didn't buy the CMS thinking it would do everything perfectly I've already accepted no tool is perfect out of the box and requires accessories/modifications to get the most out of it.

 

If anyone is near Fredericksburg VA there's been a lady with a CMS-GE for sale for several months. Her Facebook ad says no haggling must be why it hasn't sold.

https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/tls/d/fredericksburg-festool-cms-ge-routing/7391736122.html

"No Haggling"

Reminds me of the old adage: "What's the cheapest thing on a BMW motorcycle?  The owner!"

That said, it's a pretty reasonable price, all things considered.

My CMS-GE arrived from Hartville. I needed to watch the Festool video to see how to assemble the extension table; otherwise assembly was straightforward following the manual.

I installed the previously-purchased JessEm Clear Cut stock guides and much prefer them to the OEM guard/featherboard arrangement which makes it hard to see the cut. I've ordered Kapex crown stops with extensions and JessEm featherboards.

Dust collection is very good so far, except when routing a groove; in that case a little sawdust shoots out the open end.

So far I'm very pleased. Thanks to all who helped me make the decision to take the plunge.

Edited to add: I just moved the table and router to a different place in the garage. Portable in theory, but for an old man with a bad back not so much. Maybe I’ll have to build a cart for it if I don’t make permanent space for it. Or rig something up to use it with a dolly.

These are getting harder to find. I bought one from US Tool and Fastener this week and they told me this AM that they had 2 left. They actually shipped the pallet overnight air to the West Coast and hoping the local Roadrunner delivers in the next few days. That is ultra fast shipping.

I saw Beaver Tools lists it on its site as being available. Hartville has it, but at the higher price point.

If you buy it direct from Hartville's website, it's still normal price.  The higher price point is only on their Amazon store.

Or at least, that's how it was when I ordered from them.

@Stan Tillinghast

You mentioned that you installed the previously-purchased JessEm Clear Cut stock guides and much prefer them to the OEM guard/featherboard arrangement which makes it hard to see the cut, and ordered Kapex crown stops with extensions and JessEm featherboards.

Could you please post pictures of that setup once you have everything in place? I'm also not a big fan of the stock featherboard on the CMS, especially after inadvertently taking out a small bite of the plastic.

Thank you!

@c_dwyer , I'm pretty sure he's referring to this post:

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/festoon-cms-vl-and-jessem-clear-cut-stock-guides/msg583092/#msg583092

Yes, that’s the post. Thanks for responding, squall_line. The photos really clinched it for me. I have the Jessem feather boards, still waiting on the crown stops on order. The crown stops are pretty expensive, but have other advantages such as adding surface area to the router table, and of course their original use with the Kapex.

Ordered from Hartville today, hopefully it ships! Any other retailers have it in stock?

I installed the sliding table today but haven’t used it yet.
I have added the Jessem clear-cut stock guides and Jessem featherboards, and I’m going to like those.
I have the Woodpeckers micro-adjust device and have gotten ideas from other FOG threads on how to mount it to achieve both micro-adjustment of the fence and rapid movement of the fence for changing bits.
You guys have cost me a bundle—more than a very nice Jessem table with all the accoutrements.

But I canceled my Jessem order—too much trouble to go back now. 

Quote from: Stan Tillinghast on December 01, 2021, 02:10 AM

I have the Woodpeckers micro-adjust device and have gotten ideas from other FOG threads on how to mount it to achieve both micro-adjustment of the fence and rapid movement of the fence for changing bits.

I'd be interested in some photos on your mounting of the Woodpeckers micro-adjust. 

Tom

Thanks for the videos Tom...did you have to modify the Woodpeckers red knob to use it for a driver?

For anyone still looking for a CMS GE, we just got a small shipment, while supplies last.

If our website says "in stock", we still have some. If the add-to-cart button is missing, we are sold out.

https://www.toolnut.com/festool-203158-cms-ge-router-table-set.html

Please tag me with @Shane Holland if you have a question or email me at shane@toolnut.com.

Thanks,
Shane

Was checking everyday, and had no hopes you would guys get it back in stock, and ordered from hartville! First time not ordering from you guys! So upset now lol

I was poking around the stock room of my favorite Festool dealer (as one does), and stumbled across a massive box in the corner behind a stack of CTs. After shifting some stuff around, I found the label: CMS GE SET.   

It is now in my garage in various boxes. I couldn’t fit the main box in my car (it’s massive - 48x40x30), but luckily was able to get all the smaller boxes out of it and packed up without issue.

They had one more left as of this morning, if anyone is in the PNW. Store is Woodcrafters in Portland. (I came in for a hose, left with a router table. It’s that kind of place.)

Sadly, I found no Vac Sys back there, that would have been a real miracle!

Anyway, these units are still floating around, it seems, so worth calling local dealers if you’re looking for it.