tonka
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by tonka on Oct 26, 2019 2:09:34 GMT -5
New user
Hope I could get some guidance
I’m a Carpenter with a small...SMALL workshop. Kitchens, Wood Floors, Cabinet builds etc.
I’ve never been brand specific, and always bought the best I can afford for the job needed, I had a Festool Ts55 and a Jigsaw, but sold after a year and replaced with Mafell (in my view a far superior product). Never regretted it and should be a rep for them as I praise them to clients and work friends to the point of annoyance.
I do have the Festool CMS router setup with the idea of getting the Saw plate and then re buying a TS55 for my small workshop. I recently found out that Festool are discontinuing this CMS though this not worry to me, but I’m now thinking of selling the Festool setup (nearly new) and getting the Erika 70 or 85 with the router extension. I could use the complete setup up in my workshop and though not the easiest but could take it on site.
Can anyone convince me otherwise?
Is the 70 and 85 just size difference or is there any features not in one or the other, I did read a post about the 60 accessories not being compatible.
It’s expensive, and yes that is a concern, but it’s more than just a hobby, I make a living out of my tools, so can justify selling a kidney to fund it.
Thanks in advance for any advise.
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Post by traveller on Oct 26, 2019 5:25:30 GMT -5
Hello tonka, I had an Erika 85. But I sold it (for mounting on the way she was too big for me), because I bought a Metabo TKU1693D for home, on the way an old Erika 70. The 70 Erika has a weaker engine and saws only up to 70mm height. All accessories of the 85 fit on the 70 and vice versa, but not on the Erika 60.
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Post by bicycleclip on Oct 26, 2019 6:11:41 GMT -5
I have an 85 and I agree it’s too big for regular site deployment. The person I bought it from replaced it with a 60 for that reason. I’m 6’ 3” and can handle weight but it has an awkward balance.
What I love about the 85 is being able to set up in the yard outside my workshop on a sunny day, and the fact it doesn’t take too much room in my workshop if I need to work indoors. It’s very accurate and powerful. I have all the accessories including two extension tables.
I leave an LO65 router permanently installed in one of these extensions, and have created shelf supports so that I can store the extension/router on my workshop wall and slide it onto the Erika whenever needed. It should be noted that the updated Erika 85 doesn’t offer the router compatible extension tables, there’s no hole in them.
The push/pull saw action is brilliant, and should be taken into consideration when comparing to other makes. It’ makes it amazingly versatile, and I use the push/pull function all the time.
The only downsides of the Erika range is that you can’t install a dado cutter, but I have an MF26 for that.
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Post by aas on Oct 26, 2019 12:47:32 GMT -5
I had the idea of being able to take the Erika 85 on site - once you actually have it, you realise it's not 'that' practical to be moving onto different jobs, it's quite heavy. Mine stays in the workshop on a custom made base to bring it up to a more standard 900mm height, and so I can move it around as it is heavy. Did I say it's heavy?.. but amazing!
I purchased a Festool CS50 as the lightweight precision site saw, the idea being to keep it simple, just the saw, no accessories - I absolutely love it and want all the accessories now!
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Post by bicycleclip on Oct 26, 2019 14:53:20 GMT -5
...on a custom made base to bring it up to a more standard 900mm height.. Last time I checked the Erika 85 is 890mm high
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Oct 27, 2019 11:44:09 GMT -5
Hi Tonka!
Apart from overall size and weight, the ERIKA 70 and 85 differ slightly in crosscut capacity and depth of cut.
You haven’t mentioned where you live, but it’s key to note that in North America the ERIKA 70 is available in 120 volt, whereas the 85 is only available in 240 volt. I own the 70 and it’s a fabulous saw, I use it equally in the shop and on-site. With the accessories and some creativity there’s rarely a cut I can’t achieve with it.
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tonka
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by tonka on Oct 27, 2019 13:09:24 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info folks, forgot to say, I live in the UK.
I appreciate the honest info on the size, weight for transportation and the usability.
I too prefer my track saw for large 8x4 sheets so probably would not need a large table size.
Interesting that the new version does not have the router hole extension table. I have seen a YouTube homemade extension that would work, but that moves me onto thinking about a festool cs50
I’m really undecided now, after reading some other posts regarding the festool cs50, which would be good, as I said I have a CMS router set and according to users the sliding table I have on it can be used on both, but not on the cs70, not only that the cs50 is about £1000 cheaper than a Erica 70.
Depth of cut is a thought, but to be honest I usual only cut 3/4 or 1” birch ply or the usual 3/4 MDF.
Thanks again for any and all help you have passed on
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Post by naildrivingman on Oct 27, 2019 13:22:29 GMT -5
...on a custom made base to bring it up to a more standard 900mm height.. Last time I checked the Erika 85 is 890mm high I will block up my Erika 70 so that I can use my Festool MFT as an outfeed. The MFT is listed as 900mm high. I think this is what aas was referring to.
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Post by naildrivingman on Oct 27, 2019 13:33:33 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info folks, forgot to say, I live in the UK. I appreciate the honest info on the size, weight for transportation and the usability. I too prefer my track saw for large 8x4 sheets so probably would not need a large table size. Interesting that the new version does not have the router hole extension table. I have seen a YouTube homemade extension that would work, but that moves me onto thinking about a festool cs50 I’m really undecided now, after reading some other posts regarding the festool cs50, which would be good, as I said I have a CMS router set and according to users the sliding table I have on it can be used on both, but not on the cs70, not only that the cs50 is about £1000 cheaper than a Erica 70. Depth of cut is a thought, but to be honest I usual only cut 3/4 or 1” birch ply or the usual 3/4 MDF. Thanks again for any and all help you have passed on I have read and been told that the aluminum of the side extension is not stable enough to support a heavy router. I have long thought of mounting a pony router to mine simply for easing edges from one station. I’m not saying that the aluminum will not support a large router, but I am saying that if I were to need absolute precision, I would probably rely on a dedicated router table with a proven track record. Currently I have a discontinued Bosch router table with folding legs. I’m considering replacing the OEM top with a phenolic one and installing a better fence from Incra or Jessem.
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Oct 27, 2019 20:11:37 GMT -5
Last time I checked the Erika 85 is 890mm high I will block up my Erika 70 so that I can use my Festool MFT as an outfeed. The MFT is listed as 900mm high. I think this is what aas was referring to. I considered blocking up my ERIKA to match my MFT tables, but couldn’t come up with an elegant solution, so I opted to just cut a few MM off the legs of the MFT tables. Only takes a couple minutes and works great. I cut an extra 5mm off to allow for uneven ground on job sites.
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Post by aas on Oct 28, 2019 7:08:31 GMT -5
Last time I checked the Erika 85 is 890mm high I will block up my Erika 70 so that I can use my Festool MFT as an outfeed. The MFT is listed as 900mm high. I think this is what aas was referring to. Yes, my Erika is on a rolling base, total height is now 900mm. I have 4 workbenches all with height adjustable tops, plus one for an Incra router setup, one for the Erika, and one for a Mitre saw that puts the bed of the Mitre saw at 900mm. The reason I went with height adjustable is due to uneven floors, I can set the benches perfectly level. Everything is on locking castors, I can reconfigure the workshop in seconds - I can also set out kitchen layouts with the benches so when doing solid surface builds I can check all the connecting points before taking it all on site.
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