Festoll Compact Modular System - Opinions?

[FishMan]

I was thinking of getting a router to use with a house renovation and future self build and had remembered a friend raving about Festool.
When I started researching I was also looking at router tables too. Then I saw the Festool CMS that can turn the base unit into a router table/saw table depending on the (yes, expensive) accessories.
I get the feeling this whole Festool thing can end up as a green and black journey of some considerable expense but could be a very nice versatile system for a keen amateur without a lot of space. It would have to justify itself in savings on joinery costs and furniture.
I would welcome any thoughts on this, and your own experiences of the system. Thanks.

 

[Corset]

I have got the basis 6a router table. It is very good,and is currenttly embedded in a mdf table routed to fit it. The dust collection and adjustability (sp?) is superb.
I got it off ebay and my plan was to expand the system as i went. However it is just cringingly expensive. If you get the cms base you might as well get the sliding table then you need the saw module and a saw, then you need the dust extractor tube to split the dust then you need the extension tables. By the time you have finished it will be £2000 and for that money unless you really need to move the stuff you can't really justify it. I really wanted to get it but it only made sense if i hadn;t bought any tools and i was prepared to compromise on function thereon in.
Instead i got a makta 2704 table saw with the hydraulic table thing a lyndhurst 6inch jointer a incra mitre rail and i still had change from £800. That has left me couple of hundred quid to spend on dust extraction.
Plus I might be able to justify upgrading my bandsaw in 10months otherwise i would have had to buy the jigsaw/sander system on the festool to really make sense, then i would i would need the racking thing.
I think i just got off the slope in time which means i could get some more planes.... :roll: or some chisels.....

Just my two pennys worth
Owen