¾" MDF + CMS + Aftermarket Fence + Big Panel Bit = Mess?!?!

[bkharman]

Hey all,

I have never done panels on my CMS-VL before but I did a few yesterday and under my CMS is a big dusty brown mess!!  I am not sure if it is the volume of dust vs. the rate it collects or what but has anyone else experienced this?  I am using my Incra Positioner which has the dust collection in the fence (not like the CMS where it is directly behind the bit).  Perhaps I just answered my own question but I will leave this up as the turkey dinner goes to my brain... or perhaps that is the G&T's  [wink]

 

[Michael Kellough]

.This is the best router dust collection system I know of.

 

[tjbnwi]

When you say panels, do you mean raised panels?  Vertical or horizontial bit? Which router?

Picture of your fence/set up please.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Thanks for the link. I have seen that system before but not what I needed. I have an MFT, with and incra LS-25 to get the flexibility and precision in a "Portable" system and the dust collection works really well on maple, poplar oak and everything else I do on the table.

It was just this ¾ MDF. It is a dust machine, so I was looking for some ideas.

Just a few more details. I have tried multi passes on a panel. I have tried a single pass. All produces a crap ton of dust.  Honestly, I think a single pass, run fairly slow is best for dust collection but does gum up the cutters pretty quick increasing the burn on the MDF.

 

[peter halle]

Just a head's up - I am changing your thread title to include "after market fence" to indicate that this is not an original CMS setup.

As a user I can't offer advice because I have only used my CMS as purchased along with a lice of mdc attached as a tall fence to the Festool fence.

Peter

 

[bkharman]

No problem Peter. Like I said, perhaps too many G&T's tonight.

I was looking at my LS and my Festool fence looking for a "hybrid" of sorts to best both worlds (and middle earth)

 

[tjbnwi]

I found a picture of your fence. Do you connect dust collection to the router?

In he picture I found it appears as if there is a gap on the top between the fences, I'd tape that closed.

Tom

 

[peter halle]

No problem Peter. Like I said, perhaps too many G&T's tonight.

I was looking at my LS and my Festool fence looking for a "hybrid" of sorts to best both worlds (and middle earth)

I ask this at the risk of readers than inking that I am a jerk but that is not my intent.  I have found that the CMS can do the majority or work most people would need without relying on after market fences.  Out of curiosity why are you using an aftermarket fence for raised panels?  If you are really using the setup as a hybrid have you considered using the other setup to reference the backside of the standard CMS fence whereas your outset to the it will be within the standard CMS fence travel?  

Just trying to be helpful and get infer and hopefully answers.

Peter

 

[bkharman]

Peter. I wanted quick routes + to do dovetails. The LS Positioner plus my MFT/CMS-VL seemed like the perfect compromise.  I love everything about my CMS except the fence.

The lack of repeatability make it a problem for me. I am not suggesting that the average person dump 1300 on the CMS-VL the spend another 400 on the incra. For my needs, I wanted a quick setup for my system. Plus I needed it somewhat portable.

Best of ALL worlds is what my approach was.

 

[peter halle]

Peter. I wanted quick routes + to do dovetails. The LS Positioner plus my MFT/CMS-VL seemed like the perfect compromise.  I love everything about my CMS except the fence.

The lack of repeatability make it a problem for me. I am not suggesting that the average person dump 1300 on the CMS-VL the spend another 400 on the incra. For my needs, I wanted a quick setup for my system. Plus I needed it somewhat portable.

Best of ALL worlds is what my approach was.

That's cool, I have grown to accept that not any one setup is perfect for everyone.  I will take a look at my CMS when I get the shop again.  Hopefully you will get tons of responses before that.

Peter

 

[Slappy]

try another brand of MDF not all MDF is the same , I myself have run into brands of MDF that just instantly turn into powdered dust  instead of chips when routed .

 

[bkharman]

Not sure what I changed, but things worked much better. Actually I think it was a combo of things...

I am plowing the MDF in a single pass, but I slowed the bit down to a "2" on my 1400 and am feeding slower. All in all, a lot less messy!

Also got 2 24" bessey revo clams at Lowes that were returned. Due to the hectic post Black Friday influx, I talked them down to 50 for the lot of them. 

Good start to the weekend!

 

[tjbnwi]

What type of cut are you making? You said panels, I'm pictureing raised panels with a vertical bit.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Horizontal bit. Nearly 3" shaker style with back cut.