Arbitrary Dado's using the guide

[pmkierst]

Currently I use a this kind of dado jig to make dado's in case sides. It allows arbitrary width, has no measuring and changes quickly. But, I have been eyeing that 1400 for a bit now and have a guide, so I am intrigued ... how would one go about doing this within the Festool "system" (without MFT). clearly I could just use the 1400 in that jig (or a similiar type using bearing guided bits or a guide ring), but I figured maybe Festool had a "solution", I just hadn't spotted it yet. Thoughts?

As an after thought, how well does the 1400 dust collection work when it is up on a jig such as this?

 

[Scott W.]

......... I figured maybe Festool had a "solution", I just hadn't spotted it yet. Thoughts?

Search for MFS  there is a lot of info here on this system.

Scott W.

 

[semenza]

Hi,  welcome to the forum 

          When you say you have a guide, do you mean a Festool guide rail?  ON the guide rail the router will make the dado whatever bit width you use ( Iam currently taking a break from doing this very thing). If you wanted to make arbitrary width dadoes using the guide rail, you would need to use a bi smaller than what you want and make multiple passes adjusting the guide stop. The most similar thing Festool has to the jig you are using is the MFS.  For making cross daoes of arbtrary width , your current type of jig may be the best solution.  The dust collection on the OF1400 in your jig would be excellent.

Seth

 

[sw1211]

John Lucas has something on his web site,http://www.woodshopdemos.com/Fest-7.htm

 

[JayStPeter]

I use that kind of jig also.  In fact, I made one that attaches to my MFT since I'm not a fan of the guide rail and footie for router use.  Many here use it with great success, but I personally prefer something a little more stout.  The OF1400 DC works very well in this situation.

- Jay

 

[pmkierst]

Search for MFS  there is a lot of info here on this system.

Ah, quite. I always skipped over the bits about the MFS as it looked like an elaborate solution to a problem I didn't have. I see how it could work now, especially with a template bit, though have a template bit right up against the Al makes me nervous..... thanks for the pointer! A little over kill for my application, though that spacer is pretty clever...

          When you say you have a guide, do you mean a Festool guide rail?

Ah, yeah that was kind of murky of me Heh, I meant a festool rail (I have one for my 55). I couldn't see how the rail could work out well for me for dados; I have never had a dado that ever fit a bit I think, but ya never know, those Festool guys seem clever. I see the MFS was the clever bit.

Many thanks for the replies! There is a variant I would like to try, especially since it should work reasonably well for rabbets too (mine hangs over the edge too much) and the copy ring arrangement on the 1400 would be well suited for it. I also like there is no spacer block to lose.... maybe I'll give that one a swing if I get the 1400.