MFS 400 Question/Issue

ScotF

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
2,991
Hi everyone,

On my MFS400 the nuts on all of the profiles stick out a little on and they are not flush to the sides of the profile.  It seems like this is an issue as it is not possible to use the router on the outside edge of the profile.  I got a replacement set of nuts and screws, but these have the same issue.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Here is a picture of what I am experiencing:

[attachimg=#]

Thanks,

Scot
 
My MFS400 is the same.  However I've never used the outside as the reference edge.  In fact the only time I can see this would be an issue would be if you were using it with additional profiles to cut an "L" shaped pocket, for instance on the side string of a set of stairs.

Andrew
 
I think you need to check out the way that you have positioned the "nuts" into the profiles channels. The threaded portion of the nut is not centered in the nut. Make sure that the threaded side of the nut is towards the OUTSIDE of the profiles. If the threaded portion is reversed this is exactly what will happen.
[attachimg=#1]
Photo showing nut inserted the WRONG way into the profiles channel.
[attachimg=#2]
Photo showing nut inserted the CORRECT way into the profiles channel.
[attachimg=#3]
Photo showing the nut turned the WRONG way before insertion into the profiles channel.
[attachimg=#4]
Photo showing the nut turned the CORRECT way before insertion into the profiles channel.
[attachimg=#5]
Photo showing the offset in the nuts threaded portion which causes this headache in the first place!
 
Actually mine stick out either way.  When I first assembled it I had them ball bearing end outwards, and that was worse so I reassembled in with the ball bearing end in first, but they still stick out a millimetre or two.

Andrew  :-(
 
I'm pretty sure mine stick out the 1-2 millimeters too. I have two sets and one pair of extensions so I'll check to see if it's this way on all of them. I just assumed this was normal until seeing Tom's post.
 
I have two 1000 profiles and those are ok and the nuts are flush.  All of them on the 400 stick out -- I believe that they should work like Tom's pictures and be flush or slightly recessed. Otherwise you are limited to using the MFS template to the inside edge only or limited use on the outside edge.

Scot
 
Scot, I have an older set, maybe five or six years old and they are slightly recessed.  The good news is there is a simple solution to your problem.  Join the profiles with the scale on the outside, that way the nuts are on the inside.

[attachthumb=#]
 
Thanks, Brice.  I actually talked to Steve at Festool and they are sending me some new parts.  Hopefully this will fix the issue. 

Scot
 
I just checked mine.

On one set they all stick out 1-2mm. On the other set, only 1 of 4 sticks out and it's close to 1mm. The two extensions sit flush.
 
I just tried running a Festool guide bushing along the outside edge, thinking it might clear the nut. It doesn't, but you also run into another hiccup. I've attached a link to a video to illustrate. I used a 30mm bushing.

MFS Video
 
Good video illustration...but I would think that the router base would span the profile a little better -- curious if you tried that too.  I will have to give it a try this weekend.  Thanks for posting the video.

Scot
 
I didn't even think about the clamp slot causing a bump.  Like I said I've had my MFS sets for years now and I've never even thought of using the outside of the profiles to rout. 
 
That is most likely due to the fact that the FESTOOL engineers designed the MFS profiles to be used with the scales towards the inside of the box that is formed by proper assembly. This insures closer accuracy in use and also prevents the template bushing from riding into a channel on the profile. The MFS routing template is made to have the router run on the INSIDE of the profiles. This insures more stable travel of the router. Having the scales towards the inside allows the scales to line up on the adjacent profiles edge which make precise settings of the profiles a breeze. If you watch some of the videos demonstrating the use of the MFS700 and the MFS400 I think you observe them being used this way.
 
Well the fine folks at Festool service worked with me to resolve my issue with the MFS400.  They first sent me a replacement set of nuts and that did not work.  I called Service back and Steve found some new hardware and confirmed that they were flush checking them all on a set of profiles to confirm everything was flush before sending them to me.  I received them today and they work perfectly.  It appears that original nuts I received are .5mm to 1.0mm longer than the replacements and that is why they were proud of the sides.  Now I can use the outside edges of the profiles as a big square!

Thank you Festool and Steve for the great service!! [thumbs up]

Scot
 
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