MFS clamping and support on narrow work pieces..

[Tymbian]

First post guys so be kind...
I was wondering what sort of set-up you're using to clamp the MFS to wide but narrow stock ie. Cabinet doors. I've recently bought the MFS 400 to rout in some cabinet hinges on some louvre doors to make some bi-fold shutters. 48 in total. I've set the supplied L-brackets up as a stop to give the correct depth but the MFS is very un-stable resting on the narrow edge and the extrusions get in the way of clamping the brackets to the side of the door.

Ps. Love the forum and the knowledge contained herein.

Collecting the tools when needed but so far im using
a ts55, midi extractor, OF1400, Domino XL with Seneca adapter, LR 32 system, 1400 rail & 1400 lr32 rail.

 

[tjbnwi]

In the case of something this narrow you are best off setting up where a table (I use MFT's for this) supports the MFS on plane with the edge of the work piece or install look-outs/brackets on the work piece.

Tom

 

[nclemmons]

Looks like you don't have a MFT table which would make this easier.

Clamp the door to a 2x8 at a right angle along the edge where you want to route the hinges and then clamp the 1x8 to your bench.  Should be able to use that to clamp the MFS to.

 

[Tymbian]

I have a homemade MFT top which i rest on two saw-horses. I would need to fix an alu extrusion (@90deg) to the side of it . Any idea what extrusion and clamps i can use. I'll see if i can post a picture..

 

[nclemmons]

Could you not use drywall screws to screw a 2x4 under the edge of the top at a right angle?  Then use Festool clamps through the table holes to secure the MFS and clamp the door under it to the 2x4. MFS overhangs the edge per Toms post to route the edge for the hinge.

Alternatively use two pieces of 3/4 ply at right angles and an oversize cutout the size of the hinge with a guide bushing or top mounted bearing bit instead of the MFS.  Then you can lay the doors down, clamp the ply to the door with the cutout aligned to the hinge mortise location and route in about 10 seconds with easy repeatability.

Here's an image for reference: 

 

[Bohdan]

the extrusions get in the way of clamping the brackets to the side of the door.

I had no trouble duplicating your setup and clamping it to a narrow edge as if to do a hinge rebate. Perhaps you could show a picture of the problem you are having. Especially show how the brackets are fitted to the MFS.

 

[Tymbian]

Thanks. I'll take a picture tomorrow. I have a couple of plywood jigs which i made for 100mm & 75mm hinges. This week I have a different hinge size and thought ill just get the mfs and I can use it as I please for different size mortices etc. I have a flush cut guided trim bit with twin bearings so i dont have the maths of offset/ guide bushing set-up.

 

[Tymbian]

@ Bohdan heres a couple of pics. The festool clamp just fits on one side. It doesn't fit on the other side as the rail running anong the top of the louvre door. The clamp is not ideal though as the metal bar of the clamp is against the metal on the 90deg bracket. So no way to fit two clamps.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=61474]Tymbian[/member] drop the door so that the edge to get routed is FLUSH with your work surface. Make. Sure the piece stays perpendicular to the work surface. Vlamp securely in place. Take the MFS and put it in position possibly use the angles on the outside but you may not need them. Use the holes in your top to securely clamp the MFS in place. Rout your mortise. Reposition. Repeat

Ron

 

[Acrobat]

I found putting the black sticky foam strip that's used on the underside of festools rails helps prevent the MFS moving. I have clamped down at the ends of the mfs, thereby compressing the foam tape so as no to have the mfs any thicker and ensuring the router bit can make the depth required. By itself I found the MFS could move even clamped unless I clamped really hard.

 

[Stone Message]

@ Bohdan heres a couple of pics. The festool clamp just fits on one side. It doesn't fit on the other side as the rail running anong the top of the louvre door. The clamp is not ideal though as the metal bar of the clamp is against the metal on the 90deg bracket. So no way to fit two clamps.

If you can lower the door so that the edge is level with the top of the MFT3 then you can clamp the MFS in place (onto the MFT3) very easily.

Peter