jonny round boy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2007
- Messages
- 3,227
I've been toying with this idea for a while now, and it's come up again as something that would be useful on a job I'm quoting for at the moment. I have to start this by saying that I don't (yet) own an MFS template. If I did, then I'd probably be looking at making something like these myself, and it would be in 'Projects' rather than 'Wish List'...
Problem:
The MFS system is ideal for routing square or rectangular (or indeed, circular!) cut-outs in timber worktops for sinks, hobs, etc., but whatever size the cut-out, the corner radius would always be the radius of the router bit you're using. That's fine for a hob, but some inset sinks need a larger radius on the corner of the cut-out, as do most undermount sinks.
Solution:
I thought of the idea of using corner 'fillets' that could be fitted into the profiles to produce larger corner radii. Since (at least here in the UK) the most common combination of bit & collar used by kitchen fitters is 1/2" (12.7mm) bit with a 30mm collar, I based the calculations on these dimensions.
With the above combination, the offset required is 8.65mm:
30 - 12.7
2 = 8.65mm
Therefore, to produce a finished cut of 50mm radius, the radius of the template would need to be 58.65mm (near as damn-it 58.5, I'm not bothered about being 0.15mm out!).
I designed these fillets with a 58.5mm radius, although I would envisage these being available in a variety of sizes, from say 20mm up to around 70mm, in 10mm increments. If the required radius was in between these increments, then the size of collar could be changed to adjust the finished radius.
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
These fillets could be secured in a similar way to the circle cutting accessory, i.e. a slot cut in the profile which is expanded with a grub-screw tapped into one half of the corner. Here's a transparent view showing this in (hopefully) more detail:
[attachthumb=3]
Once the MFS was set to the required dimensions for the cut-out, the fillets could simply be pushed into place & secured with a turn of the grub screw:
[attachthumb=4]
Then, with the template secured to the workpiece, you can rout out the opening knowing that you'll get the corner radius you require!!!
[attachthumb=5]
I'd like to see Festool make these, but failing that they could be made at home (though probably from some engineering plastic rather than aluminium).
If anyone does fancy making some of these before I get round to getting an MFS, then please feel free to use my design (though if anyone (including Festool) wants to produce them commercially, I'd apreciate a free set ;D ).
Edit: I forgot to mention - thanks to Brice for the SketchUp models of the MFS templates. They're available from the 3D Warehouse here (MFS 400) and here (MFS700).
Problem:
The MFS system is ideal for routing square or rectangular (or indeed, circular!) cut-outs in timber worktops for sinks, hobs, etc., but whatever size the cut-out, the corner radius would always be the radius of the router bit you're using. That's fine for a hob, but some inset sinks need a larger radius on the corner of the cut-out, as do most undermount sinks.
Solution:
I thought of the idea of using corner 'fillets' that could be fitted into the profiles to produce larger corner radii. Since (at least here in the UK) the most common combination of bit & collar used by kitchen fitters is 1/2" (12.7mm) bit with a 30mm collar, I based the calculations on these dimensions.
With the above combination, the offset required is 8.65mm:
30 - 12.7
2 = 8.65mm
Therefore, to produce a finished cut of 50mm radius, the radius of the template would need to be 58.65mm (near as damn-it 58.5, I'm not bothered about being 0.15mm out!).
I designed these fillets with a 58.5mm radius, although I would envisage these being available in a variety of sizes, from say 20mm up to around 70mm, in 10mm increments. If the required radius was in between these increments, then the size of collar could be changed to adjust the finished radius.
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
These fillets could be secured in a similar way to the circle cutting accessory, i.e. a slot cut in the profile which is expanded with a grub-screw tapped into one half of the corner. Here's a transparent view showing this in (hopefully) more detail:
[attachthumb=3]
Once the MFS was set to the required dimensions for the cut-out, the fillets could simply be pushed into place & secured with a turn of the grub screw:
[attachthumb=4]
Then, with the template secured to the workpiece, you can rout out the opening knowing that you'll get the corner radius you require!!!
[attachthumb=5]
I'd like to see Festool make these, but failing that they could be made at home (though probably from some engineering plastic rather than aluminium).
If anyone does fancy making some of these before I get round to getting an MFS, then please feel free to use my design (though if anyone (including Festool) wants to produce them commercially, I'd apreciate a free set ;D ).
Edit: I forgot to mention - thanks to Brice for the SketchUp models of the MFS templates. They're available from the 3D Warehouse here (MFS 400) and here (MFS700).
You've got orders from monte & Dan already...
