MFS-Help, please

[ToddTurnerT4.75]

I got the MFS mostly to cut juice grooves in the cutting boards i make. But I cannot figure out how to clamp the MFS to the board AND to the MFT. The MFS has only 2 90-degree brackets and to me, there should be 4. Can you post picture of how you do this, in a similar setup? Awesome, I knew you could!!

Thanks!
Todd

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the 2 brackets as stops, then Quick Clamps to hold the MFS to the MFT. The Quick Clamps are install up through the hole in the MFT, the "finger" slides into the groove in the MFS.

Tom

 

[waho6o9]

[attachimg=1]

I'm not sure if that answers your questions but that's how I did it.

 

[ear3]

If you're not riding on the extrusion, what's the advantage of doing it that way rather than with an edge guide?  Or are you able to stick something in the MFS channel to act as a stop?

[attachimg=1]

I'm not sure if that answers your questions but that's how I did it.

 

[waho6o9]

I plunge the ends first and then cut the grooves.

 

[Brice Burrell]

[attachimg=1]

I'm not sure if that answers your questions but that's how I did it.

I hate to say it, but you're using the MFS wrong.  Well, not so much as wrong, more like you aren't taking advantage of it's benefits.  Your method you have to manually control the router to start/end your groove.  That is far more prone to error. 

As Tom said you can use the two brackets to help position the MFS then play with clamps until you can clamp the whole thing down. 

 

[waho6o9]

Thank you Brice I appreciate your friendly advice.

I was also thinking of making a 4 sided template and run the router in the inside but I figured
this was the best way to do it.

I'll try the brackets on scrap pieces and thanks again for suggestions!

Waho
All the Best

 

[rst]

I used aluminum angle to attach to the outside of the MFS to give me a clamping surface.  I bought extra sliding nuts and bolts from Festool parts to attach the angles.

 

[Acrobat]

Have a look on Youtube. There is a couple of good videos demonstrating how one (french I believe) guy uses the MFS to route rectangular cutouts etc. He has a couple of interesting ways to clamp the MFS, one raised up on blocks and clamped, another clamped on an mft table using aluminium L channel and screws, and clamps through the mft dog holes. very enlightening videos for me on how best to use the MFS.

 

[Stone Message]

I got the MFS mostly to cut juice grooves in the cutting boards i make. But I cannot figure out how to clamp the MFS to the board AND to the MFT. The MFS has only 2 90-degree brackets and to me, there should be 4. Can you post picture of how you do this, in a similar setup? Awesome, I knew you could!!

Thanks!
Todd

Hi Todd

There is an excellent tutorial on the MFS produced by Brice Burrell which I think will be available on the Festool US web site.

For your clamping problem...

Have you tried feeding the Festool clamps up from under the MFT3, through the 20 mm holes, and then into the groove on the underside of the MFS. I am making a video about the MFS now but I have quite a bit more to do. I have already shot a sequence showing clamping to the MFT3.

Clamping options do need some thought especially when doing door hinges.

Peter