MFS rails and kits

[Ed Bray]

I'm toying with the idea of buying an MFS 700, but would have liked the opportunity to use it to cut bigger than the 600mm x 300mm afforded by this option.

I am therefore considering buying the MFS 400 kit along with a pair of 2.0 mtr additional rails. I am then thinking of cutting the additional 2.0 mtr rails on my Kapex (with an Aluminium cutting blade) to give a pair of 750mm rails as well as leaving a pair of 1250mm rails (minus the kerf of the cut).

This would then give me a range of pairs of rails of 200mm, 400mm, 750mm and 1250mm and would allow me to make cuts up to 650m x 1150mm but enable me to use the appropriate sized rails for the cut required.

Has anyone else done this and is the cutting of the large rails likely to be a problem?

Thoughts? 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The ends have indexing pins and threaded inserts. I think you could buy the inserts as separate parts, but not sure about the locating pins. Something to consider.

 

[waho6o9]

Personally I wouldn't cut the rails.

Maybe make your own?





Excellent craftsman this guy ^

 

[Brice Burrell]

The ends have indexing pins and threaded inserts. I think you could buy the inserts as separate parts, but not sure about the locating pins. Something to consider.

As Scott pointed out the inserts and pins (and the corresponding reamed holes) could make this not very practical.  Here are a couple of pictures to showing the threaded inserts and pins.

 

[peter halle]

Brice,

With all your experience with the MFS system didn't you post about the best way to buy and add other parts / rails a long time ago?  Advice from you on the MFS is priceless IMHO.
Peter

 

[tbellemare]

There are 5 lengths of profiles available in NA...

2m
1m
700mm
400mm
200mm

The MFS 700 has two 700's and two 400's.
The MFS 400 has two 400's and two 200's

That variety can cover almost any need pretty handily. As Brice points out, the ends are not just trimmed profiles.

Tom

 

[Ed Bray]

The ends have indexing pins and threaded inserts. I think you could buy the inserts as separate parts, but not sure about the locating pins. Something to consider.

As Scott pointed out the inserts and pins (and the corresponding reamed holes) could make this not very practical.  Here are a couple of pictures to showing the threaded inserts and pins.

Thanks for the replies, I have made a set up using Kriss's design, having seen the merit of them I quite fancy a set of the proper rails, prevents issues with wracking and allow the stabilisation of the router during the cutting.

Thanks for the pictures Brice, I am assuming that the pictures of the rails on end are of two rails showing both ends? If so, what are the holes for exactly please?

I can see the use of the pins to stop the parts wracking when tightened, but cannot see a purpose of the holes in the opposite end of the rail, unless they are additional locating holes for additional pins?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Tom listed all the profiles available.  Do the math to find the best value.  For example, it is cheaper to buy the MFS 400 set and add the 700mm profiles to make a functional MFS 400 and 700 sets from the parts ($597).  If you do it the other way around it costs a fair amount more ($683).  If I remember correctly, the 2000mm profiles don't have the scales printed on them, all other profiles do.   

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....Thanks for the pictures Brice, I am assuming that the pictures of the rails on end are of two rails showing both ends? If so, what are the holes for exactly please?

I can see the use of the pins to stop the parts wracking when tightened, but cannot see a purpose of the holes in the opposite end of the rail, unless they are additional locating holes for additional pins?

You are correct about the pins preventing wracking/misalignment.  And correct again about the pic showing the opposite ends of two profiles.  The pins also index the rails end to end, inserting the pins into the holes you see in the the other profile.  This allows you to connect the profiles with a connector that Festool makes specifically for the MFS or you can use the guide rail connectors.

 

 

[Brice Burrell]

BTW, I did a users guide for the MFS 7-8 years ago, it's still on the Festool USA site if anyone is interested.

 

[Ed Bray]

BTW, I did a users guide for the MFS 7-8 years ago, it's still on the Festool USA site if anyone is interested.

Thanks again for the further explanation and I have just saved both your MFS PDF and Jerry Works ones too.

So, would I be correct in thinking that if I bought the MFS-400 and the 700mm rails I could. with either the purchase of a connector or using my guide rail connectors make a square of 700mm x 600mm giving me an internal cut of 620mm x 520mm which actually would be plenty for my current needs?

 

[GarryMartin]

If I remember correctly, the 2000mm profiles don't have the scales printed on them, all other profiles do. 

That's correct.

So, would I be correct in thinking that if I bought the MFS-400 and the 700mm rails I could. with either the purchase of a connector or using my guide rail connectors make a square of 700mm x 600mm giving me an internal cut of 620mm x 520mm which actually would be plenty for my current needs?

That's also correct about the size. You can't use guide rail connectors; they're special connectors for the MFS profiles.

Brice, with all your experience with the MFS system didn't you post about the best way to buy and add other parts / rails a long time ago?

In the UK at least, the MFS 400 and additional MFS-VP 1000 rails was the most cost effective combination when I bought mine. I added the set of four joiners/connectors (P/N 493235).

 

[whitesys]

That's also correct about the size. You can't use guide rail connectors; they're special connectors for the MFS profiles.

The MFS Extension Profiles should have the profile connectors included.

 

[Ed Bray]

Thanks all for your comments/suggestions.

That's also correct about the size. You can't use guide rail connectors; they're special connectors for the MFS profiles.

Garry,

If you look in this document by Brice it appears you can use Guide Rail connectors in the Guide Rail slots (page 4 and 11 make reference to and show this in action).

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/mfs-users-guide-brice-burrell.pdf

I am very impressed with both Brice's document and the one from Jerry Work on the use of the MFS.

Jerry's is below and well worth including again for those that haven't seen it.

http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/962087/13205584/1310688549607/Advanced+Cutting+and+Routing+Techniques+Using+the+Festool+MFS+Fence+System+reduced.pdf?token=SiiDx1I58Elxf8C%2F0xmRHYGmwmQ%3D

 

[GarryMartin]

If you look in this document by Brice it appears you can use Guide Rail connectors in the Guide Rail slots (page 4 and 11 make reference to and show this in action).

OK. Understand what you mean now; using the clamp slots with the Guide Rail connectors.

The Festool connectors for the MFS profiles are nothing like the Guide Rail connectors.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Ed Bray]

Well, I bit the bullet and bought an MFS-400 and a pair of MFS 1000 rails.

The MFS 1000 rails came with an additional 8x Triangle Joining type thingys (they weren't mentioned in the description), so I'm glad I didn't fork out the £34 for a pack of 4 of them: 493235 Along-binder MFS-VP ET-BG.

At the moment my maximum size internal template will be 920mm x 520mm or 1320mm x 120mm although I am buying another set of 200mm rails (on offer at FFX) which will give me a more useable smaller section of 320mm x 320mm or 120mm x 520mm.

Impressed with the set so far, I haven't actually used it yet, that will be later today.