MFS Substitutes

[HarveyWildes]

Has anyone discovered a good way to cobble together a good MFS substitute, now that Festool has discontinued the MFS jigs?

I just had a use for MFS today, and ended up gluing up jig that would do the job, but it's not going to last, and it's only as accurate as it needs to be.

Looks like Trend has a system out there that looks a lot like MFS for about $100 pounds, but with narrower, less supportive extrusions - the router requires an "anti-tilt shoe".  Has anyone used that?  If so, what did you think of it?

Veritas has a new extrusion (quad track??) that looks like it could have promise for putting something together because it has a wide dimension that could be used to support the router (although not as wide and supportive as MFS) and a narrow side with track that could be used for connections.  After looking at that track, I thought you might be able to put it together with the right connectors from 80/20 line and get something that would connect pieces without getting in the way of the router.

Any other solutions out there that people have had success with?  One of the obvious requirements is the ability to keep precise 90 degree angles on the connectors.  What are the other requirements of a good MFS replacement?

 

[copcarcollector]

 

[ear3]

Never used the Trend, but have heard complaints about the narrowness.

Another feature that is a must is clampability -- if you rig something out of 80/20, though, you might be able to cover that.

Has anyone discovered a good way to cobble together a good MFS substitute, now that Festool has discontinued the MFS jigs?

I just had a use for MFS today, and ended up gluing up jig that would do the job, but it's not going to last, and it's only as accurate as it needs to be.

Looks like Trend has a system out there that looks a lot like MFS for about $100 pounds, but with narrower, less supportive extrusions - the router requires an "anti-tilt shoe".  Has anyone used that?  If so, what did you think of it?

Veritas has a new extrusion (quad track??) that looks like it could have promise for putting something together because it has a wide dimension that could be used to support the router (although not as wide and supportive as MFS) and a narrow side with track that could be used for connections.  After looking at that track, I thought you might be able to put it together with the right connectors from 80/20 line and get something that would connect pieces without getting in the way of the router.

Any other solutions out there that people have had success with?  One of the obvious requirements is the ability to keep precise 90 degree angles on the connectors.  What are the other requirements of a good MFS replacement?

 

[morgan]

This always seemed to be the more economical alternative to me.  Of course it doesn't have the same graduations,  but some setup blocks or a story stick would suffice.
http://virutex.com/templateforstairs-pfp.aspx

 

[rst]

I bought the two Virutex vacuum clamps before the Festools were made available and found them to be great value.  I've since bought
the Festool vac sys' as they are more versatile.  I'd be interested to see if the extrusions were identical to the MFS as they seem incredibly similar.  I see no reason that they could not work the same.  It would not be hard to make the sliding insert for the copy guides.  I plan to make a larger version to accept one of the bigger ODs so I could use larger diameter bits. for my MFS.

 

[Bohdan]

That is what it was before Festool added the scales, the trammelling accessory, rebadged it and jacked the price.

However I do think that the scales are a significant improvement and worth the price hike.

 

[tjskinny]

I haven't found these for sale anywhere yet...  but look familiar?
http://www.virutex.es/productes/?accio=producte&id=145&lg=en

 

[Holmz]

http://www.guedo-outillage.fr/virutex-gabarit-de-fraisage-pf700-6046477-art_fr_21245.html

 

[Cheese]

My first knee-jerk reaction is that they were the original suppliers for Festool. That could be a valuable alternative source, as Festool has discontinued MFS sales in NA.

 

[Eric Brandt]

Woodpeckers supertrack?

 

[Holmz]

My first knee-jerk reaction is that they were the original suppliers for Festool. That could be a valuable alternative source, as Festool has discontinued MFS sales in NA.

They very likely could have been the supplier.

 

[ScotF]

My first knee-jerk reaction is that they were the original suppliers for Festool. That could be a valuable alternative source, as Festool has discontinued MFS sales in NA.

It seems these are being discontinued elsewhere too - I think that the UK are not available now.

 

[Cheese]

It seems these are being discontinued elsewhere too - I think that the UK are not available now.

Well that's interesting...a post several months ago from Festool, stated that they were not discontinuing this item in Europe.  [eek]

 

[Peter_C]

I have a Trend jig setup I just bought, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I was surprised by the fact the rails are so narrow on the top. The measurement strip is also loose and slides around.

Woodpeckers supertrack?

That was my first thought too. I wonder if a few emails and/or phone calls to Woodpecker wouldn't have them engraving their SuperTrack with measurements. I know it is possible because I have their PGS guides that are laser engraved.http://www.woodpeck.com/supertrack.html

I don't understand why the MFS was discontinued as there should be enough profit, but obviously not.

 

[AlexThePalex]

It seems these are being discontinued elsewhere too - I think that the UK are not available now.

Well that's interesting...a post several months ago from Festool, stated that they were not discontinuing this item in Europe.  [eek]

All Festool websites in Europe still show it as part of the catalogue.

 

[Llap Goch]

I bought the MFS 700 from FFX just before Christmas and will order a 400 once they come back in stock. The MFS system is listed in the 2017 Festool catalogue but it is difficult to find dealers who have them on the shelf. They are either unavailable or to order only. There are a few dealers with the odd rail or tray but supply is patchy.

I suspect that it is a combination of low demand/high price that makes it an order only item. The MFS looks very much like a re-badged Spanish Vitrulex PF template so I will get in touch with the UK distributor to check their compatibility, availability and price.

Cracking system, had the Trend and sold it as it was not accurate and too narrow but the MFS is outrageously expensive or should that be reassuringly expensive. A Stella question!

 

[Corwin]

My first knee-jerk reaction is that they were the original suppliers for Festool. That could be a valuable alternative source, as Festool has discontinued MFS sales in NA.

They very likely could have been the supplier.

Virutex's website links their 2015 catalog which contains the PF400 & PF700 router templates and indicates that they were [then] NEW items. So, while these do look almost identical to the Festool MFS pieces, the timing doesn't coincide with them been the original supplier to Festool.

If they are still in business, and still offer this product, looks like a candidate for a group purchase...  [blink]

 

[GarryMartin]

My first knee-jerk reaction is that they were the original suppliers for Festool. That could be a valuable alternative source, as Festool has discontinued MFS sales in NA.

They very likely could have been the supplier.

GEAT were the originators of the design. They signed a deal with Festool in 2004 at the same time ceasing sale under their own name.

"Since April 1, 2004, Festool has taken over the sales of our GEAT SDG 3 milling template.  This is offered with a modified profile of the rails under the designation MFS."
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/mfs-notes-on-the-mfs/

 

[Bohdan]

Could be that the Geat deal has expired and Virutex has picked it up.

 

[gunnyr]

Virutex seems to offer a version of the MFS template in the US as a stair template for $399:

Virutex Stair Template

I'm curious if they sell the individual profiles.  I have messaged them to ask.