What MFS extensions for most flexible setup?

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm going to get the base MFS 700 and to 1000mm extensions, I would also like to get either the 200mm or 400mm extensions. I think I would need more of the connectors sp what would be the kit to get? I'll be building some doors, cabinets, som outdoor stools and half round bench, play ground elements. outdoor climbing feature, Kitchen countertops, etc..

Had thought the 200mm would give me the most flexibility because the I'd have 2X 200,400,700,1000. It's a little bothersome though that 200mm extensions are so expensive for little more money I could get 400mm..I'd think the 200mm extensions would be great for making jigs for doing door hardware..

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bohdan]

I got the MFS 400 base kit with the MFS 1000 extensions as I thought that this would give me the most flexibility. The MFS 400 does the small jobs and with the 400 bits added as extensions to the 1000 you can cover the big ones.

Remember when working on things like door edges you need short rails to enable you to clamp them to the door as the longer rails get in the way.

The 1000 extensions when joined together are also handy as a fence with graduations for use on the MFT.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I got the MFS 400 base kit with the MFS 1000 extensions as I thought that this would give me the most flexibility. The MFS 400 does the small jobs and with the 400 bits added as extensions to the 1000 you can cover the big ones.

That's also what I was thinking, the small issue I'm having is my supplier only offers the MFS 700 kit. So I'd buy the extra MFS 200 extensions then as it seems they are needed..

Remember when working on things like door edges you need short rails to enable you to clamp them to the door as the longer rails get in the way.

I'm trying to envision how the MFS are clamped to the door edges, and extra piece of wood to give the clamps something to holde onto would need to be clamped to the door face I suppose..

The 1000 extensions when joined together are also handy as a fence with graduations for use on the MFT.

I really like the concept of the MFS used as a straight edge and as a super squaring and layout device, as it makes MFS multifunctional and reduces the number elements I need to buy for my whole shop as well..

 

[Kev]

Something that people overlook is the flexibility you get by adding a second router fence. It doesn't give you a boundary on 4 sides, but the two boundaries can be very useful for slotting, morticing, etc.

The "most flexible setup" is 4 of every MFS length. Scary expensive approach [scared] it really depends on what you may do. For example, sometimes it'd be nice to have 4x 200's, just because it'd make things nice and compact.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Something that people overlook is the flexibility you get by adding a second router fence. It doesn't give you a boundary on 4 sides, but the two boundaries can be very useful for slotting, morticing, etc.

The "most flexible setup" is 4 of every MFS length. Scary expensive approach [scared] it really depends on what you may do. For example, sometimes it'd be nice to have 4x 200's, just because it'd make things nice and compact.

So if I could find the MFS 400 kit buy two of those, and then Four MFS 1000 I'd have almost what you suggest, I think the relative difference between 700mm and 1000mm isn't so great that you could get by skipping the 700mm length if it really is smarter to have 4 of each length.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Kev]

Something that people overlook is the flexibility you get by adding a second router fence. It doesn't give you a boundary on 4 sides, but the two boundaries can be very useful for slotting, morticing, etc.

The "most flexible setup" is 4 of every MFS length. Scary expensive approach [scared] it really depends on what you may do. For example, sometimes it'd be nice to have 4x 200's, just because it'd make things nice and compact.

So if I could find the MFS 400 kit buy two of those, and then Four MFS 1000 I'd have almost what you suggest, I think the relative difference between 700mm and 1000mm isn't so great that you could get by skipping the 700mm length if it really is smarter to have 4 of each length.

Thanks for the input!

Exactly ... you'd probably get away with 2x 1000's in reality, can't imagine the project that'd use 4x, but getting all the connections and bits with 2x MFS400's and 2x 1000's would be a good "ready for anything" setup.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Something that people overlook is the flexibility you get by adding a second router fence. It doesn't give you a boundary on 4 sides, but the two boundaries can be very useful for slotting, morticing, etc.

The "most flexible setup" is 4 of every MFS length. Scary expensive approach [scared] it really depends on what you may do. For example, sometimes it'd be nice to have 4x 200's, just because it'd make things nice and compact.

Yes I thought the connecting pieces the router fitting would be needed to be doubled anyway, so right I'll get the MFS 400 x 2 and 2x1000 extensions now and perhaps later 2x 700 extensions.

So if I could find the MFS 400 kit buy two of those, and then Four MFS 1000 I'd have almost what you suggest, I think the relative difference between 700mm and 1000mm isn't so great that you could get by skipping the 700mm length if it really is smarter to have 4 of each length.

Thanks for the input!

Exactly ... you'd probably get away with 2x 1000's in reality, can't imagine the project that'd use 4x, but getting all the connections and bits with 2x MFS400's and 2x 1000's would be a good "ready for anything" setup.

 

[Bohdan]

I'm trying to envision how the MFS are clamped to the door edges, and extra piece of wood to give the clamps something to holde onto would need to be clamped to the door face I suppose..

I clamp the L brackets from the MFS kit to the door using either the normal F clamps or G clamps.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Thanks Bohdan, I guess I'll get the idea when I have the MFS system in my hands..

 

[Cheese]

[member=23193]PreferrablyWood[/member]
Just a heads-up, each pair of rails come with a bag of 8 connectors & setscrews. I didn't realize that and I purchased extras. [doh]

 

[PreferrablyWood]

[member=23193]PreferrablyWood[/member]
Just a heads-up, each pair of rails come with a bag of 8 connectors & setscrews. I didn't realize that and I purchased extras. [doh]

Thanks Cheese, I appreciate that, it seems to two sets MFS 400, might have enough connectors combined with the MFS 1000 extensions.

 

[mikeomalley]

I'm trying to envision how the MFS are clamped to the door edges, and extra piece of wood to give the clamps something to holde onto would need to be clamped to the door face I suppose..

I clamp the L brackets from the MFS kit to the door using either the normal F clamps or G clamps.

Not impressed with the L brackets, extruded aluminium would have made more accurate measuring. Perhaps I am too fussy!

 

[promark747]

FYI, the guide rail connectors work on the MFS and provide a beefier connection (if you've got them available).

 

[andyman]

I'm looking at adding to my 700 set.
Just searched £40 different approx to have mfs 2000 to 1000mm think I might buy and cut.
Obviously the scale on the one won't be correct but I can live with that

 

[PreferrablyWood]

FYI, the guide rail connectors work on the MFS and provide a beefier connection (if you've got them available).

Thanks I'll keep that in mind..

 

[Cheese]

[member=15141]andyman[/member]
Just a heads-up...the 2000 mm extrusions do not have scales on them, the 1000 mm do.

 

[rst]

I bought two of the MFS sets from Amazon Warehouse.  Both sets came damaged but I work with aluminum on an almost daily basis so I repaired them as I did not want to pay full price.  Amazon gave me a rebate on the first set but insisted on a return of the second.  Both sets had extrusions that either had dents from being dropped and/or from being misaligned and forced into position by a hammer mechanic.  As a result I have one set of 200, (2) 400, (2) 700, one 1000 set and I bought the 2000 set when the discontinue notice was announced.  I use mine for various things but was disappointed with the attachment as one of the things I wanted to do was rout doors for commercial lite kits.  I made angle attachments from two sets of 1" X 2" aluminum angle, one set is 24" and the other 36".  I cut the 1" side done to the height of the MFS extrusions and drilled a series of holes along the length to insert metric cap head screws like the original and 8020 10 series slide in tee nuts.  I can now attach the angles and can clamp the MFS from well away from the actual jig.

 

[Bohdan]

But of course the screws in the MFS joiners are a different size, to the rest of the screws, so the nice screw driver that they supply with the MFS kit won't fit. They do give you a regular bent key but this is guarenteed to get lost once you have fitted the joiners.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I bought two of the MFS sets from Amazon Warehouse.  Both sets came damaged but I work with aluminum on an almost daily basis so I repaired them as I did not want to pay full price.  Amazon gave me a rebate on the first set but insisted on a return of the second.  Both sets had extrusions that either had dents from being dropped and/or from being misaligned and forced into position by a hammer mechanic.

I can't understand why the sets arrived damaged, were the MFS sets advertised as used?

  As a result I have one set of 200, (2) 400, (2) 700, one 1000 set and I bought the 2000 set when the discontinue notice was announced.

It seems the 2000 set is still available in the EU

  I use mine for various things but was disappointed with the attachment as one of the things I wanted to do was rout doors for commercial lite kits.  I made angle attachments from two sets of 1" X 2" aluminum angle, one set is 24" and the other 36".  I cut the 1" side done to the height of the MFS extrusions and drilled a series of holes along the length to insert metric cap head screws like the original and 8020 10 series slide in tee nuts.  I can now attach the angles and can clamp the MFS from well away from the actual jig.

Thanks for the description of how you extended the usefulness the MFS with you own angle attachments. It was exactly this mod that I was interested in doing for door hardware installation.

 

[ear3]

Do you have a pic of that setup [member=25351]rst[/member]?

I bought two of the MFS sets from Amazon Warehouse.  Both sets came damaged but I work with aluminum on an almost daily basis so I repaired them as I did not want to pay full price.  Amazon gave me a rebate on the first set but insisted on a return of the second.  Both sets had extrusions that either had dents from being dropped and/or from being misaligned and forced into position by a hammer mechanic.  As a result I have one set of 200, (2) 400, (2) 700, one 1000 set and I bought the 2000 set when the discontinue notice was announced.  I use mine for various things but was disappointed with the attachment as one of the things I wanted to do was rout doors for commercial lite kits.  I made angle attachments from two sets of 1" X 2" aluminum angle, one set is 24" and the other 36".  I cut the 1" side done to the height of the MFS extrusions and drilled a series of holes along the length to insert metric cap head screws like the original and 8020 10 series slide in tee nuts.  I can now attach the angles and can clamp the MFS from well away from the actual jig.