Why was the MFS routing template discontinued?

[ScoFF]

It seems like people are still asking if anyone has them for sale, there seems to be some demand.  The need for routing template will probably always be there, why wouldn't they just keep making them?
Also, their price on those aluminum extrusions seems like a really good return.

 

[Coliban]

Not anymore in NA?

In Germany they still sell it :https://www.festool.de/zubehoer/492611---mfs-700#Übersicht

 

[ear3]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/mfs-46772/msg460610/#msg460610

There's more in that thread as well.

 

[antss]

$$$

 

[Cheese]

I don't know, but it is rather curious that it is strictly a NA discontinuance rather than a world wide issue. Similar to eliminating the spark trap and the metal cutting blades from the US arsenal. Far be it for me to be a conspiracy theory perpetuator...but there is something awry.

Festool corporate says its because of lagging MFS sales, yet when you realize that they've doubled down on the USA market by offering routers with (bogus) imperial scales/measurements to significantly increase their sales, you have to ask the question as to why they try to increase market penetration while at the same time they're eliminating some of their most functional accessories. A router and a router template go hand-in-hand, much the same way that a router and router bit go hand-in-hand.

Whoops...did I mention that Festool also discontinued most of their router bits in the US...

 

[MrToolJunkie]

It is baffling to me as well - the MFS is one of the most useful accessories for a router out there and it is useful for so many other things as well. I use it as a straight edge for my jigsaw, it is a super accurate square in all kinds of sizes and of course you can configure it to give repeatable cuts with the TS saws and MFT a'la Jerry Works' and Brice Burrell's excellent tutorials.

I am glad a scored the complete set-up so I am set.

 

[marktapungot]

i recently found one new in the box at my local woodcraft, score

 

[grbmds]

Sure it's useful but, given the cost, it's only cost effective when you use it a lot. If a pro routs a shape or a piece repetitively a template is likely to be made. Then you don't need the MFS. For the rest of us you just don't need one unless you're doing a lot of work within its functional range. It just doesn't make sense to buy it even though it is a great accessory.

 

[Mr_Mod]

I beleive the main reason it was discontiued was so that it can become NAINA [wink]

 

[Stone Message]

I would find the smaller MFS very useful but have not bought one yet.

I do not know what rules Festool imposes on their retailers but surely if something is NAINA then as an individual one could import whatever it might be from (say) Axminster who have a proven track record for shipping to North America.

This would work particularly well for something like the MFS where there are no code/compliance issues.

Peter

 

[GarryMartin]

Although the MFS 400 and MFS 700 are listed in the Festool UK catalogue for 2017, they appear to be discontinued in the UK too, so it's not a NA only thing. However, I understand from one of the Festool guys that they're on their way back so fingers crossed this translates to potential NA availability too.

 

[Coliban]

When i ordered it last month in germany, the first dealer told me that festool ran out of MFS 700 and they could not get any. I had to search a little bit to find one. It seems as if there is some bottleneck in the supply. At least i got one at an other dealer.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

I would find the smaller MFS very useful but have not bought one yet.

I do not know what rules Festool imposes on their retailers but surely if something is NAINA then as an individual one could import whatever it might be from (say) Axminster who have a proven track record for shipping to North America.

This would work particularly well for something like the MFS where there are no code/compliance issues.

Peter

Hi Peter

Interestingly, I have just read that a dealer within the EU may not export outside the EU without written permission. Just a technicality I'm sure but any dealer wishing to export might want to get that permission before doing so?

Best regards

Warren

 

[Michael Kellough]

Warren, would that rule still apply to dealers in GB?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter

Interestingly, I have just read that a dealer within the EU may not export outside the EU without written permission. Just a technicality I'm sure but any dealer wishing to export might want to get that permission before doing so?

Best regards

Warren

Thanks for that Warren. There are not many UK dealers that I know of that export abroad - am I right in thinking that you still do not do that?

Peter

 

[McNally Family]

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

Just noticed your post count (3333). 

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Warren, would that rule still apply to dealers in GB?

Yes, I have it here it black and white.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Hi Peter

Interestingly, I have just read that a dealer within the EU may not export outside the EU without written permission. Just a technicality I'm sure but any dealer wishing to export might want to get that permission before doing so?

Best regards

Warren

Thanks for that Warren. There are not many UK dealers that I know of that export abroad - am I right in thinking that you still do not do that?

Peter

Yep, UK only for us.

 

[kelauben]

i recently found one new in the box at my local woodcraft, score

And, did you buy it?

 

[kelauben]

So, why does FestoolUSA still list it?  As if it's available.

FestoolUSA Link

Karl