Woodpeckers New One Time Tool - MFS clone

[thudchkr]

Just happened across this.https://www.woodpeck.com/variable-router-jig.html

It first looked like you could use their super track to just extend your rail length instead of getting another, longer, profile. But as I continue to look, I’m no longer sure of that. 

A little bit intrigued by their clamp brackets as well. Wonder if they would work on the MFS. I’ve been trying to find some additional ones for my MFS setup with no luck to date. Wonder is they are also One Time Tools.

Looks like they are offering a lock bar that supposedly allows one to use the Woodpeckers Super Track for the same purpose, but I don’t know how that could work without the slots in the end of the OTT VRJ profile rails.  Any thoughts here?

 

[Bob D.]

I wonder if half of a Unistrut 1/2" or 3/4" pipe clamp would work in the same way as the WP
hold down clamps. When you look at them they don't look much different. If you were to bend
the ears on the unistrut clamp that lock into the strut up slightly they would lock into the T-slot
in the track. Probably have to file off the points on the ears.

You could also bend yourself something similar from some 1/8" x 2" aluminum flat bar.

 

[Sparktrician]

I wonder if half of a Unistrut 1/2" or 3/4" pipe clamp would work in the same way as the WP
hold down clamps. When you look at them they don't look much different. If you were to bend
the ears on the unistrut clamp that lock into the strut up slightly they would lock into the T-slot
in the track. Probably have to file off the points on the ears.

You could also bend yourself something similar from some 1/8" x 2" aluminum flat bar.

The Unistrut clamps work in tension so they aren't as thick as the WP clamps.  My guess is that the Unistrut clamps are a thinner and much more flexible material and as such are less resistant to clamping pressure than the WP clamps. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Just happened across this.https://www.woodpeck.com/variable-router-jig.html

It first looked like you could use their super track to just extend your rail length instead of getting another, longer, profile. But as I continue to look, I’m no longer sure of that. 

A little bit intrigued by their clamp brackets as well. Wonder if they would work on the MFS. I’ve been trying to find some additional ones for my MFS setup with no luck to date. Wonder is they are also One Time Tools.

Looks like they are offering a lock bar that supposedly allows one to use the Woodpeckers Super Track for the same purpose, but I don’t know how that could work without the slots in the end of the OTT VRJ profile rails.  Any thoughts here?

I don't think so, unless you don't need to run the router past that clamp location.

The actual MFS profile is about half as high as the WP Supertrack which this new kit is made from,
so on the real MFS the clamp would sit (partially) above the top of the profile.

 

[rljatl]

Wouldn't it work if you used two Supertracks and two of the new tracks with the connector slots?

 

[rljatl]

All 4 tracks need the connector on one end. The normal supertrack isn't be cut for the slotted nuts.

Wouldn't it work if you used two Supertracks and two of the new tracks with the connector slots?

I looked at the pictures again and see that to be true. 

Wonder if the Vecturo with the plunge base could make the slotted cuts in the Supertrack?

 

[jeh]

There goes the value of those holding on to MFS's.

 

[Bob D.]

I wonder if half of a Unistrut 1/2" or 3/4" pipe clamp would work in the same way as the WP
hold down clamps. When you look at them they don't look much different. If you were to bend
the ears on the unistrut clamp that lock into the strut up slightly they would lock into the T-slot
in the track. Probably have to file off the points on the ears.

You could also bend yourself something similar from some 1/8" x 2" aluminum flat bar.

The Unistrut clamps work in tension so they aren't as thick as the WP clamps.  My guess is that the Unistrut clamps are a thinner and much more flexible material and as such are less resistant to clamping pressure than the WP clamps.

Good point. The design is similar though. It wouldn't be difficult to make something but WP only wants $12 for a set of clamps so not going to break the bank. Still it's something that is easy to make.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Re clamps, I think the stock Dewalt track clamp would work. The tickness of the "tongue" is a little less than the Festool clamp.

 

[rmwarren]

The Festool clamps will work if you touch up the sides with a file. There isn't much metal to remove, mostly the rough/unevenness created when they are stamped.

RMW

Re clamps, I think the stock Dewalt track clamp would work. The tickness of the "tongue" is a little less than the Festool clamp.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The Festool clamps will work if you touch up the sides with a file. There isn't much metal to remove, mostly the rough/unevenness created when they are stamped.

RMW

This was in response to a question about clamping the side of the track. I think this would work in place of the bent piece of steel WP is selling.

 

[Svar]

Dual scale is a nice touch. Mortises on both ends of each extrusion mean you can join two peaces lengthwise using bolts and square nuts instead of guide rail type connectors. Not sure which is better.

 

[Svar]

The actual MFS profile is about half as high as the WP Supertrack which this new kit is made from,

WP Super track is 17.8 mm, FT MFS is 16 mm.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The actual MFS profile is about half as high as the WP Supertrack which this new kit is made from,

WP Super track is 17.8 mm, FT MFS is 16 mm.

My mistake. Proof that I don't have the MFS...and that my memory is not so good.

 

[ben_r_]

Might be placing an order for this one. Just cant decide if I would ever have a need for the extension rails they are also offering.

This really should be a product they offer all the time. Pretty lame IMO.

 

[Getmaverick]

Would also be nice if they had a separate set with (2) 18" and (2) 32".

 

[Svar]

I wonder if half of a Unistrut 1/2" or 3/4" pipe clamp would work in the same way as the WP
hold down clamps.

Those WP hold downs are totally unnecessary even if you don't use t-slots for clamping. The extrusion is about 10 cm wide, so, depending on the router and bushing you use, the outer >2 cm edge of extrusion is always free. You can clamp them directly.

 

[Bohdan]

Just cant decide if I would ever have a need for the extension rails they are also offering.

If you are routing in the middle of a large panel and none of the MFS sticks out over the sides so you can't clamp it down.

Fit the extensions to the outside of your MFS, so that they reach over the side, and enable you to clamp them down.

 

[Bob D.]

Might be placing an order for this one. Just cant decide if I would ever have a need for the extension rails they are also offering.

This really should be a product they offer all the time. Pretty lame IMO.

Yes, would be nice if they offered the longer track pieces after the closing date but should be a AAT (Always Available Tool)

 

[Cheese]

FWIW...I contacted Woodpeckers yesterday and asked them some questions about the new offering. My questions are in blue while the reply is in black.

Thanks for the interest, here are the answers to your questions:

1. If I wanted to route long flutes in wood columns, I’d need to replace 2 of the 18” tracks with either 48” or 60” Super tracks. How would these long rails attach to the jig?
We designed an injection molded “lockbar” that enables you to connect the tracks in an L-shape.  In the track that comes with the kit, and the 32” tracks, we have machined openings that accepts a stamped washer and a 10-32 SHCS. The SHCS thread into the inserts in the lockbar, which in turn, slip into the side slots on the track. The longer tracks will not have the machined slots, but can still be attached to the tracks from the kit.

2. Will they already have slots milled in them to accept the lockbar kits?
Only the 18” & 32” tracks will have the milled slots.

3. What is the squareness of the ends of the Super track after it is cut?
The squareness is excellent.  We recently installed a CNC saw that is extremely accurate.

4. What is the thickness of the metal used in the stainless clamps?
The clamps are 3/16” CRS and will be zinc plated.

5. Festool offers a router support, the 465489, which supports the other side of the router when the rails are spread apart. Do you plan on offering something similar?
No, we are not. I have owned the MFS400 for several years now, and that adapter will only work on Festool Routers. It would be pretty much impossible to have an adapter for every major router manufacturer out there. For mine, I milled some hardwood to the thickness of the track, (approximately .700), put a counterbored hole in it, and attached that to my router.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

Thank you,

Ed ________
Product Designer
Woodworking Enthusiast
www.woodpeck.com
Woodpeckers Inc
Tel: 440-238-1918
Fax: 440-238-2097
13700 Prospect Rd.
Strongsville, Ohio 44149