The Festool MFS, Multi-routing template.

Here is a look at the Festool MFS 400 and MFS 700, multi-routing template system. While these tools excel as routing templates they are capable of far more. Routing operations like open field inlays, borders, cutouts, mortises, routing circles, curves and arcs are just part of what the MFS system can do. Use the MFS with your Multi Function Table to help square the guide rail with the table, or as a cutting fence, I've even used the profiles as a template to make cuts with my jigsaw! To understand the full value of this accessory don't think of it as a "Routing Template". Envision profiles that form templates, squares, fences, stops, story sticks and jigs of every kind, a "Multi-Function Profile" system.

The first thing I'd like to do is credit Jerry Work, Ned Young and John Lucas for the work that they have already done to help us get the most out of the MFS and the Festool system. Some of the methods, techniques and ideas you will see here have come from their writings. So, thank you gentlemen. *See "Notes" at the bottom of this page.

The components of the MFS 400 and MFS 700.
	To get started let's take a look at the components that make up the MFS template system. Knowing the what the parts are and what they do from the beginning will help you understand the functions and methods later on in this review.

In this photo you see what is included with the MFS 400 set: two 400 mm and two 200 mm profiles, two angle stops, anti-tilting insert, circle-cutting insert and pivot, 3 mm ball head allen driver, connecting hardware and instruction manual. The MFS 700 set (not pictured above)includes all of the same except it's profiles are 400 mm and 700 mm.

The MFS profiles are aluminum extrusions with graduated Metric scales printed on. Profiles are 80 mm wide and 16 mm thick with a series of "Joiner" or "V"slots and "Clamp" slots. The Joiner or V slots are for the connecting hardware, circle-cutting insert and pivot and the coupling hardware (not included with the sets) for joining profiles length-wise. I'll go into detail on how to join the profiles in it's own section in this review.

The Festool FSZ 120, FSZ 300 and FS-HZ clamps fit in the clamp slots, as do the guide rail connectors, they can be used to join the profiles in length. Plus 1/4" square and hex nuts also fit if you want to add a fixture to the profiles or mount them to jig or table with your own (imperial sized) hardware.

The 3 mm ball head driver is used on almost all of the MFS hardware. The ball head allows the driver to be used on an angle as shown in this photo.

The angle stops mount into the V slots and are used to help position the MFS.

Here the angle stops are mounted on the bottom of the MFS to precisely locate the MFS for an inlay.

This is the anti-tilting insert, it is used to prevent the router from tipping or tilting during routing operations. If the router is tilted the work piece can be ruined. Copying rings fit into the anti-tilting insert, this allows the it to travel with the router. The insert can fit 24, 27, 30 and 40 mm copying rings.

Here you can see the insert in place under the router. The insert is only needed when the profiles are spread too far apart for the router's base to be fully supported by the profiles themselves.

This is the circle-cutting insert and pivot. Again, I'll go into more detail about how to use the MFS to rout circles, curves and arcs in it's own section.

Festool offers some other accessories not shown in this review. Longer profiles are available, 1000 mm profiles and 2000 mm profiles to extend the MFS template system. The Routing Slide used with the MFS to support the router when routing out large areas, for example open field inlays. Also offered, as spare parts, are a set of 4 MFS "Joiners" (part # 493235) that fit into the V slots to connect profiles end-to-end, you'll need to call Festool's service department to order the joiners.

Alright, you've seen the parts, now let's see what they do. On the next page, I'm going to start with: Connecting the MFS profiles.

* Notes: Here is a link to Jerry Work's MFS manual. Jerry Work designs and hand crafts fine furniture in Kerby, OR. Check out his site, The Dovetail Joint. Ned Young started a thread on the Festool Owners Group forum, Notes on the MFS. John Lucas has shared a lot of great ideas on his site, WoodShopDemos.

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