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MFS, Multi-Routing Template System, page four.
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Let's now look at using copying rings or guide bushings with the MFS. The advantage of using copying rings is twofold: they are always in place while routing, greatly reducing the chance of cutting into the profile and they work with most bits used for template routing, regardless of the bit's cutting length. Unlike bearing guided bits where the cutter's length is so important. Of course you do have to account for the offset between the bit and the copying ring when setting the MFS to size.
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The following is a series of drawings showing the setup of the MFS for a mortise(imagine mrotise for a table or chair leg). Our mortise will be 20 mm wide by 100 mm long and 50 mm deep. A 10 mm bit will be used with a 30 mm copying ring in the router. We need to account for the space between the bit and to the outside edge of the copying ring, called offset, when we set the MFS profiles to size. The offset for this bit/copying ring combination is 10 mm.
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Knowing the offset is 10 mm we add that number twice (20 mm) to the width and length of the mortise. 40 mm x 120 mm is what the MFS should be set at to produce our 20 mm X 100 mm mortise.
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Clamp the MFS down where you want it, set the depth of the bit, rout......
The result should be this, a mortise 20 mm X 100 mm X 50 mm.
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Working in Metric makes setting the MFS to size pretty easy, however, I understand most of you are much more comfortable working in Imperial. So let's do another mortise with Imperial measurements, but this time I'll be cutting real wood.
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How about a mortise 3/4" wide, 3" long and 1/2" deep. In the router is a 1/2" straight bit with a 3/4" bushing. So the total offset I need to account for is 1/4".
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Setting the MFS to size in Imperial measurements I use a steel rule. With the offset added the dimensions are 1" X 3 1/4".
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With the MFS set to size, I'll place the template on the work piece, I've drawn lines to indicate were the MFS will be set and the mortise will be cut. Once everything has been set (MFS and the bit depth) and then clamped, I start the routing.
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A shallow mortise like this one only takes a few passes.
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The finished mortise. The angle stops make it a breeze to set the MFS up quickly when you need to rout the same location/size mortises on multiple work pieces. Just imagine the ease of routing traditional M&T joints for table and chair legs or mission style furniture.
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