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MFS, Multi-Routing Template System, Page Seven.
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Mortises and inlays are the types of routing that came immediately to mind when I first thought about how to use the MFS. When I received the MFS I wasn't sure how I was going to adapt it for carpentry use. I was pretty sure I was going to use it to rout hinges, but what else?
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The first carpentry job for the MFS to tackle was the jack miter, a joint used when trim or molding needs to butt together and still have part or all of the profiles continue around. This joint requires careful and precise setup, a job perfect for the MFS. The pictures here show the process, measure the offset, set up, rout, test fit, does this sound familiar by now?
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The finished joint. With some creative thinking, the MFS made this tough routing job easy! Check out the story over at my "How To" page Jack miter page.
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I also routed stringers for a small staircase, this is were having both the MFS 400 and 700 set really paid off. Two sets allowed me to make the L shaped template I needed to rout in the treads and risers for this job. You may never need to rout stringers, but it is nice to know you can. More details can be found in the "Projects" page, Small Staircase.
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We move from using the router to travel around the MFS as a template, to moving the router and template on a pivot to create circles, curves and arcs.
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I'll start with a quick overview of the process for circle cutting before I go into detail. The circle-cutting insert fits into the interior V grooves of the profiles, the template is closed on and capturing the insert (see photo above). A 30 mm copying ring fits into the insert, so the next thing to do is install the ring in the router.
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The pivot goes in the underside of the profiles, in the V groove closest to the inside of the template. Slide the pivot in as far as it will go, then tighten it with the allen driver.
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We need a hole for the pivot to go into, a 8 mm or 5/16" drill bit will do the job.
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Slip the pivot in the pilot hole, set the insert to the desired radius and tighten it in place, then set the copying ring/router in the insert. The template and router pivot around the stock to cut the circle. You can see from the picture I'm working out the process on scrap first before committing to the real work piece.
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I initially thought using the MFS to cut circles would be a little awkward, turns out I was wrong. However, setting the size of the MFS to cut circles for the first time was a bit of a challenge for me. Well until I realized the instructions show the insert installed incorrectly. I have some drawings to help illustrate the setup.
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