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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 11, 2014 21:39:47 GMT -5
I'd be very interested to see a comparison review of the different fence options for the Erika saws. My understanding is that there are three options: 1. Universal Guide Fence. This appears to be similar to the stock protractor-style fence system that should be familiar to users of the Festool CMS or MFT tables. How accurate, durable, and easy to adjust is this standard fence? service.mafell.de/index.php?IdTreeGroup=12970&IdProduct=44332. Multi-Purpose Guide Fence MFA. This is the fence you see in all of the Mafell Erika videos, where the fence is arranged in a 90 degree angle. Again, how sturdy and easy to adjust is this fence? Is it suitable for extensive ripping applications, or is it best suited to crosscutting applications? service.mafell.de/index.php?IdTreeGroup=12970&IdProduct=82843. Parallel Guide Fence. This fence appears to be designed exclusively for ripping, with holes predrilled in what appears to be a cast iron fence, presumably for installation of a sacrificial face. I imagine this is designed for rock-solid ripping duty. How easy is it to install and remove this fence? Is it pretty straightforward to calibrate/align with the blade? service.mafell.de/index.php?IdTreeGroup=12970&IdProduct=763Thanks for any input, I hope to pick up a Erika 70 sometime later in 2014 but would like to begin researching now. |
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questa
Junior Member
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Post by questa on Feb 26, 2014 23:00:26 GMT -5
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Post by roberthickman on Feb 27, 2014 3:21:22 GMT -5
I think sooner or later you will need all three of them, because each one has special atvantages and give you more flexibility.
I definitely don't want to miss my parallell fence in addition to the MFA.
Regards
Robert
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Sept 7, 2014 2:51:09 GMT -5
Here is a vid I did with setting up the stop system fence
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Sept 7, 2014 20:29:39 GMT -5
Great video wrightwoodwork, thank you very much for posting this!
The extensions and stop flags look very heavy duty and accurate. Handy information as well about the legs.
Based on your description, it looks like, from a practical standpoint, you can have an unlimited amount of extensions, limited only by your budget and shop space.
This is also a great demonstration of how it would be a bit ponderous to rapidly change miter angles when using extensions. Which isn't to say you can't cut miters this way, but you would want to be cutting based on a predetermined cut list, versus cutting on the fly.
I noticed that you have the MultiPurpose Guide Fence (standard on the Erika 85) mounted on your Erika 70 (ships with the Universal Guide Fence). How do the two fences compare to each other? Is the MultiPurpose fence any more stable/accurate than the Universal fence?
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Sept 8, 2014 0:28:20 GMT -5
Yeah the extension is pretty heavy duty aluminum, saying that I wouldn't go climbing on it. I only use when doing square cuts. If you where using it and wanted to change angles for an odd cut I would properly uncouple the first join and as long as there was 2 legs it would still stand. I will do a vid explaining why I have and use the mfa fence as opposed to the universal fence
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Sept 8, 2014 0:29:34 GMT -5
Aaron - are you going to be getting the sliding table for this machine? That seems like it would be soooo handy for many different cuts.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Sept 8, 2014 1:10:56 GMT -5
Yeah one day when funds allows and the time is right.
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Dec 27, 2014 14:36:04 GMT -5
I wanted to revisit this thread. It is my intention to pick up an Erika 70 sometime in the first half of 2015, and am trying to figure out which fence(s) I want to get.
I am leaning towards a 70 simply because the 85 is not available in 120v, and I don't like the idea of lugging a 45lb step up/down transformer with me.
To review, the Erika 70 ships with the Universal Fence, the Erika 85 ships with the "MFA" multipurpose fence, and there is also a ripping fence with a micro adjust. While I am sure that the Universal Fence isn't chopped liver, I am curious about the utility of the other fences. I've heard that the ripping fence is great, and I've also seen that Wrightwoodwork has mounted a MFA fence on his Erika 70. Ultimately, what I'm trying to figure out is:
1. Are the Universal Fence or MFA fences as stable as the Parallel Guide fence for ripping operations? I appreciate that they will not have the micro adjust function, but once you have them set to the desired width are they really nice and solid?
2. For crosscutting applications, how do the Universal and MFA fences compare? I already know that the MFA will allow for mitering materials of differing widths. Does the Universal Fence accept flip stops (part # please?), or only the MFA?
I can can only start out with the stock fence and one other, which should I start with?
I intend to ask Timberwolf Tools if I can substitute the MFA for the Universal Fence.
Thanks guys!
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 27, 2014 16:25:34 GMT -5
1. Are the Universal Fence or MFA fences as stable as the Parallel Guide fence for ripping operations? I appreciate that they will not have the micro adjust function, but once you have them set to the desired width are they really nice and solid? I can't comment if universal fence of mfa is as stable as the ripping fence. Depending on what I'm ripping will determine how I set up the fence for ripping. If it solid timber then I will just use the mfa fence. Yes if you go to the side and give it a push deliberately it will move maybe around 1.5mm. In truth and practical terms when cutting you will push more parallel to fence and in line with the blade. So the slight deviation doest come in to play when being deliberately pushed at the side. Also when cutting solid timber the fence shouldn't go much past the center of the blade to prevent any tension being put on the blade if it is a nasty bit of wood. Now if I'm ripping sheet good I will take off the 500mm fence and swap it with 1m guide fence extension then at the far end use the clamping piece to keep the fence absolutely rock solid. I'm thinking of getting the rip fence later in the year cause of the micro adjustment. To start with I don't feel it's properly nessary 2. For crosscutting applications, how do the Universal and MFA fences compare? I already know that the MFA will allow for mitering materials of differing widths. Does the Universal Fence accept flip stops (part # please?), or only the MFA? To me the mfa fence is the most important fence of all of them. The flag stops will not work on mfa or universal fence in there standard set up, you need to use the 1m guide fence extension. The one for the mfa is slightly different to the guide fence extension, for the universal fence. And has cut out for setting it up so when you set it up correctly all sizes on the fence so they are always the same distance from the blade regardless of the. angle. If I'm changing the angle often the I just use the mfa fence in its standard mode. Now if I'm cutting dwangs or noggings which will be around 550 then I will put on the 1m guide fence extension and with the flag stop use to get repetitive cuts. Read more: mafell-users-forum.freeforums.net/thread/152/comparison-different-erika-fences?page=1#ixzz3N8BSde5CI don't know if you have thought of it get the wheel kit it is really handy when you want to swing the saw left or right when you have changed the angle on the fence |
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R cash
Junior Member
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Post by R cash on Dec 27, 2014 16:30:29 GMT -5
Tom
When I ordered my Erika I got the rip fence with micro adjust. because I have 2 table saws in my shop and try to do most of the cutting work there. On site work for me is generally small trim adjustments to products mostly ripping. I had ask David at Timberwolf about the MFA fence it's a big price jump from universal fence. I will get it one day when funding allows.
Last week onsite with the Erika I did a lot small trims on parts supported with only some 1/2"plywood held against the rip fence that's was on hand worked great. Clean cut smooth an accurate no sanding stock blade.
My Kapex will be staying home more for sure. The Erika is so versatile love it bunches everyone who cuts wood should have one.
Happy holidays
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Dec 27, 2014 17:03:08 GMT -5
Thank you Gentlemen, that's very good info!
Wrightwoodwork:
It's interesting to know that you need the 1m guide fence extensions in order to use the flag stops, and that the 1m extensions are different for the Universal fence vs. the MFA. My biggest concern is spending money on an accessory that won't work on another. For instance, buying the 1m extension for the Universal Fence when my ultimate goal is the MFA.
I have a message in to Timberwolf inquiring about substituting the MFA for the Universal fence, and paying the difference in price.
Thanks for the input on the wheel kit! I originally though it would be nice for moving the saw from room to room, but it totally makes sense for mitering stock in a small space, essentially moving the saw around the work?
R cash:
Glad to hear that you're happy with the rip fence, and that you're happy with the Erika in general!! I really like using my Kapex, particularly for cutting crown moulding, but between my KSS-400 and a Erika 70 I imagine I could leave my Kapex at the shop, only taking it out for larger crown moulding projects. This certainly isn't a knock on the Kapex, in my opinion it's the best portable miter saw on the market, but I feel like it's overkill for most applications, and I don't like exposing it to the vibrations of my daily driving.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 27, 2014 17:49:00 GMT -5
It's interesting to know that you need the 1m guide fence extensions in order to use the flag stops, and that the 1m extensions are different for the Universal fence vs. the MFA. My biggest concern is spending money on an accessory that won't work on another. For instance, buying the 1m extension for the Universal Fence when my ultimate goal is the MFA. Read more: mafell-users-forum.freeforums.net/thread/152/comparison-different-erika-fences?page=1#ixzz3N8mwWSrI The 1m guide fence for the mfa will fit the universal. I also have the 1m for the universal which I use to extend cause it was slightly cheaper. I will take some pics of the different fences tommorow |
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Dec 27, 2014 18:34:37 GMT -5
Yes indeed, thank-you gents. I too am considering an Erika 70 in the coming months.
Tom, I'd be interested to hear what Timberwolf has to say, as well as your thoughts on other accessories you may order, if you don't mind sharing.
John
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R cash
Junior Member
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Post by R cash on Dec 27, 2014 20:11:35 GMT -5
I was not dis ing my Kapex I have one with ug stand as part of to go kit with wings and another next to my 14" radial arm saw . More my point is that Erika does for me a lot what the Kapex does on site. I agree with Tom hands down Kapex does more with ease than all other sliders do period. I have said it before I think if I had only 100sqft shop my main tools would be Erika Kapex an the biggest bandsaw I could squeeze in. And all the Mafell tools I currently have. The good thing is I have 1500sqft with dozens of ways to make Sawdust   Rc |
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