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[ccarrolladams]

Because of the volume of custom cabinets my shop manufactures, edge band trimming is very important to us. Edge trimming has been important to me professionally since 1946.

In my opinion the MFK 700 is the most effective and productive trim router I have ever owned. And I own many of them, each set up to do a specific task.

To answer the OP's question, if you need to do a lot of trimming, then the MFK 700 needs to be considered. In Festool classes Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley have shown and taught us other uses for the MFK. My opinion is that other Festool routers do those non-trimming tasks more effectively and generally cost less.

Also, even with training and experience, it can take some time to switch an MFK from one task to another. I need to perform many trimming tasks, often at the same time. I found very quickly that once set an MFK stays set for a very long time. For my workflow I can easily justify dedicating MFK 700s to specific tasks.

However, if I had a smaller tool budget, I probably would do my vertical trimming with an OF1010, so my first MFK 700 could be devoted to horizontal operations.

 

[Brice Burrell]

As you know the MFK really shines when it comes to edge trimming.  As a general, all purpose router it's a little limited.  It will do round overs and other small profiles well, where it fall short is when you'll need visibility of the bot or plunge action.  An OF1010 with edge routing accessories might be a better value for someone that doesn't do a ton of edge banding and is looking to maximize they're tool expenditures. 

 

[Sparktrician]

If you ever do laminate work (Formica and/or Wilsonart), the MFK combined with an Amana No-File bit just can't be beat. 

 

[RDMuller]

I can honestly say that I think the MFK700 is my favorite Festool tool because of the job it does on edgebanding in horizontal mode.  I too like Carroll Adams have bought many others and they are not even close. 
As far as vertical mode is concerned, it does bring great dust control to the party.  Otherwise, other trim routers offer similar functionality

 

[semenza]

In two words ..... buy it. It is absolutely awesome for trimming banding!  Yes,  IMO worth it for that task alone unless you do very little flush trimming.

Seth

 

[Kevin D.]

It's all I've ever used mine for as a hobbiest.  The chore/dread of edgebanding is no longer.

 

[tjbnwi]

I use mine to flush jamb extensions to the wall surface, best router I've ever had for it.

You can achieve visibility to the bit. You just need to be creative.

Best edge band trimmer I've ever used, especially on wood edge banding.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....Best edge band trimmer I've ever used, especially on wood edge banding.

Tom

No doubt the MFK is probably the best tool for edge banding.  I think the question is it the best value for someone that might not get a lot of use out of it in that task.  For less money one could get good edge banding functionality and more overall versatility out of the 1010 and edge routing accessories.  It's worth considering.

 

[Scott B.]

Has anyone used the Burgess Edge?

 

[tjbnwi]

Brice,

The 1010 is a very nice router. With the edgeing plate it is also a very nice trimmer also. I get a lot more out of my 700 than most. I don't always use my tools as "recommended" (I do always use them safely).

Scott,

I've seen that type of edge never have done one. I have the Collins Plywood bit for when I do solid edges with glue.

Tom

 

[sancho57]

I was considering getting the MFK at first.

Then I looked at its limitations.
It uses special router bits (shorter shaft length).

I opted for the 1010 because of the versatility.

I use that 1010 for all my free hand routing needs including edge banding.

 

[fshanno]

Great machine but the price is too much for me right now.

I made a trimming gizmo for my Colt which works very well.  It's not set up for corners but it could be.  

[attachthumb=1]

Really this thing works just about as well as an MKF.  The down side, and it's a biggie, no dust collection.  I have the little protector plate to keep it from throwing chips in my face.  I could probably rig up something.

There are other options since you don't need it for routing.  At least two others offer trimmers.

There's the Tiltable Trimmer from Virutex at $395.  It has an interesting tilting function.

Lamello has the Lamina E2 and some other trimmers.

And then there are lipping planers.  Virutex, Lamello and Hoffman offer these cool gizmos.  

Lamello has the Cantex

Virutex offers it's Edge Lipping Planer.

And the original may be the Hebor Adler from Hoffmann.

Those lipping planers make me think about going with solid edging for just about everything.  Zero overhand face frames.

Looking at those rigs makes the idea of solid edging seem a lot more inviting.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the MFK would be a great router to have and I have considered one from time to time, but I opted for the 1010 instead and the edging plate really does a nice job edging and so much more.  It is less money too if you do not do a lot of edge banding...and, it is not limited in the width/thickness of banding you apply.  If you usually use 5/8 or less, then the MFK is perfect.  Anything more, and you either have to modify the base like Paul-Marcel to use the MFK or the 1010 can handle anything as long as your bit -- so 3/4 inch is no problem. 

Scot

 

[Jalvis]

As I occasionally do laminate cabinets and counters so the 700 has been on my list.  I really wish the MFK had an optional plunge base....I would buy it today if that was the case.  If your doing edge banding a lot then you will have multiple routers permanently set for each task.

Earlier last year I took the Festool cabinet class and we used the 700 to dado for the backs.  The dust collection was incredible but the real pleasure is in the micro adjustments.  For an un-intended reason the Bit was slightly smaller than the thickness of the backs.....so we dadoed the first pass than offset with the micro adjustment for the second pass.  It took seconds and saved the need to either change bits or buy the correct size.  

The MFK 700 or any router is nothing like a lipping planer!  Routers are very limited to the depth of cut......if its not a small amount of material the bit will grab the wood and destroy the banding.  A lipping planer can take large amounts of material very quickly.  A router is limited in thicknesses and is best used on Laminates or Rolled Banding.

Another company to consider is Betterley Industries.  They specialize in solid surface tools and even have a unique router plate for thick edge banding.

http://www.betterleytools.com

 

[Jalvis]

Those lipping planers make me think about going with solid edging for just about everything.  Zero overhand face frames.

You will still use face frames for traditional Inset doors and Built-ins.  I love using a lipping planer but Face frames allow for inaccuracy's that you wont get otherwise.  Its really best to have options.  If you haven't seen a lipping planer in use check out the video attached.  Routers can't do that!....and the video isn't an exception....they are really that easy and accurate.

 

[sancho57]

Jalvis

>>Earlier last year I took the Festool cabinet class and we used the 700 to dado for the backs.  The dust collection was incredible but the real pleasure is in the micro adjustments.  For an un-intended reason the Bit was slightly smaller than the thickness of the backs.....so we dadoed the first pass than offset with the micro adjustment for the second pass.  It took seconds and saved the need to either change bits or buy the correct size. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

.............Earlier last year I took the Festool cabinet class and we used the 700 to dado for the backs.  The dust collection was incredible but the real pleasure is in the micro adjustments.  For an un-intended reason the Bit was slightly smaller than the thickness of the backs.....so we dadoed the first pass than offset with the micro adjustment for the second pass.  It took seconds and saved the need to either change bits or buy the correct size.............. 

The 1010 has a micro adjustment accessory which does a pretty darned good job.

What Jalvis and Sancho are referring to are the micro adjusters for the edge guides on the 700 and 1010 router.  Both routers use the same micro adjuster (although it attaches differently to the 700).  There is very little backlash in the adjuster so it makes dialing in the edge guide super easy.  As Jalvis said this is great when it comes to making a two pass grooves or dadoes. 

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I have the 700, and I wish I would have bought a 1010 and the other accessories mentioned instead.

 

[Brice Burrell]

From pictures, the only way I've seen it, the OF1010 looks really awkward--is that not the case?......

It's actually really easy to use the 1010 with the edging plate.