Do I keep the MFK 700?

[iamnothim]

I’ve had my MFK 700 for a few weeks now and just can’t seem to find a lot of use for it.  It's a damn fine trim router for a production cabinet shop.
Prior to it’s arrival,  I used a Bosch Colt for my veneer projects.  The MFK 700 is much more stable than the Colt and the vertical base looks nice but I haven't used it yet.  I think it will be superior trimming veneer.  But the way it is now I can do more with the Colt.

The bit limitation is frustrating and the guide rail thing is annoying as well.  The 700 would be much more nimble on a guide rail than my OF-1400 yet using it is a Kludge!  Why?  Come to think of it the guide rail with the 1400 is frustrating if you want to clean up an edge since you can’t use the little foot.  I have the table widener but it doesn’t help much on the rail.  Maybe I’m using it wrong.  Back to the MFK 700.

I’ve read Paul Marcel’s blog on modifying the 700 to take larger bits and using it on the guide rail.  I’m looking for advice before making these mods.  Has anyone made them?

I’m on the fence as to returning it before the 30 days are up and getting either a Carvex or an RO90.  Comments?

All-the-best

Luke

 

[sancho57]

I use a 1010 does everything I need including edge band triming

 

[mlfaber]

+1 on the 1010. I have had the MFK and sold it to pickup a 1010 with edge guide attachments. For what I do it is a way more versatile combination. Do you need a high end dedicated trimmer?

 

[copcarcollector]

A true collector will have one of each!

OK seriously, I have used the MFK just a couple of times at the Henderson Training facility. I found it overly complicated and fiddly to use. But I have no other trim router experience, so I can't make any comparisons.

 

[Roseland]

I have an OF1010 and OF1400.  I use the OF1010 for most hand routing and edge trimming, and the OF1400 when I using guide bushes (they're so much easier being clip-in).

There is no chip deflector for the OF1400 when used with the edging accessories, and anyway it's too heavy for me in this application.  But the OF1010 is a delight to use.

Andrew

 

[iamnothim]

I have an OF1010 and OF1400.  I use the OF1010 for most hand routing and edge trimming, and the OF1400 when I using guide bushes (they're so much easier being clip-in).

There is no chip deflector for the OF1400 when used with the edging accessories, and anyway it's too heavy for me in this application.  But the OF1010 is a delight to use.

Andrew

Really good feedback everyone.  It helps.  I never considered the 1010.  The 1010 is 4.9 pounds 4 less than than the 1400. and less than 2 pounds heavier than the 700.  That's doable but still much the same as the Colt.

I have edge guides for both the 700 and 1400 but that doesn't help cleaning up a rough edge on 5/4 lumber.  I'd like to use the rail with a spiral bit and get a clean 90 deg edge.
An edge guide won't really give that to you.

 

[tjbnwi]

The 700 is my favorite router.

Make your own bracket to use it on a rail.

Tom

 

[iamnothim]

This is crazy luck...
I went to Paul's blog and re-read the guide rail post.
I wasn't in love with the wood spacer Paul used so I looked in my drawer to see what I had.

Humm..  The round Blum Drawer front locks looked like a candidate.
I unscrewed the front two bottom plate fasteners  on the MFK 700.  Both were 4mm !

I happened to have some longer 4mm screws and attached them to the plate. 
I put a level on the bars and....  wow, dead on.  Problem solved.

 

[iamnothim]

The 700 is my favorite router.

Make your own bracket to use it on a rail.

Tom

WOW !
thanks.  I need to give this a close look.

 

[tjbnwi]

If depth limitation is an issue, use out a a hand held milling machine.



Tom

 

[Roseland]

I think we are talking about different guides; I meant these:

http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/festools-edge-routing-accessories.html

They are simply brilliant.

Andrew

 

[iamnothim]

I think we are talking about different guides; I meant these:

http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/festools-edge-routing-accessories.html

They are simply brilliant.

Andrew

Holy Cow !!!
I had no idea these existed and I'm pretty sure  look under MFK-700 accessories .

 

[tjbnwi]

I think we are talking about different guides; I meant these:

http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/festools-edge-routing-accessories.html

They are simply brilliant.

Andrew

Holy Cow !!!
I had no idea these existed and I'm pretty sure  look under MFK-700 accessories .

These fit only the 1010 and 1400, it will not work on the 700.

Tom

 

[Roseland]

They do fit the OF1400, but it's too unwieldy.  Plus the chip deflector won't fit the OF1400, so you get showered in chips and dust.  On the OF1010 they work a treat. They can be removed an refitted without having to re calibrate them. The results are superb.

Andrew

 

[iamnothim]

If depth limitation is an issue, use out a a hand held milling machine.



Tom

Excellent..thanks

 

[iamnothim]

They do fit the OF1400, but it's too unwieldy.  Plus the chip deflector won't fit the OF1400, so you get showered in chips and dust.  On the OF1010 they work a treat. They can be removed an refitted without having to re calibrate them. The results are superb.

Andrew

I posted too soon.... Again.
They're for the 1010/1400
Even though the 1400 is large I'll probably get a set.  I have everything else.

Back to the MFK 700....  Has anyone else, besides Venerable Paul, taken a fret saw to the 700 plate?

 

[tjbnwi]

They do fit the OF1400, but it's too unwieldy.  Plus the chip deflector won't fit the OF1400, so you get showered in chips and dust.  On the OF1010 they work a treat. They can be removed an refitted without having to re calibrate them. The results are superb.

Andrew

I posted too soon.... Again.
They're for the 1010/1400
Even though the 1400 is large I'll probably get a set.   I have everything else.

Back to the MFK 700....  Has anyone else, besides Venerable Paul, taken a fret saw to the 700 plate?

Does machining it on a router table count? Used the same method to modify my Domino fence.

Tom

 

[PaulMarcel]

Playing catch-up on this thread....

I don't have an OF-1010 to compare the MFK-700 to.  I'm dead certain I'd like the 1010 especially when you use the accessories to put it on its side much like the 700 with the horizontal base.

I got the 700 on a decent eBay score.  I use it a lot for flushing on a project or simple edge treatments.  Certain the 1010 would do those as well.  With the hose on the 700, it is literally dust free, which I like.

Using the 700 on the guide rail is a bit hokey, but it works.  In a pinch, two 5x30 Dominos double-stick taped to the bottom of the 700 with the other edge on the guide rail works just fine.  I've since made a skate out of scrap and a T-bolt.  Then I hid it somewhere so nobody would take it and I can't remember where

The comment about the table widener on the 1400 and guide rail use... with the table widener, you use the router flat on the work surface and put the router on the -outside- of the guiderail (side without the rubber strip).  The nice part is it sits flat on the table and can be guided without the use of the foot, which I find awkward.  That's really the only time I use the table widener because: a] the 1400 won't fit in the Systainer with the widened base attached and, b] I always use the guide rods and one of the guide stops to make an outboard handle nearly 12" away from the router when I want to add stability (like edge trimming/profiling)... it is ridiculously better than the table widener and I think the guide stops are a required accessory anyway.

 

[cgmojoco]

Used and compared both in a training class sponsored by Festool.

The MFK 700 is much easier to use to get reliable flushing.  It is obviously a specialty tool for this purpose and excels at its specialty.
The 1010 takes a bit more setup to do the same function...more importantly it has a steeper learning curve to get setup right and the muscle memory dialed in consistent quality flush trimming.

My 2 cents.

Christopher

 

[nickao]

Sold my 1010 and 700 here on the FOG. I Prefer the OF 1400 and use it for most everything.

When I do need smaller I use the DeWalt 618 in lieu of the 1010 and the DeWalt 611 instead of the 700. I don't get the love for the 1010, I never have. For me the 618's are simply better than the 1010 and I am not factoring cost either. They are more powerful, the plunge bases are rock solid and the dust collection is fantastic. So much so I have 7 of them. I recently starting using my DeWalt 611 more and more and have tossed the Bosch Colt in a drawer forever. I love that little 611 router.

Unless you are a very specific user the 700 is simply not a good choice and if you need something like the 700 you would not be asking whether to keep it, you would need it and know it. I would say most here just don't do the work the 700 excels at. Sell it and get a different Festool.