Just ordered an MFK 700 - any unexpected uses?

[bwehman]

I've been building the kitchen cabinets for a house I built and decided to get an MFK to trim edge banding on the shelves. I plan on doing a lot more cabinetry in the future, so even if this was it's one and only use, it's worth it to me, but for those who have it, have there been any other unexpected uses for it in the shop?

I was thinking it would be pretty perfect for putting roundovers and chamfers on pieces since it's more of a trim router size than the OF 1010 is, therefore better balanced for the task, especially with the vertical base. I have a 1010, 1400 and 2200 and they all excel at their intended tasks. No doubt this one will too.

 

[Alanbach]

Did you order the set or just the basic router with only the vertical base? Also, how thick will your edge banding be?

 

[bwehman]

Did you order the set or just the basic router with only the vertical base? Also, how thick will your edge banding be?

The full set. I didn't add a edge guide to the order since I figured for anything I'd need an edge guide for, I'd just use the 1010.

The edge banding is 1/4" walnut.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have two, my favorite routers out of the entire Festool line.

Tom

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm doing a heap of herringbone panelling and sometimes i need to machine a board down a bit, I find the 700 really handy for cutting the rebates and grooves with some some short carbide cutters. It's a fantastic little router.

 

[Rick Herrick]

I have made a number of frame/panel doors/drawers.  One of the uses I found in the Festool Live episode on the MFK700 showed an easy way to cut the center grooves of each rail/stile for the center panel. 

Roughly 10 minutes in:

MFK700 cutting panel grooves

 

[bwehman]

Well I have a bunch of these to make... guess I'll order a edge guide after all haha

 

[Michael Kellough]

Does the set include all the bases the 700 can use?
I can see that it has the 1.5 degree base but what is the other?

Is the parallel guide specific to the 700? It looks so similar to the OF 1100 guide.

What else do you need to buy in addition to the “Set” to get the fully complete set?

 

[Sparktrician]

I've frequently used mine as a laminate trimmer.  This is one place it shines with an Amana 47150 no-file bit.  [smile]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Does the set include all the bases the 700 can use?
I can see that it has the 1.5 degree base but what is the other?

Is the parallel guide specific to the 700? It looks so similar to the OF 1100 guide.

What else do you need to buy in addition to the “Set” to get the fully complete set?

There are actually two bases that are not included in the "set".
1)The edgebanding base. It has an offset platform to raise the base, giving clearance to the edging as it overhangs before trimming.
2) the "Zero" degree base. It looks exactly like the 1.5 degree model, but does not cut at that slight bevel. With thin edges, the standard (1.5) base is fine. When the edges get thicker, that bevel is noticeable.  The zero degree eliminates this. It pretty much comes into play at about 1/4" (6mm) or so, depending on what you intend to do with that edge. If you have a big round-over or similar, it may not matter.

The MFK700 is a fantastic tool. I have two of them. One is always set-up with the zero degree base for hardwood edges.
The second one is the all-rounder. It gets changed around as needed.
I have so many laminate trimmers, that it rarely gets used that way though.
I have made custom followers for mine, for situations where the roller wheel was not ideal.
This is one of those tools that you will find ways to use it, just because it can do the job.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks Crazy…, so there are four bases including the standard base?
1. Standard vertical base
2. 0 degree horizontal base
3. 1.5 degree horizontal base
4. Edge trimming vertical base

The other big options are
1. Parallel guide
2. Feeler bearing

Are the collets the same as on the OF 1100?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Yes, 4 bases.
The edge guide is optional, which may or may not be of use to you. With all of the "extras" that I have for my Festool equipment, I don't have that. I generally use mine horizontally, so not needed.
The feeler bearing comes in the set. It is really only ideal when the surface that it bears against is square to the top surface. I have made angled blocks that fit in the same braket, to work with angled faces. It's just a simple plywood block, rounded and smoothed to fit.

The collets are the same as the OF1010 and the Shaper Origin. Which means there are actually 5 available. 1/8", 3mm, 6mm, 1/4",and 8mm.
They come as a complete set from Shaper, or can be purchased separately.
"Festool" doesn't officially sell the 1/8" as a spare part. When they were first introduced, Shaper didn't have 8mm, so you had to get one for an OF1010. Now Shaper has embraced the bigger collet,so you can get it from them. The set of 5 is a new thing.

 

[nclemmons]

If you ever need to trim dowels or plugs (as in covering screws), the 700 is excellent for doing so with great finesse given you can lower the bit very carefully without it cutting into the base material and only trimming the exposed plug.

You will want several of the FT bits that will allow edge banding widths of greater than 1/4" to be trimmed.  With the 1.5 or 0 degree base, you are limited in how long a bit you can use.  FT offers ones that work great.

It is my favorite router for roundover and edge trimming.  Visibility is not great if you are not using a bearing guided bit.  So keep that in mind that I think the 1010 or other plunge router is better for those applications.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

If you ever need to trim dowels or plugs (as in covering screws), the 700 is excellent for doing so with great finesse given you can lower the bit very carefully without it cutting into the base material and only trimming the exposed plug.

You will want several of the FT bits that will allow edge banding widths of greater than 1/4" to be trimmed.  With the 1.5 or 0 degree base, you are limited in how long a bit you can use.  FT offers ones that work great.

It is my favorite router for roundover and edge trimming.  Visibility is not great if you are not using a bearing guided bit.  So keep that in mind that I think the 1010 or other plunge router is better for those applications.

I have modified the zero degree base on mine. It now accepts bits up to a full 1" of cut length at 5/8" diameter