MFK 700: Adding 3D printed plunge plate

[JasonBradley]

I'm deliberating between an OF1010 and MFK 700 as my next Festool purchase. I'm leaning towards the 700 for weight and size. I am a pretty advanced 3D print designer and am confident I can build a mixed material plunge base with sprung steel plungers and depth adjustment, etc. Obviously I would need to use long shank bits. I plan to use it for stopped dados, circles, mortices and all the other plunge applications.

My question is: are the motor and mechanicals up to the task of plunging? I expect low usage of the plunge - a few times a week on small parts. For heavier duty jobs I will revert to my OF1400.

Appreciate any thoughts on this. Obviously if I go down this route, I will share the .stl.

Thanks - Jason

 

[Econoline]

We've been waiting for a cordless MFK, and a plunge base for a long while now. You might as well get to work on the plunge base, Festy is not in any hurry.
I have a cordless Makita with a plunge base, you can plunge it all day long, given the battery is kept fresh, and you have a sharp cutter...

E.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would say that it purely depends on the other uses you might have, and the percentage of that you require. The OF1010 is a fantastic unit, even capable of horizontal cuts, with the correct parts. The MFK700 is quite different. Personally, I think you might just need both
The MFK excels at edge work, like flush trimming, or round-over profiles, where the OF1010 gives you the plunging ability, much better suited to working out in the middle of the piece. OF1010 is also significantly smaller/lighter than the OF1400
There is some overlap, but they are not really interchangeable.
I wouldn't worry about the motor of the MFK. They are limited to 8mm shank bits, where you are not likely to find a bit that would overwhelm it. I use a 3/4" diameter, 1" cut length bit, for trimming hardwood edges, and it does that just fine.