MFK 700 - Confusing Options

[DarrenM]

I'm looking at buying an MFK700 for flush trimming 1mm PVC edgebanding, but I'm confused as to which configuration to buy.

The cheapest configuration comes with just the vertical base. When you do it in the vertical orientation, it looks like you have to use it with the Festool 491670 bit (the one with the replaceable carbide cutters and a guide bearing which is over $200 here).

But then I watched Sedge's video in which he is trimming PVC banding using the horizontal base with a 1.5 degree offset. The kit which includes the horizontal base is almost $200 more and I still have to buy a bit for it. In this configuration, it looks like you can use the 491666 bit which is quite a bit cheaper (no guide bearing).

So it looks like you can trim 1mm PVC edgebanding in either the vertical or horizontal configuration. Which configuration is recommended?

 

[Sparktrician]

You would do well to consider the 491666 bit as a first choice for use with the MFK 700.  It's $61 on Festool's website.  You'll need either the 1.5 degree base or the zero degree base, depending on how you prefer to finish the edge off.  Whichever base you choose, make up some dummy test pieces to help you dial in the correct settings on the router before you apply it to real workpieces.  YMMV...

 

[woodferret]

Start with the straight bit and 1.5 base as described above.  For 1mm, the carbide scraper can do a reasonable job, and where long edges meet, you may want a more square edge than full roundover anyways.

If you have a secondary palm router, just fit it with a cheap 1mm roundover (or tiny bit less) and finish off with the scraper/sandpaper if desired for the pronounced edges where you do want the full roundover.  If you do this enough, you'll probably end up with two MFKs, one in each base type - don't do what I did and buy the bases separately.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As far as I know, the only way to get the zero-degree base is separately as an accessory. The set with 2 bases includes the 1.5 degree base and the vertical base with the Porter-Cable style bushing threads.
Although, the horizontal bases do accept the motor mounted vertically too.
The good news is that you are not necessarily stuck with using the Festool bit.
Lee Valley tools sells an 8mm shank bit that works perfectly in the MFK700. (18j0808) is a 1/2" diameter- 1/2 cut length "hinge mortising bit" that sells for $14.60
This is the exact set-up I use for PVC edgebanding

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have the 1,5 base kit,works real good.
Also as said,make up a scrap piece to get it set correctly.
Charlie

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[tjbnwi]

I have both configurations of the MFK 700 and thew 0º base.

If you ever plan on edge banding inside radius items (we do a lot of L shaped shelves) you need the vertical base unit with the proper radius Festool bit. The minimum inside radius it works with is 3”. The Conturo will edge banding the 3” radius.

Other than that, the “normal”  700 kit will work in every situation I’ve run into. Do not tip the router while trimming.

You should also get the carbide scraper, do not drop it, you’ll have tears in your eyes before it hits the ground. The string needs to be laced as shown on the case for it to work properly.

Tom

 

[DarrenM]

As far as I know, the only way to get the zero-degree base is separately as an accessory. The set with 2 bases includes the 1.5 degree base and the vertical base with the Porter-Cable style bushing threads.
Although, the horizontal bases do accept the motor mounted vertically too.
The good news is that you are not necessarily stuck with using the Festool bit.
Lee Valley tools sells an 8mm shank bit that works perfectly in the MFK700. (18j0808) is a 1/2" diameter- 1/2 cut length "hinge mortising bit" that sells for $14.60
This is the exact set-up I use for PVC edgebanding

That is a good tip about the Lee Valley bit. I paid $88 CAD for the Festool 491666 so the LV one is a great alternative.

 

[DarrenM]

I have both configurations of the MFK 700 and thew 0º base.

If you ever plan on edge banding inside radius items (we do a lot of L shaped shelves) you need the vertical base unit with the proper radius Festool bit. The minimum inside radius it works with is 3”. The Conturo will edge banding the 3” radius.

Other than that, the “normal”  700 kit will work in every situation I’ve run into. Do not tip the router while trimming.

You should also get the carbide scraper, do not drop it, you’ll have tears in your eyes before it hits the ground. The string needs to be laced as shown on the case for it to work properly.

Tom

Thanks Tom. The kit I bought came with the vertical base and the 1.5 degree horizontal base. I did some playing around with the horizontal base and the Festool 491666 bit today and got it dialled in pretty good after a few test passes. A bit finicky to setup the cutter depth, but once I got it set correctly it worked well. The little carbide scraper is the real star of the show though. That thing works pretty slick to remove the excess glue and trim the edgebanding perfectly flush.

The only problem I had is there is too much edgebanding sticking up above the surface of the panel on one side. My panels are 16mm (5/8") but the edgebanding is about an inch wide. The Conturo doesn't centre the banding on the panel so I end up with 1/8" or so on one side which works fine for trimming. But there's about 1/4" sticking up on the other side. I have to make two passes with the MFK 700 to get it flush.

 

[simonh]

The vertical base supplied with the set and that supplied with eq/b basic kit only have a few parts different (the brake and and extra pad IIRC).  You can lookup the different bits on EKAT and order them then swap between them as needed if your just a casual user.

 

[pettyconstruction]

So as we were discussing the
MFK-700,I decided to do a thing.

I did the Paul Marcel mod. that he showed a long time ago.
Modifying the base to receive a longer cutting bit.

The earlier post of the Lee Valley 8mm bit vrs the Festool bit to trim edge banding got me thinking about it.
A $14 bit vrs a $67 bit,doing the same task.

A Dremel tool would have worked great but I couldn’t find mine,so a round file will do.
I also removed the metal dust port to get better access.
Cheers,Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Fourmi]

The string needs to be laced as shown on the case for it to work properly.

It's one of those tools that I should have a spare 'just in case'... but the string came straight off and in a drawer!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

So as we were discussing the
MFK-700,I decided to do a thing.

I did the Paul Marcel mod. that he showed a long time ago.
Modifying the base to receive a longer cutting bit.

The earlier post of the Lee Valley 8mm bit vrs the Festool bit to trim edge banding got me thinking about it.
A $14 bit vrs a $67 bit,doing the same task.
A Dremel tool would have worked great but I couldn’t find mine,so a round file will do.
I also removed the metal dust port to get better access.
Cheers,Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I did it too, several years ago, after the same influence, though with a bit more "intensity".
Mine will take a 3/4" diameter bit with a 1" cut length. This is when I discovered the Lee Valley offerings.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Not sure what’s happening but ignore my last

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[luvmytoolz]

Not sure what’s happening but ignore my last

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This is why I stick to old school ASCII emoji's! ;-)

 

[Kev]

Not sure what’s happening but ignore my last

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This is why I stick to old school ASCII emoji's! ;-)

I was always curious why you had the old teletype on the back of your wagon ...

 

[Packard]

Not sure what’s happening but ignore my last

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Print it out and then decoupage it to your next wood project, or apply a small paragraph as your “signature “. [big grin]

 

[Coen]

[...]
the vertical base with the Porter-Cable style bushing threads.
[...]

I just wanted to add that that particular base is not available in Europe. However, it is shown on a bunch of photos on European Festool websites. But those watching European Festool videos will not see it there. And those watching American Festool videos will see it, yet won't be able to find it in Europe. Also, Europeans responding here about the options for the MFK might not even know about the existence of that base.

I think that partly contributes to the confusion around the MFK 700 options.