MFK 700 EQ Modular Edge/Trim Router VS. others

[Muttley000]

Hi all, seeking an opinion from any that have this product.  My old colt trim router is shot and I need to replace it. I’m sure this is an excellent option, but will it make me more productive than the 3 Makitas I could have for the same price?  Sell me!

 

[bertv]

Three routers with different router bits are probably going to be more productive than one router. Even if that one is the MFK.
OTH the MFK can do stuff that is hard to do with a simple palm router, when using the available accessories...

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As a complete addict, my opinion has to be taken with a grain of salt for sure, but here goes.
Yes the MFK700 is fantastic, enough that I actually have 2 of them, butin a moment of clarity, I don't think I could recommend it as the only small router. Unless you need one of the functions that it can do that the other lack, you're right, you could have at least a couple of Makitas.
You didn't mention your brand of battery platform, but since you brought up Makita, maybe you are there?
If so (and you are somewhat willing to spend a bit) I would go with the corded Makita with the multi base kit and at least one of the cordless units. This gets you into the best of both worlds, since the bases interchange. The 18v cordless is very handy, but it has limitations that the corded version can overcome. This also allows for different bits to be set-up at the same time as Bert mentioned above.

That said, I would have a very hard time without a MFK700, but that is because of the nature of my work. It depends entirely upon what you do in your shop. The horizontal aspect of the MFK700 is invaluable to me, maybe completely useless to another?

 

[Muttley000]

Looks like I better do some studying of the accessories before I choose!

 

[Coen]

Hi all, seeking an opinion from any that have this product.  My old colt trim router is shot and I need to replace it. I’m sure this is an excellent option, but will it make me more productive than the 3 Makitas I could have for the same price?  Sell me!

Entirely depends on what you do with it. What Makita are you comparing it to?

 

[Muttley000]

Hi all, seeking an opinion from any that have this product.  My old colt trim router is shot and I need to replace it. I’m sure this is an excellent option, but will it make me more productive than the 3 Makitas I could have for the same price?  Sell me!

Entirely depends on what you do with it. What Makita are you comparing it to?

I was looking at the RT0701CX7 kit with the several bases  My main uses would be trimming solid wood edge banding, flush cutting Formica type laminates, small round overs or chamfers. I am perfectly satisfied with a corded product also.

 

[sancho57]

thats the key.
its the different bases. The 700 also has awesome dust collection using the different dust collection attachments

To my knowledge Makita or any other manufacturer doesnt offer different bases or has as good dust collection.

If you dont plan on using the trim router to trim edge banding or need the versitility of the different bases and dust collection isnt that big of a deal to you then get the makita

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The corded set that I have (RT0701CX3) has a standard "fixed" base, plunge base, tilt base, and off-set base. IIRC, it has an underscribe plate too? plus a couple of dust collection attachments. The only one I have used is the one for the fixed base. It works ok, but can't catch all of stuff that is below the surface of the baseplate, like when you are flush trimming. Seems to me that set cost me about $225/$229?

The MFK700 is definitely very versatile machine. It really shines with the horizontal bases, but that may not be applicable to everybody. Also, it is easy for me to justify the expense, making a living with them.
As a hobbyist, I just don't know what I would do? I'm so engrained in how I do things, I would have a hard time and feel handicapped without me crazy excesses.

 

[sancho57]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member]

i wsnt impressed ith the 700s dust collection. like you i only ued the one dc port. Allan came over one day to make some cabinet doors and showed hos the other c posts/ attachents work. Dood they work awesome

 

[yetihunter]

I had the MFK700 at some point. It’s a phenomenal trim router.  I remember it, being very serious about it’s status as a trim router, only allowed for quite a limited router bit width.

 

[Peter_C]

Due to the router bit width I tend to use my OF1010 with the plate far more often then my MFK700, but I often use 3/4" edging.

I have a Bosch Colt, and as it is a crappy router that doesn't tighten enough to occasionally stop of the bit from dropping I never use it.

 

[xedos]

DeWalt 611 hands down.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member]

i wsnt impressed ith the 700s dust collection. like you i only ued the one dc port. Allan came over one day to make some cabinet doors and showed hos the other c posts/ attachents work. Dood they work awesome

It was the Makita that I only used one of the dust fittings. The ones with the MFK700 do work well, but they sort of have to, don't they. That is Fastool's focus.

Peter_C, I do quite a bit of 3/4" edging too, that was the main reason that I got a MFK700 and did the Paul Mercel modification to the zero degree base. Then I use a 5/8" diameter, 1" cut length, 8mm shank bit from Lee Valley.
I do have the angle plate and parts for the OF1010, but have only used it set up that way a few times. The modified MFK700 is much quicker to employ for this, because I store it set-up for that, which is also why I got a second one.

I like the Bosch Colt too, mostly because of the variety of bases. They used to be my "go to" for laminate work, until the Makita cordless came along. I still use the Bosch, for the specialty bases.
Then again, I'm the nut-job who has more of these small-sized routers than would be considered sane.

 

[waho6o9]

One must cut the base to use longer router bits. 

I find the different bases a hassle to put together. 

 

[serge0n]

...the Paul Mercel modification to the zero degree base.

Can you elaborate please? I'm not using my MFK700 as much as I thought I would because of bit diameter and length limitation.

 

[tsmi243]

...the Paul Mercel modification to the zero degree base.

Can you elaborate please? I'm not using my MFK700 as much as I thought I would because of bit diameter and length limitation.

Basically just cut a notch in the base, where the longer bit would need to go. 
http://www.halfinchshy.com/2010/12/extending-capacity-of-mfk-700.html

 

[serge0n]

Basically just cut a notch in the base, where the longer bit would need to go. 
http://www.halfinchshy.com/2010/12/extending-capacity-of-mfk-700.html

Perfect, thank you!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

tsmi243 beat me to it, but that is the basis of what I did. Since I have a small milling machine at home, I went about it slightly different, but the end result is similar. I cut a little deeper, to accommodate a longer bit. Also, a larger diameter bit seems to cut smoother in this situation, because it lifts less, reducing tear-out.

 

[Ebuwan]

As already stated; if you are trimming a lot of edge banding, it's hard to beat. Used it on a whole kitchen build this past summer for a few hours, and the way the base lets you hold it horizontal is very comfortable.

If you aren't doing edge banding, it's still a great router, but i understand getting the Makita then.