MFK 700 EQ Shutting Down Under Load

[KMoura]

My MFK 700 Router keeps shutting down while under load.  I was using my router to rout some 1/4"wide x 1/4" deep dadoes in some 1/2" Baltic Birch Plywood, when my router started to turn itself off automatically.  I thought maybe the switch vibrated off, but when I turned it on again to continue to rout, I had my thumb on the switch and it still shut down.  This does not make any sense to me because prior to this I had just completed around 20 feet or so of routing dadoes with the same 1/4" Undersize Plywood Bit (Rockler, 2 Fluted Bit, Brand New) and an 1/2" Undersize Plywood Bit with no problems.  I also had no problems trimming some laminate countertop material a few day earlier.  When this problem occurred, I was using the edge guide, and thru the vent holes in the routers body I noticed some abnormal amounts of arcing.  There was very little arcing that could be noticed when I turned the router on and let it run with no load being applied to the bit.  But, when a load is applied you can see quit a light show.  This router is only a month old, bought when Festool had there router deal.

I will be contacting Festool on Monday, but wanted to know if anyone come across this same or similar scenario.

I think Festool has great tools, but a bit bummed out about this.

Thank You,
K. Moura

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the forum.

Very sorry to hear about the trouble you're having with your MFK. My first suggestion would be to simply exchange it if it's within 30 days of your purchase and it's convenient to do so. Otherwise, I'm confident the folks in the service department can help sort out the issue(s).  If you email me your contact information and a convenient time, I will have someone call you (sho@festoolusa.com).

Shane Holland,
Festool USA

 

[Brice Burrell]

I believe a member (Greg Mann) had a similar problem when routing a dado.  If memory serves, he concluded the MFK didn't like the single flute router bit he was using.  There was no logical reason for the bit not to work but for some reason it kept causing the router to shut down.  I say try your undersized plywood bit again and see if it still works.  If it does I would think there's not anything really wrong with your MFK.  I'd still call Festool on Monday. Good luck and let us how it goes.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I find it quiet easy to place my hand over the air vents on the router... Therefore, the airflow to cool the router wouldn't be sufficient and as a result it could shut down to prevent over heating!

Hope that solves your problem.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Another possibility to consider on a new tool is that the plug-it cord was not fully engaged. This would result in the same symptoms.

The plug-it cord on a new tool will be fairly tight and it is not uncommon for new users to not realize they have not turned it far enough to fully engage the latch. When turning it a full 90 degrees, you should feel a slight detent in the rotation when the latch engages. With the cord only partially locked, it will still be held in and not fall out, but the electrical contacts won't have full contact. This can also lead to premature failure of both the plug and socket.

 

[greg mann]

I think the problem is inadvertantly covering the air vents as Andreas pointed out. My problems went away when I made sure I wasn't blocking the vents. It is easy to do. If you feel the heat on your fingers that should tip you off to use a different hand position.

 

[KMoura]

I would like to thank all of you for your suggestion.  I called Festool on Monday and the Tech mentioned the Cord not being turned a full quarter turn, however the plug was completely engaged while I was using it.  The Tech then told me to take it back to where I bought it.  I returned it to Rocklers today and they exchanged the router set for a new one, hopefully this will not happen again.
I will take all the advise into consideration when I am using this new router.

Again, Thank You
K. Moura
Southern California