MFK 700 for veneer edge trimming?

[Brice Burrell]

The more I think about this video the more I realize just how much it really shows. First, it shows how well the FOG works. A guy posts looking for quality feedback and he quickly gets the info he needed. Then a FOG member that is a Festool dealer is able to get the tool to him in a timely manner. Them the guy posts a video showing the how the tool changes his work flow. I feel good for the small part I played in helping this happen.

Another thing that may not be apparent to the causal viewer is just how time consuming and at times nerve racking trimming veneer tape can be. This tool really changed this, it took 30 seconds to do what would have taken much longer in the past. Sure it illustrates Festool's faster, easier, smarter philosophy but there is even more to it than that. When that job is more pleasurable it makes one's job even more rewarding, I mean look at the smile on Andreas' face. When was the last time a DeWalt product put a smile on your face like that? Maybe Festool should change their slogan, Festool, puts a smile on your face.  ;D

Andreas, again, great work! 

 

[RonMiller]

Just wanted to second the positive review of the 700. I do alot of edging and this saves me hours of work, made me $, and with a better look. With the 1.5 degree offset its almost impossible to scar the top side. GREAT product for my purposes. If that's all I ever use it for, it will have been a excellent investment. And it does put a smile on my face when I use it!

 

[festocracy]

Andreas, thanks for the video. I just bought the 700 with the idea of making it easier to trim iron-on edge banding and also edge trimming formica countertops and edgebanding. Have not used the router yet, had to order bits for it, which was guesswork. I got the flush cut bit with bearing, which has a chamfering feature on it (part 491 026) and a 2 flute edge trimmer (part 491 670). I have found no advice anywhere about what bit to use for what application and especially, how to make full use of the attachable bearing "feeler" that is provided with the machine. I am pretty well experienced using my 1010 router and a spiral bit w/ bearing to trim formica, etc. The 700 is a whole new animal though, with the two bases, etc. Has anyone done a video or detailed instruction article about what bit and base to set up for particular cuts. Sure, I could experiment for a few hours and probably figure it out, but with a business to run, I would rather not reinvent the wheel. Thanks for any input you may have.

 

[peter halle]

Festocracy,

[welcome] to the forum!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Andreas, thanks for the video. I just bought the 700 with the idea of making it easier to trim iron-on edge banding and also edge trimming formica countertops and edgebanding. Have not used the router yet.......Sure, I could experiment for a few hours and probably figure it out, but with a business to run, I would rather not reinvent the wheel. Thanks for any input you may have.

Festocracy welcome to the forum. Using the MFK in the horizontal position as Andreas does in the video is where bit selection is critical since bits with cutting lengths over 5/8" (16 mm) won't fit. I'd recommend this bit, part #491666, it's a short straight bit. The feeler bearing is used as a stop for the router in the horizontal position. It allows you to control how of the bit is exposed to cut the material. An exact setting for the feeler bearing generally isn't critical (the depth of cut set by the horizontal base is). It makes sense once you've used the router once or twice.

I like the chamfer/edge trimming bit part # 491026 that you have for using the MFK in the vertical position.

This router is very simple to use, you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly I'm sure. I'd still recommend practicing on scrap first. Good luck and let us know if you have more questions.   

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Has anyone done a video or detailed instruction article about what bit and base to set up for particular cuts. Sure, I could experiment for a few hours and probably figure it out, but with a business to run, I would rather not reinvent the wheel.

If you haven't already done so, check out the following links, taken from FOG's Consolidated List of Festool Links...

	MFK700 Article "Using the Festool MFK700 Router for Making Fine Furniture" (Jerry Work)
	MFK700 Brochure
	MFK700 In-Depth Review (Brice Burrell)
	MFK700 Official Manual
	MFK700 Review (Cabinetmaker Online)
	MFK700 Video

Forrest

 

[EcoFurniture]

Andreas, thanks for the video. I just bought the 700 with the idea of making it easier to trim iron-on edge banding and also edge trimming formica countertops and edgebanding. Have not used the router yet, had to order bits for it, which was guesswork. I got the flush cut bit with bearing, which has a chamfering feature on it (part 491 026) and a 2 flute edge trimmer (part 491 670). I have found no advice anywhere about what bit to use for what application and especially, how to make full use of the attachable bearing "feeler" that is provided with the machine. I am pretty well experienced using my 1010 router and a spiral bit w/ bearing to trim formica, etc. The 700 is a whole new animal though, with the two bases, etc. Has anyone done a video or detailed instruction article about what bit and base to set up for particular cuts. Sure, I could experiment for a few hours and probably figure it out, but with a business to run, I would rather not reinvent the wheel. Thanks for any input you may have.

You are welcome. I'm sure you will love that router and will see that it really saves you money as you get the job done faster. It took me one kitchen job to pay for it and now it generates money for me!
As for the router bits. I listened to my dealer who put a couple of routers in the box with it for me to try out. Agreed those bits are not cheap but work very nice. I bought all of the ones he recommended.

Cheers,
Andreas

 

[festocracy]

Thanks to all who replied with advice, I think I'm going to like this forum and hopefully offer some tips I've learned while using the many Festo products I own. To Forrest, the links you gave were great, and as you are Scottish, I must mention that several friends and I are kilt owners who frequent the local pubs here in Florida and are trying to promote the acceptance of kilts as "normal" clothing for daily activities.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Thanks to all who replied with advice, I think I'm going to like this forum and hopefully offer some tips I've learned while using the many Festo products I own. To Forrest, the links you gave were great, and as you are Scottish, I must mention that several friends and I are kilt owners who frequent the local pubs here in Florida and are trying to promote the acceptance of kilts as "normal" clothing for daily activities.

Glad you found the links useful, but I suspect that you might find that it takes longer than expected to convince the locals about the kilts!

Forrest

 

[EcoFurniture]

Again, the MFK 700 is up to the task!

How to apply stubborn 3mm pvc to an plywood edge:

The pvc comes in a roll of  (I think) 50'. The problem with this material is, that it always tries to curl up. Therefore you have to work with a few tricks.

1. I cut the pieces about 5" longer then needed
2. Screwed it down on a scrap piece with a screw on each end.
3. Applied the water based, non-toxic contact cement on both surfaces
4. Let dry for an hour
5. Because those strips were 70" long, I couldn't apply them without help.
6. Rigged up some "spacers" in form of some quick grip clamps.
7. Put the edge on top of the clamps. They also prevented the edge from sliding of the side!
8. Now push the edge down inch by inch. No room for mistakes. Both pieces will bond on contact!
9. Because of the 4mm thickness, it wasn't enough to just use the laminate roller. A rubber mallet did the trick!
10. Trim off the ends with the Fein Multimaster
11. With a perfectly dialed in MFK700 I was able to trim the edge perfectly flush without scratching the pre finished ply! No idea how else I could have done that task.

Edge taping

Festool MFK 700

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Nice work.  I'm curious, how did you cut that radius without scratching the ply? 

 

[EcoFurniture]

The radius  I routered with the help of a template. The edge was trimmed just with the MFK.