MFK 700 Modular Router: Member Feedback

[nclemmons]

Thanks for the clarification. 

It's a very interesting tool and has enough adjustment to do a lot more than edge trimming.  It does that and other routing with amazing control and accuracy.

Last night I was routing inlay at 1/32 inch depth with excellent control.  Size, weight, and balance are excellent.

Neil

 

[Brice Burrell]

Neil, I can confirm your measurement of 9/16" of travel, actually, its 15 mm, not the 20 mm Jerry posted.

 

[emck]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

 

[sw1211]

Any idea why router bits such as the HSS Groove/Slot Cutters (490-941,942,943) are listed in the catalogue as not being compatible with the MFK700?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

Don't go to all that bother Brice.
Just pack it back in the box and send it around so everyone can try it out for themselves.  ;D

 

[Brice Burrell]

Any idea why router bits such as the HSS Groove/Slot Cutters (490-941,942,943) are listed in the catalogue as not being compatible with the MFK700?

Steve, good question, seems very few bits are "compatible" with the MFK700.

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

Don't go to all that bother Brice.
Just pack it back in the box and send it around so everyone can try it out for themselves.  ;D

Well, that would save me a lot of time! 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

Actually I'd like to know why you bought this router.

I seem to remember several weeks ago you did a nice description of the edge following stuff for the 1000/1100 routers and you seemed to suggest that it did such a good job that you didn't see the need for a very expensive trim router.

Subsequently, you went to Los Vegas...

 

[sw1211]

Any idea why router bits such as the HSS Groove/Slot Cutters (490-941,942,943) are listed in the catalogue as not being compatible with the MFK700?

Steve, good question, seems very few bits are "compatible" with the MFK700.

It seems like this router would be a perfect application for the groove cutters.  Anyone from Festool care to clear this up?  Is this just a typo or my ignorance?  ???

 

[Brice Burrell]

Actually I'd like to know why you bought this router.

I seem to remember several weeks ago you did a nice description of the edge following stuff for the 1000/1100 routers and you seemed to suggest that it did such a good job that you didn't see the need for a very expensive trim router.

Subsequently, you went to Los Vegas...

  Michael, in Henderson I saw just how easy it is to use the MFK, that is appealing to me for one very big reason. It has to do with the "professional money making test" comment I made yesterday. I got a call over the weekend form the client of about a upcoming job, The job was about 150 linear feet of plywood veneer shelving with edge banding for the show room of a furniture store. That job has grown to over 600 linear feet.

  First thing this morning I tried out the "professional money making test" with the MFK. The test is, can I show the kid on the crew how to use the tool and let him have at, without worrying he'll screw something up!? It worked out, the MFK is so easy to use, with only a few minutes of instruction (and I set the MFK), he is trimming edge banding without worry of cutting into plywood face. Now, I'm able to go make money someplace else (or post on the internet). Thats why I picked up the MFK, its a "professional money maker".

 

[greg mann]

Any idea why router bits such as the HSS Groove/Slot Cutters (490-941,942,943) are listed in the catalogue as not being compatible with the MFK700?

I can only look at the pics online but I am guessing they are too long.

 

[emck]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

I personally would be interested in a review, I check your site often and it is a good resource (especially for a novice like me) anyone else would be interested in a review of this router?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

I personally would be interested in a review, I check your site often and it is a good resource (especially for a novice like me) anyone else would be interested in a review of this router?

I hope my wisecracks did not obscure my interest in reading a review by Brice.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Brice

Are you planning a detailed review of the MFK 700 on your site?

Edward

Well, do you think the members here really want to see me do a detailed review?

Brice

Yes!! I would love to see a review, if you could spare the time to do one.

Presumably you got the MFK700 SET (574288), which seems to consists of the router motor, vertical base unit with dust shroud, 1.5 degree horizontal base unit with dust extraction hood and sensor bearing guide (roller bearing), Systainer, collet(s) and wrench. Which collets did you get included in the package, and which bits have you been using? Did you get the parallel edge guide (495182), which appears to be an optional item?

For interest, I have heard that when used vertically (like a conventional router) the roller bearing can be replaced with the Contact Spring (530026, aka "ski foot") from the similar OFK700 laminate trimmer (NAINA). Here is the diagram from the OFK700 manual, and it shows that you can install either type of guide on the OFK700. The advantage of the ski foot is that it will even out any minor surface irregularities on the edge, eg when routing chipboard/particleboard.

I really hope that you can find time to do a review...

Forrest

 

[Brice Burrell]

  Forrest, yes, here in the States the tool comes with the router motor, vertical base unit with dust shroud, 1.5 degree horizontal base unit with dust extraction hood, sensor bearing guide (roller bearing), Systainer 2, 1/4" and 8 mm collets, wrench and instruction manual. I did buy the parallel edge guide and a few Festool bits, 19 mm two flute edge trimming bit (491 666), 45 degree chamfer bit (491 669) and the edge trimming chamfer  cutter with bearing (491 026).I've not seen the ski foot offered here.

  I've not had time to use it much, the kid used it today, he sure liked it. I did work on making a guide rail adapter for it, I still need to get 5/16" steel rod to mount it to the adapter. Its going to be just like Jerry's (thanks. Mr. Work!).

  OK guys, I'll try to start working on  review very soon. Keep in mind most people do detailed reviews for money, since I won't be making a nickel on this I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend on it. Until someone starts sponsoring these things I don't know how many more I'll do. I'm excited about this tool and I know you guys are too, so I'll see if I can find the time.

 

[emck]

  OK guys, I'll try to start working on  review very soon. Keep in mind most people do detailed reviews for money, since I won't be making a nickel on this I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend on it. Until someone starts sponsoring these things I don't know how many more I'll do. I'm excited about this tool and I know you guys are too, so I'll see if I can find the time.

Brice your site is amazing and you do such a nice job on the review, I would do a review but I don't have the tool and I am not all that good at writing and furthermore I don't have your skill set.

thanks and looking forward to it.

Edward

 

[Warrior]

Brice,
Your reviews are top notch, in with Jerry and Rick. I would love to see an MFK review when you get a chance.

Eiji

 

[Forrest Anderson]

This illustration and caption was taken from the "Features" section ofhttp://mfk700.festoolusa.com/

Does anyone know the part number of the threaded insert, and the sizes/part numbers of the template guides that will fit the MFK700?

Forrest

 

[Brice Burrell]

Forrest, the vertical base is threaded (taped) for standard PC style guide bushings. Its built right into the base, the parts needed are the bushings. As you can see from my picture, I've started working on my review.

 

[Brice Burrell]

  Until someone starts sponsoring these things I don't know how many more I'll do.

Brice Burrell,
Please don't take this personally, but I take sponsored reviews with a pinch of salt :-\
As soon as the review has been "sponsored", it just becomes an extension of the company, that's reimbursing you to do a job for them.
Sponsored reviews are more times than not, "glossy" with the main aim on selling, rather than a good honest balance of the pro's and cons.
Again, Brice don't take this personally (I know you do a lot for the forum).

  Your point is well taken. In defense of paid reviewers, I'm sure you understand that putting together a review takes time and its only fair that the reviewer be paid something. I agree that an unbiased review from an unpaid reviewer is what most people would like to see. People willing to do a free review that have a good knowledge of how tools work and know how to put together a detailed review are few and far between. And those people aren't going to write very many reviews before they realize that they should be getting paid for what they do. Let's face it, in life there are always trades offs, some paid reviews are glossy, but some really do give you good info.