MFK 700 Modular Router: Member Feedback

[Michael Kellough]

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

Amazon has an assortment of router bushings. Only the PC style (as in Porter Cable who introduced this style about 50 or 60 years ago) will fit the Festool base. In general, all threaded bushings are the PC style though there may be exceptions. Some manufactures make them in a progression of diameters. The genuine PC version is in an odd assortment of specific diameters and lengths to suit specific templates. I think it is good to also have a set of the more generic brass versions which makes it a little easier to modify the length and diameter of the bushing. Be aware though that some of the generic bushings fit loosely and might not center accurately without using a centering mandrel. As far as I know these are only available in fractions of inches.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

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, many thanks for the photo, which makes the method of fitting nice and clear. It looks as though you had some standard Porter Cable-style bushes knocking around the shop?

Amazon has an assortment of router bushings. Only the PC style (as in Porter Cable who introduced this style about 50 or 60 years ago) will fit the Festool base. In general, all threaded bushings are the PC style though there may be exceptions. Some manufactures make them in a progression of diameters. The genuine PC version is in an odd assortment of specific diameters and lengths to suit specific templates. I think it is good to also have a set of the more generic brass versions which makes it a little easier to modify the length and diameter of the bushing. Be aware though that some of the generic bushings fit loosely and might not center accurately without using a centering mandrel. As far as I know these are only available in fractions of inches.

That's some excellent background, for which I'm very grateful. I mainly use a Bosch router, and it has a bush rather like Festool generally uses on their OF series of routers, in that is simply clicks into place.

In the UK, "PC" is immediately identified as Personal Computer, and then Politically Correct (hopefully members won't be tempted to re-start that thread !), or even Police Constable. Since Porter Cable isn't marketed over here, the abbreviation isn't used very widely in that context.

I see that threaded guide bush sets are available in the UK from the likes of Axminster and Rutlands, but like you say, both these are Imperial sets.

Although it's nice of Festool to let the MFK700 accept commonly-available bushes, I'm a bit surprised that they don't sell their own metric ones.

Thanks again to you both.

Forrest

 

[Ned]

...but I take sponsored reviews with a pinch of salt :-\

Good idea, except that it should be extended to "I take all 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.

Not necessarily.

"Just some guy" may offer his opinion for free in a review that isn't worth your time to read.  Maybe the author doesn't know anything about his subject.  Maybe he has a grudge against the manufacturer.  Maybe he works for a competitor.  There are actually more possible motives to guard against in an unpaid review.

Jerry Work gets paid, and is absolutely worth your time to read.  I'm certain that everything he writes is the truth, including the strength of his endorsement.  If I do the kind of work that Jerry is doing, I'm confident that I will be pleased with products he endorses.

If I did what Brice does, I'd be very interested in his opinions, whether he was paid or not.  I don't do what Brice does, and I'm still interested in what he has to say.

Ned

 

[nickao]

  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.

I agree Brice. I was working on a post that turned into a "how to" and that turned into an"e-book" that now may even become a published project book.

I almost posted this free until a friend pointed out it was over a year of work and pictures and was better then some project books he had read. Now I think I will charge at least 20.00 for the e-book if it can not get published. It was just way to much work to give out free, even to my friends. Who has the time to do as much as you have already done? It is amazing to me all the things you have already done free. There is a point people need to be reimbursed and I think you are at that point.

I appreciate your info Brice and I totally agree  that you should  have some sponsors or at least get some money or payment in some form. Otherwise you could be doing something with family or making money with your time.

Nickao

 

[Michael Kellough]

Who has the time to do as much as you have already done? It is amazing to me all the things you have already done free. There is a point people need to be reimbursed and I think you are at that point.

I appreciate your info Brice and I totally agree  that you should  have some sponsors or at least get some money or payment in some form. Otherwise you could be doing something with family or making money with your time.

Nickao

I agree with what Nick said and how he expressed it.
My previous post was way too hum drum.

 

[nickao]

Brice's info is better than any manual ever, I totally agree mike! I read Matthew's Rotex article when he did the hardwood floor entry. That is what sold me, nothing Festool did.

I am loving the new Rotex too, thanks guys for your insightful reviews of the tools!

nickao

 

[Brice Burrell]

Mike, I would never take money from users for my reviews. Taking money from those making a profit on what I'm doing, thats a different story.

I've had dealers contact me with commercial interest in the content of my site. I decided that I would rather share my work for free for everyone, here and on my site instead of making money and having my work used commercially. That may change, doing reviews takes up my time and don't forget, I'm paying for my website to share Festool and related info. I don't know what the future holds for my site, its days may be numbered.

Before starts to wonder why Festool hasn't worked with me, well they have in the past, the reviews for the router accessories was something I did for Festool. I don't want to make it look like Festool is being the bad guy here for not sponsoring/commissioning my reviews.

Back to the MFK, I finished making my guide rail adpter, thats really going to add the usefullness of this tool. Thanks again Jerry!

 

[Jerry Work]

You are welcome, Brice.  The more you use the 700 with the guide rail adapter, the more you will like it.  I am building a rather fancy oriental style bed at the moment from highly figured Oregon big leaf maple and bloodwood that requires some precise inlay work.  The 700 easily allows the very fine control required.  I could do the same work with the 1010 or the 1400, just not as easily or with as fine a level of control.

Jerry

 

[Matteo]

I used the MFK to trim up some edge banding and also to put Rabbets on some support rails. This is a very precise machine and very easy to handle. I have let a few of my clients Demo it in there shop and they have been very impressed. The ones that have sold get great feedback from their owners