MFK 700 or other small router (Makita 0700)

[VesaS]

Hi,

I'm looking for a small router and considering between those in subject. Usage is mainly edge routing (profiles, rebates) maybe grooves near edge. Something like go-to-router. I have other routers too, so this is intended handheld and for smaller bits.
I have one very old Makita router too, don't use it at all cause it's not good in any way.

So, can you provide more information
- Are there limitations on those which I should know?
- Makita 0700 quality in general
- MFK versatility vs. Makita (Makita has several bases for different purposes)
- Comments from users, how these perform in use. Usability etc.

MFK cost twice than Makita, but I prefer tools which last 20 years. Considering time span there is small difference in price. But there is always something to buy right now ..

Vesa

 

[fignewton]

Can't speak to the Makita, but I used a Bosch Colt for years.  One 6' pass with a 1/8 round-over bit meant 20 minutes of cleanup.  I love the MFK 700 dust collection, its smoothness, the bases in the kit, everything. 

 

[gunnyr]

I've used the Porter Cable and Ridgid trim routers quite a bit.  I've not used the Makita trim router at all.  I find that the Ridgid does not hold it's depth setting very well.  The PC router was ok.  Where the MFK 700 excelled for me was in
[list type=decimal]
[*]Dust Collection  [big grin][thumbs up]
[*]Precision depth setting
[*]Edge Band trimming
[/list]

For me the MFK 700 is simply the more precise machine.  I do wish the Systainer for the MFK were designed to hold both the 0.5 degree and the 0 degree bases.  They both fit in the Systainer but the insert is not designed to hold both of them. [thumbs up]

 

[VesaS]

Thanks for replies.

It's very difficult to find reviews / videos of Makita, Metabo etc.
Some small trimmers have kickstart, some are fix speed, some don't keep settings ..
They maybe versatile with tilting bases etc. but I wonder if those are really needed. Maybe in some applications.

Dust collection is important, I didn't mention this cause Makita has some dust shrouds too. I assumed they are good in practice.
Nobody shows actual dust collection capability. Maybe there is reason for this?
I too have routed something small rather quickly and spent more time cleaning up.

MFK needs table tweaking if used with other manufactures bits (longer than Festool bits). Half-inch shy has video on youtube of this mod. Other than that I haven't found anything negative. Except price.

Your answers pushes me towards MFK. I'll post here what I buy

Vesa

 

[Jerry White]

One small router you might want to take a look at is the DeWalt 611 Kit with the dust collection accessories.  I just got this small router and it feels like it is going to prove to be excellent for the tasks you describe.  I can't personally speak to the dust collection ability, as I have not tried this feature out yet.

 

[VesaS]

DeWalt is interesting too, good features. It's D26204K over here.
Let us know how you feel about dust collection.

Vesa

 

[Peter_C]

I own a Bosch Colt that has great dust spreading capabilities, and a tendency to have the case move, dropping the bit. It got replaced by an OF1010. I had considered the MFK700, and spent a lot of time researching it, but with the side plate and the other capabilities the OF1010 made more sense to purchase first. The challenge with the MFK700 is you can not see your cut. I briefly looked at the Makita, but decided against it. I would recommend watching some youtube videos on the Makita, MFK700, and the OF1010, to help with your decision. You also get a 30 day no questions asked return policy with Festool.

 

[Job and Knock]

So, can you provide more information
- Are there limitations on those which I should know?
- Makita 0700 quality in general
- MFK versatility vs. Makita (Makita has several bases for different purposes)
- Comments from users, how these perform in use. Usability etc.

I have both the RT0700CX2 and a Chinese copy called a Katsu (also sold as Merry and GMC GR710 amongst others). Firstly the Makita is beautifully machined with high grade castings - I can't fault that. With the plunge base (the CX2 kit comes with fixed, tilting and plunge bases) the tool is far more versatile than my Holz-Her 2360 (daddy of the MFK, and basically an MKF without the side fence but with a better motor) as a router but it isn't as good for laminate trimming or lipping work. So if I were just looking for a router then I'd go for an RT0700 over the MFK. If the emphasis were to be on edge processing (lipping, laminate trimming, etc) then the MFK wins hands down

Cons to the RT0700: a bit noisy; the plunge stroke on the plunge base is only 35mm (as opposed to the 50+mm of the DW611 and Bosch GKF600/Colt); the collets are a bit small for my liking; the fixed base height adjustment is a bit crude; dust extraction isn't great as the tool comes (see below) and is awkward to use because it obstructs vision (plunge base); limited cutter size on plunge base (max. c.28mm diameter with guide bushes); poor visibility for some edge routing tasks with fixed base - plunge base has good visibility

Pros to the RT0700: despite the limited plunge stroke on the plunge base I find it adequate for most of the things I want to do with it; there are better quality collets available from Elaire Corp - I have some on order to try them out;  experimentation with the dust extraction shows that it can be radically improved for edge routing by incorporating a Festool-style chip guard (as on the OF1010 - my first experiments used half a cardbooard coffee cup, sliced vertically with gaffer tape to hold it in place - it was very effective!); the plunge base uses standard Makita 68mm guide bushes; a reducer adaptor is available to take P-C guide bushes for the plunge base; the sub-base of the fixed base accommodates P-C guide bushes as-is; the 8mm fence rods of the plunge base are at the same diameter and centres as the Elu MOF96/OF97 and DW613/DW615/DW621/DW622 meaning that lots of fence-based acccesories are compatible (e.g Trend CRB, Makita guide rail adaptor, deWalt trammel head, etc) - fences from the Trend T5/deWalt DW613/615/621/622 and Makita RT1110 all fit directly (fences from the Makita RT1801/2301 require 8mm fence rods); the plunge base has a 3-position turret (no turret on the MFK); the tilting base is an odd but useful accessory; the CX4 comes in a soft bag with a removeable compartmented interior which drops straight into a Makpac 4 or Systainer 4; with fixed base really is a 1-handed tool (MFK takes two IMHO); offset sub-base also available if required

I am currently putting together a rather more comprehensive test/review for publication on another forum, but I'm only half way through so far.....

I have owned the Colt and I'm happier with the RT0700. I tried the DW, but it felt big and a bit clumsy in comparison although it does have better DX and more power. It lacks an offset bvase or tilt base option, though (usful for laminate trimming)

In general pretty happy with the RT0700 as a small router, apart from the DX, but some jury rigged set-ups have shown me that it is cureable. The worst thing I have done with it, to date, is edge rebating 18mm MR-MDF - 12 x 8mm rebates, single pass, 2.4 metre boards - about 30 of them in total (so I know all about dust!). On that it got a bit hot, but so would anything else

It's maybe worth taking a look at this Ozzy video on YouTube:

this Ozzy video

if you are interested in accessories for the RT0700. BTW metric P-C guide bushes are available (16 and 30mm from Trend or sets 10/12/14/16/18/20/24/30mm from Axminster Power Tool in UK)

 

[DB10]

Thanks [member=61727]Job and Knock[/member] for the very informative review so far.
The build quality of the Makita RTO and its accessories are excellent and were a pleasant surprise to me when I purchased this tool a few years back. It is certainly up there with Festools build quality at a fraction of the cost with this tool, It has always been a pleasure to use this little router from Makita.

 

[Kev]

Dust collection aside, I've always had a lot or respect for Makitas small routers and trimmers. The only (we'll, one of the few) tools I've ever been regretful of selling was my little silver bodied Makita trimmer!

 

[Llap Goch]

I bought the Katsu trimmer a couple of months ago and have to say that for £30 delivered it has been brilliant. I also bought the tilt base and the plunge base for another £30 off Aim Tools here in the UK and though it is not as well finished as the Makita equivalent it really has performed well.

It was purchased for a specific job I had which did not justify the price of an MFK or a Makita and, as no one had all the bits needed to convert my OF 1010 in stock, I did what I have always told myself not to do, and bought a cheapo. But, fitted with a Freud trimming bit, it did the job superbly albeit noisily and with poor dust extraction, and hasn't missed a beat.

The bases are very well made and finished and are exact copies of the Makita ones.  I now have a complete 'Makita' type trimmer kit for less than a third of the price of the original and as a bonus, the fence and bars off my old Elu 96E fit the plunge base.

 

[Job and Knock]

I bought the Katsu trimmer a couple of months ago and have to say that for £30 delivered it has been brilliant. I also bought the tilt base and the plunge base for another £30 off Aim Tools here in the UK and though it is not as well finished as the Makita equivalent it really has performed well......

The bases are very well made and finished and are exact copies of the Makita ones.  I now have a complete 'Makita' type trimmer kit for less than a third of the price of the original and as a bonus, the fence and bars off my old Elu 96E fit the plunge base.

I have to agree with you that the Katsu is amazing value, and Aim can even even supply a 110 volt version for site use - a bonus for us site-based "tradies". One of the few negatives I've found is that the trimming guide bearing of the Katsu doesn't extend parallel to the base (a minus) and that the guide wheel actually wobbles on mine and several others I've examined making it useless for bearingless laminate trimming (a really big minus for me). This, however only affects probably 2% of the potential purchasers (if that - most folk use cutters ith bearing these days), so I woudn't let that put you off especially as the Makita item is accurate and fits perfectly should you need thi feature. In terms of durability the Katsu appears to use ABS and acrylic sub-bases which are thinner and less durable than the PF (Phenolic plastic) ones of the Makita - but at half the price I'd expect a few compromises, and I can always make my own bases outof Tufnol. Now that GMC are also distributing their 230 volt version (the GR710: different only in the colour) in the UK a clone RT should be easily available to lots more folk - even B&Q (our version of "the Borg") stock GMC stuff, so maybe in the future....  Either way a bit better than the one job, throw away tool you'd tend to find in the Silverline range IMHO

 

[smunter1]

I'm looking at buying one of these 2 units as well, would mainly use it for routing hinges into door linings and doors, and the occasional bit of detailing work. To do this I need to be able to see the cutter, i know it's visable in the makita. Is it visible in the MFK 700? Or is it shielded by the base? Every video I've seen seems to be solely using it to trim edges, is this it's only use?

 

[Llap Goch]

You are right J&k about the bearing follower, it is pants, but I use bearing bits and if I do need a follower I will get the Makita original for about a tenner. The little Katsu is a cracker though irrespective of its bargain price.

Smunter the Makita/Katsu is absolutely perfect for hinge routing and there are loads of examples on YouTube. I have used my Katsu on several doors and can see exactly where the bit is cutting. I don't think you can see anything with the MFK but, like you, that is based solely on demo clips.

I am making some window frames at the moment and the Katsu has been perfect for hinge setting and routing drip channels under the sills. I have the trilogy of Festool routers but for sheer convenience and control on a relatively thin window frame the lightweight Katsu has been brilliant.

I must admit to liking the idea of the MFK for edge trimming and will probably get one in due course but if it is hinges etc that you primarily need a small router/trimmer for then the Makita or the Katsu would be ideal and save you a pretty penny.

 

[smunter1]

Thanks PatR. Great advice!

 

[sheperd80]

I own a Bosch Colt that has great dust spreading capabilities, and a tendency to have the case move, dropping the bit. It got replaced by an OF1010. I had considered the MFK700, and spent a lot of time researching it, but with the side plate and the other capabilities the OF1010 made more sense to purchase first. The challenge with the MFK700 is you can not see your cut. I briefly looked at the Makita, but decided against it. I would recommend watching some youtube videos on the Makita, MFK700, and the OF1010, to help with your decision. You also get a 30 day no questions asked return policy with Festool.

This, word for word LOL. I went through the exact same thought process, for the same reason, and came to the same conclusion.

I love my 1010. My research led me to the conclusion that the mfk is a very specialized trimming router. Not an all purpose small router like the 1010.

My only gripe is with some of the accessories. They are expensive, sold in seperate pieces, and stupidly designed. But they work and the router itself was absolutely perfect for me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Job and Knock]

It's maybe worth noting the origins of the MFK700. It actually started out as the Holz-Her 2360 laminate trimmer, hence the 1.5° base and the accessory bearing guide (both ideal for laminate work but little use for most woodworking tasks IMHO). I know that Festool replaced the motor and added a side fence, but to my mind the MFK700 is still fundamentally a laminateand lipping trimmer with very limited cutter capacity that can do some basic routing. BTW I still have a 2360, and it's a really good laminate trimmer, especially when working with edgings such as 3mm ABS or PVC or 6mm hardwood, but given the choice between the MFK and my RT0700 (and for that matter my old GKF600 aka Colt) for rounding-over or profiling an edge or corner I choose the RT0700 every time. It's really a no brainer

 

[VesaS]

Just update. I bought MFK 700, won a bid.
It's just delivered, so I haven't used it, but checked all parts and functions. First impressions very are positive. Machine start is soft and running is smooth and silent.
Maybe I figure out what to do this evening..

Vesa