MFK 700 quits running

[BarryL]

I am guessing that his might be the "operator" but perhaps you all can tell me what I might expect. 

I was trying to cut a 6" hole with the trim router in 3/4" plywood.  I was using a 1/4" spiral bit.  I made a jig whereby I could pin the center of the hole and just rotate the router after I plunged the spiral bit through.

I could barely rotate the router and it would stall.  I could immediately turn it back on...go a little bit and stall again.

Am I expecting too much from the trim router?  I thought it would be able to do this? 

Do I have a defective MFK 700?

Thanks for the help!

Barry

 

[johnsonri]

From the sound of your description, you are attempting to cut all the way through the 3/4 plywood in one pass. That seems like a pretty tall job for a trim router. Does your jig allow you to take shallow passes until you have cut thru the entire workpiece?

Only if that MFK could talk....I'd bet it would have a few MF's for you doing that operation 

Instead, it just goes silent for a little while....anger management, I guess  :-X

 

[CharlesWilson]

Jerry Work has indicated that he uses the MFK 700 to cut through dovetails with the Festool dovetail bits. I believe he cuts them 10mm deep, so that is about half the depth that you are cutting. He reported that he had no problem in doing this.

Based upon your experience, I will be giving it a try this evening into hard maple.

Trust, but verify.

Charles

 

[Steve Jones]

You're asking too much of the 1/4" bit (even a spiral cut), you probably need to plan on 3 or 4 cuts to get through the 3/4 material.

 

[johnsonri]

Jerry Work has indicated that he uses the MFK 700 to cut through dovetails with the Festool dovetail bits.

Without testing it, I would think that the MFK would have an easier time cutting with the dovetail than the spiral bit. There'd likely be a lot more strain with the spiral bit than the dovetail bit. You are putting forward or lateral thrust on the router and bit during the cut. Given the blade layout and the width of the spiral bit, I could imagine some pretty good strain there.

 

[josephgewing]

Two thoughts:

I usually do 3/4" in two passes.  But I have done 3/4" all at once and the bit heated up and caused some burning.

This is an outside possibility, but is your plug-it connector making a good connection?  I have had to re-tighten mine when a tool showed intermittant performance.

Let us know.

Joe

 

[Jerry Work]

This sounds like a bit issue.  If the "rotary" bit is like one of those designed for cutting sheet rock it will bog down any router while trying to mush through 3/4" plywood.  The larger the "rotary" bit, the easier it will cut.  If it is multi-toothed it will plug up quickly with the junk that holds the plys together (I am not a fan of plywood)!  Festool and others make proper rotary bits for through cutting.  If the bit was one of those, then I would question the health of the 700, otherwise I question the bit being used.  Hope this helps.

Jerry

 

[CharlesWilson]

As expected, the MFK 700 had no problems with a 10mm deep through dovetail into hardwood. The piece of hardwood was some very tight grained and knotty white oak, which typically makes my thickness planer groan in protest when encountered. I was also impressed by the effectiveness of the MFK 700 chip collection during this operation.

 

[BarryL]

Thanks guys for the responses.  The bit I used was a bit I got when I bought my woodrat.  It was a 1/4" spiral bit.  I have used it before but mostly for 1/4" trenches.  I agree that it was asking a lot out of the router...I guess I had it in my mind it would be up to the task.  I did check the plug it for loose connection.  No problem there.  It jst did not like that lateral pressure and would almost immediately shut off.  I should have tried it in two passes. 

I was cutting a 6" hole for cornhole boards thus the plywood.  I eventually moved towards my OF1400 for the task with a 1/2 inch spiral bit...  much better suited.  I should have started there but I was thinking the MFK could do it.  I need to come up with a good circle jig for the 1400 as I plan on making more boards.

 

[Les]

Lot's of circle cutting jig ideas here. When you get down to post 10 you start seeing some neat ideas.