MFK 700 router bit selection help

[gnlman]

Picked up a MFK700 Set (quite a while ago now…) and am planning to build a few laminate counters.  I don’t have any bits that will fit in it due to length, so need to buy some bits to do the trimming and put the bevel on once the laminate is applied.

I have read a few articles, and watched a few videos but am still a little unclear on what my approach to trimming the laminate is going to be with this router.  I have not done laminate work in a long time, but in the past I simply applied the edges, trimmed flush with a straight bearing bit. Then applied the top and trimmed flush with a straight bearing bit, then a final pass with a bevel bearing bit to apply a 45 degree bevel and get rid of most sharp edges.
While I’m pretty sure I could use the same old bits in the mfk700, (using only the vertical base) I’d like to make use of the horizontal base as it seems like a much better idea than trying to balance the router on a narrow edge….

I’d also like to use this router to trim solid edge banding as well as pvc and iron on wood edge banding if possible. I realize the router has some limitations with solid edge banding, may look at a mod to the base like others have done, but for now just want to get going.
I’ve been looking at the Festool bits available for this router and would like to order some soon. (Before prices rises in Canada….lol)
Anyone using this router have any suggestions on what bits to get??
Since I have the set with the bearing attachment, I’m thinking without bearings??
Thanks, Greg.

 

[semenza]

For the horizontal flush trimming Festool offers two. 491670 which has replaceable cutters and 491666. I prefer the latter because it has a longer 5/8" (16mm) cutting length as opposed to the former with only about a 1/2" (12mm) length.  It makes a nice clean cut. These are the correct length to fit in the MFK700.

For vertical trimming you will still need bits with bearings.

Seth

 

[Sparktrician]

Check out the Amana No-File bit.  It's great for use finishing with laminates.  It's not a straight-cut bit, but does a really sweet edge on the final pass. The Festool Edge-Trimming bit is tops for flat-cutting up to ~5/8" surfaces.  

 

[tbellemare]

491670 has been discontinued here.

Tom

 

[mikeneron]

Hey gnlman, when you bought the set did you also get the 0 degree base?  I'm thinking of ordering the MFK 700 Set and am thinking the 0 degree base would only be useful if your edge banding (trim) is quite thick.  So the 1.5 degree base should be all I need.  Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong here.

If you were in the market for the 0 degree base though, I would wait until the price change as the bases for the MFK 700 are slated to drop from $150 to $125 US.  Not sure what that will mean for us in Canada though.  No such luck with the Edge-Trimming Cutter (491666) as it's slated to go from $45 to $47 US.  I am waiting to buy the MFK 700 set though as it is slated to drop from $550 to $525 US.

I am not seeing the Edge-Trimming Cutter with reversible blades (491670) on the price increase at all.  So as Tom had stated, discontinued.  Same for the MFK 700 Router by itself (574419) and Feeler Bearing (495368). So I guess that means come April, you will only be able to buy the set?  I find it is a bit odd there are price decreases for this product though.  Makes me wonder if something is in the works for the MFK 700 and maybe an update is coming in the near future??  Would hate to buy this now and find out there is a newer model coming with better features.

 

[tbellemare]

I'm not a Formica kind of guy but to my knowledge, the zero-degree base is for laminates like Formica.

• Apply the laminate to the edge
• Trim flush with top/bottom using zero-degree base
• Apply laminate on top
• Trim with chamfer bit or roundover in one pass

I'm no expert but that's how I learned to do it.

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm not a Formica kind of guy but to my knowledge, the zero-degree base is for laminates like Formica.

• Apply the laminate to the edge
• Trim flush with top/bottom using zero-degree base
• Apply laminate on top
• Trim with chamfer bit or roundover in one pass

I'm no expert but that's how I learned to do it.

Tom

+1.  I'd modify the process ever so slightly as follows:

• Apply the laminate to the ends
• Trim flush with top/bottom/front/back using zero-degree base
• Apply the laminate to the front/back
• Trim flush with top/bottom/ends using zero-degree base
• Apply laminate on top
• Trim flush with ends/front/back using zero-degree base
• Trim all flush-cut edges with chamfer, roundover or No-File bit in one pass

That's my story and I'm sticking to it... 

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Thanks for the replies so far.

No I didn't get the zero degree base with my set. I've read a bit about it but since I haven't used the router yet, not sure I'll have a need for the other base....thinking if I end up needing it I will order.

Hmmmm where are you getting your price increase info from?

I found a list on this site from one of the dealers, but it was really only for tools mostly. The price increases in Canada for some items is quite substantial given our falling Dollar.

I have a list of items I am getting ready to call my local dealer about for expected price increases April 1st. that were not on the list I found.

I will be placing and order this week for a few big ticket items I had planned on buying cash over the next year...now I'll just make payments over the year....lol

Thanks Tom....I know it's not that hard, just having a bit of a time getting my head around using the 1.5 base....now it's sounding like I should be using the 0 degree base.....I haven't looked real hard but is there a supplemental manual for this router?

Greg.

 

[mikeneron]

Hmmmm where are you getting your price increase info from?

http://www.festoolproducts.com/Articles.asp?ID=278

 

[gnlman]

Sorry Sparky I was a little too click happy and posted right after your post.

So what will happen if I use the festool bit 49166 to flush trim the edges....I'm assuming it will have a 1.5 degree bevel???
Sounds like I will also have to get a bearing bevel bit to do the final finish on the edges in the vertical position....

Greg

 

[gnlman]

Thanks for the link to the pricing.....
Hmmmm those are US prices. From what I understand we are going to see much larger price increases due to our Dollar....
An example is the Kapex.....The US price increase is 25.00....the Canadian price increase is 143.00.....

Greg

 

[mikeneron]

I kind of figured the Cdn prices would be similar to the US ones just adjusted for the exchange rate.  Where did you hear the Kapex would be going up $143?  Yikes!

 

[gnlman]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/canadian-new-festool-pricing-march-sale-at-atlas-machinery/

Like you said.....Yikes.....lol

Would like to find Canadian pricelists for the rest like the list you found as this list is tools only.

I have a wishlist to purchase, just have to get all the pricing and then start cutting items till I meet my budget. I figure I'll save enough buying before April 1st to pay for a new sander.....
Greg

 

[mikeneron]

Thanks for the link, but I'm a bit confused when I did a search for the MFK 700 Set (574368).  Does that mean it's going up by $15 or staying the same as the current price is $620?

574368  Router MFK 700EQ Set, Replaces 574288  $635.00
574368  Router MFK 700EQ Set  $620.00

 

[Sparktrician]

Sorry Sparky I was a little too click happy and posted right after your post.

So what will happen if I use the festool bit 49166 to flush trim the edges....I'm assuming it will have a 1.5 degree bevel???
Sounds like I will also have to get a bearing bevel bit to do the final finish on the edges in the vertical position....

Greg

The bit you mentioned is a straight-cut bit.  When used with the 0 degree base, it will cut dead flat; with the 1.5 degree base, that's what you'll get.  It all centers on the choice of base.  If you choose the Amana No-File bit for finishing, it has a bottom bearing. 

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Well that seems like one of the lowest price increases on the list......if it's correct..
Perhaps with the price drop you mentioned and just the dollar difference it didn't increase that much...take a look at the sanders the vacs the kapex the domino....all went up a fair bit...

Yes the top price is the "new" price which "replaces" the old price below it..

Thanks Sprarky, that looks like a real nice bit, and more what I'm used too....I just have to find a Canadian Dealer and see if they have one.....

I thought I read somewhere that using the flush bit with the 1.5 degree base gave a bit of wiggle room so not too mar the surface when trimming as it is on a slight angle.....then again I've read so much, I really just want to get some bits to fit this and fiddle with it.....I'll learn way more hands on....
Thanks again for the info.
Greg.

 

[mikeneron]

Hi. Well that seems like one of the lowest price increases on the list......if it's correct..
Perhaps with the price drop you mentioned and just the dollar difference it didn't increase that much...take a look at the sanders the vacs the kapex the domino....all went up a fair bit...

Yes the top price is the "new" price which "replaces" the old price below it

Those 2 lines I posted only had one price on each.  Most everything else had a before and after price so that's what was confusing to me.  Usually if there is just one price on the line it meant the price wasn't going up.

I have emailed Dan Clermont so hopefully he will have some information on the products I am looking at purchasing.

 

[polarsea1]

My experience with the MFK 700 and 1.5 degree base to trim 1/4" edge banding is that it leaves a visible gap on butt joints - like cabinet boxes made with the Domino. Not pretty.