Mark Carlson
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 53
I tried to use my MFK700 (got it yesterday) to make some smaill apothecary boxes on my akeda dovetail jig. The akeda uses 7/16 bushings and 1/4 or 8mm shank dovetail and straight router bits. I ran into some problems 
1) the akeda 7/16 bushings have a finer thread than the MFK700. For those that dont know the akeda adjusts the dovetail fit by providing over and undersized router bits and template guides. I have both the under/ove sized bushings and router bits so I just used a whiteside 7/16 bushing. Note the set of porter cable bushings I have also fit fine. I blame akeda for this.
2) The whiteside bushing didn't quite sit flat. When I ran the router across the jig top there was a noticable bump. Straightedge confirmed that the bushing was a little high. Tried another bushing and that was high. Closer inspection of the router base showed that there was a little solder high spot near the bottom of the treads. A file quickly fixed that and bushing now sits flat.
3) The boxes are 1/2 thick so I used the 12 deg 1/2in dovetail bit that akeda supplies. Problem is that you cant tighten the bit in the collet and then fit the bit thru the 7/16 bushing mounted in the base. The straight bit works fine for the pins on through dovetails. That meant trying to tighten the collet by pushing the bit in from the bottom and theres not enough room to get the wrench in between the base and the router. The posts get in the way. I eventually did get the bit mounted but wondered if I had the shank in far enough.
I went back after lunch and tried to get around 3). I think I was able to get the bit seated well enough. It was awkward though.
The end results were very good. My through dovetails fit perfectly and the router was a joy to use. Nice and small in my hand and easy to control. The depth control is very very nice. I did try using the dust collection port on the router but it was only so so in this application. Dust control using the akeda port is excellent so no worries.
~mark
1) the akeda 7/16 bushings have a finer thread than the MFK700. For those that dont know the akeda adjusts the dovetail fit by providing over and undersized router bits and template guides. I have both the under/ove sized bushings and router bits so I just used a whiteside 7/16 bushing. Note the set of porter cable bushings I have also fit fine. I blame akeda for this.
2) The whiteside bushing didn't quite sit flat. When I ran the router across the jig top there was a noticable bump. Straightedge confirmed that the bushing was a little high. Tried another bushing and that was high. Closer inspection of the router base showed that there was a little solder high spot near the bottom of the treads. A file quickly fixed that and bushing now sits flat.
3) The boxes are 1/2 thick so I used the 12 deg 1/2in dovetail bit that akeda supplies. Problem is that you cant tighten the bit in the collet and then fit the bit thru the 7/16 bushing mounted in the base. The straight bit works fine for the pins on through dovetails. That meant trying to tighten the collet by pushing the bit in from the bottom and theres not enough room to get the wrench in between the base and the router. The posts get in the way. I eventually did get the bit mounted but wondered if I had the shank in far enough.
I went back after lunch and tried to get around 3). I think I was able to get the bit seated well enough. It was awkward though.
The end results were very good. My through dovetails fit perfectly and the router was a joy to use. Nice and small in my hand and easy to control. The depth control is very very nice. I did try using the dust collection port on the router but it was only so so in this application. Dust control using the akeda port is excellent so no worries.
~mark
;D