MFK700 or 1010

[bits]

Is there anything that the MFK700 can do that the 1010 can not?

Also, what accessories do you recommend for the 1010?

I have just purchased the MFK 700 but am having second thoughts. I want to be able to do edge trimming but I also want to be able to cut dados and patterns.

Thanks

 

[Michael_MA]

Besides the size and Power of the OF (1100 W  ~  1,5 HP) its the Versatility, the Plunge depth, the Accessories..  which makes it more Universal and is a great Addition to the MFK700..
But there is one feature, the MFK has over the OF1010.. it's the -1.5 degree table, which avoids scratching your work piece surface while cutting your edge banding.

But you could use your MFK to cut Dado's and grooves - but the OF series of routers excel here, as you can out them on the guide rail and run them across the the board width or length.

If you consider to buy an OFxxx router, i would propose to buy the OF 1400, as it is the most versatile and handy router in the Festool lineup. You can do amazing things with this router, as the limiting factors are only - cable length - DC hose - and your imagination  [wink]

kind regards, Mike

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I bought the MFK 700 and am having second thoughts as well.  I thought I could use the guide bearing to copy scribed edges.  Nope.  I'll at least try to build a jig to go on a rail before  I decide to part with it.  I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it.  A simple angle bracket that allows the guide bearing to be used while the tool is vertical would make a world of difference, IMHO.

 

[GPowers]

I have both the OF1400 and the MFK700.

The MFK is great for edge trimming and for making small groves or dados. I have made small 6mm dados with no problem. Do not think I would go more the 8 or 10 mm. Plus it is a blind cut. You can not see the bit cutting the grove. The edge guide is a must for the dados.

The main reason I bought the OF 1400 was you can use 1/4" 1/2" and 8mm bits. So for me it is a good all around router.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I don't think the MFK700 would be appropriate for cutting patterns, due to its limited depth of cut.

I have used the 700, 1010, 1400, and 2200.  In my opinion, the 1400 is the best all around router.  The 1010 is a good general purpose router, smaller than the 1400 which can be an advantage sometimes.  The 700 excels in edge treatments and can do small dadoes, grooves, etc.  The 2200 is the 800 pound gorilla for large bits, solid surface, etc.

I use the 1400 probably 90 percent of the time, the rest is split between the 1010 and the 2200.  Sold my 700, haven't missed it.

 

[ccarrolladams]

When the MFK700 first was available in the USA I purchased the one I had pre-ordered based on using one for a couple of days in Europe.

A day or two after putting my first MFK700 to use I bought just the basic, since I already had all the bases. That way I could have one set up on the 1.5 degree base and the other on a different base. In the summer of 2010 I bought a third MFK700 slightly use. During the Festool router promotion I bought my fourth.

My shop does a whole lot of edge banding. Some of that can be done well using our automatic bander. However, I have made my reputation using substantial solid hardwood banding which cannot be done on an automatic machine. This is why having 2 set up on different bases increases productivity.

Last November I participated in the same Advanced Router class as did GPowers in Henderson. We had a chance to use the MFK700 for grooving and dadoing. Although I had originally only expected to use the extra MFK700 as back-up, over the past few weeks one of them has been doing excellent service  making 6mm grooves for thin back panels when for various reasons those parts are not processed on our CNC routers.

One of the first Festools I bought in 2006 was an OF1010, primarily to drill 5mm holes for LR 32 adjustable shelves. At the time I had many other routers. That was long before the MFK700 was available. Back then increasingly I used the OF1010 to trim banding, largely because it is light and vibrates less than any routers except the OF1400 and OF2200. I use those a lot, but not to trim banding. Since the MFK700 came along all 3 of my OF1010 are used for drilling or jobs best done using a guide stop and guide rail.

Let me add that despite daily use, none of my OF1010 have ever needed to be sent in for service. Actually the only Festool I have ever needed to sent to HQ was the used MFK700. Probably the original owner sold it to me at a bargain because he never learned to use it and he complained it "ran rough" I never felt that and I gladly paid Festool a nominal amount to ensure it was up to factory spec. Neither my OF1400 nor OF2200, both of which are also used daily, have ever needed more than routine cleaning in our shop.

My suggestion is if you only do a little trim work, buy an OF1010 first. It works well for trimming. If you are in the business of doing banding, then you will save the price of the MFK700 very soon. Also, invest in the very best cutter cat # 491 670 with replaceable knifes blades cat # 491 391.

It was the productivity of my Festools that allowed me to buy a large building for my shop. I have never regretted a dime I have spent on Festools and their accessories.

 

[bits]

To everyone who has replied; thank you!

Is it true that Porter Cable guide bushings can be used in the MFK 700?

This is a dilema.......the MFK 700 is ideal for edge band trimming, small dados and light edge profiling. Finances permitting this would be a nice add to the shop. Woodworking is not exactly a new hobby for me but I am very much an amateur who has recently decided to get more involved and go to the next level so to speak. I do not have unlimited finances, which means that I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I currently own a 3.25HP Triton plunge router which is attached to my low end router table and I find it to be a pain to uninstall it from the table and it many cases is a bit too big and bulky for many of my projects; hence the reason for getting a smaller more portable one.

I am a Festool owner (plunge saw, sander, dust collection and MFT) and so it is not an issue of whether the MFK 700 is a quality tool.

I guess I need to decide what my next projects are and which router will work for all of them. I am now also looking at the 1400.

 

[tbellemare]

Is it true that Porter Cable guide bushings can be used in the MFK 700?

Yes, the Vertical Base accepts PC bushings.

Tom

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I'm going to try to rig up a trammel to my MFK 700 so I can cut roadbase for a model railroad.  There is a "spare" 8mm hole in the vertical base to mount it to.  I'll figure something out.  Minor attachments such as these would make this a really fun tool.  I don't know why Festool has not created more of them to go with it.

 

[agarwalsa]

I just did about 500 ft of edge band trimming with the OF1010 with the horizontal base attachment, it works very well. the only slight issue is that the dust collector attachment for this base is little finicky and does not stay in place. other than that, i think of1010 is far more versatile. i have the 1400 as well but it never gets used. i either use the 1010 or my table mounted routers.

 

[tiralie]

OF1010 with the horizontal base attachment

2ooladdict:
what is the part #(486058?) for that ?.
Tim

 

[EcoFurniture]

For trimming, I adore my MFK700! Very nice to guide and superb dust collection! Everything else, the OF 1400.
BTW, I'm selling both as I'm not self employed anymore and employers around here don't want you to bring your own tools...

 

[Brice Burrell]

OF1010 with the horizontal base attachment

2ooladdict:
what is the part #(486058?) for that ?.
Tim

Tim, I assume 2ool is referring to the edge trimming accessories, angle arm, edging plate and chip guard.  Most of you guys have probably seen the writeup I did on these accessories, for those of you that haven't, here you are: Festool's edge routing accessories. 

 

[tiralie]

Brice:
Thanks, I do remember seeing that but I forgot.
Until I get a lipping planer this should do the trick for trimming 3/4 oak edging.

Tim

 

[agarwalsa]

Thank you Brice for fielding that question. Yes I was referring to the  3 edge trimming accessories, The chip guard; edging plate and the angle arm. The copying set is not needed. These make this router so much more uselful !

 

[bits]

I decided to keep the MFK 700 because it will work quite nicely on my current and next project. When a project comes along that the 1010 or 1400 are better suited for then I will get one of them.

Thanks again to all that posted!

 

[Sparktrician]

Brice:
Thanks, I do remember seeing that but I forgot.
Until I get a lipping planer this should do the trick for trimming 3/4 oak edging.

Tim

Please be aware that the maximum width you can trim with the MFK700 in either of the horizontal bases is 5/8".  3/4" is just outside the max.  I learned this in the routers class, and have confirmed it with my own MFK700 and the Festool router bit P/N 491666.  Here's the data on the bit - http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/two-flute-edge-trimming-bit-hw-8-mm/p/491666/.