Good day
after reading many posts over the last several years on this website, i decided to join and post my experience with the MFK.
I have many festool components, acquiring each as the jobs i do warrant them.
Recently, i was commissioned to rebuild a walk in closet and reface a large group of drawers and doors in an adjacent ensuite. The closet was a fresh rebuild using UV Birch (19mm) frameless cabinets with full overlay slab doors of the same material. All the edges of the doors, drawers , and facing edges were banded in 2mm p/f maple. Due to supply shortages, I had to use both p/g and bare banding. The closet totaled 720 ft of banding all said and done. I have countless years experience using both blade trimmers and bastard files, but time was limited right now (i am really backed up -- just like everyone in the trades now!)
In the adjacent bathroom, i needed to make up 31 slab drawer fronts with 10mil paperback walnut veneer, 3/4 particle, and 1 mm white melamine backing, and once the components were cut to size, then edge banded with solid 1/4' walnut , finishing with a 1/4 round over after trimming.
As mentioned , time was short, so i considered the MFK to speed the process. I came to this forum for some practical stories from those who have used the MFK as not only a facing trim router, but one that can handle edge band trimming (with the 1.5 degree base) .
The few responses tended to steer the OP away from thin edge banding (favoring solid) and the MFK as well. After reading through most of the posts, there didn't seem to be anyone who had extensive knowledge of how well the tool works (or doesn't)
So I went out on a limb and bought the set. (includes both a vertical base, along with the 1.5 horizontal base and a few dust shrouds. The units are extremely hard to find, and most dealers are backed ordered until the end of the summer. I finally found one at the very friendly Felder Imports in Manitoba, who happily covered the shipping to here on the east coast.
In a nutshell, had i known the tool would have worked as well as it did, I would have bought one years ago. On face trimming, it is much better balanced than my DeWalt 619, as the base pulls the center of gravity onto the material away from the edge, and its less likely to tip off. The vacuum hose takes a little getting used to , but the dust (or lack thereof) is a breath of fresh air (pardon the pun)
On edge banding, however, is where the unit really shines. I have read some comments where folks suggest the the banding glue (specifically on the iron-on stuff) gums up the bit. Well, I ran about 300 feet of the stuff, and it only left a smudge line on the bit. The bare banding required glue-- and i use a gluing machine for that,-- did produce a thicker glue smudge line on the bit , but after about 100 feet of trimming, i would take 15 seconds and scrape it off with my thumbnail.
On solid banding, where wood glue is used , this thing plowed through like a champ. For material caution, I did climb cuts on the edges, and obviously that takes some care, but the results were perfectly flush , and the adjustment is incredibly fine.
The ends i trimmed with Fastcap flush cut pliers , and my Japanese flush cut saw.
After trimming, I flipped it up, and rounded over the solid banding on the drawers.
Bits used were the Festool 18mm edge trimming bit (no bearing) , along with a Ryobi 1/4' flush cut with bearing (face trimming) , and a Diablo 1/4" round-over.
Aside from the time saved, the edge banding , in particular the 2mm maple, had a consistent finish on the edge which sometimes is lacking when done by hand trimming and sanding. Furthermore, for those who have worked with Asian sourced UV VC, you know how thin and fragile the face is, the minute you start hitting the corner with a sander (even lightly)it peals like onion skin.
I recommend this tool!
after reading many posts over the last several years on this website, i decided to join and post my experience with the MFK.
I have many festool components, acquiring each as the jobs i do warrant them.
Recently, i was commissioned to rebuild a walk in closet and reface a large group of drawers and doors in an adjacent ensuite. The closet was a fresh rebuild using UV Birch (19mm) frameless cabinets with full overlay slab doors of the same material. All the edges of the doors, drawers , and facing edges were banded in 2mm p/f maple. Due to supply shortages, I had to use both p/g and bare banding. The closet totaled 720 ft of banding all said and done. I have countless years experience using both blade trimmers and bastard files, but time was limited right now (i am really backed up -- just like everyone in the trades now!)
In the adjacent bathroom, i needed to make up 31 slab drawer fronts with 10mil paperback walnut veneer, 3/4 particle, and 1 mm white melamine backing, and once the components were cut to size, then edge banded with solid 1/4' walnut , finishing with a 1/4 round over after trimming.
As mentioned , time was short, so i considered the MFK to speed the process. I came to this forum for some practical stories from those who have used the MFK as not only a facing trim router, but one that can handle edge band trimming (with the 1.5 degree base) .
The few responses tended to steer the OP away from thin edge banding (favoring solid) and the MFK as well. After reading through most of the posts, there didn't seem to be anyone who had extensive knowledge of how well the tool works (or doesn't)
So I went out on a limb and bought the set. (includes both a vertical base, along with the 1.5 horizontal base and a few dust shrouds. The units are extremely hard to find, and most dealers are backed ordered until the end of the summer. I finally found one at the very friendly Felder Imports in Manitoba, who happily covered the shipping to here on the east coast.
In a nutshell, had i known the tool would have worked as well as it did, I would have bought one years ago. On face trimming, it is much better balanced than my DeWalt 619, as the base pulls the center of gravity onto the material away from the edge, and its less likely to tip off. The vacuum hose takes a little getting used to , but the dust (or lack thereof) is a breath of fresh air (pardon the pun)
On edge banding, however, is where the unit really shines. I have read some comments where folks suggest the the banding glue (specifically on the iron-on stuff) gums up the bit. Well, I ran about 300 feet of the stuff, and it only left a smudge line on the bit. The bare banding required glue-- and i use a gluing machine for that,-- did produce a thicker glue smudge line on the bit , but after about 100 feet of trimming, i would take 15 seconds and scrape it off with my thumbnail.
On solid banding, where wood glue is used , this thing plowed through like a champ. For material caution, I did climb cuts on the edges, and obviously that takes some care, but the results were perfectly flush , and the adjustment is incredibly fine.
The ends i trimmed with Fastcap flush cut pliers , and my Japanese flush cut saw.
After trimming, I flipped it up, and rounded over the solid banding on the drawers.
Bits used were the Festool 18mm edge trimming bit (no bearing) , along with a Ryobi 1/4' flush cut with bearing (face trimming) , and a Diablo 1/4" round-over.
Aside from the time saved, the edge banding , in particular the 2mm maple, had a consistent finish on the edge which sometimes is lacking when done by hand trimming and sanding. Furthermore, for those who have worked with Asian sourced UV VC, you know how thin and fragile the face is, the minute you start hitting the corner with a sander (even lightly)it peals like onion skin.
I recommend this tool!
