MFK700 stalling

[agehall]

So I tossed the first real challenge at my brand new MFK700 today. I’ve tested the machine on some thin edge banding and it worked fine but today I needed to route a slot in a place which I couldn’t get to with my OF1010. Nothing crazy - 100x20x6 (length/width/depth) slot in plywood using a 14mm bit.

I installed the brand new router bit I have purchased for this project and got to it with the router set to medium speed.

The first slot went just fine but while cutting the second slot, the router stalled. I backed off and it came back to life but before I could make contact with the material, it started stalling again.

I proceeded to test the router in free air and it kept exhibiting this problem, i.e. stalling then coming back to life and then stalling again.

We are talking max 5 minutes of run time here, so I highly doubt the router could have over-heated, nor was any part of it hot. After resorting to chisels instead of my new Festool toy, I retested it in free air and now it seems to work properly.

Does this seem normal? Could I really have overloaded the router with this cut?

 

[squall_line]

The MFK700's electronics are designed to provide thermal and overload protection.

From Page 9 of the manual:
"Temperature control
To prevent overheating, the safety electronics switches the machine off when it reaches a critical motor temperature. Let the machine
cool down for approx. 3-5 minutes before using it again. The machine requires less time to cool down if it is running, i.e. in neutral position."

See also:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/dead-(overheated)-of1400/msg132310/#msg132310

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I certainly don't think it could have overheated that quickly. I would be more inclined to think it was an electrical issue. Maybe a bad cable or not properly tightened Plug-it?
My other thought is in reference to the speed. You really shouldn't have to slow down a 14mm bit.
I use mine frequently, with a zero-degree horizontal base, taking 3/4" width of cut in Maple.
This is also with a 1" diameter bit, at full speed. It has never even hinted at slowing down.

 

[agehall]

The cable I used was plugged in properly (and that was one of the things I checked as well!) and it worked fine with other tools after the MFK acted up.

I’m going to give it on other go over the weekend but if it does something similar it will be heading back to Festool for a checkup. I’d be really disappointed if it can’t perform better than my old $50 Makita knock-off…

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Yes, definitely get it checked out, anything can happen, you just never know.
When it's right, the MFK700 is a fantastic tool. I like it so much that I have 2 of them.

 

[Laminator]

I would try making two shallower passes at  3mm.  I've never mortised with the MFK but done plenty with the 1400 and it worked so much better to make the 19mmw x 14mmd mortises in three passes instead of one.

 

[agehall]

I called Festool yesterday and the guy was a bit surprised that I had used it more as a regular router but after describing in detail what I had done and how the machine acted, he said that he had never heard of this and highly doubted that the machine was overheating or should be struggling.

We agreed that I would do some more testing and if the machine keeps on acting up, it will head back to Festool for a service.

 

[Brucebww]

I have had a similar issue with my 125 ets/ec eq sander . Or maybe more specifically the plug it cord. My most used plug it cord is wearing out. I noticed within the last year and a half that my sander would stop suddenly without me turning it off. I thought I might have to send it in for repair, but it works fine with other cords. Maybe your cord is wearing out.