MFK700 Vertical Base Quandary

[pacificdune]

Hi friends,

I recently purchased the MFK 700 EQ edge banding router 574456 with the edge banding base and brake.  I did not get the kit because I did not think I needed the horizontal base as I would likely never use it.  I mostly work on hardwood projects and wanted the tool for applying round-overs and cutting dados using the Parallel edge guide, which I also purchased.

It arrived today, and after playing with this for a while it seems that the edge banding base really does not work with the edge guide.  I need a standard base for this, which I can't find anywhere retail.  This seems kind of surprising.  Do I really need to send this router back and purchase the kit instead, and then order the edge banding base separately to get all 3 bases?

Alternatively I did find the vertical base assembly at a parts store (mmToolParts).  Part # 495624 cost is $225.90.  A bit steep, but seems to get me what I want as long as it fits.  Does anyone know if this will work for me?  I may just send this back, order the kit, and then order the edge banding base, but it seems like a lot of fuss.

What do you think?

Kindest regards,

John

 

[kiblerjd]

I'm confused.  Isn't the edge guide meant to install directly into the vertical base? Or when you say edge banding base did you mean the horizontal 0 degree base?

 

[pacificdune]

I'm confused.  Isn't the edge guide meant to install directly into the vertical base? Or when you say edge banding base did you mean the horizontal 0 degree base?

As I have now discovered after some research and experience, there are two vertical bases.  The edge banding base comes with the non-kit form of the router.  It has an additional brake on the bottom that is intended to keep the bearing still while the router operates, but does not readily accept the parallel edge guide.

Then there is the other vertical base which comes with the "kit".  It is completely flat, does not have the brake, and accepts the parallel edge guide.  When purchased as spare parts this base costs $225.90.

 

[kiblerjd]

Well if you bought it all new, seems like it wouldn't be that big of a deal to return it and get what you need.  Good luck!  I just got the MFK haven't played around a ton with it but love it so far.

 

[sancho57]

As a public service announcement

If Festool offers a kit like in this case the MFK 700, get the kit.

whether you think youll need the other stuff in the kit or not.

 

[Econoline]

Paul Marcel did several videos on the MFK 700. The mods made for great real world trimming solutions.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/mfk-700-modification-by-half-inch-shy/

 

[pacificdune]

As a public service announcement

If Festool offers a kit like in this case the MFK 700, get the kit.

whether you think youll need the other stuff in the kit or not.

Noted and lesson learned...    I picked up the kit today and will be returning the other one.  Thanks for your help.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I was under the impression that the edgebanding base was essentially the same as the standard vertical base, with an added off-set plate?
I own 2 MFK700s, but neither has the edgebanding base.  I have thought about getting that base separately, but just haven't gotten around to it. I didn't think they were that expensive though?

 

[pacificdune]

I was under the impression that the edgebanding base was essentially the same as the standard vertical base, with an added off-set plate?
I own 2 MFK700s, but neither has the edgebanding base.  I have thought about getting that base separately, but just haven't gotten around to it. I didn't think they were that expensive though?

There is an added off-set plate and the brake hardware which attaches to the other side and keeps the ball bearing from spinning.  It is also missing the Knobs that tighten the attachment rods for the edge guide (even though the holes are there).  It seems kinda complicated to try to convert the base on the fly.  You would need to order a lot of parts.

The price for the edge banding base stand-alone is $190.60 for the assembly, and it seems to be tailored for also using the edge banding router bit which is another $150.

It seems like the "set" was put together for those of us who want the most flexibility with the MFK700 while the edge banding solution is specific to the vertical edge banding use case.  I may eventually get the edge banding base and bit, but no plans for it now.  (Now that I understand what everything is.)

Curious why you have 2 MFK routers.  How do you differentiate their use?

 

[sancho57]

there are really 2 edge banding bases, One that comes with the kit that has a 1.5 mm (I think its 1.5 mm) angle to it and a newer design that is sold separately.

Newer design does look a lot more easier to use ( I dont have one) I just use the one that came with the kit

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I was under the impression that the edgebanding base was essentially the same as the standard vertical base, with an added off-set plate?
I own 2 MFK700s, but neither has the edgebanding base.  I have thought about getting that base separately, but just haven't gotten around to it. I didn't think they were that expensive though?

There is an added off-set plate and the brake hardware which attaches to the other side and keeps the ball bearing from spinning.  It is also missing the Knobs that tighten the attachment rods for the edge guide (even though the holes are there).  It seems kinda complicated to try to convert the base on the fly.  You would need to order a lot of parts.

The price for the edge banding base stand-alone is $190.60 for the assembly, and it seems to be tailored for also using the edge banding router bit which is another $150.

It seems like the "set" was put together for those of us who want the most flexibility with the MFK700 while the edge banding solution is specific to the vertical edge banding use case.  I may eventually get the edge banding base and bit, but no plans for it now.  (Now that I understand what everything is.)

Curious why you have 2 MFK routers.  How do you differentiate their use?

The first one is the entire "set", but I bought a "zero degree" horizontal base and did a more extreme version of Paul Mercel's modification to it. I use it exclusively for wood edging that is up to 3/4" wide.
The other one was purchased later, so that I could use it for the other ways that one can be set-up, so I didn't have to break-down the other one. It's excessive, but in a commercial environment, speed matters. Funny thing is I still use the second one with the horizontal base also, at least most of the time. I don't have an edgeguide for either of them though. I would use the OF for that. I have those parts for each of the OFs.