MFK700

[Lou Miller]

Any of our friends over in Europe or OZ have this little gem yet? Or is this a totally new tool all together?

I've been eyeing up the Lamello Cantex for a while now. While spendy, it would be an awesome addition to my tool line up for the work I do. However, it looks like the MFK 700 from Festool will do everything the Cantex does and then some. I'd just like to know if there is anyone out there that has had their hands on one yet.

 

[jonny round boy]

I believe it's out over here already, but I haven't had a proper butchers at it yet. Saw one briefly on the Festool stand at the Interbuild show, and it's definitely on my wanted list. Unfortunately, that list is getting quite long now, whereas my orderbook is a bit on the short side...

I keep hoping my dealer is going to get one in, but he hasn't yet.

BTW, when is the OF2200 coming out in the US? It's unusual for Festool to have demo models in the US before it's even been announced in Europe. Maybe it has been announced & I've just missed it, but not much gets by me! Who knows, maybe it's payback for all the NAINA taunting, and you're going to get it long before we do?

 

[jonny round boy]

Or is this a totally new tool all together?

Forgot to mention - it's not totally new - it uses the exact same body as the OFK700,which has been available here for a couple of years. Only the bases/attachments are different.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks Jonny,

I know I've waiting for this tool since we first saw it posted here, I'm sure Mr. Clark will be chiming in very soon too.  Maybe Jerry Work can give us the run down on both the MFK 700 and the 2200.

 

[Dan Clark]

"Mr. Clark"???  Sorry, don't know anyone by that name!  8)

JRB, what's different about the bases and attachements?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[jonny round boy]

what's different about the bases and attachements?

OK, well the OFK700 comes with ONE base plate, which can be used in TWO ways:

Firstly, for horizontal use, with the add-on bearing bit:
[attachimg=1]

Secondly, for vertical use, but again with the attached bearing:
[attachimg=2]

When used in the first way, the router bit is at 0 degrees to the horizontal, and in the second, at 90 deg to the horizontal. Not included with the set, but as an accessory, is an additional base with 1.5 degree offset, making the bit 1.5 deg off horizontal (Are you with me so far? I'm not terribly good at verbal description!).

The MFT700 on the other hand, has TWO bases. The first is a 1.5 degree offset base for (near) horizontal use:
[attachimg=3]

This may even be the exact same base as the accessory base described above, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

The second base is for use in the vertical mode:
[attachimg=4]

The main differences between this and the OFK in vertical mode is that 1) the base goes all the way around the axis of the bit, and 2) an edge guide can be fitted (which is included in the set).

It would seem to me that the OFK would be very awkward, if not impossible, to use with bearing-guided bits, whereas the MFK looks ideal for that purpose.

In a nutshell, I think that the MFK700 is basically an 'improved version' of the OFK700, but the differences between the two were great enough to warrant a new part number, rather than simply a 'revision' to the old one.

Please note however, that ALL of the above is based on nothing more than a brief look at both models, and reading on't'internet. I haven't actually USED either of them!!! ;D

 

[Dan Clark]

Jonny,

Thanks!  This helps.  Regarding "...a brief look at...", I found that sometimes a few minutes of in-personal handling can give you more info than hours of reading. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[eweber]

Thanks Jonny for the description,

I downloaded the user manual of the MFK700 and to be 100% complete, there is apparently a horizontal offset base with 0 degree available as an accessory.

Also on the French Site the MFK700 is pretty much priced the same as the OF1400.

Emmanuel

 

[Lou Miller]

Sounds like this thing is going to be priced a whole lot lower than the Lamello Cantex. Now I've got two tools to anxiously await the arrival of.

 

[Brad Evans]

Sweet looking tool I'd use a bunch.  Can't wait...

 

[Jerry Work]

Hi all,

Both are impressive tools that show a lot of use history and thought.  I can't wait to get my hands on the MFK700 and plop a dovetail bit into it.  Looks like just what many have wanted in terms of cutting male sliding dovetails plus the small size and upright stance should make it ideal for use on the VS600 or other dovetail jigs.  It takes both 1/4" and 8mm collets so that opens the whole range of Festool and other European router bits.  In the short time I had with the tool I really liked the robust feel and easy to change base plates.  The motor is strong (near one HP) and feels well bearinged (not a word but you get the drift).  The collet appears to run dead true which will also make it the go-to inlay tool.  I think it will be easy to mount on the side of a MFT in either horizontal or vertical applications for going way beyond "just" edge trim work.  The 2200 is a nice piece of continuous improvement engineering.  For those who need power, this has all one could logically hand hold.  One demo was to make a single pass on a solid surface edge with a huge profile router bit that probably cut more than an inch deep and nearly 2" high hand held.  It just munched right through that stuff without even slowing down and the operator was relaxed the whole time.  I don't need or use hand held routers of that strength, but for those who do there is no peer that I know of.  The angled handles are surprisingly comfortable to hold and they brought all the nice stuff forward from the 1400 - things like snap in guide bushings, ratcheting collet, etc. plus they added a really neat interchageable base plate feature.  For all of those who have asked for a non-tip base plate to use with the guide rails, it is there.

Jerry

Thanks Jonny,

I know I've waiting for this tool since we first saw it posted here, I'm sure Mr. Clark will be chiming in very soon too.  Maybe Jerry Work can give us the run down on both the MFK 700 and the 2200.

 

[Dan Clark]

Hi all,

Both are impressive tools that show a lot of use history and thought.  I can't wait to get my hands on the MFK700 and plop a dovetail bit into it.  Looks like just what many have wanted in terms of cutting male sliding dovetails plus the small size and upright stance should make it ideal for use on the VS600 or other dovetail jigs.  It takes both 1/4" and 8mm collets so that opens the whole range of Festool and other European router bits.  In the short time I had with the tool I really liked the robust feel and easy to change base plates.  The motor is strong (near one HP) and feels well bearinged (not a word but you get the drift).  The collet appears to run dead true which will also make it the go-to inlay tool.  I think it will be easy to mount on the side of a MFT in either horizontal or vertical applications for going way beyond "just" edge trim work.  The 2200 is a nice piece of continuous improvement engineering.  For those who need power, this has all one could logically hand hold.  One demo was to make a single pass on a solid surface edge with a huge profile router bit that probably cut more than an inch deep and nearly 2" high hand held.  It just munched right through that stuff without even slowing down and the operator was relaxed the whole time.  I don't need or use hand held routers of that strength, but for those who do there is no peer that I know of.  The angled handles are surprisingly comfortable to hold and they brought all the nice stuff forward from the 1400 - things like snap in guide bushings, ratcheting collet, etc. plus they added a really neat interchageable base plate feature.  For all of those who have asked for a non-tip base plate to use with the guide rails, it is there.

Jerry

Thanks Jonny,

I know I've waiting for this tool since we first saw it posted here, I'm sure Mr. Clark will be chiming in very soon too.  Maybe Jerry Work can give us the run down on both the MFK 700 and the 2200.

Jerry,

Many thanks.  I was especially facinated by this comment:

I think it will be easy to mount on the side of a MFT in either horizontal or vertical applications for going way beyond "just" edge trim work.

Add multiple bases to the equation and I have a serious case of the "wants" for the MFK.  ;D 

Generally we Americans have a tendency to go for the "biggest" with the idea that "biggest = best".  I was in that mode for a long time.  More recently, I've found it not to be true and now think "right size = best".    In most situations since I've gotten my OF1400, and Triton and Hitachi routers, I found that these guys were massive overkill.  They worked, but a little guy like the MFK700 would have given the same results, not stressed the router in the slightest, and been easier to handle. 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction about the MFK700...  This little router is going to be a hot seller in 2008 even though it will be pricey.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Eli]

I still can't really work out for usage sake what the major difference is between the MFK and OFK routers. One of these is a near future purchase. They seem to be similar but I just can't work out which I want. The MFK seems more like a Bosch colt, just a really small general purpose router where it seems the OFK is a more task specific edging router. I'm interested in inlay work as well as edge work, and maybe some pattern following stuff, so maybe the MFK is the better choice of the two for general applications, where the OFK is more specifically suited to laminate production work fulltime.

 

[jonny round boy]

I still can't really work out for usage sake what the major difference is between the MFK and OFK routers. One of these is a near future purchase. They seem to be similar but I just can't work out which I want. The MFK seems more like a Bosch colt, just a really small general purpose router where it seems the OFK is a more task specific edging router. I'm interested in inlay work as well as edge work, and maybe some pattern following stuff, so maybe the MFK is the better choice of the two for general applications, where the OFK is more specifically suited to laminate production work fulltime.

As far as I can see Eli, the MFK will do everything the OFK will, plus a few more things besides.

 

[Eli]

That is the way it seems.

My local has both in, I futzed with them briefly, but fired neither up and haven't taken the time to have a real play.

I think I'm wrong, and the two I saw were the OFK 500 and 700.