Review of Festool: Festool MFK-700 set. (574288)

VictorL

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
589
I would like to share my experience with MFK-700 modular trim router. After a lot of hesitation I finally acquired this tool. Definitely this is not first router to purchase, or cannot be universal router as OF-1010 or OF-1400, but it has its own niche in the Festool router pack.
 

Festool USA sells MFK routers in two configurations MFK-700 basic and MFK-700 set.

[attachthumb=1]

Here are some specs:

Power consumption -720 Watts
Drive shaft Speed -10.000 – 26,000 RPM
Maximum bit diameter – 26mm(1”)
Weight -  1.9kg (4.2 lbs)
Standard Festool 3 years warranty.

The standard scope of delivery for MFK-700 EQ set includes
- MFK 700 EQ router
- Systainer 2
- ¼” and 8 mm collets
- Plug it 13 feet power cord
- Standard threaded Vertical base for U.S. guide bushing
- horizontal base
- Feeler bearing set
- Wrench for collets and alien wrench.
- User’s manual

Price is $525 for set or $400 for basic configuration.

[attachthumb=2]

Basic configuration does not include systainer, horizontal base and feeler bearing set and shipped in the carton box.

This is a modular router that can be easily re-configured to different environment. Design allows tool-less base changes.  I found this trim router very convenient and handy. Auxiliary handles increase controllability with two handed operations.

[attachthumb=3]

Power switch is conveniently located on the left side of the router. This router has soft start and electronically controlled step-less speed control. The speed dial located on the back, just above power cord connector.  

[attachthumb=4]
[attachthumb=5]

Standard 1.5 degree horizontal base allows edge band trimming without damaging surfaces. It can also make a recess for inside corners. Feeler bearing set allows using router bits without bearings.

[attachthumb=6]

The huge advantage is that this router accepts standard U.S. bushings. Standard scope of delivery includes quarter inch and 8mm collets, so it brings endless possibilities for router bit selection. The maximum router bit diameter is 26 mm or 1”, which is good for this type of router.

Each base has its own dust port. As all other Festool tools dust collection is excellent.

[attachthumb=7]

Additional accessories includes parallel edge guide with fine adjustment that has its own 27mm dust port, and 0 degree horizontal base unit. What I found amazing is that 0 degree horizontal base unit can be used for flush cuts plugs and inserts. Router has to be mounted in the dust hood holes. This base allows some visibility and 5 mm clearance. Unfortunately this setup does not provide any dust collection. Another disadvantage is that router is not stable, and you have to pay close attention not to dig into work piece. But from another (bright side) you are not limited by inlay size.

[attachthumb=8]
[attachthumb=9]
[attachthumb=10]

Another missing function is lack of guide rail adapter and missing plunge base. Lack of half inch collets for this class of routers is standard.

 
 
I'm looking at the MFK-700 set searched and found this review. Part of my motivation for getting a dedicated trim router is the price of the extra attachments nearing 100 euro.. Needed to turn the OF 1010 into a trim router, This gets you nowhere near the functionality, flexibility and ergonomic qualities of the MFK-700 set.

I've found a price on the MFK set that makes it very tempting. I've used a trim router years ago and know how much a relief it is to use the smaller sized tool for this type of work.

Anyone else using the MFK 700 set?

Thanks for the clearly written review VictorL.
 
I just picked up a used set and have fallen in love with it.  Previously I made do with a Bosch Colt and did OK, but often had a hard time keeping the small base flat when working on some projects.  the regular base on the MFK is much more stable.  It is also smooth.  Doing 1/8  to 3/8 roundovers with the Bosch resulted in a 10 minute cleanup with sawdust EVERYWHERE.  With the MFK, virtually all dust is captured; the only chip throwout is when doing a reverse or climb cut at the end of the piece. Have not tried the other bases yet, but again, I love it.  If I have any issue, it's that you can't readily see where the collet/bit are from the top.  This may be an issue for some tasks, such as routing for hinges.  Haven't tried that yet. 
 
We had the MFK700 "Basic" go on sale here locally (with the new base that seems to have come out in conjunction with the Conturo release) ... so I grabbed one, but have tried it out.

I do think the base the comes with the"Basic" version is quite handy and it's a base that sadly isn't part of the "Set" (which should actually be called the MFK700 Sub Set).

 
I can't remember exactly what I've got, but I think I pretty much ended up with a set plus a couple of extra attachments which amounts to having everything in the OFK and MFK sets.

I mainly bought it for a job that involved flush trimming lots of solid edging, for which purpose it performed admirably. I've also done some roundovers.

I reckon the tools are exceptional. My only gripe is with the way they're sold - the OFK and MFK are the same tool with different options, and I couldn't get a decent explanation of the inclusions or intended purpose of each of the from either the Festool website or dealers.

Side note - I bought a Festool edge trimming bit, which was horrendously expensive, but has been really excellent.
 
benwheeler said:
I can't remember exactly what I've got, but I think I pretty much ended up with a set plus a couple of extra attachments which amounts to having everything in the OFK and MFK sets.

I mainly bought it for a job that involved flush trimming lots of solid edging, for which purpose it performed admirably. I've also done some roundovers.

I reckon the tools are exceptional. My only gripe is with the way they're sold - the OFK and MFK are the same tool with different options, and I couldn't get a decent explanation of the inclusions or intended purpose of each of the from either the Festool website or dealers.

Side note - I bought a Festool edge trimming bit, which was horrendously expensive, but has been really excellent.

That would be my second biggest gripe - first would be not having a base that could take a guide bush.
 
Complaints about the different versions and lack of the basic sets base, gets me speculating about the nature of the package deals for a lot of the festool tools. It seems to me that there is a task related specialized slant to them placing them in a production line setting which must work well and make economic sense. But for the more generalized producer that demands maximum flexibility from the start it can be both time consuming and expensive to get all the bits and pieces sorted out.
 
Thanks [member=40271]benwheeler[/member] [member=13058]Kev[/member] [member=59909]fignewton[/member] for your inputs on the MPK 700, I think I'll wait on getting accessories for my OF 1010 and save up for the more task specific trim router. Lighter and ultimately more powerful. I can find it for a really good price being located so close to the source of production.
 
Lucky you!
I just noticed the date of this original post - thread necromancy! I suppose it goes to show that they don't change models every five minutes..
 
[member=23193]PreferrablyWood[/member] something that may take you by surprise is the price of the Festool trim cutters with the replaceable blades. At least down under in Oz, two of those cutters come in at close to the cost of the MFK700 Basic itself!

The cutters are a bit frustrating too as you need a different cutter for each angle depending on the thickness of your edging ... whereas one cutter and the provision of micro adjustment of the face angle on the base for the "Basic" unit would have let you just invest in one cutter instead of four [mad]

Yes ... again it's the mentality of configuring a tool for a set production situation and not looking to offer the broadest functionality possible.

Depending on your edging needs, a surface planing approach could be interesting. Festool don't offer a tool in the space, but you're local for the Lamello (Cantex Ergo) and Virutex (Edge Lipping Planer) offerings.
 
benwheeler said:
Lucky you!
I just noticed the date of this original post - thread necromancy! I suppose it goes to show that they don't change models every five minutes..
Yes Looking at the more specialized gear really sends you backwards in time. It seems development does not always proceed at a breakneck pace, and when you dealing with expensive equipment that can give a sense of making a worthwhile investment. It is industrial gear as opposed to consumer.
 
benwheeler said:
Lucky you!
I just noticed the date of this original post - thread necromancy! I suppose it goes to show that they don't change models every five minutes..
Lol yeah I read this thread yesterday and never noticed the post date. I bet Victor L was surprised getting his first reply 5 years after he'd posted his review.

I've got the full mfk set too. I still need the basic base though shame it doesn't come in the set.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 
joiner1970 said:
I've got the full mfk set too. I still need the basic base though shame it doesn't come in the set.

[member=1584]joiner1970[/member]

What I think we really need is someone like [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] or Seneca Woodworking to make an alternative to the "Basic" base, with 0o to 5o adjustment for trimming and thereby be able to use the one cutter for many different edge thicknesses.

I'm ready to hit ORDER  [wink] [big grin]
 
Kev said:
joiner1970 said:
I've got the full mfk set too. I still need the basic base though shame it doesn't come in the set.

[member=1584]joiner1970[/member]

What I think we really need is someone like [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] or Seneca Woodworking to make an alternative to the "Basic" base, with 0o to 5o adjustment for trimming and thereby be able to use the one cutter for many different edge thicknesses.

I'm ready to hit ORDER  [wink] [big grin]
Good idea

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 
I would hazard a guess that most professionals buying this router, as I have, are using it specifically for trimming various thicknesses of narrow edge banding with the 1.5 degree base and leave it set this way. The addition of another vertical trimming setup for edging when the Conturo was added gave even more trimming options. While you can do this operation with the OF1010 its doesn't perform as effortless and damage free as the MFK700 in actual use.

John
 
kcufstoidi said:
I would hazard a guess that most professionals buying this router, as I have, are using it specifically for trimming various thicknesses of narrow edge banding with the 1.5 degree base and leave it set this way. The addition of another vertical trimming setup for edging when the Conturo was added gave even more trimming options. While you can do this operation with the OF1010 its doesn't perform as effortless and damage free as the MFK700 in actual use.

John

[member=4907]kcufstoidi[/member] what you say is fact ..

I think you're best configured with the Set combo and the Basic as a separate setup. Having the confidence of using an already setup trimmer that won't require tuning and testing to trim a 2 minute job can save you HEAPS of time.
 
Holmz said:
So how does it compare to the lamello Cantex?

[member=40772]Holmz[/member], I'd love to play with a Cantex!

It's a very different animal - obviously. If you are sticking ~10mm of timber on the edge on anything I would imagine the Cantex is the goto tool, with the Virutex lipper being a close second.
 
Well [member=13058]Kev[/member] if I come through Sydney maybe I should bring it along for a proper comparison?

It is more $ but seems quicker, easier and seems to be less chance of an undercut.. All from the perspective of no real experience and comparison.
 
Holmz said:
Well [member=13058]Kev[/member] if I come through Sydney maybe I should bring it along for a proper comparison?

It is more $ but seems quicker, easier and seems to be less chance of an undercut.. All from the perspective of no real experience and comparison.

[member=40772]Holmz[/member]

It wouldn't be a fair comparison ... A real "knife to a gun fight". Something that has a 45mm width trimming capability, with width, angle and height adjustment kinda trumps a baby router with 3~4 complicated bases and a bunch of cutters that need to be tuned and tweaked with every little change.

I like my Festools, but they simply don't offer a Cantex (full stop)

If you want to trim 2mm or put a tiny radius on a piece of edge banding the MFK700 is great.

They're different animals.
 
Back
Top