Should I buy the horizontal base? MFK 700

[joshl_1995]

Hey Everyone,
I've just purchased the MFK 700 EQ/B-Plus, so my main question is. Should I bother buying either the 1.5 or 0 degree base? or could I do everything with the vertical base? Without a proper understanding it looks like I can do everything with the provided base that the 0 base can do. To me it look more like a comfortability aspect of using the tool and maybe just to make things easier.

To give a bit of insight, I'm a cabinet maker and what I would use the trimmer for is some:

• Light duty rebating (shallow routing)
• Trimming edge banding (when edged by hand including cleaning up shark nose fronts (I mainly use a full edge banding machine to do most straight edges))
• Trimming laminate (full flat faces and edges (example, when making floating shelves))
• Flush cutting
• Putting round over on paintable panels and some timber
• Proper more but these are the main uses.

I only ask for further advice mainly from those who own both bases and know the exact differences, or better yet from those who have had the same question and have found out first hand how much the 1.5 (or 0) degree base it worth it. (especially for the $399 AUD the 1.5 sells for).

Thanks in advance.

 

[luvmytoolz]

As with many others here I have both bases and find them invaluable. Others will weigh in for sure as the MFK700 is hugely popular, especially with the cabinet makers, but in my opinion you'd definitely want the 1.5 degree at a minimum.

 

[joshl_1995]

As with many others here I have both bases and find them invaluable. Others will weigh in for sure as the MFK700 is hugely popular, especially with the cabinet makers, but in my opinion you'd definitely want the 1.5 degree at a minimum.

In my example of what I'd use mine for, which of those would each plate be best for?

To me, one thought was I could use either the 1.5 base to trim edge banding, or just use the normal base and use a planer bit then I wouldn't need the 1.5 base.

 

[tjbnwi]

If you need to do a thickened edge the 0º horizontal base is the answer.

I have 3 700’s, different base on each one. Grab it one you need and do the trimming.

Tom

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I wasn't aware that the EQ/B didn't come with the 1.5 degree horizontal base, but it makes sense, since it costs quite a bit less. As a cabinet maker, I would say that you could absolutely benefit from it, though it does depend on what kind of edging you use. The normal/vertical EB base is perfectly fine for the usual PVC and other thin edges.
Where I find the horizontal base to be the most useful, is with thicker hardwood edges, such as shelving.
"Theoretically" the vertical base and a planer type bit could flush up this kind of edge, but it is spinning the "wrong way"
Spinning circles on the surface is not the smoothest way to trim this. The horizontal base makes the bit act more like a planer or jointer, producing a much smoother cut.
I like the MFK700 so much that I have 2 of them. I keep the 0 degree base on one, set for wide edges, and the other can do whatever else I need from it. The offset of the handle/base makes the vertical base feel much more stable that the typical laminate trimmer.

As a cabinet maker, I wouldn't be without one. I use mine nearly every day.

 

[JMDUK]

I had the same dilemma. One day using the vertical base with a planer bit and I immediately ordered the horizontal 0 degree base and a trimmer bit.

The planer bit would cause occasional splintering on edging, and was much harder to dial in especially on ply, as the cutter diameter is much larger thus increasing the likelihood of interacting with humps in the wood.

Horizontal base with the trimmer bit saw an immediate improvement in edge cut quality and faster, more accurate height adjustment. It’s also much more ergonomic to use giving superior control when pulling the router towards you on the first pass, a lot like a Japanese hand plane.

I still use the vertical base for edge profiles (roundovers, chamfers), thankfully it’s so quick and easy to swap between bases it’s no issue.

 

[hdv]

I have 2 of them. Just like CRG one is permanently set up for trimming edges. The other one is set up for any task at hand at that time. It can be a bit finicky to have the 0 degree base adjusted exactly right for trimming horizontally, but once you managed to get it perfectly right it will stay that way. I often have solid wood edges of about 6 mm thick glued to the edges of phenolic coated plywood. That is why I have to take some extra time to get it just right. With plain wood you could sand the surface to remove any scratches, but with this material that is not possible.

I you decide to go that way, then take a look at the Paul Marcel hack for the horizontal base to make it a bit more useful.