The MFK 700 EQ, edge trimming router.

[Warrior]

Brice,
I'm anxiously waiting for more. ;D

One more question. How is the DC when using the guide bushing? It seem like there is nowhere for the chips to go when the bit is in the bushing hole. I was wanting this router for hinge prep.

thanks Eiji

 

[Brice Burrell]

Eiji, sorry, I've been wasting time, it won't happen again.  I'll get more of the review up tomorrow evening. Let me take a closer look at hinge mortises with the MFK before I comment on it here. First thing after work tomorrow I'll check a few different bit/bushing combination and report back.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice,
I'm anxiously waiting for more. ;D

One more question. How is the DC when using the guide bushing? It seem like there is nowhere for the chips to go when the bit is in the bushing hole. I was wanting this router for hinge prep.

thanks Eiji

  As promised, here the results while routing a shallow mortise like for a hinge. I used the MFS and MFK with a 1/2" bit/3/4" bushing, with the MFS template overhanging the edge of the stock, where the barrel (where the hinge pin goes) part of the hinge over hangs the door. the dust collection is only fair to poor. With the template closed with a backer block (like Eiji's did in his door project, bottom pic on reply #102) the DC is excellent, very, very close to 100%.

  If this doesn't make sense to anyone don't worry I'll be including pictures in the review that will it what I said clear.

 

[Warrior]

Brice,
when using templaco templates the hinge plate holes in the templates are only 1/8" over size so the bit has to fill nearly the entire ID of the bushing. have you tested with that config.?

Thanks,

Eiji

 

[greg mann]

Eiji,

If you use an up-spiral bit that has flutes going up through the bushing I think you will get good DC. The flutes help to channel the chip upward in concert with the vacuum. I suspect you will get better DC than just about any other router out there. Not many 'trim routers' have DC built in.

 

[Warrior]

Good idea Greg, thanks.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice,
when using templaco templates the hinge plate holes in the templates are only 1/8" over size so the bit has to fill nearly the entire ID of the bushing. have you tested with that config.?

Thanks,

Eiji

No, not yet. Let me know what size you use and I'll try that combo just for you (since it looks like you may be getting a MFK very soon).

 

[Steven in Iowa]

Brice,
when using templaco templates the hinge plate holes in the templates are only 1/8" over size so the bit has to fill nearly the entire ID of the bushing. have you tested with that config.?

Thanks,

Eiji

No, not yet. Let me know what size you use and I'll try that combo just for you (since it looks like you may be getting a MFK very soon).

Brice,
  With the way you do your reviews, it makes it very difficult not to buy one of everything.  You come up with more undocumented ways of using Festools, that I imagine even the Engineers at Festool hold their breath for the next installment.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I tried a 1/2" bit with a 5/8" bushing. As you might has suspected the DC isn't as good, but only when the router is not completely covering opening in the template, as in the picture below.
[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]
However with the MFK's base coving the template like the picture above, the DC is nearly 100%.

  As promised, here the results while routing a shallow mortise like for a hinge. I used the MFS and MFK with a 1/2" bit/3/4" bushing, with the MFS template overhanging the edge of the stock, where the barrel (where the hinge pin goes) part of the hinge over hangs the door. the dust collection is only fair to poor. With the template closed with a backer block (like Eiji's did in his door project, bottom pic on reply #102) the DC is excellent, very, very close to 100%.

[attachthumb=#]
Here's a pic to show what I meant about the template being open, this allows dust to escape from the opening and the DC is fair to poor.

[attachthumb=#]
Anytime the template is enclosed on all sides the DC is excellent like it is in this pic or with Eiji's backer block idea.

  There is good news and bad news about this review. First the bad news, I'm going to be delayed  even more in getting this review done. Now the good news, you are going to like why its being delayed.............
[attachthumb=#]

 

[Warrior]

. First the bad news, I'm going to be delayed  even more in getting this review done. Now the good news, you are going to like why its being delayed.............
[attachthumb=#]

You must mean we are going to be jealous.

 

[Tinker]

Brice, The good news for me has been that I am slowly getting caught up with some of my outside work, and have had a little more time for lurking on the FOG.  This morning, I have had enough time to read thru this entire thread and was really getting interested in your report.  Also some very interesting points brought up by others.  I was really getting excited.

The bad news:  That box does NOT look like something to go with the MFK 700.  Now, I suspect it contains something I have been ?persuading? myself I do not need.  Come on, my friend, give me a break.  How can I ignore when you keep coming up with these great reviews.  And I am sure that box contains your next review source.

I will just find it necessary to go back to searching for more info for my landscaping projects.  It is much safer for me.

Tinker

 

[Brice Burrell]

The bad news:  That box does NOT look like something to go with the MFK 700.  Now, I suspect it contains something I have been ?persuading? myself I do not need.  Come on, my friend, give me a break.  How can I ignore when you keep coming up with these great reviews.  And I am sure that box contains your next review source.

Tinker

Tinker you are right on all three accounts....Sorry, get your Festool Visa ready.

 

[Cannuck]

Brice... nice review.  At this rate, I'll have to trade my Green Visa in for a Black American Express. 

 

[Mark Carlson]

FYI,

I sent microfence and email asking if they had any plans for an adapter for the MFK-700. 
The response was they should have one within the next couple of weeks.

Brice, I'm enjoying your review and might just have to get yet another router.  Thanks.

~mark

 

[joraft]

I sent microfence and email asking if they had any plans for an adapter for the MFK-700. 
The response was they should have one within the next couple of weeks.

That's good news! Thanks, Mark.

John

 

[cflansbaum]

I have an upcoming project involving a number of veneered panels.  After my stint at the Inside Passage school, I (like Eiji) like the idea of veneering the panels *after* I put the edgebanding on.  So if I buy the MFK 700, I would get the 0 degree horizontal base.  Has anyone used this yet , especially a similar technique to what I intend?

Thanks

Carl

 

[lat]

I make a frequent use of veneered maple and oak plywood (very thin veneer!) to which I apply 1/4" hardwood edging. For years I have used a Lamello Cantex lipping planer which does a perfect job of planing the edging flush to the veneer without digging into it. I recently bought an MFK700 for other purposes (round-overs and various edge treatments) and I love it. However, I experimented planing hardwood edging using the 1.5deg base and so far I have been disappointed with the results. First I find the adjustment very critical (with thin veneer). Too much in, and I dig into the veneer / too much out and I leave a small residue to be sanded or scraped away. Also any variation in the thickness of the edging material causes the bit to gouges into the veneer as it it registers against the thickness of the edging (the Lamello Cantex registers against the veneer and is extremely ease to adjust reliably). I don't know if I am missing something or if my technique leaves something to be desired but I am interested in the findings developping on this thread. My assessment so far is that the Cantex is way superior at lip-planing but is a single purpose tool. The MFK700 is a very versatile tool and the best lightweight router I have ever used. I am curious to learn about uses for the 1.5deg base,

Louis

 

[polarsea1]

Has anyone else tried trimming solid wood edging with this machine? Results?

When I saw the MFK 700 I thought it would be perfect for that application.

 

[polarsea1]

Nada???

 

[Brice Burrell]

Has anyone else tried trimming solid wood edging with this machine? Results?

When I saw the MFK 700 I thought it would be perfect for that application.

The MFK is made for this application. With the 1.5 degree base trimming solid edging is easy.