Thread: Aeg mf1400ke

Maybe you can get some ideas from the reviews on this page. Seems like there might be some issues when mounting it in a table but the build quality seems okay.

I have it and like it.

1. 6 year warranty if you register it.
2. Comes with plunge and fixed bases in the package.
3. Soft start, but good power.
4. half and quarter inch collets.
5. Several dust extractor ports and bases 'in the box'.

Only issue, which is easily fixable, is that as supplied, the tool for adjusting cutter height from above the table can't be used if the dust port is fitted - it is blocked by one of the dust port screws. I ground the screw head down and (carefully) drilled into the plastic of the dust port to 'reduce' the screw's projection by about 4 mm - problem solved. It's a bizarre bit of poor design in a machine that is otherwise well sorted. The only other negative is some very crude machining/grinding on one of the ends of the magnesium base housing - looks like a 'day 1' apprentice's efforts, but doesn't affect function in any way.

Difficult to find now - if you spot one in Bunnings, I'd grab it.

Thank you jpdv, that answers a couple of questions.

I have found a few YouTube videos talking about it indirectly. Because it has an odd body diameter one needs to couple it with a JessEm Mast-R-Lift II, so my plan was to initially use its fixed base function and build a router table and fence, and then slowly add the JessEm if I find myself still enthusiastic about routing.

I take it that you use the fixed base.
Did you couple it to an insert, or just to the underside of your table surface?
And can you reach the spindle lock from above the table?
And lastly, in one of the reviews it was mentioned that to set the depth you have to unlock the fixed base lock, but that introduces about a mm of play. Have you noticed this and is it annoying? Ridgid fixed base router with plunge base review

"I, too, like the above-table height adjustment feature. I use this on my router table. One thing that is a bit of a drawback is that, in order to adjust the height, you have to unlock the base. In doing so, the router will actually drop down by about a millimeter. Then when you lock the base again, the router will come up about a millimeter. When setting the height, this has to be considered. Setting the height becomes a bit of an iterative process."

Thank you in advance for your advice. Would love a pic of your set up.

Cheers

I have an orange and black box sitting on the lounge room table!!

I'll try to get some pictures up this week, but in answer:

1. Fixed base in the table, although I use it with the plunge base for various other tasks (eg mortising).
2. It's mounted direct, as I wanted a quick and dirty/cost effective mount. This affects the next answer:
3. I can't reach the spindle lock, because it's 'within' the fixed base. I don't have an issue because of the way I mounted it (big hole in the front of the cabinet) : I remove the whole router to change bits, and reinsert to adjust height. If you wish to have this capability (bit changing from above), you need to use a separate mount/lift, and a table insert - the video of Matthias Wandel's shows one solution. I would personally bastardise a wrench to work with this, but that would be more efffort.
4. As to adjusting height, that works for me with the router 'locked in' the base - I wonder if the poster saying otherwise has it clamped 'too tight' for any movement? I adjusted the tension on the router clamp, so I can adjust height up/down from above the table... No meaningful slack in the height for my purposes.

Just as an aside, if you're new to all this, routers have no room for error, in terms of the speed at which they will turn flesh, blood and bone into a fine red mist... Make sure you use appropriate push sticks etc on a table, and understand what the dangers of router kickback are all about. No need to be scared, but you do need to understand what is a risky manoeuvre, and how to mitigate the risks... My right index fingertip disappeared before the pain registered, and that was with a dinky little trim router...

jpdv

Thank you so much for the info, it is as I thought, more or less. I thought this was a good router obviating the need for a lift, but also offering that option, from the couple of reviews.

Re safety, absolutely! I have been devouring YouTube videos, including Matthias Wandel's as well as BrainFizz and others, for both techniques and tips, as well as safety. I will probably invest in a set of the Micro Jig GRR-Ripper push blocks, and take it very easy.

Funny a few years ago I bought a chainsaw, which sat unused for a year until I had the opportunity to do a chainsaw course with Karl Liffman who teaches the SES on chainsaw usage. I respect the machine absolutely.