Thread: OFK 700 Laminate Trimmer

Hi Matt,

For a start, check out this, the Festool IPT. It contains a section on the OFK700. Not necessarily easy to find, at the OF2200 panel, there are >> at the bottom, click that and then go further right at the panels with the different routers/trimmers. There is some good info including video.

I picked up a MFK700 the other week but have only used it a few times. Each time was fun, just little jobs but much simpler than the Makita unit I have. Quieter than the Makita and it has a vac attached that keeps the dust down! Not sure about the OFK, probably just as good for laminate trimming.

Excellent!! Thanks for that, would never of found it!! All makes sense now, looks like a good little tool, i like how it goes vertical and horizontal, similar to the MFK but more intended for accurate laminate trimming, just what i'm after, and it's great that it all links up with my extractor and systainers, looks like my next Festool purchase.

Thanks guys

Glad that helped.

At the risk of generalising, but here goes...

* The OFK700 is a hard core laminate trimmer for guys that do a lot of gluing thin synthetic edges to tables. The beauty of this machine is its ability to cope with straight and curved edges, internal and external corners. And its real hard to mess up and over route the top surface.

* The MFK700 is intended for laminate trimming and also general purpose small routing.

They are identical motor units and many all the accessories from either MFK or OFK fit the other, so it is quite possible to change one model to the other, or if you have one you can get some extras from the other and have the complete functionality of both routers in the one Systainer.

Anthony,
There is a difference between the OFK and MFK motor assemblies. The MFK has different motor electrics with overload protection evidently the OFK does not. I've tried really hard to get MFK bits for the OFK unit that I have and the parts were very expensive to the point of not being worth the trouble.
Regards
Acer

Originally Posted by Acer

Anthony,
There is a difference between the OFK and MFK motor assemblies. The MFK has different motor electrics with overload protection evidently the OFK does not. I've tried really hard to get MFK bits for the OFK unit that I have and the parts were very expensive to the point of not being worth the trouble.
Regards
Acer

Hi Acer,

The MFK700 EQ and OFK700 EQ bodies (containing the motor) are the same, with same features including MMC Electronics with variable speed.

• The E in the model designation stands for Electronics,
• and the Q stands for Plug-it. Interesting point though on the motor electronics.

But the two machines have different MMC electronics part numbers, so what are the differences between them. To be honest I don't know, but I will check with Festool technicians tomorrow morning and find out. Both should have overload protection, at least thermal overload protection - not in the electronics but in the motor itself. Let me confirm for you. Where did you see that the OFK does not have overload protection?

Anthony,
The info came from Festool in Australia. The comment was that the OFK was meant only for laminate trimming and that the MFK for heavier duty work ie some light routing. I now have a small Bosh router for my light weight work.
Regards
Acer

Originally Posted by Acer

Anthony,
The info came from Festool in Australia. The comment was that the OFK was meant only for laminate trimming and that the MFK for heavier duty work ie some light routing. I now have a small Bosh router for my light weight work.
Regards
Acer

Thanks Acer. I would like to confirm this for my own better understanding of the products. It's strange that they would put such a large motor on a machine only meant for light duty work. Which laminate trimming is in the scheme of things. Also I would like to confirm if the electronics can be exchanged between the two in case someone wanted to 'upgrade' their OFK to an MKF spec. Or is it more then the electronics PCB. Pedantic probably... but worth knowing about.

Personally, and I know I have said this before, I reach for the OFK500 for small round over and chamfering work on furniture projects - I love that machine. But it is limied for laminate and other trimming tasks.

hi anthony.

with regards to the ofk 500.

does it take a 6mm shank bit or an 8mm shank bit?

i tried the festool site and the fog, and i cant find this info.

cheers, justin.

Originally Posted by justinmcf

hi anthony.

with regards to the ofk 500.

does it take a 6mm shank bit or an 8mm shank bit?

i tried the festool site and the fog, and i cant find this info.

cheers, justin.

Hi Justin,

Neither. The OFK500 takes Festool bits specifically designed for the trimmer. They fit directly onto the shaft and don't use a collet, but the screw through the top bearing goes into the shaft. This gives a very stable and true rotation of the bit. But this propriety bit system with limited variety of bits means the OFK500 is not that popular. But those that have them typically love them.

Originally Posted by nt900

Hi Acer,

The MFK700 EQ and OFK700 EQ bodies (containing the motor) are the same, with same features including MMC Electronics with variable speed.

• The E in the model designation stands for Electronics,
• and the Q stands for Plug-it. Interesting point though on the motor electronics.

But the two machines have different MMC electronics part numbers, so what are the differences between them. To be honest I don't know, but I will check with Festool technicians tomorrow morning and find out. Both should have overload protection, at least thermal overload protection - not in the electronics but in the motor itself. Let me confirm for you. Where did you see that the OFK does not have overload protection?

Hi Acer,

I checked with Festool and they have confirmed.

The OFK700 motor does not have thermal overload sensing and shut-off, and the MFK700 does have thermal overload sensing and shut-off by the electronics.

As you say, I think this reflects the intended use of the units - OFK for trimming only which is not much of an effort, and the MFK for light and medium duty routing.

Thanks Anthony