OK, so I read the outstanding article on "Secrets to the MFT" and it gave me some ideas. I was wondering if anyone knows where i could purchase cylinders that could be used as bench dogs. Really what I want to do is make a fence and epoxy the dos in the fence. then i can put the fence in or take it out any time I want. But I need the cylinders. Maybe Aluminum?
Bench Dogs for MFT
- Thread starter sbnx
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2007
- Messages
- 636
That seems to be the big question. It would be nice to see Festool jump in and make us some bench dogs.
Until then, the best fit seems to be the Black & Decker ?Workmate Swivel Grip Peg?, part number 79-010-4 which can be found at Amazon.com. You can cut off the top portion and use the section that fits the holes. These are plastic but should work with epoxy.
The next best idea is to find a machine shop in your area and see if they can make something up for you. You can take a clamping element with you so they can get the right diameter or just tell them 20 mm diameter and 1 inch long. This is what I did and I also asked them to drill a 1/4 inch hole in the center so I could use a bolt to attach it to a fence. Mine were made out of steel but aluminum would be fine and cheaper. Most of the shop's time is spent setting up, so get 4 or 6 six of them made at the same time. Then you can set up a fence for straight cuts and another for 45 degree miters.
Another option might be to buy some 20 mm bolts. If you don't mind the fence standing up off the top, you can epoxy the bolt head right to the fence, or you can cut off the head and epoxy the body to the fence. From my experience, the bolts fit the holes loosely and are not the best option.
Until then, the best fit seems to be the Black & Decker ?Workmate Swivel Grip Peg?, part number 79-010-4 which can be found at Amazon.com. You can cut off the top portion and use the section that fits the holes. These are plastic but should work with epoxy.
The next best idea is to find a machine shop in your area and see if they can make something up for you. You can take a clamping element with you so they can get the right diameter or just tell them 20 mm diameter and 1 inch long. This is what I did and I also asked them to drill a 1/4 inch hole in the center so I could use a bolt to attach it to a fence. Mine were made out of steel but aluminum would be fine and cheaper. Most of the shop's time is spent setting up, so get 4 or 6 six of them made at the same time. Then you can set up a fence for straight cuts and another for 45 degree miters.
Another option might be to buy some 20 mm bolts. If you don't mind the fence standing up off the top, you can epoxy the bolt head right to the fence, or you can cut off the head and epoxy the body to the fence. From my experience, the bolts fit the holes loosely and are not the best option.
I found that ½" threaded rod connectors (ie: elongated nuts) have exactly the right outside dimension to fit in the holes. You could always also try ¾" dowels with a few turns of tape on 'em, but if you're doing a lot of placing and replacing the connectors are probably worth it. I just drill ¾" holes in the boards I'm using for my jigs, pour some epoxy in, and press the connector into it. Works fine. If you were really feeling ambitious you could bolt 'em in from the top and make some handles for bolts on the bottom to clamp them on.
You can see them in place on the underside of my router table.
You can see them in place on the underside of my router table.
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2007
- Messages
- 636
Dan Lyke said:
I've had problems finding one that fits. I know it has been discussed before and someone makes one the right size but I've never found it. I've also tried some nuts that fit 1/2 inch threaded rods. They fit a little too tight and I'm afraid it will ruin my holes after continued use. It has been discussed about the holes being different sizes in newer tables.
You can try this and if you find something that works, then you're fine. But be aware that you might have a problem.
Lee Valley makes some nice Bench Dogs in Canada. Personally I like to use the "Pups" with my MFT 1080 setup. They fit the holes perfectly, and have a wire hold in. Be sure to grab the "muzzles" as well, for non-marring work.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41645&cat=1,41637
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41645&cat=1,41637
Frank Pellow
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 2,743
The Veritas Bench Dogs work just as well as the Veritas Bench Pups. In fact any of the Veritas bench "stuff" that has a side spring works very well. I particularly like the Wonder Dog. Here is a picture of a Bench Pup and a Wonder Dog both inserted in holes on my MFT:nickao said:
[attachthumb=#1]
The Vertitas items that don't have side springs (such as the Wonder Pup) can be used in the MFT but I find them to be too loose.
(just as with Festool) The Veritas products cost a lot but are top quality and, therefore worth the price.
The Vertitas items that don't have side springs (such as the Wonder Pup) can be used in the MFT but I find them to be too loose.
(just as with Festool) The Vewritas products cost a lot but are top quality and, therefore worth the price.
[/quote]
Thanks for the veritas tip. I think that was what I was looking for.
On another note. I notice someone mentioned the differing sizes of holes. I actually have 4 MFT's. The first three were bought realtively close to one another mid last year or so. The Fourth was one of the last ones in the states. I had measured the holes on the first three with digital calipers and pretty much right on 20 mm. But the fourth has some variance and they range from 19.55 to 19.95. I can't really get the clamping elements down into the smaller ones. I guess this is why Festool went to the new table.
(just as with Festool) The Vewritas products cost a lot but are top quality and, therefore worth the price.
[/quote]
Thanks for the veritas tip. I think that was what I was looking for.
On another note. I notice someone mentioned the differing sizes of holes. I actually have 4 MFT's. The first three were bought realtively close to one another mid last year or so. The Fourth was one of the last ones in the states. I had measured the holes on the first three with digital calipers and pretty much right on 20 mm. But the fourth has some variance and they range from 19.55 to 19.95. I can't really get the clamping elements down into the smaller ones. I guess this is why Festool went to the new table.
Michael Kellough
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 7,100
Qwas said:
Jerry Work reported that the 1/2" threaded rod connectors that fit the holes in the MFT are made by National and are carried by Ace Hardware affiliates (in the US).
James Metcalf
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 209
Also 1/2" threaded rod connectors from Lowe's will work. The one's from Home Depot are a bit large. I am with Frank on the Wonder dogs from Lee Valley being a better fit than the pups. The spring is better than an O ring.
The round dogs and pups from Lee Valley work just as well as the Wonder Dogs. They have the spring that keeps them oriented and snug. I've found them to be very useful, and they actually work well in conjunction with the MFT Clamping Elements.
All the Veritas bench accessories from Lee Valley are superior construction to the Festool MFT accessories - as they have no plastic parts - only brass and steel.
That being said - the Festool Clamping elements can't be beat for the ease and speed with which you can clamp a work piece. A few Veritas round pups and the Clamping Elements are my recommendation. Oh yeah...and some muzzles too!
All the Veritas bench accessories from Lee Valley are superior construction to the Festool MFT accessories - as they have no plastic parts - only brass and steel.
That being said - the Festool Clamping elements can't be beat for the ease and speed with which you can clamp a work piece. A few Veritas round pups and the Clamping Elements are my recommendation. Oh yeah...and some muzzles too!
I haven't tried the following clamp yet, but it should work well with the MFT as well.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=57059&cat=1,43838
I haven't had a justification to buy them yet, as I already have the Festool FS/120 and Quick Release clamps.
I also bought these for my MFT from Lee Valley, but I haven't tried them yet. Again, the Festool Quick Release clamps have been sufficiently utilitarian - but these Hold Down Clamps are a good value at $15 Cdn.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=31150&cat=1,43838
p.s. sorry...I haven't figured out how to link to images yet.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=57059&cat=1,43838
I haven't had a justification to buy them yet, as I already have the Festool FS/120 and Quick Release clamps.
I also bought these for my MFT from Lee Valley, but I haven't tried them yet. Again, the Festool Quick Release clamps have been sufficiently utilitarian - but these Hold Down Clamps are a good value at $15 Cdn.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=31150&cat=1,43838
p.s. sorry...I haven't figured out how to link to images yet.
Frank Pellow
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 2,743
I have both the items that you referenced, and I can confirm that they both work well with a multi-function-table.Cannuck said:
I bought some wonder pups and I'm not too happy with them. The 3/4" shafts are not big enough for the MFT3 dog holes. These little guys raise the work piece from the table surface. I'm taking mine back to Lee Valley. I'll stick with the fes clamps.
MFT dogs that came with a fence would be good, as opposed to having to come up with a fence that will fit. Add a stop and repeatable cuts are easier.
Would this track from Woodhaven work with your dogs? http://www.woodhaven.com/Category.asp?Id=103
Rail dogs are also a good idea,
Aren't you in CO, where? I'm in Littleton.
Would this track from Woodhaven work with your dogs? http://www.woodhaven.com/Category.asp?Id=103
Rail dogs are also a good idea,
Aren't you in CO, where? I'm in Littleton.
Steve, I'm starting to make my dogs with a slot instead of a hole for the bolt. This will allow flexibility in fence selection and will work with slot centerline heights from 1/4" - 1/2." So to answer your question, that fence should work fine since it appears to have a 3/8" slot height.
I agree, the rails dogs are a good idea and I am up in Lafayette.
John
I agree, the rails dogs are a good idea and I am up in Lafayette.
John
Similar threads
