Blum Ecodrill jig

[Mahomo59]

I have a load of doors coming with concealed hinges, normally use a £1.99 eBay jig with ok results. Came across the Ecodrill jig by blum and it looks awesome, fast and accurate. I very nearly pulled the plug this morning whilst ordering the batch of blum hinges, then I stopped and thought hang on! I'd best do some research... FOG came up and straight away got bad press with MDF! All other materials fantastic.
Can any one confirm that this is the case, has it improved, is there a technique to use it with MDF? Should I stay away...

 

[tomscf]

Hi there.
I'm a kitchen fitter and although our factory has its own setup for hinge drilling, if we ever need to drill any on site, I use the Blum eco drill.
Most of our doors are MDF and although it may take a bit more pushing than into MFC or pine, I've found it to be fast and accurate. It's even got the little nut things on the bottom to fine tune distance from the edge (make sure that these are set the same! Apparently an easy mistake to make...oops). There's a bit of clean up to do as the slivers of MDF get a bit wrapped around the bit but it's all contained in its own little shroud so it's not too bad but as with anything MDF, make sure you've either got some sort of dust extraction set up and/or a suitable mask.
Ours belongs to the company though so I'm not sure about the cost, something you will obviously have to weigh up.

 

[jmbfestool]

As far as I am aware it hasn't been improved.

I think it's a lot of money for what it is but I suppose it's a small market so...

It does do a good job I like mine.

I drilled a hole in mine at the front to attach dust hose which helps massively in removing the shavings.

The shaving do compact so you have to remove them every hole drilled so having dust extraction does speed up the drilling.

Have you looked at hettich??  They do one I've not used hettich but it looks a good one.

 

[CrazyLarry]

What bad press? It's excellent, adjustable, accurate and works well with any material you're likely to use. As mentioned it does need cleaning out each time but the shroud just needs a tap while you hold a nozzle into it.

 

[Mahomo59]

Ok great guys, I stumbled upon and old thread where JMB had his concerns re mdf.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/blum-ecodrill-jib-online-source-required/

 

[tjbnwi]

I prefer the CMT hinge boring jig, it has a single drive spindle. I removed it from the plate it came with, mounted it to a 2'x3' piece of plywood. I chuck the unit into my drill press, makes the process very easy. Still portable if I need it in the field.

Tom

 

[Jimmy FineCut]

Dragging this thread back up as I am also thinking about the eco drill, but have now read the mdf issues.

Can the 35mm cutter be changed? as I have a really good fisch 35mm cutter that eats up mdf so can I use that in it or is the blum one a special size?

 

[Mahomo59]

No regrets from me. Initially I had, but was testing on cheap mdf. As soon as put it to use on medite mrmdf It works brilliantly. Very fast and accurate the hinge sits in a treat with zero wiggle and the pilot hole (just makes a small dent with red collars in) is even better. Next hinges I buy will be the screw less one, just unsure if they can be un mounted again without trashing hinge or door.
I use the jig, unclamp, hover it over Rubbish bin scoop with pencil 5 seconds job done. CT holes before inserting hinge.
I bought mine from www.ldlonline.co.uk £105 plus vat.
Very happy with it. A good fifty holes in and look forward to every time it comes out. Drill not important but for truists! T18 C18 for screws with 2.6 batt.

 

[Jimmy FineCut]

No regrets from me. Initially I had, but was testing on cheap mdf. As soon as put it to use on medite mrmdf It works brilliantly. Very fast and accurate the hinge sits in a treat with zero wiggle and the pilot hole (just makes a small dent with red collars in) is even better. Next hinges I buy will be the screw less one, just unsure if they can be un mounted again without trashing hinge or door.
I use the jig, unclamp, hover it over Rubbish bin scoop with pencil 5 seconds job done. CT holes before inserting hinge.
I bought mine from www.ldlonline.co.uk £105 plus vat.
Very happy with it. A good fifty holes in and look forward to every time it comes out. Drill not important but for truists! T18 C18 for screws with 2.6 batt.

Very helpful thank you.

I also want to try the screw less knock in hinges at some point.

I will have to make do with a t18 and cxs

 

[jmbfestool]

No regrets from me. Initially I had, but was testing on cheap mdf. As soon as put it to use on medite mrmdf It works brilliantly. Very fast and accurate the hinge sits in a treat with zero wiggle and the pilot hole (just makes a small dent with red collars in) is even better. Next hinges I buy will be the screw less one, just unsure if they can be un mounted again without trashing hinge or door.
I use the jig, unclamp, hover it over Rubbish bin scoop with pencil 5 seconds job done. CT holes before inserting hinge.
I bought mine from www.ldlonline.co.uk £105 plus vat.
Very happy with it. A good fifty holes in and look forward to every time it comes out. Drill not important but for truists! T18 C18 for screws with 2.6 batt.

I think you are on about the inserta hinges.
They can come off as easily as they attach.

However the range of hinges are less accessible.

I like the ones with the blue plastic plugs.  So using the ecodrill jig drill the 5mm holes.

 

[Laminator]

Having just purchased one recently, my first thought after drilling one set of hinge holes was drill a hole in the front of the ecodrill so it can be connected to a ct.  JMB's post gave me the courage and it will soon have a dust extraction port (that it should have anyway).

My main reason for the ecodrill is my friendship with blum inserta hinges.  The first insertas were like JMB's picture and fastened in the 35mm hole.  The ones i've purchased lately expand into the 8mm holes which have to be drill full depth.  This was a real pain with my drill press set up and the ecodrill makes it a snap.

I don't do close to enough doors to warrent a dedicated hinge boring machine.

 

[tjbnwi]

Here is the CMT chucked up in my drill press. Installed the head on a larger piece of 3/4" plywood. Because it is a single spindle drive, one and done.

Tom