Clamping Elements "peg" size

hemlock

hemlock

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Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
139
Does anyone know the diameter of the clamping element pegs that fit the holes on the MFT table?  I've gone the cheaper route of making my workbench and drilling 3/4 inch holes and wonder if the elements will fit in those holes.  Said another way are the pegs less than 19mm ?  Any help appreciated.  I can see the elements being helpful in some applications but only if the fit my bence... [big grin] 
 
Thanks, Neil.  Appreciate the reply and links to alternatives.  I am intrigued by the wonder pups... [unsure]
 
i think they are 20. 28 i think.
a 3/4" hole wont work.
how about buying a 20mm bit
 
Hemlock,

  this could be another clamping option for you if you have or buy some Kreg bench clamps.  Since the Festool elements won't fit into you 3/4" holes.

Just a thought.

[attachthumb=#]

This pic shows me using a bench dog,  but I found that you don't really need it.  The knob holds the clamp from under the table just fine.

[attachthumb=#]

Eric
 
Thanks Alan and Eric.  Drilling 20mm into existing 19mm holes I see as less than fun  [scared], even if I could find a reasonable bit.  But it is a good idea....researching possible bits now...if you have a source would appreciate it...

The Kreg clamps Eric are an option but was more interested in way to exert pressure/clamp horizontally.  But an option I had not considered....

Thx.

 
I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing. I'm thinking of getting the clamping elements and reducing the diameter down to 3/4". I think that part is plastic. As all my other stuff are 3/4" and are drilled already too. I made a set of the pups like Lee Valleys but they lift up the workpiece when you clamp them. I'm hoping the elements won't do that. Please let me know if you get them and what you did. I can't do anything right now because my wrist is in a cast.

Thanks,
Rob
 
This aporoach has crossed my mind, Rob.  We're only talking removing ~0.5mm from the surface of each peg.  A $100+ experiment  [scared]!  May try it though. 
 
What I am doing first is drilling a 20 mm hole first in a extra piece of ply to try it out and see if I like it. If it is fine, I'll then make it fit a 3/4" hole. If I don't like how it works it, I'm sure it would be easy to sell in its original condition. Like you, I don't want to blow 100 bucks.

These are the ones I had made for me. Not totally happy with the end results. It works but lifts up the work piece a little.

Rob
 
OK, I did my experiment today...I bought a 20mm drill and the clamping elements.  If I could re-drill my 3/4 inch holes great, if not I would drill 20mm holes in another part of my workbench (its 8 foot by 6 foot around table saw) to use the elements.  Tried re-drilling a hole in a test piece and it worked really well.  Since the 3/4 holes were 18+ mm, going to 20 did not have all the problems of drift I have experienced (and expected) drilling a bigger hole into a smaller hole that I have had in the past...

Anyway very happy at the moment....really like the horizontal clamping ability of the elements and their ease of locking.  Will share some pics later....
 
All I did was take a piece of scrap hard wood,  took a 5/8 forstner bit drilled a hole to recess the 8.8mm bolt head drilled a 1/4 hole through the  scrap pice. be sure  the holes will line up with holes on the MFT.

Get a Bessey clamp or 2 mount them to the scrap piece of wood, mount the assy to the mft where ever you need something clamped and your good. You may need to drill a 3rd hole into the peice of scrap wood if ya want to use the clamps at 45 degrees.

(http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-Auto-Adjust-Horizontal-Toggle-Clamp/dp/B0057PUL52/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1360547363&sr=8-9&keywords=clamps+bessey)

I find it works extremely good when you multiple pieces to work with such as drilling shelf pin holes , routing multiple pieces etc.. You dont need metric (8.8mm) but I used them and the knobs that come with alot of the festool accessories such as the clamping elements. I break them open take the bolt out and put a 8.8 mm nut in so I can use it to tighten the bolts from below the MFt.
 
hemlock said:
OK, I did my experiment today...I bought a 20mm drill and the clamping elements.  If I could re-drill my 3/4 inch holes great, if not I would drill 20mm holes in another part of my workbench (its 8 foot by 6 foot around table saw) to use the elements.   Tried re-drilling a hole in a test piece and it worked really well.  Since the 3/4 holes were 18+ mm, going to 20 did not have all the problems of drift I have experienced (and expected) drilling a bigger hole into a smaller hole that I have had in the past...

Anyway very happy at the moment....really like the horizontal clamping ability of the elements and their ease of locking.   Will share some pics later....
Click to expand...

Hey Hemlock, does the clamp lift the items off the workbench any?

Thanks,
Rob
 
Have not used a lot yet, but they do seem to lift a bit if clamped hard and board us small.  Dont see that as a real problem so far though. The elements do include screw knobs for under table I suspect for this reason.  I don't see needing to bother with that but time will tell.  My main need was to get vertical clamps out of the way foy sanding, etc.  They do that well.  Will know more as I use them more.
 
wrap some sticky 80 grit paper on a deep 5/8'' socket ......attach to a drill and sand out the holes...takes a few to get the feel ...replace paper often and about 45 minutes later....you'll have it....
 
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