Clamping elements questions.

[rjwz28]

Is it possible to modify the clamping elements clamp to fit into 3/4" holes? Also, does the clamp lift up the item you are clamping off the table?  I made a worktop with 3/4" holes and made some clamps similar to the Veritas Wonder Dogs and when I try to clamp them to the item I'm trying to hold, the clamps lift's it off the table a bit.  Does the clamping elements do that also?  If not, and I can modify them to work, I may get those. 

What other ways do you woodworkers hold your pieces from the sides without protruding higher than the work piece?  I can clamp them from the top, but I
sometimes want to hold them from the sides like when I'm sanding a flat surface. I just made some wedges and spacers, but you need so many different spacers to cover all the sizes.  Just 2 clamps would be ideal.

This is the ones I had made.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[DKurzweil]

20mm is equal to .7874 inches.  If you remove .0374, or only about 4 hundredths off an inch they will fit.  I have seen it done before, just a little sanding is all it takes.

From my use of them, they stay pretty well planted to the table, and they have the capability of being through bolted to the table to keep them in place.

Daniel

 

[peter halle]

You've had your answer to diameter.  Now a secret.  The Festool clamping elements can have their clamping pressure adjusted.  There is a metric set screw that can be adjusted.

Peter

 

[rjwz28]

What is the round part that goes in the hole made off?  Plastic or metal?

Rob

 

[ccarrolladams]

What is the round part that goes in the hole made off?  Plastic or metal?

Rob

Most of the clamping elements are made of high quality industrial plastic. The pressure bar and some small parts exerting pressure are appropriate steel.

With the Festool clamping elements it is entirely possible to use them without the screw hold-down knobs. The hold downs keep the clamping action from elevating the work piece. Unfortunately using the hold down knows is a royal PIA, so we find work-arounds as described.

All of the work tables in my shop doing tasks usually performed with clamping elements have pneumatic clamps which use the 20mm holes and do not need a screw knob from underneath. However, those pneumatic clamps cost a whole lot more than do the Festool clamping elements and have associated small hoses to get in the way.

 

[semenza]

What is the round part that goes in the hole made off?  Plastic or metal?

Rob

Plastic.

Seth

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Rob

Yes, it is quite normal for the clamps to rise a little from the MFT3 or bench. To overcome this Festool provide a screw knob which secures the clamp in place - it screws in from under the table. Mots of the time it is a bit too time consuming to use that knob and so it is neglected. But, if it is important to your work then it can be used.

There are loads of other ways of clamping things to an MFT3 or bench. I often use bench dogs used with the action end of the clamping elements clamp. Try Bob Marino if you want dogs in the US.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

I did find early on that the clamping elements sometimes did rise.  I found that by placing the work to be clamped close enough to the post of the element cut down or eliminated the problem. 

now, I place the work as mentioned and often, this will leave a large space between the dogs on the far side and the piece i am clamping.  I find a scrap to place between the dog and the clamped wood.  If the scrap board wants to rise, I clamp that to the table with another clamp.  end of problem.

The further the sliding bar of the clamping ellement is expesed, the greater to possibility for it to want to rise up.  Keep it as short as possible, the less likely for it to rise up.
Tinker

 

[Harvey]

Also, does the clamp lift up the item you are clamping off the table?  I made a worktop with 3/4" holes and made some clamps similar to the Veritas Wonder Dogs and when I try to clamp them to the item I'm trying to hold, the clamps lift's it off the table a bit.  Does the clamping elements do that also?  If not, and I can modify them to work, I may get those.  

.

Thanks,
Rob

Rob
The clamping elements have a riser/standoff on the back end of each element. I think that's there to prevent the clamp from rising. Perhaps adding a similar riser to your clamps would work for you.

Photo from  Greg Powers 'Review of Festool Clamping Elements TS Product No. 488030' thread

 

[rjwz28]

Also, does the clamp lift up the item you are clamping off the table?  I made a worktop with 3/4" holes and made some clamps similar to the Veritas Wonder Dogs and when I try to clamp them to the item I'm trying to hold, the clamps lift's it off the table a bit.  Does the clamping elements do that also?  If not, and I can modify them to work, I may get those.  

.

Thanks,
Rob

Rob
The clamping elements have a riser/standoff on the back end of each element. I think that's there to prevent the clamp from rising. Perhaps adding a similar riser to your clamps would work for you.

Photo from  Greg Powers 'Review of Festool Clamping Elements TS Product No. 488030' thread

Thanks Harvey, I did try that with my home made clamps.  It didn't help.

Rob

 

[rjwz28]

I may have to try out the clamping elemnets.  Only thing is I can't get go to a store to see how if works as I the island I'm on doesn't have a Woodcraft.  I don't know anyone here that has them.  They are not too cheap to just try. Is the return guarantee available for these too like the power tools?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Stone Message]

I may have to try out the clamping elemnets.  Only thing is I can't get go to a store to see how if works as I the island I'm on doesn't have a Woodcraft.  I don't know anyone here that has them.  They are not too cheap to just try. Is the return guarantee available for these too like the power tools?

Thanks,
Rob

Take the risk and get them. I find mine invaluable - especially for impromptu jig work and holding wood whilst sanding.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

You will go for them a lot more often than the Wonder Dogs. 
Tinker

 

[harry_]

I may have to try out the clamping elemnets.  Only thing is I can't get go to a store to see how if works as I the island I'm on doesn't have a Woodcraft.  I don't know anyone here that has them.  They are not too cheap to just try. Is the return guarantee available for these too like the power tools?

Thanks,
Rob

You will NOT want to return these. While you are at it grab a quick-clamp as well. You won't return it either!

 

[Stone Message]

You will NOT want to return these. While you are at it grab a quick-clamp as well. You won't return it either!

I agree - I use them all the time, not just on the MFT3, but also on the Kapex. Everyone needs at least two of these.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

I not only use the quick clamps on the MFT's, but for clamping/gluing many small projects even if not making use of the MFT.
there are 3 different sizes of the quick clamps.  One of them has a wratcheting type clamp.  I have a few of each one and about six of the clamping elements. I would not be without any of them.  Sometimes, with all of those clamps holding in various ways, my MFT looks like a porquepine.  OOPS! you don't have any of them, but maybe you can picture a few pineapples.  [scratch chin]
Tinker

 

[pugilato]

Tightening the clamp too hard will cause the pieces to lift up... Since I am not doing glue ups, I use enough clamping pressure to hold the piece in place. If I want to cinch it down to the work surface, I use the clamps that go through the holes.

I feel your pain about living on an island and not having a Woodcraft nearby.

 

[Stone Message]

I not only use the quick clamps on the MFT's, but for clamping/gluing many small projects even if not making use of the MFT.
there are 3 different sizes of the quick clamps.  One of them has a wratcheting type clamp.  I have a few of each one and about six of the clamping elements. I would not be without any of them.  Sometimes, with all of those clamps holding in various ways, my MFT looks like a porquepine.  OOPS! you don't have any of them, but maybe you can picture a few pineapples.  [scratch chin]
Tinker

Hi Tinker,

Do you have the part numbers and, if possible, a picture of the various sizes. I only have the (I assume) standard size ones.

Peter

 

[semenza]

Quick clamp (6" + long ?) 491 594

Short 4+ inches screw type 489 570

Long 11+ inches screw type 489 571

It would be possible to get longer Quick Clamps by cutting the bar end off on the long screw type and the quick clamps and swapping the heads.

Seth

 

[Stone Message]

Many thanks Seth.

Peter