DIY MFT table top and clamping system.

[J-Max]

Hi there,

Few weeks ago, I made a jig to drill quickly my replacement MFT table top.
I don't know if this could interest some of you, but the most interesting is probably my alternative clamping system..
I made few videos to explain the principles.
Video about the drilling jig.
Video about the clamping system.

So what do you think, is this interesting ? Do you see anything I can improve ?

 

[Wooden Skye]

Welcome to the forum.  The hole drilling jig is kinda interesting, but as configured I think it would be really time intensive.  I don't know much about 3D printing, but is the material firm enough where slop isn't an issue?  I would make the template bigger so you can set it up to drill 6-10 holes at a time.  I would also make the jig thicker so that you don't need the white thing to keep bit straight.  Just my thoughts, but I like the creativity.

 

[J-Max]

Thanks for your comment Brian.
There's a lot of examples of large jigs to drill multiple holes at the same time (like Peter Parfitt's).
Here, after some prototypes, I ended with something different for many reasons.
First, storing a big jig is always a pain. I try to get rid of big jigs.
Second, a big jig takes time to be made, and it's particularly expensive if you print it, if your printer is big enough...
Last, the principle just can not work, because you will need multiple distant reference holes to be accurate,
and a lot of plugs to secure the jig in place. Unsolved problems comes with a multiple hole jig design.

I tried a taller (thicker?) jig, but it did not perform as expected, because the reference is the end your Forstner bit only.
So you can't drill straight. With a shorter jig, you just define the hole location but drill straight problem is the same.
The secondary white (actually light gray) jig takes reference both on the table, the black jig and the drill bit's shaft.
So it is both perpendicular to the surface and concentric with the hole.
As the drill bit shaft is longer than the bit head and distant from the surface, you get a much better precision.

Otherhand, printed parts are very stiff.
I drilled an outfeed table that is slightly bigger than a regular MFT table and it holded the job pretty well.
The jig is still ready for next MFT table tops.

 

[Fury5]

I think the jig is very clever in its simplicity.  While it may be fairly time consuming to create a large number of holes, the quick set up would make it worthwhile for use with smaller work surfaces.  Kudos!