Introducing the UJK Parf Fence - a must for MFT3 or custom benches

[Doug S]

Bench dogs in Uk has a fence system with a flip type adjustable stop along with scale (so one can set more than one stop-extra one bought separately) however Ime suspect on the quality of the 3D printed stops, so am avoiding this system. Maybe they will improve on stops in future but at least they make them over 1000mm from memory -think there are some different sizes that offer.

You can use the fence dogs from Bench dogs on standard 20 x 40 aluminium extrusions so you can make whatever length fence you want, works out very reasonable, that is the route I am going down.

 

[msc]

I now will assume a longer one won’t be made, and will disregard this system.

600 is a poor choice of length (just to keep within mft size limits)

It’s also rather expensive for what it is, but I can see past that, and I know the quality would be spot on. Hence would pay the price anyway.

Will start to look my own alternative, and as mentioned maybe use some of benchdogs parts and an extrusion. Need to look into stops for this.

 

[jeh]

I now will assume a longer one won’t be made, and will disregard this system.

600 is a poor choice of length (just to keep within mft size limits)

It’s also rather expensive for what it is, but I can see past that, and I know the quality would be spot on. Hence would pay the price anyway.

Will start to look my own alternative, and as mentioned maybe use some of benchdogs parts and an extrusion. Need to look into stops for this.

It is so easy to tell someone who takes the initiative to design, implement and bring to market at a price that works financially. It is even easier in forums like this one. The question is what have done in terms of bringing something to market. I'll guess that it is nothing.

Peter, thanks for doing what you do. I don't have any of your product, but fully appreciate the time and energy required to do so.

 

[msc]

It is so easy to tell someone who takes the initiative to design, implement and bring to market at a price that works financially. It is even easier in forums like this one. The question is what have done in terms of bringing something to market. I'll guess that it is nothing.

Peter, thanks for doing what you do. I don't have any of your product, but fully appreciate the time and energy required to do so.
[/quote]

I have supported peter from the very first veritas made parf dogs, then the very first parf guide stem and then the parf dogs, got virtually everything inc some ujk stuff which works alongside. I’ve also met peter at north of England show.

I just think this is lacking as it’s simply made to suit the mft size more and so easy to offer more size options. As much as I want to go with system, I can’t make the length work for me  for the panel sizes I tend to cut.

 

[Stone Message]

It is so easy to tell someone who takes the initiative to design, implement and bring to market at a price that works financially. It is even easier in forums like this one. The question is what have done in terms of bringing something to market. I'll guess that it is nothing.

Peter, thanks for doing what you do. I don't have any of your product, but fully appreciate the time and energy required to do so.

I have supported peter from the very first veritas made parf dogs, then the very first parf guide stem and then the parf dogs, got virtually everything inc some ujk stuff which works alongside. I’ve also met peter at north of England show.

I just think this is lacking as it’s simply made to suit the mft size more and so easy to offer more size options. As much as I want to go with system, I can’t make the length work for me  for the panel sizes I tend to cut.
[/quote]

Axminster are aware of the requests for longer and shorter versions but they are struggling to keep up with the demand for the current size. If anything new is agreed I will let you know ahead of product launch.

Cheers - fingers crossed that Harrogate will happen this year but it is not looking hopeful.

Peter

 

[Rick Herrick]

I spent a lot of time with my new fence today.  All of my holes were created with the MKII system.  But I am wondering if maybe the holes used to secure this fence should NOT be chamfered?  It worked OK but it was not rock solid using the chamfered holes.  I earlier realized I needed to chamfer the holes for the Super Parf Dogs but starting to think you have to think it through on which holes get chamfered, and which ones don't. 

I am going to make a test tomorrow with a few non-chamfered holes and see if it gets a little more solid feeling.  It would be nice too, if the stop had a different mechanism to tighten it.  As it is you only have 180 degree of movement.  Be nice if the mechanism worked on top instead of on the side of the fence.  I like it and have already ordered a second one, just hope they look at improvements along the way.

 

[TSO_Products]

Rick,
the chamfer should have zero effect on the snug fit of the dogs inserts through the Parf Fence. 
there is far too much contact in the 20mm bore to allow even a generous chamfer to have any effect on the dog-to-hole fit.

What method did you use for boring the 20mm holes? Did you use the Parf Guide 's 20mm cutter with a drill or some other method?

What other dogs do you have to compare their fit?

Hans

 

[Rick Herrick]

Yes, I did use the Parf Guide system, MKII and did use the 20mm cutter provided.  I have Veritas long and short dogs, Parf Super Dogs (and other ones that came with the MKII).  And the dogs that came with the fence itself.  Just for kicks I pulled out the PTR-18, which I used initially as one step to verify my test table.  Moving it all around the layout to make sure I didn't have any spacing issues.  Using any of my dogs, the PTR-18 is more snug.  I can hear it click when I try to shake it.  But on the Parf Fence I can hear the click but also see the slightest movement.  I have not tested the Super Parf Dogs yet on this fence but as I said earlier, not seeing a performance issue yet so not going to lose sleep over it.

 

[thender]

I was delighted to receive my parf fence from Axminster.

I as disappointed that it wouldn’t fit on my MFT/3.  No matter which holes I used on the fence, and no matter where I tried to use it on the MFT, the holes were very slightly misaligned, and I couldn’t install both dogs.

My MFT is about 3 years old and in great shape.

So beware that the Parf fence may not work on an MFT/3.

 

[manuc]

I have the same issue with the second Parf dog not going in on the MFT/3. I sent them an email. A possible solution is to machine the lower half of one of the Parf dogs  a little smaller without introducing any slope. 

 

[Stone Message]

I was delighted to receive my parf fence from Axminster.

I as disappointed that it wouldn’t fit on my MFT/3.  No matter which holes I used on the fence, and no matter where I tried to use it on the MFT, the holes were very slightly misaligned, and I couldn’t install both dogs.

My MFT is about 3 years old and in great shape.

So beware that the Parf fence may not work on an MFT/3.

Festool do not guarantee the accuracy of the layout of their 20 mm holes which is why the Parf Guide System was created to provide a common standard for dog hole positioning.

Peter

 

[Euclid]

Clearly some confusion here.
It’s often cited that Festool’s primary intention for the hole pattern of the MFT3 top is hold dowm, clamping, assembly etc. Yet the 96mm spacing adopted implies adherence to (or, at least, support for) the 32mm system… but the spacing of the holes would surely only be relevant if they were intended for accurate spacing or cutting of components - otherwise, why bother?

However…
the title of this thread includes the phrase “ - a must for MFT3 or custom benches”.
Doesn’t MFT3 imply the Festool product? Why is it a must if it isn’t guaranteed to fit?
Just asking…

Having said that, I wouldn’t mind getting one for my UJK Valchromat top!

 

[thender]

I was delighted to receive my parf fence from Axminster.

I as disappointed that it wouldn’t fit on my MFT/3.  No matter which holes I used on the fence, and no matter where I tried to use it on the MFT, the holes were very slightly misaligned, and I couldn’t install both dogs.

My MFT is about 3 years old and in great shape.

So beware that the Parf fence may not work on an MFT/3.

Festool do not guarantee the accuracy of the layout of their 20 mm holes which is why the Parf Guide System was created to provide a common standard for dog hole positioning.

Peter

I think that could have been made clearer in the Axminster website copy.

And your video is not clear on the potential incompatibility either.  Starting at 1:43, you say:  "...and on [the parf fence] are a series of holes which match the 96mm centers that we have with our custom work bench or the Festool MFT/3"


I suspect you may not have been aware of the potential incompatibility at the time you published the video.

But none of this should take away from the design and manufacture of the Parf fence;  it is a super design and it is very nicely executed.  The way the dogs sit flush with the top is a great idea, and I thought the clamp stop was an well executed as well.  If it had fit I would have gladly bought a second one as well.

And many on this board do have tops made with the Parf guide system and it will be useful to them. 

BUT -- many of us are MFT users like me, and I think the potential incompatibility should be very clearly identified;  hence my post.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Tom

Many thanks for that. I think that having been producing my own tops for my MFT3 for so long now using the Parf Guide System I sometimes miss the reminder about the original Festool tops.

Peter

 

[manuc]

Yeah I assumed the Festool MFT/3 top was cut to the 32mm system. 

I should have read it as “it won’t fit anything unless you buy our Parf Guide system”. Which I planned on doing eventually once I needed to replace my top. I bought two of the Parf fences and now in order to use it I’ll either need to modify the dog or file down the hole on the top for the second Parf...
[sad]

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Peter, are there any deals in the works to bring this across the pond like some of your other tools, or will we Americans have to order internationally for the foreseeable future?

Axminster shipping is pretty reasonable and almost always faster than ground shipping. I have often found the price to be cheaper because the exchange rate fluctuates and you don’t pay tax....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seems Axminster is now charging USA sales tax (I'm in Illinois). Anyone else notice this?

 

[TwelvebyTwenty]

I do like some of the UJK tools Axminster make. Are they a member here like other retailers?

 

[AstroKeith]

I took delivery of two Part fences a couple of weeks ago. Had to wait a while so I guess its was new manufacturing batch.

They work fine, (I have a custom made bench), but the quality of finish is appalling considering the price. Machining marks all over one side of each, and clearly not cleaned properly before anodising and dying. Others have had the same issues (look at the recent reviews).

Makes me think twice about buying UJK stuff again, especially when I hear about the drilling guide issues.

 

[TwelvebyTwenty]

The Parf fence does look useful. Does the issue of them not fitting the MFT hole layout happen often or is it a rarity based on not guaranteeing accuracy, but more often that not it is accurate?

 

[ben_r_]

I took delivery of two Part fences a couple of weeks ago. Had to wait a while so I guess its was new manufacturing batch.

They work fine, (I have a custom made bench), but the quality of finish is appalling considering the price. Machining marks all over one side of each, and clearly not cleaned properly before anodising and dying. Others have had the same issues (look at the recent reviews).

Makes me think twice about buying UJK stuff again, especially when I hear about the drilling guide issues.

Reports such as this are actually what has been keeping me from ordering one. I have a problem paying higher prices for simple machined aluminum products that arent at say Woodpeckers finished quality.