MFT Bench Dog Hole Clamping

[Mike Goetzke]

I'm new to MFT slab woodworking. I had slabs CNC'd to tight tolerances to enable squaring rail to the work using bench dogs. I also planned to use the dog holes for in-line and vertical clamping.

After looking closer at Festool/LeValley/Armor bench dog clamp operation I'm now wondering if they will compromise the geometry of the dog holes? Maybe dedicate certain top holes for non-clamping operations?

Any experience/thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[nclemmons]

I've been using 20mm holes in 96mm grid on MFT tables and several other work surfaces for years.  I've seen no degradation in accuracy.  I use Seneca, Festool, TSO and Lee Valley dogs and clamps.  If you use 20mm inserts / dogs, those should distribute the clamping pressure and eliminate any change of distortion.

The one area where you can get potential edge damage is inserting the quick clamps in thicker than 3/4 material.  You can chamfer the underside if you have tops like that to make insertion and removal easier.

Is Armor offering 20mm or only 3/4" dogs?  I believe Kreg is only 3/4". 

 

[tallgrass]

This will boil down to your metrics. what level of precision are you holding and how you measure this. only you will be able to determine what level of "accuracy and repeatability" you will find acceptable. I love the 20mm x96mm system and use dogs. I think is works very well. IF you keep this in mind, you will be able to make it work for you. the tolerances between manufacturers and table tops can cause some issues if you wish to hold very tight "tolerances" .