MFT Dogs - so many choices - are there any meaningful differences?

[Basshunter]

Hello All,

I apologize in advance for what most will think is a silly question (but I warned y'all in my intro post).

I am in the process of designing an MFT like outfeed table for my table saw and plan on using dogs for the squaring of the work piece and the guide rail.  Have been looking at all of the different dogs available and just am not sure if there is any meaningful difference?

At this point, I was leaning towards the Veritas MFT Clamping Set (and take advantage of their free shipping event).  Having never used an mft or the dogs or the TS 55 for that matter (just got one a few weeks ago), I am not sure if there are subtle difference in the different offerings that would cause me to go with one set vs another.  The only difference I can see is the QWAS rail dogs attach to the rail itself whereas the Veritas or the Parf dogs work with the rail sitting against the dog instead of on top of the dog.  Is there much of a difference between these different approaches?  Is there something that as a noobie I am missing that should be blatantly obvious between the different products in terms of use or application?

Will the Veritas set provide everything needed to use the MFT hole pattern to line up 90 and 45 cuts?

Any insights from your use of these different dog sets would be much appreciated!

 

[Colonel Panic]

As a former boss used tell me at least once a week "There is no such thing as a stupid question but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots".  [blink] Sure cured me from starting an interrogatory with "This may be a stupid question but".  [tongue]

Back to your question. I would suggest you search YouTube for qwas, parf dog, and rip dog. Watch everything, think about it for a few days and watch some of them again. Each has it's own function and you need to figure out what you need by what you are trying to accomplish. I have bought them all including the Veritas set but I'm a gadget junky and love looking for solutions to things that bug me.

 

[bkharman]

I also really like Precision Dogs. They are lightweight and have a hole that isn't threaded. Comes in handy that you can use any bolt that fits.

Also they are closest to Qwas with fit. Nice and snug.

20mm wood dowels also come in handy and you can't beat the price. 

 

[Basshunter]

Well did watch some more vids - and thought more about what I would like to achieve with the setup of my MFT outfeed table.  At this point, I have a set of Parf dogs on the way and expect I will also get the QWAS Rail dogs.  I think between these two sets, I can accomplish everything I can see an immediate need for at this time.

Found a local guy with a CNC so am gonna be getting the top made soon.  Now just have to settle on a size...was initially thinking a fairly large table size, but am now leaning towards a slightly smaller top.

The LV set looks real nice, but I think the Parf and QWAS dogs fit my objectives better.  Although, I can see me getting their rail stops in the future...

 

[Bhend18]

I own the Veritas set. It has a little bit of everything in it. It has hold down clamps, low profile rail stops, and regular dogs. It's nice to have so many different options in one kit. If your a Festool junkie, the T-Loc is nice as well.  [big grin]

 

[leer]

I bought Qwas Dogs before I owned a Festool tool!  I wanted to build my own MFT-style workbench first.  The Qwas dogs were to be my standard for milling the holes. I also bought the Qwas Rail Dogs. Very good products. Since then I've bought Parf Dogs and plan to use them with jigs since they are threaded. I like them a lot as well and they have a great fit, just like the Qwas products. I do not think you can go wrong with either. Maybe I'll complete my collection and get some from Precision. Each seems to take a slightly different approach, and fortunately that means as users we have lots of choices when it comes to clamping and cutting.