MFT hole plugs - 3D printed

[anthonyz]

I was checking out the Bench Dog MFT plugs which are really nice, but my MFT table I built has 164 holes and at about $1 or more each, a costly venture, so I made a 3d printed version and saved myself a lot of $$$. These do require you to use the UJK or Bench Dog chamfer tool to have these sit flush, but they work great. You can download the file at Thingiverse. I am gluing in a nut on the underside so they easily are removed with a magnet. Works great. File at:https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6214143

 

[jonnyrocket]

Nicely done! Thank you for sharing the design file!

 

[cdconey]

great idea. how difficult would it be to print a threaded stud on the underside for the nut?

 

[squall_line]

great idea. how difficult would it be to print a threaded stud on the underside for the nut?

You probably don't even need to worry about threading if you size it right, especially if it's intended to be there just for magnetism's sake.

For that matter, a washer and a dab of CA glue would probably do the trick just the same.

 

[boblenz]

What a great idea.  Now I just need to get a 3D printer.  Roughly how much did the material cost per plug?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

With 325 holes in mine, I have never thought about plugging them? I can see the utility. You do have to be careful when working around that many holes. Things fall through, anything pointed will catch and you have to be aware of your fingertips when sliding things, but you get used to it.
I did add a 32" extension a couple of years ago and left it blank. There have been a few times where they would have been nice, but it's right over my hardware drawer and I want to keep the debris out.

 

[Francis_Beland]

That's a great idea. May I suggest something? You should model it to friction fit the nut so no glue will be required.

 

[MCS-Todd]

That's a great idea. May I suggest something? You should model it to friction fit the nut so no glue will be required.

If I am reading it correctly, with the chamfer, the piece will sit flush to the top and have nothing protruding to grasp. He would not be using the nut as a hold down but as a way to use a magnet to lift the plastic printed cover out of the hole when needed to forgo the need to reach under and push/pop them up to remove them.

 

[Snackattacker]

Correct.  He's saying it should have a tight hexagon shape, then you just wedge a nut into that  and then the magnet can attract it from above to lift it out.  The nut is nothing more than an attractive chunk  of metal for the magnet.  No need for any glue or a screw down if the nut can just wedge into the piece. 

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Thanks for the file. I have seen various dog type accessories that require the dog holes to be chamfered. Does chamfering the holes have any down sides? I have a few different types of dogs, (Qwas, TSO Lee Valley ect)  but my go to dogs are the Qwas dogs. does anyone know if chamfering the holes will cause any issues with Qwas dogs or just regular dogs.
Thanks, Greg

 

[mattgam]

I just wanted to put in my thanks for the file. I printed out a batch of these and they fit great.

 

[Francis_Beland]

I did the remix to allow a friction fit 8-32 nut to be inserted without requiring any glue:https://www.printables.com/model/587215-mft-table-plug

 

[Snackattacker]

The Bamboo printers allow you to insert a pause in the slicing process so that the extruder will move, allow you to drop in a bolt, then you can resume and it will be fully embedded.    I'm going to try this method once I get my MFT table finished up.

 

[Francis_Beland]

This is another option but the friction fit should be enough. I used that embed technique and it works really well.

 

[rmwarren]

I did the remix to allow a friction fit 8-32 nut to be inserted without requiring any glue:https://www.printables.com/model/587215-mft-table-plug

Thanks! Printing some now.

RMW

 

[festal]

oh nice.  time to print. 
Hmm which nuts are magnetic?  zinc and stainless are not

 

[rmwarren]

I printed a dozen in ~4 hours, 20% fill with a large raft. Cheapo Ender printer.

Zinc plated should work, it's just coated steel.

RMW

 

[Qbic]

If you want a link to the original MFT Magnetic plugs here is is.

Glad you liked our product enough to reproduce. I’ve seen others with a small hole in the middle so a can be picked out instead of a magnet
https://benchdogs.co.uk/products/mft-plugs-magnetic-stainless-steel?_pos=1&_sid=a211c783f&_ss=r

 

[Packard]

Someone would have to check dimensions, but I think bicycle handlebar end caps/plugs would fit. 

The ones I used on my racing bicycle was from rubber and had a screw in the center.  As I tightened the screw, it grew in diameter to make a tight fit.

Some of the molded pieces are very cheap. 
https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle handlebar end plugs&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m

 

[festal]

What chamfer tool do people prefer?  Benchodgs.uk one or UJK one?