MFT square

[Tayler_mann]

Finished my first MFT square on my CNC today. Turned out really well. I checked it on my machine and is within + or - .005". I do not know the repeatability of the square but it is definitely close enough for me. I'm going to put it to use for a few weeks and see how it does. After that I plan to machine some out of HDPE which is the material woodpecker uses for a lot of clamping corners and things like that. The HDPE and PVC sheeting used this time will not warp or change unless extreme heat is applied so it will hold up better than plywood like I have seen before. Possibly if all goes well I'd think about selling them. I would think of selling them for roughly $20 for a 12" if all goes well and I can replicate the results I had today.

 

[promark747]

Thanks Taylor...I assume the holes match up with MFT holes?  (Maybe the holes should be bigger though as I'm not sure if a Festool clamp would reach through both the MFT top and the square.)

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
That's cool and if the clamps can fit through even better  [smile]
rg
Phil

 

[Tayler_mann]

Thanks Taylor...I assume the holes match up with MFT holes?  (Maybe the holes should be bigger though as I'm not sure if a Festool clamp would reach through both the MFT top and the square.)

I beleiev they would if you finagled it a bit. However, they are there to square the square to the table with part dogs or rip dogs of some type.

 

[GPowers]

Simple and inexpensive solution [big grin]

 

[BrianJA]

I love the idea. 8)

 

[Michael Kellough]

Finished my first MFT square on my CNC today. Turned out really well. I checked it on my machine and is within + or - .005". I do not know the repeatability of the square but it is definitely close enough for me. I'm going to put it to use for a few weeks and see how it does. After that I plan to machine some out of HDPE which is the material woodpecker uses for a lot of clamping corners and things like that. The HDPE and PVC sheeting used this time will not warp or change unless extreme heat is applied so it will hold up better than plywood like I have seen before. Possibly if all goes well I'd think about selling them. I would think of selling them for roughly $20 for a 12" if all goes well and I can replicate the results I had today.

I don't think Woodpecker uses HDPE for anything. It's too flexible for something like this. I recommend Delrin or phenolic if you want to use a plastic. Woodpeckers does (or did) use phenolic for some things.

 

[Cheese]

I don't think Woodpecker uses HDPE for anything. It's too flexible for something like this. I recommend Delrin or phenolic if you want to use a plastic. Woodpeckers does (or did) use phenolic for some things.

The 2 Woodpeckers items I'm familiar with that are machined from a polymer material were both machined from phenolic. One was clamping cauls in 2012, and the 2nd item was a limited run of 8" clamping squares back in 2011.
http://www.woodpeck.com/ottclampingcauls.html

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

You can also use the Euro Color Ply phenolic plywood..

Pretty sure you know it but here are some info about its character:

Euro Color Ply is an ideal material for the furniture and joinery industries. Its features provide smooth and superior surfaces that are ready for use. The panels are rigid and often used for making jigs and tooling as they are extremely durable.

Size: 2' x 4' (24" x 48")
Thickness: 3/4" (19mm)
Color: Green, Light Brown, Dark Brown, Black, Red, White
Number of Plys: 14 Plys

Advantages:
Environmentally friendly, durable, easily workable, hygienic, odour free, easy-to-clean, wear-resistant, weather- and water-proof, resists commonly used chemicals. Riga Form for shuttering can be re-used many times.

Characteristics of Overlay:
Surface with an overlay is smooth, glossy and hard. It resists abrasion, it is weather and moisture proof and resists commonly used chemicals, dilute acids and alkalis. The surface is easy to clean with water or steam.

Applications:

• Jigs and tooling
• Desks, table tops, shelves
• Fittings for kitchens, offices, shops
• Garden furniture
• Signs, billboards

Click here to order!


Anderson Plywood's Layout Square for MFT Table is also made from the same material: