Qwas Dogs and multi funtion slab

[Russelljwatson]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if there is a UK distributor or importer for the superb qwas dogs? And has anyone had any experience with this multi function slab www.multifunctionslab.com ?

Cheers

Russ

 

[Andy UK]

Hi Russell im new to this site and have only recently starting using the wonderful Festool tools.
I cannot speak of the Qwas dogs but I use a set of the Lee Valley Parf Dogs and also the smaller Bench Dogs.
I purchased these from Axminster in the UK:  http://www.axminster.co.uk/veritas-parf-dogs
They work superbly in conjunction with the Festool mft/3 table and the precision is excellent so they are a nice fit in the holes.
Good value for money in my opinion.
As for the multi function slab you linked to I don't think it is available to buy in the UK but you can purchase the cad drawings from the site and ask a company with a cnc machine to quote you.
If you watch Peter Parfitt's (The new Brit workshop) videos on youtube im sure you will find the tips and information most helpful.

 

[joiner1970]

I've seen a few reviews of the parf dogs lately saying they are too lose a fit in the 20mm holes. Shame as they are probably the best value here in the UK.

 

[Andy UK]

Hi Joiner I have read this elsewhere too.
However I can confirm I have a new table and the sizing of the dogs is spot on for the holes.
Im wondering if the fit is slightly different for older mft tables? 

 

[Stone Message]

I've seen a few reviews of the parf dogs lately saying they are too lose a fit in the 20mm holes. Shame as they are probably the best value here in the UK.

I think that all of the nominal 20 mm dogs, Qwas, Parf and others are probably the same size and so if one is loose then they will all be loose. It is known that MFT3 holes can vary in size.

As for customised machined MDF bench and track saw station tops - I will be making a video in about 3 months time that should help.

Peter

Peter

 

[joiner1970]

@peter parfitt Ideally I need to see for myself and make my own mind up. All I can say is I've seen a couple of videos of people showing the fit of various dogs and there's a lot more play on the veritas ones. Also there's a few reviews on axminster saying the same thing. Yes I know you can screw them down but if there's too much side to side play then it's not good

I will have to get a set from axminster and try them out.

 

[GarryMartin]

I have eight Qwas dogs over a couple of generations (circa 2011 anodised and circa 2013 powder coated) as well as Standard Mini Rail Dogs, Incra Mini Rail Dogs and the full-height Rail Dogs. I also have a couple of the Vertitas Parf dogs and a couple of the Veritas Bench dogs.

The Qwas dogs all measure between 19.87mm and 19.90mm. I prefer the powder coated versions as they have a nicer "feel" to them. They're a little "grippier" to the touch.

The Veritas Parf dogs and Bench dogs both measure at 19.88mm.

Steve (Qwas) does ship to the UK if you are interested. Just send him an email with what you're looking to buy and he'll give you a quote. I do prefer the Qwas dogs, but obviously the Veritas ones are more readily available.

Regardless, there's nothing in it when it comes to sizing.

 

[joiner1970]

Cheers Garry

I will have to measure the dogs I have now that were made for me by a friend of a member here for free . They are great but must have been made in ordinary steel as they rust when left unused for a while. That's the reason im looking at new ones.

 

[Stone Message]

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member] Ideally I need to see for myself and make my own mind up. All I can say is I've seen a couple of videos of people showing the fit of various dogs and there's a lot more play on the veritas ones. Also there's a few reviews on axminster saying the same thing. Yes I know you can screw them down but if there's too much side to side play then it's not good

I will have to get a set from axminster and try them out.

You need to read Garry's comment which backs up what I said.

Peter

 

[joiner1970]

I did Peter hence the "Cheers Garry" comment from me above lol

 

[demographic]

Not trying to be funny to the woodworkers here but in my experience metal machinists tend to work to FAR higher tolerances.
A metal machinist often works to the hundredth of a mm whereas most woodworkers are happy with the half mm.

So just guessing but I reckon if those Parf Dogs are sloppy, its more likely to be the MFT.

Maybe...

 

[Stone Message]

I did Peter hence the "Cheers Garry" comment from me above lol

Oops ... Its been a long day !

Cheers.

Peter

 

[Russelljwatson]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I did come across the Parf dogs not long after writing this thread. Once I've got a top made up I'll give them a go.

Looking forward to the video Peter. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Cheers
Russ