[thanks] I would like to thank Eric for doing the demonstration and being patient with me and I would like to thank Charles for taking the time to record the demo and then edit and upload the video. It's much appreciated.
For those of you with saw kerfs all over the table top, I'm sorry but my product is probably not going to work. There are products like Liquid Tape that may help but at this time my focus is on making it work on a smooth top.
For those of you with smooth tops; I think you will discover that you will put the rubber strip down and leave it down for several jobs before removing. The glue is pretty strong and the strips can be reused several times. Right now you can buy the rubber strips for 15¢ a foot so I don't think you will be too worried about the rubber.
There seems to be some concern about shellacking or painting the MFT top. Most of you know I've always been against this because it creates a smooth top that allows the workpiece to slide. It doesn't need to be that smooth, you can sand it down. Also, the rubber strips will take care of any sliding. The added benefit is your top is now protected from any accidental spills.
Some of you thought the pump was loud. I believe the microphone and pump were aligned and it sounded louder than it really is. If you notice, Eric never raised his voice as the pump turns on. The pump makes less noise than the TS-55 saw and the dust collector, or a router. If noise is a problem, you could build a 3 sided box that surrounds the pump on all but one side. Point this side away from you. This would also help keep the pump out of sawdust.
Seth gets it. This is a kit for you to use as you like. Want it raised off the table? Build a little box that attaches to the side rail and put a 20 mm hole in the top of the box. Want to clamp vertically? Clamp a board to the side of the MFT with a 20 mm hole. Want to hold a board while cutting it? Do you have a long board that needs the edge routed or Dominoed? Use the kit on the table top. Use one Vac Dog and hole at the left side of the top, another in the middle (for sawing, put it under the guide rail), and a third on the right, or waste side of the table top. Don't forget the board can hang over the edge if you use the first row of holes for the Vac Dogs. Need to cut a wide board or plywood? Put a Vac Dog under the guide rail in a hole towards the top of the table and another towards the bottom. You can still use the 3rd Vac Dog to hold the cut off piece.
The Vac Dog Kit is expandable by buying another manifold and more dogs. You could now have 5 or 6 Vac Dogs to hold the workpiece(s) or having multiple "stations" setup on the table. Multiple vacuum pumps allows each "station" to be individually controlled.
Pricing is still being worked on but we're talking about $300 range gets you the kit, pump and everything. I will only be selling the Vacuum Dog Kit, not the pumps. I'm still working on a couple of small details but hope to have this available for sale in just a couple of weeks.
