Recommendations for 32mm cabinet shelf pin holes

[woodbutcherbower]

Greetings from the UK.

For the first time in 40 years as a joiner, I’ve been asked by a long-standing customer to build an enormous 12-metre wide wall-to-wall spray-painted MDF cabinet and shelving system with adjustable shelf spacing. Since I work mostly in oak and other hardwoods on old buildings, it might be another 40 years before I get asked to make something this linear and modern again - and it’s for this reason that the LR32/OF1010 is a non-starter - I just couldn’t justify it for one job.

So what are the forum’s go-to jigs for shelf pin holes? I’d like super-clean holes which look like they’ve been done with a router.

Thanks in advance, best wishes.

 

[afish]

LR32 adapted to a non festool router will save you a nice chunk of cash.  Buy the LR32 and use it when done sell it and recoup a good portion of the cost.  You wont regret it.  Its the best 32mm system for the money. 

 

[MikeGE]

I'm not sure this will work for you, but it worked great for my miter workstation shelves. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KREG-KMA3200-Shelf-Pin-Drilling/dp/B005FKX6D8/

The edges of the holes in the plywood are clean, but not router quality.  This is likely due to the standard brad point drill bit that came with the kit.  With a different 5mm drill bit, like this one by Fisch, you might be able to make clean holes in the MDF.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisch-Brad-Point-Drill-Bits/dp/B00CE94AAQ/

 

[blues]

Woodpeckers has a jig ~ 120$ that might workout for you. Hope this helps.https://www.woodpeck.com/shelf-pin-drawer-slide-template.html

 

[afish]

I think this would be my second pick
=3s

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

I’m not sure of their availability in the UK, but Rockler has a couple of shelf pin jigs that work well.

This one looks pretty good. I’ve never used it. It can locate the holes 37 or 64mm from the edge and the holes are 32mm apart.
https://www.rockler.com/jig-itreg-s...-shelving-jig-set-template-self-centering-bit

I have this one, and I used it a number of times prior to owning any Festool tools or the LR32 system. I found it to work well. I bought mine many years ago, and I don’t at all remember it costing that much, but maybe it did.
https://www.rockler.com/pro-shelf-drilling-jig

Both use the same bits.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Thanks guys - I really appreciate your replies.

The Sautershop routing jig is EXACTLY what I was looking for and I just ordered one. I watch Peter Millard’s videos regularly - I can’t imagine how I missed that one.

Thanks again to all.

 

[afish]

let us know how you like it after you make some holes.  I had seen the video awhile back and forgotten about it at first. 

 

[Packard]

A few comments on this system.

1.  It is essentially the equivalent of a long-available-in-other-parts-of-the-world CMT drilling fixture.  I picture it below.
2.  The CMT system uses 14mm holes and a centering drill holder with a 14mm bushing. 
3.  For shelf-pin holes the router makes cleaner cuts, and I use a 14mm bushing for that.
4.  For dowel holes, the drill bit is easier to use.
5.  I didn't listen to the dialog in the video, but visually he indicated you have to note the end of the board you are banking from for doweling.  While it appears that the dowel holes are centered in the edge of the board, they are not necessarily so.  They are banking off one side of the board only.  So you need to also make sure that you are using that same side for the end holes as the flat side holes. 

I had to import the CMT system from Amazon.de (Germany).  They are no longer showing the centering drill holder, so when or if this one fails, I may have to rely on the router exclusively.

The system in the video looks a little faster for shelf pins than the hole system in the CMT's version does.

However, the dowelling fixture from CMT seems a bit handier.  I am also showing the CMT's dowel jig below.

With the CMT dowel jig I mark the end from which I bank on (like the video does), but I also indicate the outside (sides/edges) so I can make sure that the edges of the align after the dowels are inserted.

I suggest you make a couple of 12" x 12" boxes out of scrap material to make sure you have the right orientation if you are going to be doing any doweling. 

The CMT's dowel setup is very fast and accurate and for sheet goods an excellent alternative to the Domino.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

let us know how you like it after you make some holes.  I had seen the video awhile back and forgotten about it at first.

It's just perfect for me in every possible way. Incredibly well-made, easy to set up, super-accurate and an absolute joy to use. Thanks again for the heads-up, I really appreciate it.

 

[afish]

Glad it worked out good for you.