Shelf pins, drawer slides, LR-32

[Rick Herrick]

I don't often tout the company I work for here, and I will share that I am personally thinking about a holey rail and an LR-32 myself, but...(you knew that was coming, didn't you?)...the Woodpeckers Shelf Pin Jig might be an alternative to look at. I used it and my OF-1000 to make 32mm system holes in some shop cabinets. It uses a guide bushing to locate the router, instead of locking in along the rail holes. The 5mm holes punched by the little router are pristine and lightning fast compared to using a drill.

I looked at that last night.  I really don't want to use a router with that type of jig.  Will any of those bits listed give me a better hole?  I use the Kreg jig now.  Its easy enough but obviously not fast, but none of my shelf holes need to be done quickly.  I have 2 of them and they chain together but there is always a need to keep shifting up/down as you mentioned.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Using a drill with our jig isn't going to gain you a thing over the Kreg. It's still a drill and it is still not going to be a clean hole. What's your concern about using a guide bushing and router?

 

[Rick Herrick]

Rick, given your stated situation and list of current tooling - I think you've missed a very important consideration already given by JimH.

I didn't miss it (apologies to Jim), I just have to put a boundary around what I want to do.  I saw the Mafell in a comparison video from Peter Millard and I can see it has a lot of advantages but I tuned most of them out because I was focused on the Domino.  I will look at the video again, along with some more Mafell specific videos.  Looks like the Mafell could take the place of LR32 and the Domino (to some degree) but thats just my high level view.  I will have another look.  Thank you.

 

[Rick Herrick]

Using a drill with our jig isn't going to gain you a thing over the Kreg. It's still a drill and it is still not going to be a clean hole. What's your concern about using a guide bushing and router?

Honestly? I am not that good with a router, free hand, yet.  At least with the LR32, it takes some of my lack of ability out of the way.  I will look for some videos that show the process, maybe I am missing something.

 

[Cheese]

...the Woodpeckers Shelf Pin Jig might be an alternative to look at. I used it and my OF-1000 to make 32mm system holes in some shop cabinets. It uses a guide bushing to locate the router, instead of locking in along the rail holes. The 5mm holes punched by the little router are pristine and lightning fast compared to using a drill.

I'll second this suggestion, I have one and use it for short cabinets when I only need to drill 3 or 4 holes. You can set up the template, drill the holes and stow the template away in the time it takes to just retrieve the LR 32 Kit from the stack and the holey rail.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Honestly? I am not that good with a router, free hand, yet.  At least with the LR32, it takes some of my lack of ability out of the way.  I will look for some videos that show the process, maybe I am missing something.

It isn't freehand. The guide bushing pops into the jig and locates the router without wiggle either way. Just punch the hole and move it to the next hole in the jig.

 

[Rick Herrick]

It isn't freehand. The guide bushing pops into the jig and locates the router without wiggle either way. Just punch the hole and move it to the next hole in the jig.

Nice, thanks for the clarification.  I will take another look today.  I am still waiting on my Paolini rule,,,arg.  Maybe you could light a fire for me ..  [smile]

 

[jeffinsgf]

Take a look at this video from Highland Woodworking. Sadly, it is a better explanation of how the jig works than our factory video.  [embarassed]

 

[jeffinsgf]

Nice, thanks for the clarification.  I will take another look today.  I am still waiting on my Paolini rule,,,arg.  Maybe you could light a fire for me ..  [smile]

I'll try. Which size? Aluminum or stainless?

 

[xedos]

The WP jig (and others) while handy for a one off or a few holes ; is just not going to be very enjoyable for making multiple cabinets.

And the holes produced by their drill bit are , well , just not clean enough for me.  YMMV

Looks like the Mafell could take the place of LR32 and the Domino (to some degree) but thats just my high level view. 

yup - that's why I suggested you really look at it.  If you already owned the of1010, then it'd be a little different. 

 

[Sparktrician]

Nice, thanks for the clarification.  I will take another look today.  I am still waiting on my Paolini rule,,,arg.  Maybe you could light a fire for me ..  [smile]

I'll try. Which size? Aluminum or stainless?

 

Size is what works for you.  I prefer the 8" variety.  And stainless all the way.  Aluminum gets bent too easily when knocked off the workbench or dropped.  Just remember to take the stainless one out of your pocket before getting into your vehicle.  It makes a great seat-cutter...  [crying] 

 

[Sparktrician]

I'll second this suggestion, I have one and use it for short cabinets when I only need to drill 3 or 4 holes. You can set up the template, drill the holes and stow the template away in the time it takes to just retrieve the LR 32 Kit from the stack and the holey rail.

One caution I would note is that when you're using a template system other than the LR 32 (with the guide rail index), be absolutely certain to reference the starting holes from the same point (cabinet side top or bottom) or your holes will be slightly skewed making shelves wobble and drawers sit out of line with openings. 

 

[jeffinsgf]

Something I meant to include earlier...

No matter what jig you use, if you get the OF-1010, get the Festool 5mm bit with the 8mm shaft. It looks like a brad point drill bit, but it is a router bit and the hole from it is absolutely flawless...no matter how thin the veneer.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I use the Mafell DD-40P to drill my 5mm holes and it's great. Easy to dial-in your stating point, two holes/plunge, great power (The DD-40P is geared for more torque compared to the newer DDF-40), good dust collection, and for intermediate joinery I prefer the DD-40P to my old Domino 500. That being said, I have a OF-1010 for general smaller routing tasks, and a Domino 700 for larger joinery.

Regarding the Woodpeckers jig, I've found that you can use it with a OF-1010 and the appropriate guide bushing. In this capacity it's a decent compromise, where you get a versatile plunge router and an affordable starter-level drilling guide....

 

[Rick Herrick]

I think I will go with the WoodPecker shelf pin jig for now.  Unfortunately its out of stock at this time. 

 

[jeffinsgf]

Got a Woodcraft store near you? They usually have them. Woodcraft mail-order definitely does...I just checked.

 

[Rick Herrick]

Got one about 60 miles away so I just placed the order online.  I first tried Highland Hardware.  They had them in stock but were $8 more and $2 more shipping.  I asked them if they are bundling it different, why the $8 increase.  I got some gobbly-gook about they are a business and we have to do this and that.  What I got out of that was 'we have it, they don't, so deal with it'.  Very weird as I know HH is a family business that has been in Atlanta for over 40 years.  Just kind of surprised me.  Thanks for the pointer Jeff.

 

[Rick Herrick]

One caution I would note is that when you're using a template system other than the LR 32 (with the guide rail index), be absolutely certain to reference the starting holes from the same point (cabinet side top or bottom) or your holes will be slightly skewed making shelves wobble and drawers sit out of line with openings.

Yep, thanks for that.  I watched a few good videos yesterday.  This guy Eric, from the 'Poplar Shop' channel, has a good series on the LR-32.  He stressed a number of times of keeping track of where the top of your panel was and making sure you used the stops properly.  Good channel, good info.

 

[Rick Herrick]

No matter what jig you use, if you get the OF-1010, get the Festool 5mm bit with the 8mm shaft. It looks like a brad point drill bit, but it is a router bit and the hole from it is absolutely flawless...no matter how thin the veneer.

Is this the one you are referring too?

Festool 491066 Dowel Drill Router Bit, Hw 5X30mm

 

[jeffinsgf]

Is this the one you are referring too?

Festool 491066 Dowel Drill Router Bit, Hw 5X30mm

Yep. That's it. Great bit. I know you're hesitant about freehand routing, but I've used this to bore holes just lining it up on marks and plunging. It hasn't walked, scooted, torn-out or burned yet. I'll always use a guide of some kind when I can, but it doesn't act like most router bits when you can't.