Shelf pins, drawer slides, LR-32

[Michael Kellough]

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.

Woodpeckers is a business too, and you can buy one from them today via Amazon for $10 more than the listed price at Woodpeck.com

 

[Rick Herrick]

Woodpeckers is a business too, and you can buy one from them today via Amazon for $10 more than the listed price at Woodpeck.com

That $10 higher price at Amazon includes shipping.  I use Amazon every single day of my life.  They have always added shipping into the price (on certain types of products) and then call it free shipping.  I understand that.  The good thing about that is if I don't like the product, or its defective in some way, I get the entire amount back.  I don't lose the initial shipping charge.  But both Woodpeckers and Woodcraft sell the product for $77 and then add roughly $10 in shipping, which seems like the normal way to do things.  When buying from HH though, you pay $85 for the product and then about $11 shipping adding up to higher cost all around.  All I wanted to know from HH was why they charged more.  Its a fair question.  Their answer was, I don't even know what to call it.  Either way, I have taken this thread off point so we can stop talking about the vendors.  Apologies to all.

 

[Coen]

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.

And for through holes they have the 491064; only in 5mm in this version.

The normal ones are available in 3,5,6,8 and 10mm

 

[gdjenkins10]

Rick - for what it's worth...  I used to own a big commercial shop.  I had a 21-spindle line boring machine.  It was great and fast.  I've also done line boring with the drill press, shelf pin jigs and the Festool LS32.

By far the LR32 produces the best results - I love it for hobby use.  It is a worthy contender for light commercial use as well.  The holes are super clean and the spacing is perfect. 

The question become whether to use the OF 1010 or 1400 router.  I chose the 1400 as it has more power and a 1/2" collet so it's more versatile given my router bit collection.  If I had money to blow, I'd pick up the 1010 for line boring as it's lighter and handles better.  If you read this forum, when asked which ONE router to buy for LR32, most will answer 1400.

I am fortunate to have 2 LR32 sets. One with a 1400 and other with 1010. For doing a lot of holes, I prefer 1010.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=72312]Rick Herrick[/member] - the questions you ask are the reason we added Bob Lang's book "THE COMPLETE Kitchen Cabinetmaker" to our list of helpful resources.https://tsoproducts.com/books/  $ 19.95  and free shipping and money back guarantee.

You might also find our Syscart Plans helpful.https://tsoproducts.com/plans-drawings/tsc-90-systainer-cart-plan-set/

This 17 page (!) plan set is very meticulously dimensioned and makes a great LR-32 dimensioning reference, regardless whether you build this cabinet now, later or never.

This thread would not be complete without mentioning The Poplar Shop and his series on building kitchen cabinets where he explains using the LR-32 System in  "Building Kitchen Cabinets part 5: Drilling adjustable shelf pin holes."

Like many worthwhile things in life, there is a learning curve. But we find the 32mm System really useful and I would not want to go back to reinventing cabinet proportions everytime I want to build something.

Hans

 

[jeh]

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.

Everyone has their personal preferences on tools and brands. I would not get too caught up in a Dominos versus Dowell's if that is your concern. Both have their pluses and minuses in terms of strengths. There are comparisons that can be found that also includes biscuits. I've tried numerous shelf pin hole pin drilling gadgets short of line boring setup and have found the Mafell to be the easiest to do with the least thinking and setup. I originally bought it specifically for shelf pin holes and after trying out the joining capabilities sold my Domino, as I did not see any advantages that made it worth keeping and I was not using it. 

Everyone has their opinions and mine is to look outside of Festool for other brands that offer different and/or better tools for certain jobs. The LR32 kit and a holey rail looks like an easy choice until you realize you will have spent north of $600 (assuming you do not have a rail) for an overly complicated with no tolerance for placement errors. If you do go that way and don't use it regularly, practice on scraps before a final piece each time. The slightest error results in a thrown away board.

 

[Rick Herrick]

You might also find our Syscart Plans helpful.https://tsoproducts.com/plans-drawings/tsc-90-systainer-cart-plan-set/

This 17 page (!) plan set is very meticulously dimensioned and makes a great LR-32 dimensioning reference, regardless whether you build this cabinet now, later or never.

This thread would not be complete without mentioning The Poplar Shop and his series on building kitchen cabinets where he explains using the LR-32 System in  "Building Kitchen Cabinets part 5: Drilling adjustable shelf pin holes."

Thanks Hans.  I may order your Syscart plan.  There are images all over the internet with this type of information but having one solid reference would be good.  I wish I had this info before I finished my work bench.  For some reason I had 16" on the brain instead of the required 16-13/16".  I guess some folks just sit their sustainers in the 16" opening but I am finding the SysCart/Port option much nicer.  Live and learn.

I am familiar with the Poplar Shop.  I really like his videos.  I got half way through the LR-32 set but got side tracked.  After reading a lot info here and on the web I need to step back.  I don't plan on going full 'LR-32' at this time (even though I just received a used 42" holey rail).  I am a rookie and I don't do this for a living so I will take it a bit slower.  Heck, the Kreg shelf pin jig works for what I have been doing, I just hate the crappy holes their bits give.  Appreciate the help. 

Rick

 

[Rick Herrick]

Everyone has their personal preferences on tools and brands. I would not get too caught up in a Dominos versus Dowell's if that is your concern. Both have their pluses and minuses in terms of strengths. There are comparisons that can be found that also includes biscuits. I've tried numerous shelf pin hole pin drilling gadgets short of line boring setup and have found the Mafell to be the easiest to do with the least thinking and setup. I originally bought it specifically for shelf pin holes and after trying out the joining capabilities sold my Domino, as I did not see any advantages that made it worth keeping and I was not using it. 

Everyone has their opinions and mine is to look outside of Festool for other brands that offer different and/or better tools for certain jobs. The LR32 kit and a holey rail looks like an easy choice until you realize you will have spent north of $600 (assuming you do not have a rail) for an overly complicated with no tolerance for placement errors. If you do go that way and don't use it regularly, practice on scraps before a final piece each time. The slightest error results in a thrown away board.

Hey Jim, thanks for sharing your experiences.  I still don't even have a Domino.  Its the first tool that got me interested in Festool.  Its not something I will use daily so it keeps moving down in the list (after saws, drills, sanders, vacuums...).  Also not pursuing the router/LR-32 thing right now.  I have 2 quality Dewalt routers and a couple options there so I need to focus on what I can do with what I already have.

These forums are great for getting information but they are also terrific for helping me keep me grounded in reality. 

 

[rmhinden]

https://tsoproducts.com/plans-drawings/tsc-90-systainer-cart-plan-set/

This 17 page (!) plan set is very meticulously dimensioned and makes a great LR-32 dimensioning reference, regardless whether you build this cabinet now, later or never.

I built a set of these, the plans were very helpful and well worth the minimum cost. 

Bob

 

[Rick Herrick]

I built a set of these, the plans were very helpful and well worth the minimum cost. 

Bob

Thanks Bob, glad to see a picture with regular slides and plywood bottom.  Now I have order the plans.. [smile]

 

[jeh]

Everyone has their personal preferences on tools and brands. I would not get too caught up in a Dominos versus Dowell's if that is your concern. Both have their pluses and minuses in terms of strengths. There are comparisons that can be found that also includes biscuits. I've tried numerous shelf pin hole pin drilling gadgets short of line boring setup and have found the Mafell to be the easiest to do with the least thinking and setup. I originally bought it specifically for shelf pin holes and after trying out the joining capabilities sold my Domino, as I did not see any advantages that made it worth keeping and I was not using it. 

Everyone has their opinions and mine is to look outside of Festool for other brands that offer different and/or better tools for certain jobs. The LR32 kit and a holey rail looks like an easy choice until you realize you will have spent north of $600 (assuming you do not have a rail) for an overly complicated with no tolerance for placement errors. If you do go that way and don't use it regularly, practice on scraps before a final piece each time. The slightest error results in a thrown away board.

Hey Jim, thanks for sharing your experiences.  I still don't even have a Domino.  Its the first tool that got me interested in Festool.  Its not something I will use daily so it keeps moving down in the list (after saws, drills, sanders, vacuums...).  Also not pursuing the router/LR-32 thing right now.  I have 2 quality Dewalt routers and a couple options there so I need to focus on what I can do with what I already have.

These forums are great for getting information but they are also terrific for helping me keep me grounded in reality.

Definitely slow your quest for tools if you are on a tear. They will always be there and will improve over time. I have quite a few of the DeWalt 60V cordless tools and am more than happy with them. No drills, but a router, mitre saw, jig saw, blower and impact wrench and am more than happy with their capabilities. The 60V system they have created is impressive. I use them frequently at locations where power is not readily accessible.

Enjoy yourself during the acquisition faze of your quest.