Tool Improvements Fence Dogs

[rrmccabe]

I had asked John (Tool Improvements) about locking down the fence with a custom dog about a week ago.

Since thing I rigged something together that works pretty well.   But I see on Ebay he has something new.

Might have to step up to a set.

Ebay auctionEbay auction for the new dog.

Really enjoying the dogs I bought from him. Have a new love for my 1080 table.

 

[panelchat]

nice! i've been drawing up something like this- he beat me to it! maybe its time to get a lathe/milling machine setup. except there's no systainer for such tools [blink]
hopefully these will have a big production run.

 

[sicd_steve]

Great idea simple as well, I have had steel dogs made up but that a great idea. I suggest using a threaded knob for the underside rather than a bolt there are plenty of cheap ones on the market and makes it easier to install with one hand under the bench rather than a wrench. But great idea again

 

[moody]

I want one of those, wonder why they are not available directly from his site though?

 

[rmwarren]

I want one of those, wonder why they are not available directly from his site though?

I suspect those are prototypes John made and he is testing the market on eBay. Best to email him, or PM him on the FOG. He is great to work with.

As sicd_steve stated, I think a tapped 8mm hole in the bottom would be preferable to the threads and big nut. 8MM would fit the knobs from the Festool clamping elements.

Other than that they will be really handy to have.

RMW

 

[John2532]

Hi guys, Sorry for not checking earlier. 

The lock-dogs are still in the prototype stage and the hold-down nut could certainly morph into something different.  My original thought was to find something like a M20 thumb-nut, but nothing popped up.  The nuts that I did find work well and you can get enough leverage on them without a wrench to hold the dog secure, but I can see the advantage of using the Festool M8 knob.  I personally don't have any of those knobs so they didn't come to mind initially, I'll order a set and see how it all pans out.  Thanks for all of the input!

John

 

[fastbike]

I'd really rather not pay a premium for a Festool knob. If it comes the that, I'd rather the inside was threaded for 5/16, M8 or similar so I could use a wider variety of knobs.

 

[Alan m]

loads of mft users have the clamping eliments. and never use the knobs from those.
ron wen taped the hole in the dominoplate to use those knobs.
i have several knobs of similar design that work perfectly with the domino plate.
i would stick to that thread pattern so that everything is easily swaped

 

[rmwarren]

Hi guys, Sorry for not checking earlier. 

The lock-dogs are still in the prototype stage and the hold-down nut could certainly morph into something different.  My original thought was to find something like a M20 thumb-nut, but nothing popped up.  The nuts that I did find work well and you can get enough leverage on them without a wrench to hold the dog secure, but I can see the advantage of using the Festool M8 knob.  I personally don't have any of those knobs so they didn't come to mind initially, I'll order a set and see how it all pans out.  Thanks for all of the input!

John

John - I have some M8 thumb screws left over from the Rip Dogs that I will send you to test them with. In the mail today.

RMW

 

[rrmccabe]

John I would be happy with a threaded stud fastened with a simple plastic knob.

Lots of options if the dog just had threads !

 

[moody]

I agree, tapped 8mm hole in the bottom and I'm ordering right away!

 

[rustym]

I'd like to see 5/16 threaded hole, there are really good star knobs from Woodpecker that would be perfect for these.

Rusty

 

[fastbike]

I have a set of what might be one of the prototype variations and can say that they do exactly what you expect. Perfect fit in my MFT/3. Works with the factory fence, Incra T-track plus, and 8020 extrusions in both 1010 and 1515 profiles. Probably work with the metric 8020. but I don't have any in the shop to test.

This set has the 20mm nut, which is easily hand tightened to give a rock solid fence. No need to spend a couple of nice knobs that my never be moved.

 

[Tinker]

I picked a pair of the REGULAR (pedigreed) dogs, a pair of the low profile (mutts) and a pair of lock(working) dogs (that you don't build fences to hold them in, but they hod the fences).  I have just set up my old style fence from my MFT 1080.  They also work with the newer fence from my MFT/3.
I haven't had chance to work with them, but if I can get rid of that overhanging tail of the MFT miter guage, they will be worth the trip to pick them up at the Tool Nut Kennels.

The only part I would like to see on all of the dogs is an extension like on RMW's dogs.  (Richard, keep me on your list)
the smaller dogs have holes but unthreaded. threads would be great so extensions can be added.
Tinker

 

[Tinker]

Just found some unexpected free time to set up the lock puppies.
I have, as a result, stored away my mitering fixture to be brought out only for setting angled cuts other than 90º.
With the lock dogs doing their job, i can now walk around my MFT without banging into either the tail of the fixture of my SCMS. ;D
It is like finding a whole new floor space  :.

Oh yeah, once tightened down, they hold the fence rock solid.
Tinker

 

[Rocky]

Where can these fence dogs be purchased?  Is there a link?

Thanks

 

[rrmccabe]

Where can these fence dogs be purchased?  Is there a link?

Thanks

http://toolimprovements.net/

 

[rmwarren]

I picked a pair of the REGULAR (pedigreed) dogs, a pair of the low profile (mutts) and a pair of lock(working) dogs (that you don't build fences to hold them in, but they hod the fences).  I have just set up my old style fence from my MFT 1080.  They also work with the newer fence from my MFT/3.
I haven't had chance to work with them, but if I can get rid of that overhanging tail of the MFT miter guage, they will be worth the trip to pick them up at the Tool Nut Kennels.

The only part I would like to see on all of the dogs is an extension like on RMW's dogs.  (Richard, keep me on your list)
the smaller dogs have holes but unthreaded. threads would be great so extensions can be added.
Tinker

Tinker - you are definitely "on my list"...  [poke]

Seriously though, I am moving glacially towards making another batch of the Rip Dogs, just need to replenish the kitty a bit more from the last project. There are a couple tweaks I want to make to the design that I have not had time to iron out.

Richard/RMW

 

[Tinker]

I picked a pair of the REGULAR (pedigreed) dogs, a pair of the low profile (mutts) and a pair of lock(working) dogs (that you don't build fences to hold them in, but they hod the fences).  I have just set up my old style fence from my MFT 1080.  They also work with the newer fence from my MFT/3.
I haven't had chance to work with them, but if I can get rid of that overhanging tail of the MFT miter guage, they will be worth the trip to pick them up at the Tool Nut Kennels.

The only part I would like to see on all of the dogs is an extension like on RMW's dogs.  (Richard, keep me on your list)
the smaller dogs have holes but unthreaded. threads would be great so extensions can be added.
Tinker

Tinker - you are definitely "on my list"...  [poke]

Seriously though, I am moving glacially towards making another batch of the Rip Dogs, just need to replenish the kitty a bit more from the last project. There are a couple tweaks I want to make to the design that I have not had time to iron out.

Richard/RMW

If your last project was the Rip Guides, you should know they work great.
With your guides and John's dogs & puppiies, I am already reducing some of the clutter over top of my work tables.
And the floor space has widened by not having appendages hanging out into air space all the time.
Thanks to you both, RMW and John @ Tool Improvement (via the Nuts @ ToolNut) for your imaginations.
Tinker

 

[rmwarren]

I picked a pair of the REGULAR (pedigreed) dogs, a pair of the low profile (mutts) and a pair of lock(working) dogs (that you don't build fences to hold them in, but they hod the fences).  I have just set up my old style fence from my MFT 1080.  They also work with the newer fence from my MFT/3.
I haven't had chance to work with them, but if I can get rid of that overhanging tail of the MFT miter guage, they will be worth the trip to pick them up at the Tool Nut Kennels.

The only part I would like to see on all of the dogs is an extension like on RMW's dogs.  (Richard, keep me on your list)
the smaller dogs have holes but unthreaded. threads would be great so extensions can be added.
Tinker

Tinker - you are definitely "on my list"...  [poke]

Seriously though, I am moving glacially towards making another batch of the Rip Dogs, just need to replenish the kitty a bit more from the last project. There are a couple tweaks I want to make to the design that I have not had time to iron out.

Richard/RMW

If your last project was the Rip Guides, you should know they work great.
With your guides and John's dogs & puppiies, I am already reducing some of the clutter over top of my work tables.
And the floor space has widened by not having appendages hanging out into air space all the time.
Thanks to you both, RMW and John @ Tool Improvement (via the Nuts @ ToolNut) for your imaginations.
Tinker

Thanks Tinker, glad they work for you.

One of the enhancements I wanted to add to the dogs is a bracket that serves a similar purpose to Johns new dog but attaches to the rip dog itself. Before I got sidetracked on the guides I handmade a set to play around with and I have not used the angle guide that comes with the MFT since. I actually have the angle unit and MFT guide fence hardware listed for sale in the FOG classifieds.

Here are a couple photos of the brackets:

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In use the bracket pulls the guide fence snug to the dogs assuring accurate 90 and 45 degree cuts. For any other angle I use the gadget that comes with the MFT (not sure what it is called) to lock the fence to the MFT rail. The same idea applies to John's dogs, use only one of them attached to the fence and use the MFT guide fence lock thingie to secure the other end of the fence.

Hopefully I can get back to these things in the summer, once I finish installing my office cabinets and refurbishing the shop post-Sandy.

RMW