Steve,

I have a new idea you might want to consider. I'd like to have a knob for attaching kreg clamps to the MFT/3. The kreg clamps that are made for their clamping table. The clamp has a threaded hole in the bottom. Kreg puts a hardened steel bolt into the hole and the bolt head slides in the kreg track.

For the MFT/3... If you had a round knob, maybe 2 inches in diameter, then dropped down to 20mm diameter to fit up under the table up through the doghole, with a centered thread to screw up into the kreg clamp. (probably need a 2 inch round washer on top between the kreg clamp and the table top) The 20mm portion would be a little less in length than the thickness of the table so it would sandwich the table between the kreg clamp on top and the shoulder of the 2 inch knob on the bottom. It would be strong and quick to install, and the kreg clamps are really nice in my opinion to use... So what are your thoughts? Feasable?

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Wayne

Kapex, Domino, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/3, Deltex 93, 2 CT 33's, OF 1400, MFT/3...

Wayne, I think it is feasible. Do you what size the bolt is, 1/4 inch or 5/16 inch most likely?

I have made some Qwas Dogs that have a full 1 inch diameter shoulder instead of the normal 13/16 inch. The body could be trimmed down so it doesn't extend all the way through the MDF top. Then a hole drilled through the center of it and a new bolt passed through the hole to the clamp. Install the dog upside down (big shoulder on the bottom of the MDF top) and attach the clamp.

If it sounds good to you, PM me and I can make some demos.

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Steve Adams, Qwas Products

I would by these right now if you had them! Great idea!

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Scott Meek Woodworks
The Cabinetmaker's Window (My blog)

I'll have to check on the diameter of the bolt...looks like hardened steel 1/4 inch, but I'll check. I'm wondering if 1 inch diameter is large enough to get a nice grip. Knurled 2 inch diameter by 1 inch height would make a nice substancial knob to grip. Not sure how you would mount the threaded bolt to the knob.... I'll check the diameter in the am and let you know...

And phase two would be something similar to mount the kreg track so your clamps could adjust up and down the rail and with two rails the dogs would keep a perfect 90 degree angle. Just more food for thought...

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Wayne

Kapex, Domino, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/3, Deltex 93, 2 CT 33's, OF 1400, MFT/3...

Okay Steve,

Number 1

The holes in the kreg clamps are 1/4X20X 1/2 inch in depth. The hardened bolts get tighter as you thread them like a lock nut. Probably so the will hold their position and not turn as you slide the clamp up and down the track. I don't think that feature is critical for this apllication although it would be nice. IE.. In case you did't tighten the clamp completely on the mft top, you could spin the clamp around and not worry about the screw backing out or snugging up. The odd thread is on the bolt I believe. The hole is standard 1/4-20. Also the bolt would need to protrude about 3/8 inch above the top of round washer setting on top of the table. In other words, you only have 1/2 inch depth of threads into the clamp so the protruding threads would have to be slightly less so you could clamp tight on the top before the bolt bottomed out. (remembering the thickness of a large round washer that would go between the table top and the kreg clamp) So I'd say about 3/8 inch protusion above the washer. I'd use a large washer, maybe 2 inch dialmeterX 1/8 inch thick with a 1/4 inch hole. You could use the same on the bottom with a 20mm hole in it to increase the size of the shoulder that squeezes against the MDF. Actually, with a the right thickness washer on the bottom, maybe the dogs you have wouldn't need shortened. The washer thickness on the bottom may drop the top of the dog down below the table to surface. Hopefully this makes sense to you... since I don't have a picture...I had to use a thousand words....

Number 2

Also, It might be good to make dogs to hold a piece of Kreg track on the table. (although the kreg rail/tracks are expensive) Like your rail dogs only with knobs on the bottom to secure the track like described above. Then your clamps would adjust anywhere on the track, the track would act as a fence and two fence/tracks could be positioned at 90 degrees apart. I'll have to look at the bottom of the rails to see the best way to attach them.

I think both systems would be useful.

#1 is cheaper, all you need to buy are the clamps. Also quick, spin on one knob and your ready to clamp... but they are limited to clamping only in the dog holes. This would be fine most of the time.

#2 would be more expensive (buying clamps and kreg tracks). It would take a little more time to clamp on, IE two knobs per track. However it would be much more versitile and adustable.

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Wayne

Kapex, Domino, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/3, Deltex 93, 2 CT 33's, OF 1400, MFT/3...

Just to be sure we are on the same page, something like this?



For lack of a better name, I'll call it a Clamp Dog. Wouldn't it work with the clamp and with the track? Use the washer with the clamp and no washer with the track.

I would like to have a press fit with the screw so it doesn't fall out while attaching it from underneath the table but I don't have the right size drill bit or a boring bar small enough. I should be able to glue it in.

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Steve Adams, Qwas Products

I'll take 2.

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Fullerbuilt
Fine Carpentry for Custom Interiors
www.fullerbuilt.com

Ditto. I could use a couple.

Thats looking close Steve! I think the kreg rails have two tracks on the bottom, one on each edge. would be better to center the clamp dog. I'll have to look at it a little closer to see. Would be nice if it registered perfectly parallel with the dog holes... similar to the rail dogs lining up the edge of the rail. might have to drill and tap the bottol of the kreg track to make it work, im not sure.

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Wayne

Kapex, Domino, Trion PS 300, RO 150, ETS 150/3, Deltex 93, 2 CT 33's, OF 1400, MFT/3...

Looks like I have 8 sold without having to put a price on them!

I will sell them $10 each plus $5 shipping for each order. Since Wayne came up with the idea, I will give you 2 free just cover my shipping fee. I will be making them later this week.


I have limited stock to work with. I think I have enough to make 15-20 of them. So it will be first come first served. PM me with your order and I will give you the payment details.

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Steve Adams, Qwas Products