How to make Festool clamps fit Microjig Matchfit dovetails
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2022
- The Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamp kit isn't compatible with clamps made by Festool and others. WHY NOT????
It doesn't have to be that way - lets fix it with one simple change.
#Festool
#Microjig
#matchfit
#workshopbuild
#woodworking
#MFT
#clamping
#T-slot
Featured/mentioned in this video:-
Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamp Pro kit -
WoodworkersWorkshop UK
woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/mic...
Amazon UK
www.amazon.co.uk/Microjig-DVC...
Amazon US
www.amazon.com/MICRO-JIG-DVC-...
Leigh Dovetail Cutter and compatible - 8mm shank
www.axminstertools.com/leigh-...
Axcaliber straight cutter - 8mm shank
www.axminstertools.com/axcali...
Leigh-compatible Dovetail Cutter - 8mm shank (available in different cutter angles)
www.axminstertools.com/axcali... 
Хобби
![Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamps 8 months on [video 520]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/02Up8x6Zy00/mqdefault.jpg)
![Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamps 8 months on [video 520]](/img/tr.png)
The update video is now live. Check it out at ruclips.net/video/T5jPeXPSsQU/видео.html to see how it ended up.
Love to see UK based woodworking videos . Brilliant video thanks
Interesting video, thanks for sharing.
Non-14 degree degree dovetails will only work with our MATCHFIT Clamps if you go much deeper than the 3/8" (9.5mm) that we recommend as shown in the video. This leaves very little stock under the grooves. Also, the angles between the slot and that dovetail head do not match so the hold is not fitted well. There will be a chance of the clamp head sliding.
The entire point of our MATCHFIT system was so you do not need to buy expensive T-track. We NEVER looked to work with other systems, since we cannot control their dimensional stability or changes to other company's designs.
Our MATCHFIT system works with ANY 1/2" wide, 14 degree dovetail bit. We chose that shape because it is so common. Pretty much every manufacturer make a version of it. Our goal was to let YOU put a clamp, anywhere you can cut the groove. And we have hardware that matches.
It is impossible for us to have made a clamp head that would fit every possible track saw slot. ALL of them are different. The Festool is a two-step rectangular profile. Our clamp head would only be in contact with that profile at the sharp corners of the step, where all of the clamping force would be applied. So if someone were to clamp a dovetail into it too hard and damage the aluminum extrusion, we would get blamed for that.
Hi and thanks for sharing your rationale. Really appreciated. I absolutely get where you are coming from and the challenges you face.
The reason I wanted to develop the solution to better align with my personal circumstances was because I could see the potential of the MATCHFIT system. If not, I wouldn't have tried to "improve" on it - I would have just relegated it to a more niche role.
Have you seen my follow up video ? It's at ruclips.net/video/T5jPeXPSsQU/видео.html if not. The reason I ask is that I was also wishing to try a lower cut depth and a cutter near to 14 degrees and achieved it.
I ended up using a 10 degree cutter ( www.axminstertools.com/axcaliber-dovetail-cutter-d-12-7mm-x-20-96mm-k-8-leigh-no-80-8-s-8mm-952405 ) but found I could use your guide to set the cut depth. It gave me slots cut to 9.6mm depth, so no deeper than those cut using the 14-degree cutter.
The slots as cut with the 10-degree cutter are a little snug for the Festool clamps, but the plywood I cut the slots into allowed me to very easily and quickly adjust them and I ended up with the best of both worlds - the right depth of cut and Festool clamp compatibility.
I get that you are not able to second guess what other manufacturers do with their products, but many people do have alternative clamps and would find the MATCHFIT solution even more beneficial if it worked with those clamps.
Certainly I'm very happy with my end result and have had no issues - probably because the top slot is supported by the material being clamped. But of course I only have to please me, although I am happy to share my findings with anyone who might find it helpful, including yourselves.
But it is up to each person to decide for themselves if it is suitable for their circumstances, as I am not guaranteeing the solution, only offering the possibility.
Again thanks for your feedback. I do like and continue to use the MATCHFIT system, just with a 10 degree cutter as it suits me better.
Hadn’t thought of trying my festool clamps in the micro jig slots, but why not! I would also watch the 10 degree cutter experiment with interest.
Hi
Glad you like the idea. Thanks.
The follow up 10 degree video is up on the channel now under the title "Best way to fit Festool clamps in Microjig Matchfit dovetails".
The direct link is ruclips.net/video/T5jPeXPSsQU/видео.html
Have a look and let me know what you think.
First time I've heard an Alfred, Lord Tennyson reference in a woodworking channel. So posh!
I can no other answer make but thanks and thanks and ever thanks 😁
I’m also interested to see if the ten degree cutter would work. Hopefully it would leave more material below the dovetail.
A few people have mentioned this, so I will get hold of one and test it.
Super detailed and terse look under the hood of a very practical and valuable hack. Thank you! Subscribed. Like others, I will follow up right now to your 10 degree DT bit test video. (For some of my applications, the reduced material thickness left under the dovetail are of concern, e.g. slots milled into the vertical walls of box beam bench tops.)
Thanks Michael! welcome to the channel. I must admit, the reduced thickness was playing on my mind as well, which is why I pursued the other cutters.
@@roughcutprince I'm revving my engine to make an integrated set of graduated on site work platforms and benches that will work together as a lego set. How many, which ones, and how the components are deployed will pend the scope and type of work to be done. Components will be connectable to one another both vertically and horizontally, including both side by side and end-,joined. All will have 20 mm hole grid (I bought Parf system tool), some with additional T-slot extrusions, and some with your version of modified Matchfit slots. The interchangeability you achieved in your experiments solves my problem exactly, as I don't believe it is possible for a T-slot extrusion to be designed to capture the Festool/Bessey clamps and leave even as much as 1/4" of 3/4" material in tact.
Thank you again for the time and effort you put in to share your discoveries. I innovate a lot, but selfishly don't take time to post much.
Good call mate. I'd like to see the update.
Hi Ivan. Thanks. The update video is available now. It's at ruclips.net/video/T5jPeXPSsQU/видео.html
I’m interested in an update with the 10 degree cutter.
Thanks. I’ll look into it
What brand is the red clamp [the third one] is it a T-slot?
Cheers
Hi. Yes it is a t-slot. It is a UJK Cam lock hold down clamp from Axminster tools.
Why just doesn’t use keyhole router bit?
Unfortunately the height and profile of the clamps and the keyhole router bit are completely different.
@@roughcutprince That is what we call imperial measurements problem. Because I have perfect keyhole router bit in metric measurements, that fits with Festool clamp. And that's because Festool is EU based company of course.
@@casteliero now that’s very interesting. Mine doesn’t let the clamps fit. Do you have a name or part number of the bit you use ? I’d like to check it out.
My thoughts exactly: this way you can stay in the Festool/Bessey universe and can be certain that the clamp/slot interface has a defined force/surface area that ensures very little wear and yet secure parts safely. Konical mating surfaces need to be matching precisely and using a t-slot clamp in a conical groove can always be only a short-term hack as the groove will wear out/deform rather quickly.