MFT Top DIY - Dowelmax in lieu of UJK

[Prizen]

I'm sure most here are aware of the Dowelmax dowel jigs. I've had mine for years and it's a great bit of kit.
Have a track saw on the way from dm tools and with tje UJK parf jig out of stock in Axminster, i thought that the Dowelmax would be a good alternative way of achieving what the UJK parf system does.

Any thoughts?

 

[Eric The Viking]

Er, perhaps read the several other threads on MFT systems?

And have a look at CNC Designs's products.

Like many tooling things (even hollows and rounds), they are part of a system, from which you only get the most when all parts can work together. Then things start to "sing in harmony".

Anybody can make a grid of holes if they are careful to keep errors to a minimum, but if you use non-standard spacing, hole diameters, material thicknesses, etc. you will lose some of the functionality.

Then there is cost: I couldn't make my MFT (CNC Designs) for anywhere near the cost of buying it ready made. And I have a reasonable guarantee that it does what it should. If I make a mistake in my design (because I'm building a prototype), it's my problem and my time and materials wasted.

I'd not heard of Dowelmax by the way, but Googling indicates it's another dowel jig - there are so many out there. I can't see quite how that would help you, but hey.

Everyone's view differs...

E.

 

[marcros]

Er, perhaps read the several other threads on MFT systems?

And have a look at CNC Designs's products.

Like many tooling things (even hollows and rounds), they are part of a system, from which you only get the most when all parts can work together. Then things start to "sing in harmony".

Anybody can make a grid of holes if they are careful to keep errors to a minimum, but if you use non-standard spacing, hole diameters, material thicknesses, etc. you will lose some of the functionality.

Then there is cost: I couldn't make my MFT (CNC Designs) for anywhere near the cost of buying it ready made. And I have a reasonable guarantee that it does what it should. If I make a mistake in my design (because I'm building a prototype), it's my problem and my time and materials wasted.

I'd not heard of Dowelmax by the way, but Googling indicates it's another dowel jig - there are so many out there. I can't see quite how that would help you, but hey.

Everyone's view differs...

E.

+1 on all points.

 

[transatlantic]

Can't really see the justifcation for buying the parf guide system. So much easier to just buy a premade top.

If I really wanted a custom sized top, I would go with this (router template) as it seems a whole lot easier. But have tried neither options ( I bought a premade one), so no experience.

https://www.cncdesign.co.uk/pro-jig-rep ... p-top.html

Edit : On second thoughts, I guess the one I linked to would have more accumilated error than the PARF guide system?