Need clamps that work on my festool mft table

[Greg Martin]

I have 2 festool clamps for my 20 mm mft table,but wont buy more at nearly 39.00 per clamp.rumors are that other manufactures that may make clamps that can work with a little modding.anyone done this? Thanks.

[David King]

Greg, do you mean something like these? https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWS5026-T ... 001J31PJM/
Looking at the question/answer section under the Dewalt clamps it seems like the Makita saw track clamps might also fit your Festool track.

[Greg Martin]

Similiar yes,but price is a put off,id like 4 more. Thanks

[Steve Sawyer]

Those DeWalt clamps work fine on the guide tracks, but won't fit through the holes in the MFT.

Greg - I sprung for two of those Festool quick-clamps (which ARE really nice) and two of the screw-clamps which are $42 to $54 per pair depending on length. Still outrageous, but not as outrageous as the quick-clamps. They work and fit the MFT.

[Mark Fogleman]

I'm not sure what you need to clamp but there 56 pages of Festool jigs, enhancements and aftermarket accessories here: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-j ... cessories/

If you just want to clamp something down to the table top you can use a quickclamp made with a removable head (the kind made to push and squeeze). Pull the removable head, insert the steel beam through the 20mm MFT dog hole and reattach the removable head under the table. Another option is to just remove the head of a regular quickclamp permanently and bend the bare end after heating up the steel bar with a gas torch into a 'L'. Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NzO7qjaNbk

Marius Hornberger has an excellent idea on making side clamping clamps with scrap plywood for CNC table tops. You would need to modify them to hold a 20mm dowel to fit the MFT dog holes. This is my next project. You can get 20mm Aluminum or cold rolled steel round stock from Speedy Metal, Online Metals or your local metal yard or scrap yard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-rqf4uSXRE

[Steve Sawyer]

I've also used cheap Columbian or Harbor Freight clamps. Grind or file off the little nubs at the end of the bar so you can remove the movable jaw, and slip the bar through the holes on the MFT. Drill a small hole and slip a bolt or cotter pin or dowel through the bar to keep the movable jaw from falling off.

[Greg Martin]

i like the idea of using the quick clamps but dont have a torch.i tried the propane torch i had but it doesnt get hot enough'
ill grab a couple HF clamps mod them to fit the 20mm mft hole thanks.

[David King]

MAP gas for your torch will get it red hot quickly or just a bigger torch head that puts out more BTUs.

[Greg Martin]

map is what i have didnt get hot enough,never red hot.maybe the tip i have for it is smaller than yours ,dont know.

[David King]

I'd try making a wooden foot with a mortice that fits tight and pop a steel rivet through it or just a stove bolt, but now your hours are adding up.

[Greg Martin]

great idea.