Are Dovetail Grooves Strong Enough for Microjig Dovetail Clamps? Let's Find Out!
Vložit
- čas přidán 4. 10. 2020
- In this video I test the strength of dovetail grooves when used with the Microjig matchfit dovetail clamps. I have used the microjig clamping system for a long time in my shop and I get a lot of questions on just how strong they really are. For the testing I used a few different testing methods and three types of wood to ensure we covered all the basis. Enjoy!
Follow: / penaltyboxwoodshop
Instagram: / penaltyboxwoodshop
Website: www.penaltyboxwoodshop.com/
List of all my tools: www.penaltyboxwoodshop.com/tools
List of tools used during this project:
Microjig Clamps: amzn.to/3lSTAC6
Microjig Dovetail Bit: amzn.to/2F1T3gg
Microjig Setup Gauge: amzn.to/2YWOQRO
Woodpeckers Router Table and Lift: amzn.to/2Eb7p9Y
Safety Start and Stop: amzn.to/2IH8hbS
Push Blocks: amzn.to/3jDXMn5
Armor Tool Bench: amzn.to/2IH85ta
Canon T6i DSLR: amzn.to/2EgiiHx
External Lavalier Microphone: amzn.to/32N91Tu
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3 Zoom Lens: amzn.to/2H1HaWw
![Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamps 8 months on [video 520]](/img/n.gif)
Awesome test! I think the ash failed because the failure plane should be about 45° which looks like it may have been in line with the grain direction. Had it been in the opposite direction, I bet it would have been stronger.
WARNING! I just built a workbench top using the Microjig 360 Workbench plans (which need improving). While doing so, I did experience dovetail groove failure when I left the clamp in a groove without it securing wood - dangling in the groove. I happened to brush against the clamp and the result was a broken groove - the wood split. No more clamping at that area of the dovetail groove. So, don't leave a dovetail clamp in a groove without having it pushed snug against the table or a piece of wood that you want clamped. I still love the dovetail clamp concept.
One thing different about your tests, and gives an unfair disadvantage to the MDF is that you did NOT clamp the material near the front, like you did for plywood and ash. I think it would have failed anyway, but you also gave advantage to the plywood and ash tests with that clamping scenario.
If you look at what you're clamping down on, it's the upper piece and not the piece the dovetail is in.
I can misuse anything to the point of failure. Take my first marriage, for example. The system was not designed to be used like a press. It is a clamp which uses moderate force to temporarily hold materials together. I am sure that you wont need to turn these down so hard that you break the dovetail groove or mark your wood surface with the pad. MIne work fine in MDF for light work and in void free ply for heaver applications. I would not use solid wood due to the greater potential for warping.
I think the second test may be the more accurate. If in the first tests the bottom metal of the clamp is touching the board it is holding down the only way to make the clamp fail is to crush the board. The clamp has to have a small gap between the board and the metal of the clamp. As an example, if you had a 1 inch dado in the bottom for the clamp to slide into. You could crank the clamp really hard but still just lift the hole assembly up. Hard to see if in the video there was always a small gap between the bottom metal piece and the clamped board. Thanks for the test but I am less impressed with my dove tail clamps.
Clamps holding down plywood were too close to center of plywood under test. They should have been placed at the furthest point from dovetail cut. Test should have included testing on a dovetail cut across ash wood grain.
Sorry to say that you are not comparing apples with apples, in that not each piece is clamped/held the same. All the hold downs are in different positions, giving a different perspective.
I'm kind of worried about building a Microjig workbench. It's an investment of time and money that can be accidently destroyed easily in one second. Got to take extra precautions. I really like it, though.
Most of my clamping is what you call unconventional. I don't use tracks at all - they are never where I want them. So when I need to clamp, I just drill a hole through the spoil board and use threaded inserts - the ones with the large disc and three prongs that bite into the wood. By putting one of those below I can drop an M8 screw through and wind it up as tight as I want. screws are far superior to clamps as they don't interfere with the movement of the CNC.
Just found this. I’ve been using the microjig system for a cpl years… while the routs are probably not going to fail outright like here, in MDF they do compress AND abrade over time and eventually get too sloppy to use. The solution is to make the clamping surface easily replaceable or use something like Baltic birch. In MDF I flood the channel w a cpl doses of thin CA glue which really does seem to help
I totally agree. Every situation I've seen where these fail are unconventional scenarios where someone just grabs one and pulls in a direction that's not 100% supported like where you had a huge gap between your work piece and the cleaning surface. I personally love the dovetail system
Thanks for this video! I had been wondering about the strength of this system and your tests really answer all my questions.
Love these tests in the name of science!! Glad I found this channel!
Great video! I've decided to go to this system for my shop. Now, after seeing this I won't have any concerns. Thanks!!!
Great test. Thank you for posting this video. It would be appreciated if you would do a head to head test comparing the strengths of the routed dovetails against aluminium t-track, routed t-track, or slots milled into the base.
Jess great to see your video and as always I learn something everytime I watch! This was a great test of MicroJig products and they are high quality as you just proved. My Microjig clamps & other products are an important element of my shop. I know these Vids are a lot of work and all I can say is thank you Jess! By the way I sent you an email last week would love to hear your comments on!
Great test.
Super interesting. Thanks for going to the effort to make this ❤
Great video. I always wondered how strong the dovetail joint clamp was and you now made me a believer! Thank you and I plan to buy these clamps and make a sliding table saw jig using them!