Author Topic: MFT hole plugs - 3D printed (Read 3710 times)

anthonyz · « **on:** September 12, 2023, 01:06 PM »

I was checking out the Bench Dog MFT plugs which are really nice, but my MFT table I built has 164 holes and at about $1 or more each, a costly venture, so I made a 3d printed version and saved myself a lot of $$$. These do require you to use the UJK or Bench Dog chamfer tool to have these sit flush, but they work great. You can download the file at Thingiverse. I am gluing in a nut on the underside so they easily are removed with a magnet. Works great. File at: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6214143

jonnyrocket · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2023, 02:39 PM »

Nicely done! Thank you for sharing the design file!

cdconey · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2023, 05:28 PM »

great idea. how difficult would it be to print a threaded stud on the underside for the nut?

squall_line · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2023, 09:42 PM »

Quote from: cdconey on September 12, 2023, 05:28 PM

great idea. how difficult would it be to print a threaded stud on the underside for the nut?

You probably don't even need to worry about threading if you size it right, especially if it's intended to be there just for magnetism's sake.

For that matter, a washer and a dab of CA glue would probably do the trick just the same.

Capt'n 360 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2023, 03:10 PM »

What a great idea. Now I just need to get a 3D printer. Roughly how much did the material cost per plug?

Crazyraceguy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2023, 05:57 PM »

With 325 holes in mine, I have never thought about plugging them? I can see the utility. You do have to be careful when working around that many holes. Things fall through, anything pointed will catch and you have to be aware of your fingertips when sliding things, but you get used to it.
I did add a 32" extension a couple of years ago and left it blank. There have been a few times where they would have been nice, but it's right over my hardware drawer and I want to keep the debris out.

Francis_Beland · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2023, 11:39 AM »

That's a great idea. May I suggest something? You should model it to friction fit the nut so no glue will be required.

MCS-Todd · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2023, 11:08 PM »

Quote from: Francis_Beland on September 14, 2023, 11:39 AM

That's a great idea. May I suggest something? You should model it to friction fit the nut so no glue will be required.

If I am reading it correctly, with the chamfer, the piece will sit flush to the top and have nothing protruding to grasp. He would not be using the nut as a hold down but as a way to use a magnet to lift the plastic printed cover out of the hole when needed to forgo the need to reach under and push/pop them up to remove them.

Snackattacker · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2023, 12:47 AM »

Correct. He's saying it should have a tight hexagon shape, then you just wedge a nut into that and then the magnet can attract it from above to lift it out. The nut is nothing more than an attractive chunk of metal for the magnet. No need for any glue or a screw down if the nut can just wedge into the piece.

gnlman · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2023, 08:20 AM »

Hi. Thanks for the file. I have seen various dog type accessories that require the dog holes to be chamfered. Does chamfering the holes have any down sides? I have a few different types of dogs, (Qwas, TSO Lee Valley ect) but my go to dogs are the Qwas dogs. does anyone know if chamfering the holes will cause any issues with Qwas dogs or just regular dogs.
Thanks, Greg

mattgam · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2023, 01:32 PM »

I just wanted to put in my thanks for the file. I printed out a batch of these and they fit great.

Francis_Beland · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2023, 11:48 AM »

I did the remix to allow a friction fit 8-32 nut to be inserted without requiring any glue: https://www.printables.com/model/587215-mft-table-plug

Snackattacker · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2023, 12:27 PM »

The Bamboo printers allow you to insert a pause in the slicing process so that the extruder will move, allow you to drop in a bolt, then you can resume and it will be fully embedded. I'm going to try this method once I get my MFT table finished up.

Francis_Beland · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2023, 02:01 PM »

This is another option but the friction fit should be enough. I used that embed technique and it works really well.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2023, 06:37 PM »

Quote from: Francis_Beland on September 19, 2023, 11:48 AM

I did the remix to allow a friction fit 8-32 nut to be inserted without requiring any glue: https://www.printables.com/model/587215-mft-table-plug

Thanks! Printing some now.

RMW

festal · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2023, 07:07 AM »

oh nice. time to print.
Hmm which nuts are magnetic? zinc and stainless are not

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2023, 08:47 AM »

I printed a dozen in ~4 hours, 20% fill with a large raft. Cheapo Ender printer.

Zinc plated should work, it's just coated steel.

RMW

Ralph Mignano · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2023, 02:17 AM »

If you want a link to the original MFT Magnetic plugs here is is.

Glad you liked our product enough to reproduce. I’ve seen others with a small hole in the middle so a can be picked out instead of a magnet

https://benchdogs.co.uk/products/mft-plugs-magnetic-stainless-steel?_pos=1&_sid=a211c783f&_ss=r

Packard · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2023, 09:45 AM »

Someone would have to check dimensions, but I think bicycle handlebar end caps/plugs would fit.

The ones I used on my racing bicycle was from rubber and had a screw in the center. As I tightened the screw, it grew in diameter to make a tight fit.

Some of the molded pieces are very cheap.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle%20handlebar%20end%20plugs&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m

festal · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2023, 08:02 AM »

What chamfer tool do people prefer? Benchodgs.uk one or UJK one?

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2023, 10:08 AM »

I have the UJK tool, it's fine but works best in MDF.

My go-to is a cheap Ryobi cordless palm router that I keep setup with a piloted chamfer bit.

RMW

festal · « **Reply #21 on:** September 23, 2023, 03:10 PM »

Quote from: Richard/RMW on September 23, 2023, 10:08 AM

I have the UJK tool, it's fine but works best in MDF.

My go-to is a cheap Ryobi cordless palm router that I keep setup with a piloted chamfer bit.

RMW

Thats an option as well. Is your UJK the combo chamfer/reamer or just chamfer?

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #22 on:** September 23, 2023, 03:27 PM »

Quote from: festal on September 23, 2023, 03:10 PM

Quote from: Richard/RMW on September 23, 2023, 10:08 AM
I have the UJK tool, it's fine but works best in MDF.

My go-to is a cheap Ryobi cordless palm router that I keep setup with a piloted chamfer bit.

RMW

Thats an option as well. Is your UJK the combo chamfer/reamer or just chamfer?

Just the chamfer, I've had the Parf kit since the early days. I do ream all the dog holes, just seperately.

My experience, slightly loose holes are fine if chamfered and using the chamfer dogs. The chamfer tends to self center the dog so if it's secured from below or an expanding type dog the hole doesn't need to be as tight.

RMW

ghhsolutions · « **Reply #23 on:** September 23, 2023, 05:37 PM »

Quote from: festal on September 23, 2023, 08:02 AM

What chamfer tool do people prefer? Benchodgs.uk one or UJK one?

I have the Benchdogs one (never used the UJK one) and it works great on MDF but tends to tear end grain on birch ply so I use a chamfer bit in a router for that.

festal · « **Reply #24 on:** September 24, 2023, 08:51 AM »

First batch is baking

fritter63 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 27, 2023, 12:03 AM »

Quote from: Ralph Mignano on September 22, 2023, 02:17 AM

If you want a link to the original MFT Magnetic plugs here is is.

Glad you liked our product enough to reproduce. I’ve seen others with a small hole in the middle so a can be picked out instead of a magnet

https://benchdogs.co.uk/products/mft-plugs-magnetic-stainless-steel?_pos=1&_sid=a211c783f&_ss=r

I've got a bunch of these for the front beam only of my double torsion box/beam workbench. They're awesome, will be better when I learn to NOT VACUUM UP SAWDUST from the bench.....