8 Workshop Jigs Utilizing the Matchfit Dovetail Clamp System from Microjig

[@russveinot5754]

I didn't hear anything about the hold downs for the drill press fence. are those shop made? I am thinking about this product. I think it might be the next best thing since pocket holes :>) is it as strong as it looks in holding power? great video, Paul.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Three sets of little hold downs come with the Matchfit Pro package along with the dovetail bit and a measuring device. $90 (ouch). So far those dove tail channels appear to be very strong and able to accept quite a bit of stress from the clamps. Time will tell.

[@freddysflyz]

Great ideas - THANK YOU! I just ordered a set of these and the board straightener will be the first I make for my shop!

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Wonderful!

[@adammathis8784]

Thank you. I just bought the matchfit. Can’t wait to make the jigs.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I hope you keep getting better

[@oasisx27]

Just ordered a set of these clamps and am excited to give them a try. Those were some great ideas for uses for them, thanks!

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I must have purchased over 10 of them by now and keep using them for more and more things beyond what is shown in this video. So buy more and keep inventing used.

[@AutotechWoodworking]

I don't know why I didn't make this comment the first time I watched this video. Now I know how I'm going to make my circular saw guide; it will be a lot less expensive than all of the other options and ideas I've come up with.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Hey, glad I saved you some money!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I love all of these. This is great. I needed a jig to make some bevel cuts and have seen many jigs that are complicated. But your tall table saw fence will do EXACTLY what I need. And it's super simple. This was a very helpful video. I really love the drill press table too. I need to make one of the first you showed that I can use to make dado's using my smaller trim router.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Thanks for watching. I see your Channel is growing nicely - keep it up.,

[@damnrite811]

I love this guy lol

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Aw, shucks!

[@jerryhubbard4461]

As for the dovetail bit cuts, Microjig has a relief bit you can get that matched the dovetail bit so it makes a perfect groove. I have a quarter inch router and it does very well if you use the relief bit first.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I will look for that. I just use a 1/4 inch upcut bit to cut my first groove and then follow-up with my dovetail bit. Works great!

[@EarlStrassberger]

Wonderful explanations, thank you! Can I use any 3/4 inch plywood for the base? I saw one with a phenolic cover. Is that a good choice?

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I would certainly think so

[@billgerold5244]

Those are some nice jigs! Looking forward to seeing your take on the crossbar sled

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

It is going to be pretty small, light and will take advantage of doing my own dovetail slots vs buying T-track. Should be very functional!

[@TwistedWorkshop77]

Nice system. You can definitely find a lot of uses for it

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Thanks for commenting. Finding many uses already - loving the flexibility and have clamps out of way of power tools.

[@wingsley]

This is a neat little video. It should be Part 1 of a 2 (or more) part series. Part 2 (and beyond?) should demonstrate these jigs in action to show how they work, all of their features, and how valuable they can be. One issue I see with this MicroJig hardware, especially for woodworkers/carpenters who may take them on-the-road to work at various sites away from home: how do you store and organize all of those little items in a mobile container to protect them from the elements and to keep from loosing them?

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Actually, I am planning on a longer "Everything you need to know about Matchfit Dovetail Clamps and the jigs you can make from them." Quite a number of videos being planned so not sure when I will do this one. Probably after my PopUp Workbench has been released because it makes heavy use of dovetail grooves as well. For things in a mobile container, I will leave that to Ron Paulk. See his Channel.

[@rcgolf1505]

A suggestion to cut that 1/4 x3/16 deep grove would be on a table saw with a dato blade. Easy peasy

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Now that is an interesting concept - guess a whole bunch of initial grooves could be done quickly this way using the table saw fence. Now if I can only remember your tip next time I want to cut some dovetail grooves. Great Idea!

[@stratlix1]

Thanks for the really informative video and review of the clamps and installation. I’ll be adding these to my Amazon weish list. Thanks for the great videos!! Dave Henderson

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

When you are ready to buy would you consider using the link under one of my videos that would be much appreciated

[@stratlix1]

Small Workshop Guy sure will!

[@dscritter614]

U b the matchfit dude! Thx 4 the vid.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Yep I love em

[@Daviddear30]

Awesome video. Just subscribed 💪

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Thanks for subbing

[@richardc6932]

What is the quality of the 1/2” shank dovetail bit from Microjig ? I am concerned as to how this bit will last before it requires sharpening. Once sharpened the clearance changes.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I have hand sharpened mine twice and clamps still work

[@theancientsky]

I'd think that using two routers, one with each bit in them would be a good solution. You run the 1/4" straight bit, then without moving your straight edge run the dovetail bit for each and every slot. I wasn't sure if you tried that and it still didn't work based on what you said, but it seems like that would be a good way to do it.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Oh, I definitely use two routers - I keep the quarter inch bit in a Bosch Colt and the dovetail bit in a 1/2 collet larger Bosch router. The problem is the distance from the edge guide to where the bit cuts is different for each router so your method would not work. However if you bought two identical routers, it would work almost - actually you need to move the track over 1/8 of an inch to center the second cut on the first cut.

[@theancientsky]

@@SmallWorkshopGuy Oh I see. I was imaging two of the same router, but if you're using two different models, the center of the bit will obviously not line up.

[@ronaldososa1975]

Simplemente genial!!! - Saludos desde Argentina -

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

And hello to you in Argentina!

[@ron1martens]

I recently seen this design. It's pretty good. I was concerned the timber will not be strong enough for clamping purposes. I mean making a table out of mdf and running multiple 14• dovetail. I think it may be okay. Since I had my clamps stolen these festool type clamps are they easily obtainable and of a moderate price? Since I need to replace my festool type blades I know they are rather expensive. Great video, well done. I see you are similar to me you like the design and thought you will explore the possibilities. Thanks for the upload.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Yep, still exploring and building more and more things utilizing the Matchfit Dovetail Clamps.

[@TreeOfLifeWoodworking]

great video! thanks

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Very welcome - thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it!

[@pierregaudettte3736]

would it slide more easily if you put wax in the dovetails or would it be worse with it?

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

My experience is they slide worse - better to leave grooves naked. There is a science to how you tip them depending upon which way you are sliding them.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

The Microjig system kicks the T-tracks ass. Much much much cheaper and more versatile.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Well, I happen to agree. My Sawstallions (sawhorses on steroids) are one of the most versatile things in my workshop.

[@Rinksranch]

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Yes, indeed! Loved my time at the University - some of the best memories of my life so far, but hey, I am only 78 so lots of good memories still to be made.

[@williamhoward8319]

i have 3 1/4 hp router is that big enough

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I think that depends upon how hard of wood you are using for cutting the dovetail slot. Try it on a short piece of scrap wood and see if it feels like you are stressing your router and router bit to just do the one cut method. If it appears things are straining, the carefully cut you initial slot with a straight bit only part way down and ten get you guide set up so your dovetail bit is following the relief cut perfectly. Only downside is that you might have to do some chisel work to clean out any rought spots or places where your clamps are getting hung up. The clamps tend to be difficult to slide under the best of circumstances, so I slant them the right way depending upon which direction I am trying to slide them and I often nudge them along with gentle hammer taps.

[@darrellreed7044]

There isn’t a more powerful router made to my knowledge! I have a Triton TRA-001 mounted under my router table in the wing of my table saw

[@zapadeeboom]

I can't tell if the Amazon deal is one or two clamps for $45. Some responses say 1, some say 2. Also the technical desription on Amazon says Item Package Quantity 1 That's an EXPENSIVE clamp - ONE for $45.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

That is for a pair of clamps

[@hugereductions]

Many thanks... just wondering, is this mostly done with 3/4 inch plywood? Does your plywood stay perfectly flat? Thanks again.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Yes and yes