Turning a Harbor Freight Workbench into a MFT with Dovetail Clamps

I finally got around to finishing my Harbor Freight Windsor workbench build. This is the same bench as the Yukon. I used the Micro Jig dovetail clamp system along with drilling dog holes evenly spaced. I used the Milescraft drill guide to get my holes evenly spaced and drilled at 90° angles. Below are some links to the tools I used and to some 3D files to print dogs for yourself.
Milescraft Drill Guide
amzn.to/3II8tnT
You can get the adaptor plate here. I have a couple of different dogs and a clamp so far.
www.printables...
This is the Microjig kit I bought
amzn.to/3MBs4qX
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[@tomburke3331]

I just wanted to send you a word of appreciation and encouragement for your channel. You are creating quality content and you seem to have a theme of innovation with being frugal on your tools/equipment investment. It’s a great combination because many beginning woodworkers get hung up on the high cost of tools/equipment to get started. Your channel is bound to grow. Keep up the good work.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for the comment. As a hobbyist, I don't need a tool that is designed for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, when I am only going to use it for an hour a year. That way, I can afford more different types of tools. Once I find a tool that I do use a lot, I can then spend more for a higher quality tool. Growing up in the country, we didn't have the option to buy tools but still needed to get the job done. If we needed a tool, we made it. I still build or modify a lot of my tools. I never thought I would have a KZbin channel. I had just posted a couple of videos I thought might help someone out. It does not show yet, but I have been putting in the effort to try and improve my videos. Building is much easier than videoing.

[@pokeba3299]

Using a pegboard as help to drill those MFT holes are really inspiring! You are a true engineer! Thanks very much for sharing.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you like it.

[@FranzStrasse]

@@ShopRamblings As I have been thinking about all the ways to drill regularly spaced holes like that I cannot believe I never saw this method before. It is genius and significantly cheaper than all the various jigs (e.g. Woodpecker) that you can buy. I don't watch many YT videos through all the way with the sound up but I did here. Thanks for sharing! (PS: I have lots of pegboard out in the garage...)

[@Microjig]

Nice use of the MATCHFIT system! Great Job.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks, I have several MicroJig tools. I think the jointing sled is the most useful. I have 3 different lengths. I was able to get rid of my joiner as the jigs take up much less room and work almost as well.

[@chuckgrumble5440]

yes it is

[@eliporter3980]

I'm new to woodworking and I was going to get this workbench but never considered you could be able to modify it. Once I gain the skill and confidence I'm going to make similar upgrades as you did. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ShopRamblings]

You can do it! I build my skills making shop furniture. Then, I have the confidence that I can build anything. If you need any help, just email me.

[@shopundertheoaks]

That's about the best design I've seen. Good job!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks

[@YTubeSDD]

Really clever idea to use the pegboard as a guide. Thanks for the video.

[@ShopRamblings]

Because the holes are 1" apart I have an idea of making some edge guides that are square but each side is offset a 1/4" more so you can quickly setup any distance from an edge.

[@michaelblossom6266]

Very slick! Couldn't see a use for the HF bench before now, but I may have to rethink that. Appreciate the print files as well, that's a huge help thanks.

[@ShopRamblings]

When I seen your video it reminded me that I had not uploaded the dog files to Thingiverse. I just put up the single, double, and corner dog in a 10mm and 17mm version. I also put up a clamp I just finished. I am printing it now but I am confident it will work. If not I will update it. I could have built a better bench from scratch but sometimes for me making the decision on dimensions and trying to design in every feature will delay me from ever starting. With this it gave me a starting point. One of the benches sat in the box for 6 months and it has been almost 18 months since I put the first one together but I believe this was the final modification. It sucks they raised the price on these. I caught them on sale for $120. Maybe they will go on sale for the holidays.

[@kellyoneal1675]

Thank you very much for letting me win your previous cutting board giveaway.

[@ShopRamblings]

I hope to do more in the future. This was my first one and was a learning experience.

[@NWGR]

Nice job! Pretty neat trick to use pegboard with the 3d printed base for the drilling guide.

[@ShopRamblings]

It worked really good. I will use that same system anytime I need equally spaced holes.

[@lynnmariejaquin6635]

Great build Robert!!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thank

[@sreevatsan]

This is an excellent video! Exactly what I was looking for - An example of 6-inch spaced dog holes and matchfit grooves on the same workbench top. 3d printed accessories are pretty cool and super functional! Well done!

[@ShopRamblings]

I am working on a video building a new table with all the lessons learned from the few years using this table.

[@sreevatsan]

@@ShopRamblings wow, that's amazing.. I'm looking forward to your new video!

[@sfurgas]

Very well done, thanks for the ideas.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you like them!

[@Spills51]

The harbor Freight bench has caught my eye more then ponce because of its price being on sale more then once for a $140. The one reason I never pulled the trigger was my local HF has a display model that has a giant crack running through like 35% of the tabletop lol Its hilarious too me that its still there after a month just showing everyone about the worst first impression any business can show 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂ That being said....Obviously cant expect miracles at that price point. At some point I may p/u on a sale again and modify it similar to what your doing. My old bench has dogholes running most of the table *(the first I have ever built) and man does it leave things like accuracy out the door haha I wish I would have run into your pegboard spacing trick prior...its a great idea and go figure I have pegboard hanging all over the place. I love woodworking....the little tricks people come up with like the pegboard idea you did is exactly what draws me to it day after day. TY FOR THE VID!

[@ShopRamblings]

I watch videos more to see how people do things than what they are doing most times. My buddy bought the first HF table. Between us, we have 4. 3 are the older ones sold as the Windsor. The last one is the Yukon. We have not had any issues with them cracking.

[@georgeeads8689]

Great idea.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you think so!

[@thehawkc]

Awesome, thanks !

[@ShopRamblings]

I am glad you like it. You should see the table now. The table is something I use everytime I am in the shop. When I work with nice tools it makes me want to do nicer work. That and the comments about how much I have spent on a HF table, I have replaced the drawer fronts and face with solid walnut. I add custom walnut drawer pulls. It make me feel good everytime I use it and that is worth it.

[@donreantillo2318]

Phenomenal video and build!!!! By any chace, do you sell the Milescraft Drill Guide peg board adaptor?

[@ShopRamblings]

Sorry for the delay. Send me an email to [e-mail]

[@MrMac1296]

I love this video and falls right in lime with what I am doing.... I do not have a printer but I am very interested in your Milescraft Drill Guide and the 90 degree and straight dog leg. Do you sell them?

[@ShopRamblings]

Email me [e-mail] and we might be able to work something out. I should sell things, but I just have never set up shipping.

[@DevonhallWoodworks]

I really like the upgrades you made to that bench. I'm curious, do you find you use the dovetail clamps more than the dog holes? Thanks for the great content.

[@ShopRamblings]

I really find I don't use either that often. When I do, I use the dog holes. With the dove tail, you can only clamp where there is a groove. With the dog holes, the clamps can rotate, so if where you need to clamp does not line up with a groove, you can still reach it.

[@affordablelaw]

I have the same HF bench and am interested in your mods but am concerned the top may be too weakened by the slots. Other KZbinrs have added a layer to the bottom to thicken it. Did you do that, and if not have you seen any indication of weakening?

[@ShopRamblings]

I did add add 3/4 plywood under the top. The table is strong enough to hold several hundred pounds with no issues.

[@ishampeace4134]

When you printed your dog corners did you print them up side down. I am new to 3-d printing. I don’t seem to be having any luck with trying to print one as if it were set up to go down into the table.

[@ShopRamblings]

Sorry that they were a problem. I am new at uploading files for other people. Yes, you need to rotate the files. In the future, I will try to rotate the files before I upload them.