X-Roll Festool quick clamp adapter T nuts #diy
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DIY clamps - printed T-nut. I have seen a few wooden solutions and various pneumatic clamps and wanted to offer this solution for anyone desiring a low cost clamping option presuming one has access to a 3D printer. Material cost is around a dollar. I have found them very effective for cabinet sheet work when combined with a larger clamp that reaches over the fence such as the Felder one (annoying setup-mods in future posts) or the Macs version (on order thanks to the bad influences in this group). Glad to share the print file should anyone wish to try them out and plan on making another set for the square slot in the "miter" guide. The clamp already fits in the support arm as shown.
My first go was a scrap of 1/4" ply and a duct tape handle to slide it around. In the second iteration I cut? a notch out of the ply to hold the clamp vertical but it was still not a convenient assembly. Then came 2020, Covid and a news article covering a company in Europe (Prusa) who made 3d printers and was doing good for their town. A beverage or two, a credit card and a couple weeks later a printer kit arrived. Turns out no one wanted the printed face shields in my town so I made the one item I actually wanted that was perfectly suited for plastic. Free sliding plastic T-nuts fully capturing the Festool ratchet clamp holding it vertical and keeping it from scratching the T-slot. The "nut" can stay in the table and the clamp removed, or slid together as necessary. The snug fit allows for non binding and the upper nut surface is a mm or so below the table surface ensuring the work piece is pressed against the table when clamped. Any of the long time members or contributors think a #3D_Print would be prudent to create?? -- Mike B |
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On Jan 26, 2021, at 12:15 AM, Mike Bemis <Michaelsbemis@...> wrote:
?DIY clamps - printed T-nut. I have seen a few wooden solutions and various pneumatic clamps and wanted to offer this solution for anyone desiring a low cost clamping option presuming one has access to a 3D printer. Material cost is around a dollar. I have found them very effective for cabinet sheet work when combined with a larger clamp that reaches over the fence such as the Felder one (annoying setup-mods in future posts) or the Macs version (on order thanks to the bad influences in this group). Glad to share the print file should anyone wish to try them out and plan on making another set for the square slot in the "miter" guide. The clamp already fits in the support arm as shown. My first go was a scrap of 1/4" ply and a duct tape handle to slide it around. In the second iteration I cut? a notch out of the ply to hold the clamp vertical but it was still not a convenient assembly. Then came 2020, Covid and a news article covering a company in Europe (Prusa) who made 3d printers and was doing good for their town. A beverage or two, a credit card and a couple weeks later a printer kit arrived. Turns out no one wanted the printed face shields in my town so I made the one item I actually wanted that was perfectly suited for plastic. Free sliding plastic T-nuts fully capturing the Festool ratchet clamp holding it vertical and keeping it from scratching the T-slot. The "nut" can stay in the table and the clamp removed, or slid together as necessary. The snug fit allows for non binding and the upper nut surface is a mm or so below the table surface ensuring the work piece is pressed against the table when clamped. Any of the long time members or contributors think a #3D_Print would be prudent to create?? <Festool X roll T nut.jpg> <IMG_E5416.JPG> -- Mike B |
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Apologies for being a rookie - I should not have tried adding a hashtag to an existing message, it broke the thread so adding again here for continuity.?
Agree we could add a magnet if needed. For now they remain 100% printed.? 1. The existing version was made to fit my clamps and are friction fit....just right to separate when desired but do not fall apart. Manufacturing tolerances with both clamps and the print may make this hit or miss for others. 2. My idea had the fit not been so well matched would be to incorporate a bulge on one or both sides of the top notch to snap in the clamps recess. Its almost as if the clamp was designed for a ball catch.? 3. The radiused end does nothing, it was an experiment to see if square or round avoided binding with sawdust (an imagined potential issue).? They were printed in PLA with a gyroid infill for those having a go at it and were printed standing up with the notch at the top ensuring no overhangs in the print and making the bond layers perpendicular to the clamp force (Clamp would need to break through the pure extrusion and not separate a layer to fail). Choose your own number of layers, etc. The length was modified a few times so two can be used facing each other holding a narrow strip. Also to slide on the table and miss the end handle (can be avoided by inserting from the other end also.) As promised, the print file and design file have been uploaded to the "Files" section in the new 3D print folder. Members should be able to see and download it now - (non members don't see all the choices) -- Mike B |
imran
Mark Foster