MFT

  • March 22, 2026 11:34 PM
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    Message # 13612433
    Royal Bolling

    I am planning on building an MFT using 20MM dog holes on the bench top.  What is the best and most accurate method to make the holes.  Should I use a 20MM Forstner bit, an auger bit or some combination of a router bit and bushing.  Everything I have read thus far emphasizes that accuracy of bench dog holes is critical.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you.
  • March 23, 2026 5:06 AM
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    Reply # 13612456 on 13612433
    Dana Farmer

    Frankly I’d reach out to someone with a CNC and have them cut it. Barring that I’ve seen all sort of commercial, 3d printed and hand made jigs. But some of those are quite expensive. I saw one video with a kid who just used a rail set.  

    Several manufacturers make plunge 20 mm router bits for the sake of my sanity I’d go with a router. 

    Fyi the mdf tops are prone to sagging over the course of a few years.
  • March 23, 2026 7:57 AM
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    Reply # 13612470 on 13612433
    John LeJeune (Administrator)

    This is the Drill bit UJK has for this purpose.

    https://tsoproducts.com/jigs-fixtures-guides/ujk-20mm-cutter-split-stop-collar-for-parf-guide-system/?searchid=530978&search_query=20mm+Centrotec+Drill+Bit+for+Parf+Guide+System

    It is part of this system. 

    https://tsoproducts.com/jigs-fixtures-guides/parf-guide-system/ujk-parf-guide-system-mark-ii/?revpage=12&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=18178634395&utm_content=618802821251&utm_adgroup=144423686150&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18178634395&gclid=CjwKCAjwyYPOBhBxEiwAgpT8P0QCxOyxbUnBr95TepsfOtb4nzVIugZS7k8ft7iDIlwpVQCF1g9dYBoCXbAQAvD_BwE

    If those links don't work do a google search on: 

    UJK Parf Guide System Mark II

    TSO Products sells it.  Lee Valley sells it too at a considerably higher price.


    Woodpeckers also has two kits:

    https://www.woodpeck.com/mft-layout-assembly-square-19.html

    https://www.woodpeck.com/hole-boring-jig-2019.html


    They don't sell a dedicated bit because they want you to rout out the hole with a smaller router bit.  

    A high quality 25/32 bit may also work.
  • March 23, 2026 9:05 AM
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    Reply # 13612490 on 13612433
    Michael Bossin (Administrator)
    Royal Bolling wrote:

    I am planning on building an MFT using 20MM dog holes on the bench top.  What is the best and most accurate method to make the holes.  Should I use a 20MM Forstner bit, an auger bit or some combination of a router bit and bushing.  Everything I have read thus far emphasizes that accuracy of bench dog holes is critical.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you.

    I did the dog holes in my bench using an inexpensive Rockler shelf bracket template. Is used every fourth or fifth hole to mark a shallow center mark for each hole and then drilled the actual dog hole with a fostner bit. Worked pretty well