I am looking for input on appropriate jigs and tools for construction of European style cabinets. After perusing numerous threads here, as well as other sources, I decided to go with the Festool LR 32 kit and guide rail. I have had very satisfactory performance from Festool products, so anticipated good results. To my chagrin, the holes were unsatisfactory, in that they were over size. Trying different Festool bits and different Festool routers did not produce any better results. The dealer agreed that the results were unsatisfactory and took the stuff back.
I began thinking of a making an aluminum plate router jig. Shortly thereafter I discovered MEG Products, and their jig seems a more sophisticated version of what I was thinking about. I found a couple of threads here from 2003 that speak well of that product.
Wondering if there are any other recent experiences of products along the lines of the Festool LR 32 and the MEG Products Pro-bore?
Replies
Go to Rockler and get their jig-it setup for the drill guide and get the carbide bit to go with it. That and a decent variable speed drill will get your hinge holes drilled beautifully.
Thanks for your response. I am particularly interested in set-ups for routers.
However, as you have discovered already, the router is a DECIDEDLY INFERIOR tool for this purpose.
Have you ever tried using a router for making shelf pin holes?
With a jig like the MEG, a 3/8" template guide, and a spiral bit I cut clean holes very quickly with my router and it's easy to set up.
I have about 20 bucks and a couple of hours in my jig vs $269 for the MEG but if I'd had the loose change I certainly would have bought the MEG.
Post #5 above is the kind of info I am looking for. Putting $s aside for a moment (or, if loose change were available), what are suitable techniques/tools/jigs? Re. the Festool, I would not write off routing for this purpose - just the LR 32. I like the simplicity of the MEG. I had already made something in 3/8" plywood along those lines when I discovered the MEG. Now wondering what else is out there.
Not sure what could cause the holes to be oversize. I don't have any problems, I use the LR32sys and the VS-600 for dowelling the cases & drawers. No problems, Easy setup, repeatable, no problems. Precise.
Those were all the reasons I went for the LR 32. Beats me why the results were unsatisfactory.
I'd say give it a try again. If your holes were elongated, the only thing I could think of is that the router was not parallel to the stock being drilled.
Yes, perhaps I will. Thanks.
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