Matchfit dovetail clamps by Micro Jig
Ideal clamps for jigs and sacrificial fences
I’ve been using the new Matchfit dovetail clamps by Micro Jig for the past few months and have been very happy with them. They look like an F-style clamp, but the fixed jaw does not have a clamp pad. Instead, it’s shaped like the male half of a sliding dovetail, and fits into a dovetail groove. This makes them the perfect clamp for auxiliary fences and jigs. I’ve even used them as hold-downs at my bench.
The clamps apply an incredible amount of torque but do not shift or twist the workpiece when pressure is applied. Also, they can be operated with one hand, because the dovetail arm holds the clamp securely in the jig or fence. That the arm holds the clamp in place is a true boon when I use them with my mortising jig. I can switch out workpieces, leave the clamp in place, and not worry about it falling to the floor.
To use the clamps, you must rout a dovetail slot into your fence or jig, but found that by following the instructions included with the clamps there is plenty of room for the clamp to slide into the groove.
—Philip Morley is a professional furniture maker in Wimberley, Texas.
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Comments
Been using routed in standard track clamps (festool etc) the same way now many years (even sent an article tip to FWW a few years ago but no response). Needs a t-cutter bit but otherwise exactly same concept. Once you get used to this clamping method you convert almost every jig to use it. Especially on the table saw sled these clamps are extremely useful and far superior to all other clamping methods.
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