Click Here To Check The Price On Amazon
A sturdy, versatile workbench is the cornerstone of any woodworking shop, and there’s a reason why thousands of woodworkers have chosen the basic mobile workbench as their go-to project. It’s the first project in the Weekend Woodworker course for good reason—its functionality and mobility make it an essential tool. However, the standard workbench has its limitations, particularly when it comes to clamping versatility. Enter the MatchFit system by MicroJig, which turns a basic workbench into a clamping powerhouse, offering unlimited possibilities for holding workpieces securely.
In this post, we’ll explore how you can supercharge your workbench with the MatchFit dovetail system to expand your clamping options. We’ll walk through creating a MatchFit workbench topper and highlight several ways it can improve your woodworking projects.
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced Clamping Versatility: The MatchFit system adds a new level of flexibility to your workbench, allowing you to clamp beyond the edges and even vertically, making complex tasks easier.
- Simple Installation: By routing dovetail grooves into your workbench or a plywood topper, you can quickly transform your workbench into a more versatile workspace without major modifications.
- Efficient for Common Woodworking Tasks: From pocket hole joinery to panel glue-ups, the MatchFit system makes everyday woodworking tasks more efficient by offering greater clamping options and one-handed operation for ease of use.
- Customizable Setup: With a grid of dovetail grooves spaced 4 inches apart, you can tailor the MatchFit system to your specific needs, creating a setup that works for your projects.
- Durable and Practical Clamping Tools: MicroJig’s Grip Clamps and Ratchet Clamps are built to last and designed to work seamlessly with the dovetail grooves, providing reliable clamping for any woodworking project.
The Importance of a Workbench and Clamping Versatility
A workbench serves as the heart of any woodworking shop, offering a space to hold and secure wood while working on it. Clamps are essential tools, used for various tasks like securing wood for cutting, sanding, gluing, or assembly. However, most workbenches only allow clamping at the edges, limiting flexibility, especially when you need to clamp something in the center of the bench or vertically.
This is where the MatchFit system comes in, offering total clamping freedom beyond the edge of your workbench. With the system, you can route dovetail grooves into your bench or a topper and use specialized clamps for any positioning you need.
How the MatchFit System Works
The MatchFit system uses a dovetail router bit to create grooves in your workbench or topper. These grooves allow MicroJig’s dovetail clamps, such as the Grip Clamp and Ratchet Clamp, to slide in and secure wood at various points. By spacing the grooves 4 inches apart, you can maximize the system’s versatility, making clamping easy for any woodworking project.
Making the MatchFit Workbench Topper
To create the MatchFit workbench topper, you start with a 3/4-inch sheet of plywood, cut to the desired size (4 feet wide by 3 feet deep). After drawing a grid on the board, use a straight bit in your router to cut relief grooves, which remove most of the material. Then, follow up with a 14° dovetail bit to finish the grooves. These dovetail grooves will allow you to slide in and secure the clamps with ease.
After routing the grooves, cut the plywood into two pieces and glue them together. To attach the topper to your workbench, drill pilot holes through the topper and bench, and use a two-step router bit to create clean, counter-bored holes. The result is a secure, easily removable topper that can be fastened with screws and washers.
Practical Applications of the MatchFit System
The MatchFit system opens up endless possibilities for clamping in your workshop. Here are a few practical applications to help improve your efficiency:
1. Pocket Hole Joinery
Pocket holes require clamping two pieces of wood together tightly before driving screws. The MatchFit Grip Clamp allows for one-handed operation, making it simple to clamp the pieces together while keeping them flush.
2. Edge Profiling with a Router
When routing an edge profile on a board, traditional clamps can get in the way. With the MatchFit system, you can secure the wood at multiple points across the bench without obstructing the edges. The dovetail clamps allow for easy adjustment and hold the wood firmly for a smooth routing experience.
3. Iron-On Edge Banding
The vertical clamping capabilities of the MatchFit system make tasks like applying iron-on edge banding much easier. The topper provides a vertical surface where you can securely hold your board while applying the banding.
4. Gluing Up Panels
Gluing up panels often requires a lot of clamps, including some that provide downward pressure to prevent the boards from slipping apart. The MatchFit system simplifies this process by allowing clamps to be positioned across the panel for consistent pressure. By using “clamping cauls” with the system, you can ensure the panels stay flat and evenly glued.
The MatchFit system from MicroJig turns an ordinary workbench into a versatile, highly efficient workspace, making it easier to handle a variety of clamping tasks. Whether you’re working on pocket holes, edge profiling, or gluing up panels, the system offers unparalleled flexibility and precision. With the right setup, you’ll find countless ways to improve your workflow and take your woodworking to the next level.
Subscribe to 731 Woodworks on Youtube