AWITW 301: Vacuum bench dogs
- petermillard
- Sep 21, 2025
- 2 min read
For all 10MW Plus members*
In this weeks video I share the story of the vacuum pump question, and take a first look at the recently launched VacuDog from Track Tubes - exactly as it sounds, a bench dog with a vacuum pump attachment.
This is really clever little device, very nicely made from solid aluminium and finished in TSO blue that completely eliminates the bench top puck or cookie vacuum hold-downs, and replaces them with a simple flush-fitting bench dog than can stay in place - or be removed in as long as it takes you to find a 4mm allen key.
It can be powered by a small vacuum pump - I have an oilless one coming by the end of the month - or by an inline Venturi vacuum generator attached to a compressor if that’s your preference. It provides an impressive level of holding power with the supplied gaskets, and even works decently without.
For the $60 / £55 asking price I think it’s a viable alternative to the pucks and cookies for MFT users.
There’s a bit of chat about the BenchDog Tools Domino Base System - I’ve asked the question about the extrusion but Ralph is away at the moment and I don’t want to do anything more with the system until I’ve had it confirmed that I have the correct parts - and I consider why it is that there’s an accessory ecosystem for Domino rather than say the Lamello Zeta.
Final (related) thoughts; how many Festool Domino machines do you think there are in circulation, after 20 years. I think it could easily be a million, which makes even an accessory with niche appeal, potentially quite popular.
Thank you as always for your support, let me know what you think in the comments down below, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Peter
Direct video link - https://youtu.be/1KsvaixZsEs
More on the VacuDog - https://tracktubes.com/products/vacudog
Good point, a slice of the Domino market should be profitable for Benchdogs and Ralph.
I’m so happy to have sold the expensive Festool VacSYS a month ago. Finding a buyer is difficult at the higher end of the market.
These plastic and aluminum vacuum kits are terrific. They will drop in price and expand in usage.
You might consider getting a foot pedal switch instead of cycling the pump’s motor.
Instead of a Vac Pump machine, have you considered a Grabo or the Chinese clones? It will also help when lifting and carrying the sheet materials
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Peter - which pump did you opt for in the end. I assume that all the fittings are imperial?
Must have missed the post about the vacuum pump
I have a similar one for the vacuum cups I have I have seen these vacudogs how do you think they would hold doing a divario slot with the zeta ? If the hold well I think I would order a set I don’t use the vacuum cups much due to having to dig them out and set them up surly it could be possible to drill and tap 2 holes on the base of a zeta ?
What blew my mind on vacuum was when I discovered that big CNC machines use vacuum hold down.. but it vaccum's through the MDF spoil board! Just goes to show how porous even man made wood is.
Could not post the link on YouTube
https://youtu.be/kvOrOsjWNq0?si=Now7S1x7-5w0__RX
With a little bit construction you can print your own 😇