Rastex 15 template

This small drilling template allwos you to drill both holes for a Rastex 15 excentric furniture connector (Möbelverbinder).

Please note this template is

• for the Rastex 15 connector, not the smaller Rastex 12
• for the (more common?) 34mm screw dowels (not the shorter 24mm ones)
• for 19mm (¾ inch) boards, commonly used for furniture

Drill bits needed

• 15mm spade or forstner bit for Rastex connector
• 8mm bit for access hole
• 5mm bit for dowel screw

Before you start

• Mark desired position of connector on both boards
• Keep some distance from the edge, to avoid tearout and make assembly easier – 40mm from edge of board to edge of template is a good default

Instructions

Board A (top/bottom of your box) receives the excentric Rastex connector:

• Place long side of template on top of board, short side down the edge
• Drill a 15mm hole with a forstner/spade bit about 14mm deep
• Keep template in place
• Drill an 8mm hole into the side of the board, until you hit the first hole
• Push Rastex connector into 15mm hole (not flush? prop it out with a screw driver through the side hole)

Board B  (sides of your box) receives the Rastex dowel screws:

• Place short side of template on face of board
• Mark center of hole with 8mm drill, but DO NOT DRILL
• Instead, drill hole at this center mark with 5mm drill
• Screw dowel into the hole

Tips

• The template lasts longer if you only use it to mark the center of the hole with right size drill bit (15mm or 8mm – the 5mm one is only for drilling), then remove the template, and drill on the mark.
• You can creep up to the correct depth for the 15mm hole, by dropping the Rastex connector in at various depth and prop it with a screw driver through the access hole.
• Have at least two connectors per board, and additional one every 30cm or so, e.g. two is fine for a shallow shelf of 30-40cm depth, for a cabinet of 60cm depth, go for 3 connectors.

How to print

Prints without supports with the large side down, preferably in PETG for strength.