Thread: T slot router bit for tracks

Carbitool will custom make Peter, although it may end up as much as importing one.

Thanks. I'll give them a ring tomorrow. Probably take about the same time as buying one OS.

I have got one I can't remember where I got it from. I tried to check but I only have satellite internet and it is very slow at the moment I will try again early in the morning it is quicker then if I can find where I will let you know.
Regards Rod.

Originally Posted by Lappa

I'm after a router bit to rout track slots for 1/4" - 20 bolts. This is what I need.

1 PC 1 4" SH T Slot T Track Slotting TO FIT 1 4" HEX Bolt Router BIT SCT 888 | eBay

I have search high and Low in Australian suppliers (Carbitool, Carbitec, McJing, Lenz, Woodworks Supply, Bunnings etc etc . but it seems I can only buy from overseas. Does anyone know of a definite supplier in Australia?
The ones I can purchase here are too big eg. Too deep a trench (10mm +)
Thanks - Peter

these ones (THS 12 and THS 16) from Carb-i-tool are too big? CARB-I-TOOL - Router Bit and Accessories Catalogue - NOVEMBER 2015
they seem to cut the same size slot as this one from Lee Valley T-Slot Router Bits - Lee Valley Tools

also I don't follow why you describe the height of the slot cut by a carb-i-tool T-slot bit as being too deep.

Hi again here it is in McJing catalog the first one on the list is the one I have it worked perfectly in timber fences to attach to band saw side fence and tablesaw mitre fence with bolts.
Regards Rod.
T-SLOT CUTTER BIT

2 flute carbide tipped. Make horizontal T-slots for accepting the head of a bolt and a washer. Also used for making T-slots for hanging brackets in wall panels for commercial display units. JL1291-5 For Jig Track Large Diameter x Small Diameter x Curve x Carbide Height x Shank

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION WEIGHT(g) PRICE QUANTITY IN STOCK ORDER NOW JL6333 3/4" x 3/8" x 1/8" x 5/8" x 1/4"Shank 40 $18.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl0$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl0_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes JL6334 3/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" x 3/4" x 1/4"Shank 50 $20.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl1$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl1_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes JL1291-5 15/32" x 9/32" x 9/64" x 5/8" x 1/2"Shank 50 $20.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl2$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl2_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> No JL1291-3 5/8" x 3/8" x 3/16" x 3/4" x 1/2"Shank 60 $22.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl3$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl3_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> No JL8637 1" x 3/8" x 3/8" x 3/8" x 1/2"Shank 70 $25.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl4$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl4_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes

Originally Posted by ian

these ones (THS 12 and THS 16) from Carb-i-tool are too big? CARB-I-TOOL - Router Bit and Accessories Catalogue - NOVEMBER 2015
they seem to cut the same size slot as this one from Lee Valley T-Slot Router Bits - Lee Valley Tools

also I don't follow why you describe the height of the slot cut by a carb-i-tool T-slot bit as being too deep.

I call it "trench depth or too deep", they call it "channel depth". I referred to the T slot cutter not the Hook cutter in the heading of my post.
Carbitool - the Hook slot cutter depth of channel is too small (1/8" vs 3/16") and entry slot is 5/16" not 1/4", the T slot cutters I already have and they cut too deep a channel ie. Channel depth is too great (3/8" 10mm vs 3/16"). Entry slot is 10mm (3/8") not 1/4" which is what I require which is shown on the one I linked too.
Lee valley channel is also 1/8" not 3/16" so yes, it's the same as the hook slot bit from Carbitool but not the same as the one I linked too which is the one I require.

Originally Posted by Rod Gilbert

Hi again here it is in McJing catalog the first one on the list is the one I have it worked perfectly in timber fences to attach to band saw side fence and tablesaw mitre fence with bolts.
Regards Rod.
T-SLOT CUTTER BIT

2 flute carbide tipped. Make horizontal T-slots for accepting the head of a bolt and a washer. Also used for making T-slots for hanging brackets in wall panels for commercial display units. JL1291-5 For Jig Track Large Diameter x Small Diameter x Curve x Carbide Height x Shank

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION WEIGHT(g) PRICE QUANTITY IN STOCK ORDER NOW JL6333 3/4" x 3/8" x 1/8" x 5/8" x 1/4"Shank 40 $18.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl0$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl0_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes JL6334 3/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" x 3/4" x 1/4"Shank 50 $20.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl1$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl1_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes JL1291-5 15/32" x 9/32" x 9/64" x 5/8" x 1/2"Shank 50 $20.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl2$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl2_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> No JL1291-3 5/8" x 3/8" x 3/16" x 3/4" x 1/2"Shank 60 $22.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl3$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl3_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> No JL8637 1" x 3/8" x 3/8" x 3/8" x 1/2"Shank 70 $25.00 <input name="ctl00$ContentPlaceHolderMain$repeaterProductGroup$ctl00$listviewProduct$ctrl4$textQty" value="1" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolderMain_repeaterProductGroup_ctl00_listviewProduct_ctrl4_textQty" class="qtyStyle" style="40pt;" type="text"> Yes

Thanks Rod,
the plans I have refer to a slot created by the one I posted the link to. It uses a 20 1/4" bolt in a slot in 18mm ply so that why the slot needs to be around 3/16" to give some "meat" on either side.
May have to rethink.

If you don't have a lot of slots to cut you could get a high speed steel straight bit and grind it into the profile and size you want. I did it years ago for another reason. Your other option is to get a carbide bit and take it to a tool sharpening place and have them modify it. Sharpeners for milling machine tools can easily do it. You will also find it easier to route if you run a straight bit first followed by the "T" bit. Chips from the slot clear better.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Carbitool will custom make Peter, although it may end up as much as importing one.

Rang them today and had a chat. Very helpful people. They do not have what I'm after and they cannot modify an existing bit to suit - wouldn't have been a problem for them to modify if they had. That leaves a complete new retool with an expected price of $250+
They had a few suggestions so we'll see what happens or I'll have to import

Originally Posted by Lappa

Rang them today and had a chat. Very helpful people. They do not have what I'm after and they cannot modify an existing bit to suit - wouldn't have been a problem for them to modify if they had. That leaves a complete new retool with an expected price of $250+
They had a few suggestions so we'll see what happens or I'll have to import

Yeah, they're pretty good down there. We've had quite a few bits made with them, both modified and from scratch. They also re-sharpen on the spot if you ask nicely which has been quite handy in the past.

Hi Peter,

You want to cut your T-slot track into solid wood? WHY? The timber that forms the top edges of the track will be very brittle. i don't understand why you do not rout a groove for an aluminium T-track? that is much simpler, as well as more serviceable.

Now, I do admit that I am still on my woodwork L plates (and will be for the rest of my life I hope) so, if I have missed something please do not take offence, I am keen to be enlightened.

Originally Posted by Xanthorrhoeas

Hi Peter,

You want to cut your T-slot track into solid wood? WHY? The timber that forms the top edges of the track will be very brittle. i don't understand why you do not rout a groove for an aluminium T-track? that is much simpler, as well as more serviceable.

Now, I do admit that I am still on my woodwork L plates (and will be for the rest of my life I hope) so, if I have missed something please do not take offence, I am keen to be enlightened.

It's a good point and one I have looked at.
The plan calls for the routed track in 3/4" ply as there are a number of the back boards to be made with short tracks.
I looked at the T track I had at home which is 13.5mm. The ply is 18mm so I believe there is not enough support. I could buy 12mm track but I would need a couple of lengths and with freight it would be dearer than the router bit I was looking at and it wouldn't really offer much more support.
With the routed channel I will get 8mm of back support and 5mm at the front - should be plenty strong enough. Besides that, I'm looking at doing it on the cheap from what I have lying around the shed
Cheers and thanks

An update on the T Slot router bit.
I needed some star knobs and bolts for the jig I'm building so I was looking at McJing's and saw mini track at only 9.5mm deep. I decided to take Xanthorrhoeas's
suggestion and go with the mini track as its gives me as much "meat behind" as the routed track. Instead of two small routed tracks I'll go right across the board with the mini track.
BTW I have also ordered the T slot bit for the US as well.

Sounds like you are all sorted. I was going to offer the idea of cutting out a wide section on either side of the slot where you could glue down some board that is spaced apart enough for your bolt size.

if that makes sense.

I did something vaguely similar for a drill press table once.