Router table build- Miter Tracks

[hellofellow]

Hello again guys,

As many of you may know, I have recently got the Triton TRA001 and a Kreg insert plate that is predrilled for the Triton.

I am going to make up a simple table and just wanted some advice on the miter tracks. I only have a site saw at the moment so know nothing about " standard miter tracks".

So 1. Is a T track the same as a standard miter track?

2. I have a feather-board at home that I originally bought for my table saw ( alas, does not fit)... and the runner itself is a rectangle rather than an upside down T. So I guess this leads me to wonder if there are different types of tracks?

Cheers

[snowyskiesau]

Mitre track is (generally) wider than t-track and has a different profile. see images (from www.woodworksupplies.com.au (http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au))

The internal dimension of the mitre track I have is 19mm, the t-track is about 6mm (1/4").
As you can see, the t-track (1st image) holds the bolt/nut in the track where the mitre track does not.

[hellofellow]

Mitre track is (generally) wider than t-track and has a different profile. see images (from www.woodworksupplies.com.au (http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au))

The internal dimension of the mitre track I have is 19mm, the t-track is about 6mm (1/4").
As you can see, the t-track (1st image) holds the bolt/nut in the track where the mitre track does not.

So in that case, which do you want?
What is the advantage of each? What is on a standard table saw? I see for example the Incra Miter Gauge is designed to fit a t-track. Therefore it would not fit a normal miter track?

[Big Shed]

I have a standard Incra Mitre Gauge (1000SE) and it fits the 3/4" mitre track on my tablesaw as well as the 3/4" mitre track on my router table.

T-track is normally only used for attaching things, such as clamps, with T-nuts/bolts.

I can't see a lot of use for T-track on a router table, except for attaching a fence.

[Rod Gilbert]

I have a standard Incra Mitre Gauge (1000SE) and it fits the 3/4" mitre track on my tablesaw as well as the 3/4" mitre track on my router table.

T-track is normally only used for attaching things, such as clamps, with T-nuts/bolts.

I can't see a lot of use for T-track on a router table, except for attaching a fence.

Feather/ Finger boards.
Regards Rod.

[Big Shed]

Feather/ Finger boards.
Regards Rod.

My feather/finger boards, both commercial and home made, are designed to attach to a mitre track.

I can't recall seeing commercially available feather/fingerboards that are made to T-track, but I am happy to be corrected on that.:2tsup:

[snowyskiesau]

I got some featherboards from McJing and they fit in a t-track
I'd post a link but their site is still down.

[malb]

Incra mitre guages use their standard mitre guage slot bar which is slightly under 3/4in x 3/8 inch. But unlike you typical sloppy joe bar, they have adjusters along the length of the bar which allow you to spread the bar slightly at each adjuster point to give a slop free fit. Normally you have at least 3 adjusters in the mitre gauge slot at a time, and a new one enters as one leaves at the other end. Kreg and others supply similar bars with adjusters of one sort or another.

That said, you may not need to use a mitre guage on a router table as the materials you are working with where you might consider using a mitre guage would normally have been precut with the correct mitre angle, and you would do as well using a custom mitred backer block or sled to prevent chipout and maintain your mitre angle. These are normally run along the fence, rather than the mitre slot.

T slot can be usefull for things like featherboards etc, and have a place in fences for stops and vertical featherboards also. You can use a mitre slot in the table for T track with a timber block fitted in the slot using the head of a countersunk screw drawn through the block to clamp it in place.

Kreg also supply an extrusion with side by side T slot and mitre slot with their tables, but don't seem to sell it seperately.

[Big Shed]

I got some featherboards from McJing and they fit in a t-track
I'd post a link but their site is still down.

Yes, Kreg also make feather boards for T-Track, but they are normally used on the router/saw fence.

On the router table you would normally install a mitre track which can then be used with a mitre gauge as well as a feather board.

Kreg actually make a dual mitre and T track, that Carbatec sells.

Kreg® True-Flex™ Featherboard : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/kreg-true-flex-featherboard_c21059)

[FenceFurniture]

Woodpeckers Feather boards are designed for T-Track, but you can change the knobs (http://www.woodpeck.com/multiknob.html) to take 1/4, 5/16 or 3/8 bolt heads.

Woodpeckers Single T-track has internal dimensions of 11.8x7.1mm, where McJings T-Track is 13.1x6.1mm, and so 1/4" hex head just spins. However, Woodpeckers have some nuts (http://www.woodpeck.com/rectangularnut.html) that can be used in it if you file the sides down. They have other nuts for mitre & T as well. You can also make use of connector bolts (http://www.woodpeck.com/bronzeconnector.html) by filing flat sides on them. Metric versions (M6 thread, and brass plated steel) will be available from any hardware store in a variety of lengths.

Incra, Lee Valley and Woodpeckers T-track are all different depending upon which track you choose (single, double etc) - I just had a look at mine (I have some from each). Without checking each website, I would hope that they all specify the dims.

The Lee Valley T-Bolts (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/Page.aspx?p=61986&cat=1,43455,61994) are fantastic - they work in a few track sizes (inc McJings).

Not sure if that helps. :U

[Rod Gilbert]

What lock's finger boards in place when used in mitre slot lengthwise and vertically to stop them moving? I have always made my own and used T bolts and knobs to secure.
Regards Rod.

[malb]

What lock's finger boards in place when used in mitre slot lengthwise and vertically to stop them moving? I have always made my own and used T bolts and knobs to secure.
Regards Rod.


Fingerboard/featherboard can be locked into a mitre slot with a strip of wood which is a neat fit in the slot, generally longer than the width of the board so that you have 50mm or more overhang each end of the board. In the centre of the overhang, there is a hole with countersink facing the base of the mitre slot with a countersunk head screw inserted, and the strip is sawn lengthwise from the end to about where the board is mounted. Fastening a nut or knob on the screw will draw the countersunk head into the countersunk hole and work like a wedge to expand the strip and clamp it in the mitre slot. The fingerboard/featherboard is mounted to the strip with fixed screws and knobs/nuts, much like it would be mounted to a T slot.

Can try and draw it for you if you need something to visualise.

[Rod Gilbert]

Thanks for the reply malb,
I do not need a drawing to explain,you're description is great I now see how it will work.
Regards Rod.

[malb]

I thought of one situation where a mitre track is indispensible on a table. If you wanted to go to an Incra IBox (adjustable box joint jig for use with router table or table saw and dado blade). This unit uses the mitre slot for positional referencing, so a mitre slot is a basic requirement if you want to use the IBox on a router table. That said, about the only table that could not be easily retrofitted if need be would be a cast or pressed metal one.