Thread: T Track System for a work bench

Try McJings

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Try McJings

McJings didn't help

Going by the lack of responses I am now assuming this is not the done thing.

will rethink my plan

Originally Posted by Damienol

Going by the lack of responses I am now assuming this is not the done thing.

will rethink my plan

I have seen it done before, mainly in USA blogs or articles. I guess it be good for clamping etc and you can use the same fittings as you would on you saw, drill press etc. It isn't a traditionalist approach and I think most bench builds here have tended to follow the traditional designs.

Originally Posted by Damienol

Going by the lack of responses I am now assuming this is not the done thing.

will rethink my plan

Actually I did this, but used sailtrack which is similar but a slightly smaller inside track. I found it a complete waste of time as whenever I wanted to use them small nails, screws or sawdust had wedged in them and the time taken to clean them out was not worth it. Had to use a small allen key to get the crap out. One day I will pull them out of the bench and glue in a small strip of timber to match the surface.


So rethinking your plan would be a good idea.


Peter.

Two suggestions:

1. On the top of the bench

A short length of T-Track at the end of a line of dog holes along the front of the bench will provide you with a wagon vice setup at a fairly low cost compared to something like the HNT Gordon or Vertias inset vices. Since the T-track allows use of standard bolts, you could also build a variety of planning stops to hold workpieces that are tall or odd shaped.

2. On the front edge of the bench top.

The so-called "Roubo" style traditional work bench has a hook on one end of the front edge of the top, so that boards can be wedged into it and then clamped in a face vise whilst planing the long edge of the board. Some sort of T-track along the front edge of your bench top would allow you to wedge/clamp boards between the fixed hook and another hook that slides along the track. This gives you a sort of "sliding deadman" to support longer boards. It also gives you the functionality of a tail vice or a shoulder vice if you want to work on the ends of a wide board clamped vertically against the front of your bench. As the T-track would be on the front edge of the bench, saw dust and shavings shouldn't be so much of an issue.


Clear as mud? Let me know if you would like a diagram.

Also, 800mm is pretty wide for a bench, especially if you are going to park it against a wall. 600mm wide is about the limit of what you can comfortably reach.

Ended up just getting the one 1200mm length and installing 350mm in.

bloody fantastic.