Thread: Clamp for Incra Jig

Grahame,

Just a few questions in relation to clamping smaller stock to the right angle fixture.

From the images on your web site it would appear that the Woodpecker Universal Track Clamp would work in a way similar to the sketch made by Sprog. Would this system fit into the slots on the Incra right angle fixture? Secondly when it is tightened does it tend to try and twist the stock? This is something I have found when trying to use a G-clamp or similar, something that can be overcome with a quick action clamp or the like that doesn't utilise a twist motion.

With the HD Pivot Hold Down Clamp (Incra) does this pivot against the back section and if so what is the maximum thickness of the stock that can be clamped?

Is there not a demand for clamping small timber to the Incra fence? I purchased the Incra with the intention of doing small work (box sides less than 50mm) however it seems to struggle (Don't get me wrong I am very happy with the quality of the unit overall).

As a suggestion to Incra it may be good to be able to attach the right angled fence to the sled via a vertical channel in the back rather than the horizontal, that way the right angle fence could be lowered to provide backing for smaller pieces closer to the router bit (The fence could actually be lowered to just clear the bit). I am sure that Incra could come up with a clamping system that attaches to the front on the right angle fixture (like we are trying to put together) which may be like a toggle clamp that once set for the timber thickness would be easy to unclamp and re-clamp.

I might have to look further into this on the weekend as I am still finding the 10" clamp unsuitable for small stock.

Hi all

The Woodpeckers Universal Track Clamp, would work well, as;

The mounting screw for the UTC is a 1/4" - 20 bolt so it will fit.
As it's independant of the clamping screw it would stay in position on the RAF.
It would clamp up to about 40mm thick timber.

I hope that this helps. Also I'll pass these posts on to Incra for comment.

Regards

Grahame

[QUOTE=Gwhat;964404]Hi all

I hope that this helps. Also I'll pass these posts on to Incra for comment.

/QUOTE]

Well here's the response as promised from Incra;

Hi, Grahame-

That’s a good question….the smallest parts I’ve ever joined were about 3”-long and still easily clamped in the RAF.

The Incra hold down will work directly in the RAF faceplate, but I wonder about its ability to keep the lumber from shifting. Even when they’re sharp, router bits are still mostly beating their way through the lumber.

The clamp’s range depends on which side you use, but typically 1” is the limit for the clamp alone. Adding a spacer block under the clamp on the side of the bolt opposite the lumber increase range by allowing the clamp body remain more level - by adding spacers, the clamping range is limited by the length of the clamp’s bolt.

On really short stock, the problem becomes the faceplate’s distance off the table. One possible solution is a larger wooden face attached to the aluminum faceplate that nearly reaches the table surface. This could have a length of T-Track embedded in it to accept the hold down clamp at the proper height. Beyond that, a custom fixture for small parts would be the best bet.

Best regards,


Mark Mueller
Field Operations Manager

I hope that this helps?

Regards


Grahame

Thanks Grahame .....

Good to have a response straight from the horses mouth. As Mark said it may be the case of a custom feature ..... just a bit of mucking around to get something that works. I will be sure to post any responses here (good or bad).

Stinky.

Hi
I just spoke to Perry McDaniels, the author of the Incra books and an avid Incra user see his and others work HERE

Perry mentioned making 'micro boxes' to store postage stamps with dovetails made using a 1/8" bit. He suggested that the standard RAF's are far too big and a custom fixture is easily made, noting that it only needs to slide along the fence not be attached to it as the RAF is.

I will ask Perry for some pics of his fixture.

Regards

Grahame

I agree with Sir Stinkalot, the use of a vice-grip type of one hand activated clamp leaves the other hand to line up the pieces. Note I use a spring clamp to hold the pieces then clamp the heck out of it with the vice-grips.
Also, check your new toy to be sure it really is square. Note the use of feeler guage blades to square up the sled.
You may not do this for a while but note that I ran my sled fence over some sandpaper laid on my table saw top. One, it flattened it a little and two, it made the face less slippery.