Thread: Catchin the Rat........An Introduction to the Woodrat Joinery System

As has been posted in previously theres some great internet resources in regards to the Woodrat system. Probably one of the handiest I've come across is the craftsmans gallery. Theres some great aftermarket do-dads n gidgets designed to add more versitility and user friendlyness.

I've put in an order for a a number of items which I'll do a post on as I go!!

REgards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

Gidday

Well after a sight inspection by my Lovely Foreman Imogen

Not a common name mate. My grandaughters name is Imogen (immy for short). She's 16 and a little beauty like yours.

Gidday

Well this weekend I started the first stage of mounting the WoodRat in my Shed. I've decided to skin some 19mm MDF with Tempered Masonite (Tuff smooth flat worksurface See Picks)

And attach this to some solid framing I've began in the shed nect to my fixed workbench. I'm hoping this will add some good flexability for stock support options.

In addition after mastering setting T-Track into man made boards see:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...an+made+boards

I plan to inlay some track into my laminate so that the Rat can travel freely vertically up and down. This will give me more flexability in regards to the length of stock I will be able to mill vertically with the Rat.

(Something that I have noticed is often neglected amoungst the online Rat community)

Also my laminated MDF mounting board will be able to accommodate T - Track for a number of clamping Jigs I've got in mind.

Any comments or further suggestions to the design appreciated!!!

REgards Lou

Gidday

Well I got some goodies in yesterday from the Craftsmans GAllery. As some of you are aware there are a number of aftermarket accessories that can be incorporated into the RAt that Allow a number of adjustment and clamping options designed to enhance the 'RAT'.

I've tried to pick accessories that will add to the ease of use and set up to the RAT and I'll give a rundown on how I've gone about using them as I go. I've decided to order stuff But I reckon you could make or fabricate a lot of these items yourself..................Yer yer I know I'm lazy

REgards LOu

Hi Lou,
looks like you are making similar progress with the 'rat.
I too identified a need to raise and lower the beast for different projects, but since mine is mounted on a wall section i made to sit in superjaws, all i needed to do was cut a slot to halfway up the wall section and just clamp it in the jaws at the required height.

i am trying to get my hands on a digital camera so i can post pics of this and other features. i was going to post them in the other woodrat thread in the routing forum, where my project has generated a fair bit of interest, but i willk post them in here too for ease of comparison to how you are tackling the same issues.

Happy 'ratting

Gidday Doug

Fantastic I reckon its a great idea and of course invite all other ratters to join in. Heres the draft plan for my mounting board (See Pics)

I'm going to mount an MDF form to the sliding cleat. This will act as a mount for the Rat & also add more dust extraction options. As previously posted I've gone with aluminium mounting brackets (4 in all) for a good solid mount for the Rat.

After developing the Poorman Workbench I've become a real fan of T-Track and reckon I can develop some additional clamping options which will be handy for large and heavy stock.

Lets face it if your gonna outlay to get a Rat and some decent Bit Options then you want to be able to make the most of it!!!!

The brief for developing this Mounting Rig is Strength & Versatility I'm attempting to develop a system that will be able to handle most clamping problems seemlessly with minimal setup and mucking around.

In addition it will also need to provide Clamping Grunt for not only light but heavy Joinery Tasks. At this stage it seems that this will require an intergration of both Jigs & quick/Powerful Clamps.

Regards Lou

Well i am mounting my 'rat quite differently to Lou. two different approaches to the same problem. Lou, it seems, likes to have a fixed workshop and bring the jobs to it. My approach is to make the workshop mobile and take the shop to the work.

Hence my 'rat is mounted on a dummy wall section i made to fit into superjaws as shown in the photos below.
Pic 1 is the wall section without the 'rat, note the pine mounting rail and the dust collection port. the holes in the top are to allow access to the bit and tool storage areas to keep everything handy. pic 2 shows this better. pic 3 shows the height adjustment slot above the superjaws clamp, it cna be clamped at any height along the range with ease. pic 4 shows dust extraction outlet, internals of dust extraction in next post

First pic is of the wall section before the back is permanently fixed to it, middle section is dust extraction. note the reinforcing below the dust extraction to withstand the superjaws clamping pressure
pic 2 is the 'rat on the wall
pic 3 shows how i attach the triton router using a cut-down section of the triton fence. the bolt holes are in the right spot to mount the makita router if ii need to for some reason.
pic 4 shows the fence covered with griptape, which i have found to be far superior to glasspaper or sandpaper often used on jigs etc.

theres a bit more on what i am doing in this thread
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...484#post247484

Gidday

Well I'm starting to make some progress on the wall mount for my Woodrat. As mentioned I'm taking a different tack to Doug setting my Rat up as a permanent workstation in the Shop.

I'm doing a lot of research and prep work cause I wanna get the most I can from the Rat straight off the bat. I plan to do some Big Dovies for my first real workbench.

As mentioned I'm attempting to design a versatile mounting wall for my Rat incorporating T-Track to give me pleantly of clamping and Jig options. Heres a few pics of the process I use.

Regards Lou

Hey there

I think these pics will give a better idea of where i'm going with this. The next step is to order in some t-track from professional woodarkers suppliers. I'm not to sure wether to make up some custom clamps or simply copy some of woodrats clamping jig ideas

.........................I'll do a post on which track I decide to take when the time comes

Regards Lou

Gidday

Well after saving some spare coin and re-stocking from professional woodworkers supplies I've been able to recently re continue putting together the mounting wall for my Rat.

The Pics show the type of fastners various Jigs n Doo dads use to slide alone the T-Track. A simple T-Nut or 1/4 in Hex Bolt. I have found you can easily custom fit these to track with the help of some quick shaving with an angle grinder.

I've really found my SCMS a workhorse of my shop and is real handy for quick dimensioning of aluminium extrusion. Previously I used to use a Cheap Jigsaw with a Bi Metal Blade....................Also a realsonable technique.

Once dimensioned I laid out the T-Track and did some final adjustments. The key here is to ensure that both T-Nuts or Hex Bolts have enough clearence to easily slide in & out of the T-Track

Some time ago now Lignum (Thx M8) put me onto a great non porus to non porus or wood adhesive called Sikaflex 295. This stuff ain't cheap but does a great job anchoring Aluminium extrusion to man made boards.

Fo added strength I'll drive some screws into the pre-tapped holes in the T-Track.

After seating the T-Track I have found it real handy to Belt the hell outta it to squeeze out any unnecessary SIKA (Theres a good example of this in the Pics)

The last 2 Pics show how I ensure getting some SICKA on the sides of the T-Track and how I utilise some deep mouth clamps to assist during driving the screws.

This whole process is remarkably quick n easy and should add a whole new dimension to my mounting wall for Jigs n Fixtures for my Woodrat!!!!

................TOmorrow I'll tackle mounting the wall in my shed n If lucky might even be able to SETUP for my first test Run!!!

REgards Lou

NewLou,I wish you real great adventures with the Woodrat, but you appear to have to a lot of trouble to get to the stage whereby you're using the Tool!

I've had a Leigh and all it's accoutrements for quite a few years now, 15 minutes out of the box and it was set up.

Mind you the manuals take some time getting into and absorbing and each add on (and I've got them all) comes with it's own manual but I'm more than happy with the Leigh Jig ...off course I would have to say that being biased and justifying my expenditure but objectively I have seen the Rat demo'd at www shows and the only perspective I can see is that the Rat is probably best wall mounted whereas the Leigh is best used on a stable bench.

All in all they're comparable in the range of applications but from different spheres of operation.

Hope you have fun with your Rat as I have done with the Leigh.

Cheers