T-slot table and clamps for it

[elijah]

Has anyone experience in usage of T-slot table (aluminium) and clamps for it for fixing the parts for carving and other jobs? What kind of T-clamps fits it. Any info of T-tables and clamps would be usefull. Thanks.

[beacon14]

Elijah,

I incorporated T-Track into my table design, but have only had a couple of chances to use it (the vacuum works so well I have not needed it that much).

Here (http://www.ptreeusa.com/ttrackproducts.htm#holddown) is a link to a typical T-Track hold-down, which works well if you do not need to machine the entire top surface of the workpiece. However the T-Track works with any (properly sized) hex head bolt, so you can make up your own jigs and bolt them to the table easily. See the threaded knobs on the same page linked above.

In my recent article on the SB web site (link (http://65.36.212.143/notes_from_the_sandbox.htm)), I mention the T-Track; check the last photo for an example. I used one of the threaded knobs, but the other knob interfered with the dust shoe so I used a plain old hex nut. I'm also working on some customized holddowns using the T-Track and will post photos when I have them to the point of being ready for general use.

If you have any specific pieces you need to hold down, and can post a photo, you might get some more specific recommendations.

BTW if you go with T-Track get the heavy duty version that takes a full-sized bolt head. Some of the skinnier models require you to buy specialized bolts, or grind the heads down yourself.

[thecustomsignshop]

I tried it once and it really did not work as well as I would have hoped. Vacum works much better and the clamps do not get in the way of normal movements.

[elijah]

Thanks for useful link and advices. Somehow I do not believe that vacum can hold firmly small part for carving job. Sheets - yes, but not a 30cm x 30cm block of wood. Or, vacuum must be very powerfull, thus means it will be noisy and waste a lot of energy. That's why vacuum seems not attractive to me. Of course possibility just to take from the table and to put on a new piece, sounds, as very fast method for mass production of the same part. But in my case, I think, not worth. I am still not convinced about vacuum and will prefer mechanical clamps with T-slots or without.

[mikek]

Elijah, with one sq foot of flat surface, a vacuum pump I just finished will hold anything very firmly. It would take a lot of mechanical advantage to overcome it. It is quiet when running and shuts off when a preset vacuum is reached. I set mine for 23 inches of Mercury. It will cut back on at about 19 or 20 in. if there is a leak.

9121

[conceptmachine]

Mike,
Thats a neat setup!did you make it or was it purchased?Im thinking of making a vacuum table and i like the looks of your setup,i know alot of people have good luck with using fein vacs but i think i would rather use a pump myself.
shawn

[mikek]

Shawn, Bill Palumbo got me interested in this a couple of years ago. I purchased the kit of parts and pump from this link. http://www.joewoodworker.com/catalog/vacuum_press.php

It was a good afternoon/evening project to assemble. This is their picture, because I didn't take a picture of mine yet. My pump is a Thomas pump that is a little different than the pictured one. This will pull 23 inches of Mercury quickly, but the volume of air is not what a Fein will give you. For small projects, using a vacuum chuck with this is great, but for sheet goods the Fein is probably the way to go.

[billp]

Shawn,Mike,Elijah,
Mike has done a great job of assembling one of "Joe's" home brewed vac rigs.
The next step, which is supposedly being tried in a few shops, is to incorporate a check valve and tie in a pump similar to Mike's WITH a Fein vac. This way the Fein could be used for the preliminary air evacuation, and then the smaller vac pump could kick in to HOLD the part there. Once in place the vacuum switch should keep the pump from losing significant holding power.
Maybe someone who is already using this "dual suck" technology (not a trademark of Intel by the way) could show a picture here on the Forum?

[elijah]

Mike,
The part, some times can be smaller than 30x30cm, some times - bigger. Your vacuum device seems very nice and very tricky to me, because I am not very happy about do yourself projects. I am more the consumer than technician. So, I prefer to buy "ready for work" mechanisms. Just plug and use
.

[thecustomsignshop]

Elijah, believe me, vacum will hold down a 30x30 part, if you do it correctly. I have held much smaller parts without any problem.

[elijah]

Mike,

Is it possible to buy ready to use vacuum device, as shown in your link? What kind of vacuum table (any gaskets?) you are using with this device, and how large surface he is capable to hold with vacuum? Can it hold a preset vacuum level, and how long, if we talk about oak wood or other hard wood, which porous anyway?

I have read pretty much about convention vacuum hold down systems here, so I would like to learn more about your mentioned, from your experience, because it seems to me different.

Thank you.