T-track clamp recommendations

[imgodot]

I am looking for t-track clamp suggestions.

Most t-track clamps in the wild are for non-Shopsmith-sized tracks.

I could buy some of those and replace their sliders with Shopsmith t-nuts and new threaded knobs.
But, it offends me (monetarily and otherwise) to buy something and then just toss part of it away.

Thanks.

-- Paul

[JPG]

Consider dimensional differences and what modifications are required to use either direction. I have modified non-ss sliding nuts for use with the ss slots, but I do not consider modifying the ss sliding nuts to fit the non ss tracks as being practical.

[imgodot]

So, there are no out-of-the-box clamps that will work in a SS track?

-- Paul

[edma194]

There may be. It's just hit or miss with non-Shopsmith accessories and whether they'll fit in a Shopsmith T-slot. Shopsmith T-Nuts and T-bolts can do the job, but even those may require some filing to make them fit the track because of quality control issues.

Scott Markwood's latest video demonstrates the Bow Feather Board that surprisingly fits in the Shopsmith T-track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8TRlZx ... 5vQk4gjuHP. Not every non-Shopsmith T-track accessory will fit like that.

[DLB]

So, there are no out-of-the-box clamps that will work in a SS track?

-- Paul

I don't know of any, if someone offered one it would likely be Shopsmith. The Incra Build-It Clamp will work with the SS track. You don't have to replace anything or throw anything away, but you do have to add a SS T-nut or similar. I usually also add a jam nut, standard 1/4"-20. The Zeroplay Microjig T-Nut fits the SS track, but I'm doubtful that they offer this as part of a clamp.

- David

[imgodot]

Thanks for the replies.

DLB:
I like the looks of the Incra clamp but, if I use an SS t-nut, the threaded portion is only 1-3/16" long.
I'm not sure how thick a board that would let me clamp.

-- Paul

[DLB]

I like the looks of the Incra clamp but, if I use an SS t-nut, the threaded portion is only 1-3/16" long.
I'm not sure how thick a board that would let me clamp.

I don't use these often with the SS T-tracks, but as luck would have it I used two yesterday for a DP setup and haven't changed the setup. Mine have 3-1/2" bolts, which I'm about 95% certain are original. Fully threaded into a SS T-nut, they will easily clamp 2X finished material, but not 8/4 unfinished. The thickness limit is 1-13/16" or very close to that. A longer bolt or threaded rod would extend the range, I estimate that 3" clamping range is possible.

The above is with the long side of the "L" against the table and the short side on the workpiece. You can reverse that for a longer reach. In that case you are limited to about 1-1/2" thickness regardless of bolt length, SS T-track, or commercial T-track.

Note - I didn't understand the reference to 'threaded portion is only 1-3/16" long' but tried to answer it. Maybe the missing info is that the bolt head can fit into a recess in the knob, giving the knob more travel than it would otherwise have.

- David

[imgodot]

DLB,

Thanks for the response, the confusion is my fault.
You said t-nut but I was thinking t-BOLT.

-- Paul

[edma194]

I used long nuts on T-Bolts to extend them to hold down thick stuff. But the bolts are kind of short so T-Nuts with tapped holes to use a bolt or threaded rod of any length you like are a better deal.

[jsburger]

Just take the SS T-Nuts and add any length of threaded shaft you need. A little Loktite when you screw the threaded shaft into the T-nut flush with the bottom of the T-nut. Then on the bottom of the T-nut use a center punch every 90º around the perimeter of the threaded hole to stake the threaded shaft to the T-nut. Now you have a T-bolt with any length threaded shaft you want.

I have done that here and it works just fine.