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I want to make one end of my workbench a clamping station for doing face frames and some other assemblies. I like the heavy duty looks of the Kreg clamping track - seems it will hold up well. But it may be overkill for what I'm going to be doing. Maybe just plain old t-track with the Rockler or Bessey auto clamps would work fine. I know some of you have used 80/20 to make clamping tables too. Any pictures or explanations of your setup would be greatly appreciated.
Lonnie
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Just saying the words "clamping table" sets off a picture in my mind. From experience I would suggest to go with some metal track that has width, and allows you to attach it to the table from both sides. The single width track material with just a center mounted screw will want to twist up if you apply any force to it. Beyond that the world is your oyster, there are so many choices.
On the Festool MFT it has width too, it's just mounted on edge.
Probably the 2 most widely sold "pre made" clamping tables, both offer the wider track.
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya
GW
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I'm not sure you want to do this to your workbench, but here's what works for me.
I built a bigger/better router table top, and put the old one on my sanding/clamping station.
The opening comes in handy, the t-track not s'much, but it has been used a time or two.
I do like glueing up over plastic laminate. Dried glue pops right off.
I'm a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.
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Check out the video on CNC spoilboards You can do the same sort of thing in good quality plywood and use 1/4" or 5/16" T-bolts or weld nuts as needed to clamp any way to wish. No expensive T-tracks.
Obviously, this set up will not be as strong as using t-tracks, but your post alluded to lighter duty, so it may serve. Plus you can re-make the clamping surface any time you want if it gets damaged.
Ralph
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You might find this one interesting.
link
If you are going down a river at 2 mph and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to shingle your roof?
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I made a torsion box and currently use it as an assembly / outfeed table. In the future I'd like to add the kreg traks and clamp like the ones in Steve's pic and they also make a
vertical one that I'd like to add. Additionally I want to somehow be able to put on and take off a track for a track saw for making cuts wider than my mft can handle.
Benefit of the torsion box is it remains pretty dang flat which is important for assembly of things like a chair, table, etc so you know it will sit flat. But it does take a bit of room though so it may not work for you if you're in a really small space.
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I'm getting ready to make a torsion box assembly table that will replace my crummy bench top. I'm going to put some t-track on the sides, too, so I can clamp from all directions. I think a properly setup table will make it easier and quicker to route matching pieces at the same time. The side track could also allow you to make a long guide for your track saw.
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You probably know about this or already know the steps to build one but just in case here is a vid Marc s (wood whisperer ) did which he got from David marks. I did the same ting but used 1/2" mdf as my sacrificial top because it stayed flatter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Hbsou6cWohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPDXKbbHENQ
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Mr Eddie said:
I want to make one end of my workbench a clamping station for doing face frames and some other assemblies. I like the heavy duty looks of the Kreg clamping track - seems it will hold up well. But it may be overkill for what I'm going to be doing. Maybe just plain old t-track with the Rockler or Bessey auto clamps would work fine. I know some of you have used 80/20 to make clamping tables too. Any pictures or explanations of your setup would be greatly appreciated.
Lonnie
I built the Kreg track in my work bench/outfeed table/assembly table several years ago. I clamp all sorts of stuff whenever I need to. I did not install a track at the end of the table because I was worried about something coming off the saw and binding.
I have built face frames for over 50 cabinets, and a few drawer fronts also.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd265...09-19125139.jpghttp://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd265...H_2350.jpg
