DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

I finally got around to putting some T-Track in my drill press table. I
had some knobs and bolts left over from a T-Track kit that I had bought
previously, so I didn't want to spend money on hold down sets that came
with knobs and bolts.

I found this design on the Lumberjocks site and since I had some aluminum
stock lying around, I made a couple. Quick and easy. The part that took
the longest was letting the Plasti Dip dry between coats.

https://i.imgur.com/s76ggSZ.jpg

The aluminum stock is 1/4" x 1" x ~6"

Next task is to upgrade my fence to work with the T-Track.

DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

On 4/27/2019 8:55 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
I finally got around to putting some T-Track in my drill press table. I
had some knobs and bolts left over from a T-Track kit that I had bought
previously, so I didn't want to spend money on hold down sets that came
with knobs and bolts.

I found this design on the Lumberjocks site and since I had some aluminum
stock lying around, I made a couple. Quick and easy. The part that took
the longest was letting the Plasti Dip dry between coats.

https://i.imgur.com/s76ggSZ.jpg

The aluminum stock is 1/4" x 1" x ~6"

Next task is to upgrade my fence to work with the T-Track.


The only minor issue I see is drilling through and hitting the table or
the track. Thus, a piece of scrap wood under the project piece would
suffice.

I have a two track set-up with a fence and a square opening through the
table for the bit to pass through the main piece. Works well.

DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

On 4/27/2019 7:55 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
I finally got around to putting some T-Track in my drill press table. I
had some knobs and bolts left over from a T-Track kit that I had bought
previously, so I didn't want to spend money on hold down sets that came
with knobs and bolts.

I found this design on the Lumberjocks site and since I had some aluminum
stock lying around, I made a couple. Quick and easy. The part that took
the longest was letting the Plasti Dip dry between coats.

https://i.imgur.com/s76ggSZ.jpg

The aluminum stock is 1/4" x 1" x ~6"

Next task is to upgrade my fence to work with the T-Track.


Mine is similar except instead of the center track I have a 3" wide
slot, front to back, that holds a piece of sacrificial MDF. I can slide
the MDF out a bit to renew the spot where the bit makes contact.
Additionally I use the 2 side slots to hold a fence in place.

DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

On Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 1:07:41 PM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
On 4/27/2019 7:55 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
I finally got around to putting some T-Track in my drill press table. I
had some knobs and bolts left over from a T-Track kit that I had bought
previously, so I didn't want to spend money on hold down sets that came
with knobs and bolts.

I found this design on the Lumberjocks site and since I had some aluminum
stock lying around, I made a couple. Quick and easy. The part that took
the longest was letting the Plasti Dip dry between coats.

https://i.imgur.com/s76ggSZ.jpg

The aluminum stock is 1/4" x 1" x ~6"

Next task is to upgrade my fence to work with the T-Track.


Mine is similar except instead of the center track I have a 3" wide
slot, front to back, that holds a piece of sacrificial MDF. I can slide
the MDF out a bit to renew the spot where the bit makes contact.
Additionally I use the 2 side slots to hold a fence in place.

Well, since it's 34 and snowing sideways today, I decided to spend the day
in the shop.

I made a fence that mounts in the side T-Tracks and also routed out a 3" x 3"
pocket to hold the sacrificial MDF.

https://i.imgur.com/Dyd1IRu.jpg

The square is off-center so I can rotate the MDF 4 times as I need a new
landing spot. I made the pocket 1/2" deep and stacked two 1/4" MDF squares.
That way I have an on-site spare. I also cut a couple of extra squares
which I'll store in a place that will be perfect for them and that I'll
never forget. ;-)

I looked at a bunch of different lay outs for tracks on a DP table. 2, 3,
front to back, cross-ways, plus fences that swivel, etc. I thought about
how I use the DP and I think the current set-up will work. If not, I'll
add to it. I've lived with just a bare table for years, figuring out clamping
strategies and fences as needed. Today's mods will be a huge improvement.

If the weather is as sucky tomorrow as it is today, I may make one of
these:

http://woodarchivist.com/588-drill-p...ollection-jig/

DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

On Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:22:55 PM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:


If the weather is as sucky tomorrow as it is today, I may make one of
these:

http://woodarchivist.com/588-drill-p...ollection-jig/

Might it be better to mount/attach the dust collection to the table (somehow), rather than on the DP column? It would adjust with the table's adjustment, rather than being adjusted separately.

Sonny

DIY T-Track Hold Downs
 

On Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 8:26:16 AM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
On Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:22:55 PM UTC-5, DerbyDad03 wrote:


If the weather is as sucky tomorrow as it is today, I may make one of
these:

http://woodarchivist.com/588-drill-p...ollection-jig/

Might it be better to mount/attach the dust collection to the table (somehow), rather than on the DP column? It would adjust with the table's adjustment, rather than being adjusted separately.

Sonny

The table is installed as needed for larger items. Small shop, benchtop DP.

IOW, dust collection is always needed, the table...not so much.