bushwacked Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Going to work on some jigs this weekend but was curious if all T tracks are the same? I figured those would be a little easier to use than a T router bit ? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 No, they are not the same and I found that out the hard way. Where ever you decide to source your T Track from, stay with that source for your shop. I usually buy mine from Rockler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Negative. The spacing on the interior can and does vary. For example some play nice with Festool clamps and some don't. Exterior width/depth might vary as well, but I know for sure interior spacing does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Kreg makes a super heavy duty multi T track, lots of folks make some fairly heavy track, and there is a ton of cheap thin track out there. To use a T slot router bit you MUST first cut a slot/ dado ! Use the hardest wood possible or when you tighten a T bolt it will dig into the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Wow glad I asked ... I was looking at rockler and kreg cause it is blue and might as well go for my favorite color since I will have to look at it all the time. Then I saw the cheaper T Tracks and it got me to thinking ... Sounds like a definitely need to stick with Rockler or Kreg though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Which ever one you decide on, stick with. At least until you can compare them side by side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Which ever one you decide on, stick with. At least until you can compare them side by side. Gotcha gotcha .... I'm guessing with the above 2 brands I can't go wrong for now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 They all function the same way. The problem is that they don't all accept the same size bolt head. I haven't tried the Kreig ones so, not sure what size they accept. I have ordered a fair share of the Rockler kits and am super happy with the amount of bolts and knobs come in a kit. I seem to always have plenty around when I need one for a jig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Oh well that sucks they are all not one size fits all ... I guess I'll give Rockler a try first and see how that goes. Are these rails able to be cut with a hacksaw if needed? The better pricing is on the longer ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Yes, I've cut all of mine to length with a hacksaw. The best pricing from Rockler comes in the kits I've found. http://www.rockler.com/17-piece-universal-t-track-kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hacksaw or a metal blade in a saber saw,slowly! Fine small file for the burrs, inside and out. The long ones cut down fine for me. The Super heavy duty Kreg tracks will survive the most clamping pressure but they are not cheap at all ! The Rockler tracks are fine for most regular use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I've cut mine just fine on the miter saw with the stock blade. In fact, I saved it for that purpose only. Lock the piece down good and tight and you'll be fine. The shards slightly sting, and I don't need to mention eye protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Kreg and rockler are similar but not the same. Kreg is the same external size, but slightly narrower internally. If you have a bench grinder you can take a little off the side of the rockler t bolt base and also the threaded section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 They are not the same, because they are made for use with different things. Some use regular hex head nuts of either 1/4", 5/16" or 3/8", some use t- Bolts. Some can use more than one. So at a minimum you need to keep track of what kind of bolt you are using and make sure the tracks you get will use that bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Orange Aluminum has the best t-track prices that I have found... by far. http://www.orangealuminum.com/t-slot-framing-systems-and-tracks/t-track.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Orange Aluminum has the best t-track prices that I have found... by far. http://www.orangealuminum.com/t-slot-framing-systems-and-tracks/t-track.html Looks like pretty good prices on 80-20 style bars as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 ok, if they are all slightly different, which track is the best? I'm leaving best open here, because everyone has different needs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 ok, if they are all slightly different, which track is the best? I'm leaving best open here, because everyone has different needs... I see that Steve has a preference for a particular Kreig track but, for the most part, they all work the same so "best" really doesn't come into it. I like the Rockler kits because of the extra stuff they come with. I also like that they have predrilled and countersunk holes which some brands don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 I used the Kreg track that accepts 1/4-20 standard head bolts. https://www.kregtool.com/store/c17/trak-components/p94/mini-trak--48/ I'd highly recommend sticking to track that accepts standard bolt sizes, as it offers a lot more flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Orange Aluminum has the best t-track prices that I have found... by far.http://www.orangealuminum.com/t-slot-framing-systems-and-tracks/t-track.html Oh wow those are great prices ... Have you used them before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 For my router table, I went with Woodpecker. The reason being is that I like their combination t-track/miter slot. My old router table used t-track from Incra. Both brands accept 1/4" 20 bolts heads as well. For me, that is the priority, is that it fits a standard bolt head. Most brands do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Ya I was looking at Incra t track and their hold down clamps too but never heard of it before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 For my router table, I went with Woodpecker. The reason being is that I like their combination t-track/miter slot. Kreg makes these as well, it's what I use on my router table as well. https://www.kregtool.com/store/c17/trak-components/p91/combo-trak--48-mitermini-trak-combination/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Kreg makes these as well, it's what I use on my router table as well.https://www.kregtool.com/store/c17/trak-components/p91/combo-trak--48-mitermini-trak-combination/ I may have to try that one on my router table that seems like it could be very handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Whenever you can get multiple uses out of the T track, that's a good thing! I don't need my miter gauge to slide in any of my T track and preferred the thinner "toilet" bolts so, that's another reason I went with the Rockler track. If the Kreigs work for you, awesome! Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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