T Track use

[Lprice2011]

I am starting to build up and replace tools I currently have that were given to me. I have been seeing some woodworkers use T Tracks in their benches to hold down work, add a fence for router table and a plethora of other things. Why wouldn't more people utilize these of they seem so helpful? Or are they not all that useful? Any thoughts or insight would be great. 

[Mark J]

Hey, welcome to the forum.  

I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with using T-track on work benches.  There are many ways to get good holding.  

Most people when building work benches use holding systems based on dog holes including hold downs and clamping between bench dogs and a vice.  These are very powerful holding mechanisms and perhaps more robust than T-track.  

T-track is very versatile, although probably more expensive and a bit more difficult to install.

[Immortan D]

28 minutes ago, Lprice2011 said:

I have been seeing some woodworkers use T Tracks in their benches to hold down work

I use t-tracks on my router table, fences and jigs, but on my workbench I prefer dog holes or carpet tape.

Keep in mind that cheap t-tracks should not be used for hold down clamps on a workbench. You need the heavy duty ones. If you're planning on using Kreg clamps, you need a t-track that accepts 5/16” bolts (regular t-tracks are for 1/4" bolts or t-bolts).

[Tpt life]

1 hour ago, Lprice2011 said:

Why wouldn't more people utilize these of they seem so helpful? Or are they not all that useful? Any thoughts or insight would be great. 

Right now, traditional timber benches are popular and are therefore the background for many photos and videos. These timber benches will need to be reflattened or resurfaced at times and holding concepts are often selected that will not be bothered by that. The less currently sexy options often have these kinds of things. You just don’t see them in the photos as much. 

[wtnhighlander]

Since there are so many workholding options, it mostly comes down to personal preference. For example, David Picciuto recently built a bench with a traditional laminated timber too, but installed T-track, rather than using dog hole-base hold downs.

 

[Immortan D]

I still have t-tracks on one side of my bench, but since I installed a leg vise, I've never used them again. I plan to remove them when I have the time.

Some modern, Festool MFT inspired workbenches (like @shaneymack  's) still have dog holes on the top and t-tracks on the sides.