bench slot question

Re: bench slot question

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native now in Jax Fl.

>Jim,

The first question that pops into my mind is for what purpose is this T-track to be used. I can only envision as a plane stop, but I'm thinking that you wouldn't be able to tighten up a stop tight enough and it would slip.

Todd O.

Re: bench slot question

JimG

>Basically stops and holdfast replacements. I generally put a stop at the front and a coulple along the sides of a board when planing. The front stops are fine, but the side ones I am constantlay going thru scrap to find a piece to hold the workpiece over more towards the front side of the bench. That's my main motivation here. Perhaps I asked the wrong question. What are the best ways to support the board along the length when planing. Stops are great, but as I said, I am consistently searching scrap to bring the board closer to the edge. Seems like every piece of scrap I save doesn't quite fit the next time.

jim

Re: bench slot question

ThomD

>One can make almost anything work if one tries hard enough.

I think if I wanted to deal with your problem a simpler method would be to base the tail vise on a quick release mechanism. The simplest version of that would be a Record vise as a tail vise, but one could probably find a more elegant solution. Even simpler would just be to make the tail vise from the most free turning hardware available.

The other option would be to make some kind of adjustible stop at the tail vise. This would be simpler since it involves an adjustment at only one point on the bench, and the tail vise does not usualy require a lot of pressure to control the board, while the dog holes are under greater pressure.

I think the T-slot might give more trouble than it is worth with dust or seasonal movement making it difficult to move the stop. I don't think the lip sounds strong enough for hold downs, and I personaly haven't found a need for infinite positioning on those. But I guess one will only know if someone tries it. It might not provide any difficulties.

Re: bench slot question

Dean J in MN

>Jim --

You mentioned holdfasts... I guess I don't understand why you are searching for scraps the right size. I just use two scraps and adjust them under my holdfasts to fit...

-Dean

Re: bench slot question

JimG

>Now I hadn't thought of that. Simple is good. Thanks!

Re: bench slot question

ThomD

>Huh? I thouth the idea was to have the hold-downs on a track so they could be moved anywhere. Since afterall T-shlot won't reduce the number of vertical pads you need to use. However, if the holdfasts aren't traveling in the track, then I think you have a very good chance the track is strong enough for the dogs, and it just becomes a mater of getting the tolerances right so the dogs don't jam, which shouldn't be all that easy.

I'm conservative, and wouldn't even instal the round holes for the Lee Valley dogs, I like the square holes, but you might be onto something with T-slots. Unconservatively, I made my bench out of two separate halves, so there is a slot running right down the middle I can secure moving stops in that, which is another alternative to getting the T-slots right. On can also stack chisels in there, and rig it for vaccum hold down, and auto sweap.

Re: bench slot question

JimG

>Well, to have the holddowns/dogs moveable would be a plus. But, my motivation was mainly support for the side of the board, as in Dean's picture above (the scrap supporting the length of the board). But I don't have holdfasts, so my side support has been done with dogs. Since the dog hole could be up to 6 in away, I'm always looking for some scrap of wood to make up the difference. That's why I thought maybe a few tracks would work.

get some holdfasts *LINK*

Steve Kubien

>Jim,

As per Dean's earlier post, get some holdfasts. They are a truly wonderful way to work. Joel has some new ones which are getting great reviews and Phil Koontz's are also fantastic (got a pair of them myself). Phil can be reached through galenavillageblacksmith.com

A link to Joel is found below.

Cheers,

Steve Kubien


Gramercy Holdfasts at Tools For Working Wood