Updated: 9/24 - T Track Table Build almost complete

blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
I am getting ready to build new kitchen cabinets for our new house and decided a it was time for a t-track table. Not to mention this is the first "fun" woodworking project I have done in over 5 years as the cutting board business did not allow time. Being frugal I decided I was going to build this thing from everything I could scrounge up in the shop... did I mention I am frugal? Wife disagrees and calls it cheap!! LOL

First thing I found was a Groz vice I bought when they closed the Greensboro Woodcraft store. Followed that up with some plywood leftovers and it's off to the races!

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A little dusty but new!!

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First thing was to laminate the 32" x 48" top together for a solid 1 1/2" base. Don't worry the blowout is going to be trimmed away.

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Next I lag screwed and glued the vice mounting block using a solid piece of 1" hickory.

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I mocked up the front trim board which serves as the interior jaw of the vice. 4 more lag bolts and this thing is going to be rock solid!! A trim bit in the router will clean that edge up..

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Day 2 completed and front trim board is in glue up!!
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Day 3 - Front jaw for the vice is being mocked up and trimmed to match the back! So nice to work on something fun again!!

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Front jaw completed and sanded.... Time for an adult beverage!! Stay tuned as this is a design build in progress!!
 
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drw

Donn
Corporate Member
Steve, all is looking good; I am sure when it is completed it will be highly functional as well as look great!
 

Roy G

Roy
Senior User
I made a vise similar to that years ago only I used a bench screw and some MacPherson strut rods for alignment. I found that when I tightened down on the workpiece the movable jaw tended to deflect. I was using a piece of 2x10 pine for the jaw so your hickory may be stiffer. You may want to design a toe-in feature on your jaw. I am also wondering how much wood you have behind the dog holes. You may consider reinforcing that area of the jaw. Sometimes using the vise the workpiece slips so more force is exerted on the handle which could lead to a split along the way.

Roy G
 

blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
I made a vise similar to that years ago only I used a bench screw and some MacPherson strut rods for alignment. I found that when I tightened down on the workpiece the movable jaw tended to deflect. I was using a piece of 2x10 pine for the jaw so your hickory may be stiffer. You may want to design a toe-in feature on your jaw. I am also wondering how much wood you have behind the dog holes. You may consider reinforcing that area of the jaw. Sometimes using the vise the workpiece slips so more force is exerted on the handle which could lead to a split along the way.

Roy G
Thanks Roy… I did not like it after I drilled it for that exact reason.. will likely put a another piece on the back side
for support
 

blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
The top trim is finished and the corners chamfered. After some thought... I located some scrap laminate and well now it has a laminated top.
 

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blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
Next I decided I would reduce the amount of plywood in the shop and fashioned some legs to support this endeavor.. I also think the black T-Track will offset the gray laminate nicely... Next I will start on a base with drawers to connect the legs to.
 

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Henry W

Henry
Corporate Member
Ok Steve - I will bite and supply the dumb question of the day. Not sure I understand the end goal or destination; I could wait for your completed pics, but will ask anyways.
Is the T-track to be inlaid into the surface? And I assume the goal is work holding, or clamping to a surface; is that correct? I understand you are headed towards kitchen cabinets - is this for doors or the boxes?
Sorry, I'm just not familiar with these types of tables.
Thanks
 

blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
Ok Steve - I will bite and supply the dumb question of the day. Not sure I understand the end goal or destination; I could wait for your completed pics, but will ask anyways.
Is the T-track to be inlaid into the surface? And I assume the goal is work holding, or clamping to a surface; is that correct? I understand you are headed towards kitchen cabinets - is this for doors or the boxes?
Sorry, I'm just not familiar with these types of tables.
Thanks
Never a dumb question Henry!! The table will have t-tracks recessed into the top like the ones in the jig below. They are used with various accessories to hold work pieces especially when using things like pocket hole screws. Google T-Track accessories and that should paint a little better picture. My primary use for it with the kitchen cabinets will be to build the face frames. This jig was one I finally built after 20 years to provide a little better stability with my pocket hole drill guide. I will be able to use a material stop and speed up production!! Hope this helps!! Take care.
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blazeman45

Steve
Senior User
Have to finish the drawers and she is complete
 

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Rwe2156

DrBob
Senior User
Nice job & not meaning to throw cold water on anything but I have a similar set up, and when I redo my assembly top, I will do away with the T tracks. Reason being they catch screws, pencils and end up with glue drips, which are a PITA to remove.

In the building process, cab boxes and face frames I’m usually clamping at the edge of of the assembly bench using F clamps.

I’ve opted to make an MFT type top and use self adjusting clamps. Combined with Parf dogs, I’ve decided this will be a more useful set up for me. I also plan to have a dead man type arrangement with vertical T track to hold material vertically.

The laminate top is a good idea.
 

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