T-Nuts vs Metric Bolts

[mdutch]

I've read this site for over a year, but never posted, so... Hello.

When I first got my BT3x, I didn't know squat about BT3Central, or T-Nuts, or anything much beyond the manual. I had an application for a >45 angle I had to cut a bunch. Seeing the nifty slots in the miter fence, I went to my local hardware store, fence-in-hand, and found some metric bolts that fit the slot perfectly. I built my jig, put wing-nuts on the bolts coming off the fence, and solved my problem.

So my stupid noobie question is: Is there a reason why most folks use T-nuts instead of other hardware like the metric bolts?

[maxparot]

T-Nuts not only are available to fit your fence but also in sizes to fit the slots in the rails of the BT3x. This makes them an excellent choice for attaching auxilary tables, extending the rails, (for wide table) and attaching other jigs to the BT3x.

[Jim Boyd]

quote:Originally posted by mdutch

I've read this site for over a year, but never posted, so... Hello.

When I first got my BT3x, I didn't know squat about BT3Central, or T-Nuts, or anything much beyond the manual. I had an application for a >45 angle I had to cut a bunch. Seeing the nifty slots in the miter fence, I went to my local hardware store, fence-in-hand, and found some metric bolts that fit the slot perfectly. I built my jig, put wing-nuts on the bolts coming off the fence, and solved my problem.

So my stupid noobie question is: Is there a reason why most folks use T-nuts instead of other hardware like the metric bolts?

Other than convience, Nope! I never used t-nuts when I had my Bt3k.

[LCHIEN]

Thing about t-slots, hex nnuts and bolts can be sloppy, there's a range of sizes that will slide in but won't rotate, thus being captured.

So some metric sizes will fit as you found, and some SAE bolts will fit.

So there's no right or wrong. In the US, most of us have easier access to SAE than metric due to years and years of the former.
Also the BT3x is built on SAE-sized hardware, not metric.

So before T-nuts everybody winged it. With T-nuts.com, there's a source of guaranteed to fit nuts... I guess its partly a convenience factor.

There's almost always more than one way to do things in woodworking.
What size metric bolt did you find fits well, I'll put it in the FAQ as an alternate solution?

[silverfox]

What Loring said.....and welcome to the cult, Mark!
Mike

[leehljp]

Welcome Mark! I made a jig to make greater than 45° angles too. It has been VERY helpful for me and I even use a similar one on my compound miter saw.

We are always looking for other ideas in jigs. Show us how you did yours. Post some pictures if you can.

Mine, as show here does not show the way that I eventually clamped it but the basic layout is here.

[mdutch]

Hey guys, thanks. Y'all seem as warped as the lumber at HD.
I'll invest in some T-Nuts. Just wondered what all the buzz was about.

leehljp: I made mine from a 45 triangle of 3/4 ply banded with angle aluminum. I hung it up but will check its accuracy if I need it again! I'll try to get a pix posted.

Last project: My kids are in college now so I have TIME again. Told the wife I was "redecorating" the garage. I tackled the Wood Magazine Lumber Storage Rack. It saved my butt with compact storage for lumber. May not have the volume some of you need, but for a weekend warrior like me, it's perfect. I'll post their pix as mine looks the same except I put the sheetgoods bin on the left side.

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by mdutch

Hey guys, thanks. Y'all seem as warped as the lumber at HD.
I'll invest in some T-Nuts. Just wondered what all the buzz was about.

leehljp: I made mine from a 45 triangle of 3/4 ply banded with angle aluminum. I hung it up but will check its accuracy if I need it again! I'll try to get a pix posted.

Last project: My kids are in college now so I have TIME again. Told the wife I was "redecorating" the garage. I tackled the Wood Magazine Lumber Storage Rack. It saved my butt with compact storage for lumber. May not have the volume some of you need, but for a weekend warrior like me, it's perfect. I'll post their pix as mine looks the same except I put the sheetgoods bin on the left side.
...

Ha, I saw you sig and it hit me. You're as warped as the rest of us.
SLightly subtle, the way you convert Holland to Dutch and the pun with a dutchman (patch); clever. Welcome to the group, feel free to comment. How can you hold your tongue for a year?

[mdutch]

quote:Originally posted by LCHIEN
Ha, I saw you sig and it hit me. You're as warped as the rest of us.
SLightly subtle, the way you convert Holland to Dutch and the pun with a dutchman (patch); clever. Welcome to the group, feel free to comment. How can you hold your tongue for a year?

Easy. I've been pulling the sheetrock, insulating, rewiring and panelling it. NOW I'm ready to build my shop. Other excuses... two kids in college, and here's what else takes up room in the garage. Which is why my dust collection system goes in VERY soon.

[gad5264]

mdutch, I know of worse things that you could be sharing your shop space with. Nice car.

[mdutch]

quote:Originally posted by gad5264

mdutch, I know of worse things that you could be sharing your shop space with. Nice car.

Like my wife.... {bada bing!}

[KenBurris]

Mark, you need to check AtH's <s>Jensen</s> posting in the archives. I'll look for the URL in a bit.


Nice looking Jensen, especially for a '74

[KenBurris]

quote:Originally posted by KenBurris

Mark, you need to check AtH's Wedge posting in the archives. I'll look for the URL in a bit.

Here it is
http://www.bt3central.com/forum/topi...erms=the,wedge,

AtH (Atilla the Hun) has been AWOL for a while, but he's quite a character. He had health issues last time we heard from him, and now it appears his website is offline also.

[DUD]

Mark I have tried other various ways to attach to the BT3X, and I find Jeff's T-Nuts work the best overall for me. Bill