T Track, Miter Track etc

[r1968]

I am in the process of designing and building a router table and a miter slot for the BT3100 and for a future drill press and band saw table.. I want to buy an aluminum track that will fit a standard miter gauge. There are too many types of these around. The cheapest ones I have seen are from woodhaven
http://www.woodhaven.com/detail.aspx?ID=302
They also have another one that is 2 time as much cost
http://www.woodhaven.com/detail.aspx?ID=1603
Here is a 3rd option
http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11036

What is the difference? More importantly, is there a cheaper source?
Thanks
Raj

[monte]

Use the second option if you're planning on using a miter guage.

[LCHIEN]

The key is knowing the dimensions and to a lesser extent, knowing the options.

Your basic miter slots on most large table saws and the BT3 miter slots are 3/4" wide and 3/8" deep. The standard miter bar of a miter gage has a reactangular cross section 3/4" x 3/8" and slides in that slot.

So if you want a slot that will accept a standard miter bar then the 2nd one you list has that internal dimension. It also has a T-slot so it can handle miter bars that have an inverted "T". This keeps the miter bar from flopping out of the track when the heavy end is out over the floor. Also the T makes it possible to lock the bar in the slot with a simple bolt and threaded hole in the bar (useful for fixtures such as featherboards, etc.). Basically the ears of the T extend out the sides of the bottom of a standard bar. Thus, a standard or T-bar miter gage will work in that #2 slot.

The other two tracks you mention have 3/4 x 3/8" outside profiles, so they will slide perfectly in a standard miter slot. They have, instead of a solid cross section, another T which will accept the head of a 1/4-20 hex bolt to tying items to the track. You can crew this track to a slot dadoesd in a table for hold downs and stuff.

If you want a miter slot then the 2nd one you list will work but it is probably more expensive than a simple trac because of the T-slot.

here's an illustration of t-tracks for hold down bolts:
http://www.ttrackusa.com/track_%20systems.htm

Here's an example of the miter gage track with an internal T-slot and a matching miter bar:
http://www.ttrackusa.com/mitertrack.html

Not an endorsement, just a good illustration. Never used them before but it's their specialty.

[ElRay]

Also check-out Advantage Track. They have a web site http://www.advantagetrack.com, but it currently bites. Here's one supplier's search results with their track supplies: http://www.ai-supply.com/search/resu...8TA%29&MNF=ADT

Ray

[Deadhead]

Excellent information, Loring!

[lcm1947]

I too am looking for just a miter slot track but I don't need the T-type track just the miter slot track. Anybody know where I can find one. It seems the only thing available is the T-type type.

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by lcm1947

I too am looking for just a miter slot track but I don't need the T-type track just the miter slot track.

Rockler, for one, has it:

http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=2014

EDIT: Lee Valley has it, too, for less than Rockler (although the site won't get a cut from a LV order):

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,43455&p=45161

[lcm1947]

Thanks so much Larry. I was beginning to think that they weren't available any more or something. I looked all over including Rockler but they only showed me the T-track. Guess I just don't know how to hunt some up. I sure appreciate the help.

[Jim Boyd]

Hmmm. My Unisaw has t-slots milled in the table.