What do I need to know about T Track?

[dbhost]

I want to build some jigs, tall fence for the router table etc... and was wondering if there is anything I need to look for specifically in T-track? I was figuring on using HF 98608 36" Aluminum T-Track. But I was looking at Peachtree and they say theirs uses standard 3/8" bolts instead of special bolts for the T-slot. Specifically Peachtree item # 1019

Any other considerations I need to know about?

[LarryG]

I suggest using track that accepts 1/4" hex head bolts, rather than 3/8". Many of us here, myself included, have standardized on this size. The track is less expensive, and the bolts and knobs usually are too; and a 1/4-20 will hold anything you're likely to need holding in a wood shop. This smaller track is also thinner, so you don't need as deep a groove in which to mount it.

I have bought most of my track from Lee Valley. They're not necessarily the cheapest, but I order from them often enough that I can add some track to an order and not pay any more, shipping included, than if I ordered the track alone elsewhere. I like the LV track because it comes undrilled, so I can put the holes wherever I want them.

[dbhost]

Well, very reasonable prices, not out of line at all. And it looks kind of like the right ish stuff...

What size does the BT T slot use? It might be nice to be able to use the same T slot accessories between the saw and the router table...

[Black wallnut]

I can think of plenty of considerations that Larry did not mention. Keep in mind that different brands of T-track take different fasteners. The track sold by Rockler, often on sale as a kit, takes a t-bolt almost exclusive to them. 5/16" The T-slot cutter that fits these is made by Whiteside IIRC and is pricy, although a great investment IMHO. If you are planning on milling T-slots into wood or wood products a larger t-bolt is better than a 1/4" hex head with more surface area for contact. Do some research on sizes for each t-track brand and give your future uses some thought before taking the plunge. If you go with Rockler like I did keep in mind the higher cost later when you need just a little bit more or a few fasteners and they likly will not be on sale. Lots to think about.

[LCHIEN]

I agree with Larry G. on all his points.
Also beware of the Rockler T-track, it won't take 1/4 hex head bolts, you need special oval-head T bolts that cost about a $1 apiece.
I do however, use the Rockler T-track when they have the kit on sale, includes lots of bolts and knobs as well as the track for a reasonable amount.
T-tracks come in different thicknesses as well. Affects the head thickness and also the depth of the dado you need. there's no real standard.
Some come predrilled for bottom screws, others have a line down the center for guiding the mounting holes.
The T-slots in the BT are all strange sizes; doesn't match any t-track i am aware of.

[LarryG]

Mark makes good points, but he's mixing two systems (if I understand him correctly). The Whiteside T-slot bit allows you to cut an inverted-T-shaped slot directly in the wood and dispense with the aluminum track entirely. If you are going to do any of that, a T-bolt with the larger, oval-shaped head does have more surface area (important for a wood "flange" that's not as strong as aluminum) and you might want to use the same size bolt and knobs with any aluminum track you may also have. Me, I prefer to just cut a dado and drop in a piece of aluminum track, and for those a 1/4-20 is plenty stout.

Loring, I've mentioned this before, but let's try it one more time ... please look at the Lee Valley page I linked to. They have 5/16-18 T-bolts that fit the Rockler track perfectly; $3.10 for a bag of 10 in 1" length, $3.90 for 2". Rockler's bolt prices are indeed sky high but they're not the only game in town.

On the BT slots ... hang onto your hat, this is gonna get confusing.

Loring is correct, the various slots in the rails, rip fence, and SMT fence are all oddball sizes that have no relationship (of which I'm aware, either) to any T-track you can buy.

Aluminum T-track such as the Peachtree, Rockler, and Lee Valley (and more) products come in various sizes, but one way or another they all accept a bolt head of some size and have flanges on top so the bolt cannot lift straight out. Track of this type can be surface mounted, or recessed into a dado.

The slots in the Dual Miter Slot Table that many BT owners have (it was part of the old Accessory Pack) measure 3/4" wide by 3/8" deep, with no flanges on top. This is the defacto standard size that matches the guide bars on miter gauges, tenoning jigs, and the like. Also, the small size extruded T-track from Peachtree, LV, etc. typically measures 3/8" thick by 3/4" wide. The manufacturers often mention how this size track will fit a standard miter slot, which could be useful for certain designs of sliding jigs or fixtures, I suppose.

Now comes what may be the most confusing part. Most cast iron-topped table saws also have a standard 3/4" x 3/8" miter slot, but they also have extra "legs" at the bottom that make the slots look like an inverted T. The BT DMST does not have these extra legs; the slots on it are just a plain 3/4" x 3/8" channel. Most miter gauges and the like have flanges that fit into these extra legs, to keep the gauge from tipping out of the slot. Sometimes these slots on cast iron saws are called "T slots" but they are NOT the same thing, dimensionally or otherwise, as the extruded aluminum "T-track."

All of which gets back to the suggestion to standardize on one size. There's already enough different-sized crap to keep track of in a shop without adding still more variations in tracks, bolts, and knobs into the mix ...

[JR]

Ok, you could noodle this through until the cows come home. I defer to all noodlers capable of keeping that up for extended periods.

Alternatively, you could let your wallet do the thinking, setting the standard for your shop. The Rockler kit is currently offered at $14.99. It can sometimes be had for $9.99, but even the current price is a good deal.

JR

[Black wallnut]

I mention the T-slot bit only for the fact that if you buy the bit from Rocklers it cuts the same size slot internally as the track sold by Rockler. So in essence with this bit you can use two systems as needed with only one set of "t-bolt" hardware. Since I went Blue for my router table I've also used the same fasteners throughout my shop and used the expensive bit.