Has any any one found any thing that works for t track that is a cheaper alternative over buy the stuff offered by the big company's. There has to be someone making it for the non woodworking world. I don't care about color.
Thanks
AJ
[OP]
Member
Has any any one found any thing that works for t track that is a cheaper alternative over buy the stuff offered by the big company's. There has to be someone making it for the non woodworking world. I don't care about color.
Thanks
AJ
Contributor
I have bought some 1/4" rail from McMaster Carr I think and it was about 30% cheaper than the Incra, etc.
Jack
What are you using it for? At $20 with a set of knobs, Rockler's price does not seem out of line to me . . . when they're on sale like now.
T-track-sale.JPG
The universal track fits 1/4" and 5/16" t-bolts as well as 1/4" hex heads which makes it my primary choice for my shop.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Member
just buy the t track bit and mill your own into the work table, kinda like slatwall but flat. and then buy of build the hold down accessory's
Member
I bought mine from McMaster (last week) as well. $12.35 for a 48" track.Originally Posted by Jack Lemley
Kevin L
Moderator
Peachtree has decent prices.
http://ptreeusa.com/ttrackproducts.htm#1018
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Andy Rooney
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That is what I've been doing for years now, works great.
Contributor
You may have seen my post about the t track table I am making. I ended up taking advantage of Rockler's $20 deal for 48" track with knobs- cheaper than the track without the knobs! I bought 24 of them, so now I have TONS of knobs!!!! (It's a big table and has t track on the sides as well as the top).
The reason I went with Rockler is their T-Track has slots for t bolts and 1/4" hex bolts. In my research, I found a great deal on eBay for track that just takes hex bolts if that is okay for you. Also as mentioned Peachtree has a great deal, and HhighlandWoodworking also has a good price on 1/4" hex bolt track. Pretty simple to change t bolts out for hex bolts if you already have t bolt accessories.
Keep us posted on what you do.
Contributor
I use Orange Aluminum, 48" for less than $8.
Mike
That is a good price. If you don't want to use t-bolts (which with this track I see no advantage over 1/4" hex heads) and your mounting location can handle the depth, this would be your low cost option for sure. The 1/2" depth could be overcome for smaller jigs by epoxying into position in 3/4" stock. Definitely looks heavy duty. I already have an array of 5/16" and 1/4" fixtures so I prefer the head versatility but, this is an attractive option.
Last edited by glenn bradley; 01-18-2015 at 2:24 PM.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Member
I second (or third, or whatever) the motion. I would suggest that you use a straight bit, or do it on the table saw, before cutting the "t-track" bit: the shank of the t-track bit - or at least the one I have - has edges, so theoretically it could cut it's own path, but then there is the little problem of making the t-track straight...
I've done it on the router table, and also freehand using an edge guide on the router as well as using a temporary "fence" clamped or screwed or whatever to the object to be slotted to guide the router. If you are making a blind t-track - which is perfectly possible, and came in useful - you will, of course need a nice hole at least one end in order to be able to insert the bolt.
I wish I had a photo of it, but, alas, the unit is now at the other side of the country from me. I put the t-track in an oak "wall desk" unit. It was fun - we had to lay the unit on it's back to do the work.
>>> Je Suis Charlie <<<
Member
You can search T Track on Ebay and there is a company that sell the Track in several different lengths and quantities, the price is right too.
Member
I also use Orange Aluminum. Using the standard 1/4" bolts along with their T-track prices was the best deal I found for jig making. Being able to use the 1/4" bolts was the real deal maker, I can make my hold downs for next to nothing compared to buying the other T-track parts. Handles, knobs etc., I can make out of wood using homemade threaded inserts.
http://www.orangealuminum.com/t-slot...s/t-track.html
Contributor
Do you find, using normal bolts instead of T-bolts, that your jigs/fences bind up when trying to make adjustments to them? This was my experience with trying to use bolts in Lee Valley t-track. When I gave in and bought the T-bolts, my fences adjusted much more smoothly.
I just saw this, tossing it out as another option but have not tried it:
Shop Fox D2725 T-Slot Track 36"
$7.76
http://toolsandmore.us/shop-fox-d2725-t-slot-track.aspx
Tslots.com make a really wide range of related stuff. I downloaded the catalog and price list last week and I think the prices were OK, though I have not properly compared. I mention it more as a source of ideas.
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