T-track instead of dogs

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I've thought the same thing many times, but my thinking is now morphing into getting a piece of 3/4" thick MDF, and recessing the T-tracks into it. I haven't really thought about whether I would leave the MDF loose or fasten to my bench in a few places with screws.

MDF doesn't do well in my humid climate. I like the white pre-laminated ply you get at Home Depot, but only for clamping fixtures.

[Prashun Patel]

You could (irony fully understood) mount your t-track to a large sheet of MDF, and use pegs to hold it in place with the bench's dog holes.

I am partial to dog holes because that's how I've 'grown up'. I trust them for hard planing. The other thing I like is that once the right accessories are made like a planing stop or bench hook, the fixed position of the dog holes makes setting and resetting them up precisely for your ergonomics quick. With t-track the flexibility can be a pain when what I really want is repeatability. I feel that with my drill press which HAD t tracks for the fence.

I mean, I think t-tracks were great when I was making a wide variety of things. Nowadays, I tend to make the same kind of thing over and over again, and appreciate repeatability.

[Shawn Pixley]

My bench is embarassing compared to most / all. It is layered MDF with an oak edge. I have a quick release vise and lift it onto sawhorses when I need to use it. I recessed two T-tracks on it in addition to dog holes. I have planing stops and other accessories that work with the tracks (square jigs for glue ups, etc.). I have hold downs and dogs for the dog holes. I use both the T-track and the dog holes.

I will build a new and better bench. I debate about the T-track for the new bench. Maybe in the infill for the split top?