Low profile clamps

[1601chief]

Can anyone suggest good hold down clamps to use with t trac? Getting Stinger 1 soon and want to be ready to go.

[rcrawford]

These clamps from Rockler are probably the most popular. I've used them for 4 years on my machines. They are aluminum, so don't wreck your bit when you accidently run into them!

[rtp_burnsville]

I use wooden wedges to hold almost everything these days. For the most part there is nothing to hit those high dollar router bits and nothing sticks higher than the work piece (safe Z can be just above the work surface to speed cut time). All of the fancy hold down clamps have just been gathering dust in the drawer for months.

I showed this to a couple of local users and they are taking a similar approach to work holding. Best part is you can make them yourself with scraps so the cost is close to zero. A 7 degree taper made out of maple or something similar works very well.

Robert

[sgodding]

I second using wedges, which work well to limit side-to-side movement, but you do still have to have something to hold the piece down sometimes. I've used double-sided tape for this, which works unless the piece decides to warp during cutting. If there's any possibility of that, I just make simple hold-downs from scraps of wood and either screw them to the table or use a short t-track bolt to hold them.

[Charlie_L]

This post has some clamp information that might be worth reading.

http://camheads.org/showthread.php?t=2313

I really like the home made ones that I use. I have the Rockler ones too, but pick them second over the wood ones.

[TinKnocker]

I bought the T-tracks, but I never use them, I just screw everything down.

[1601chief]

Thanks everyone i think i will make some out of wood. How do you wedge them do you have a jig or something?

[jalcathie]

i use shop fox cam clamps

they give side pressure as well as a downward angle, in conjunction with t-tracks and the rockler type clamps cover just about all of my needs.