Anyone using T-Tracks on reloading Bench?

harry_x1

Khalsa
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 13, 2019
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Hi there - if you have experience using t-tracks on reloading bench, can you share your experience? Pros, cons, learnings, suggestions...I plan to have a 168 inch long reloading bench and looking for ideas on how best to equip it...I have almost everything related to reloading on the desk with focus on reloading for light and heavy ELR matches...thanks
 
My bench has T-track and I love it. It runs the entire length of my bench and has two rows of track. My Dillon 650 has I believe it’s a strong mount and that is how far apart they are spaced. I use MDF board and bolt other presses to it. I would not go back. Only thing I would do differently would be to purchase something that covers the track so things don’t fall into it. But most of the time if it happens it’s easily retrieved.
 
There is a thread about building the perfect reloading room. Several examples of T-track in use. I will be using T-track on my next room.

 
Has anyone managed to pull the track *out* of the bench top while loading? Wrestling with a stuck case, or even just during routine operations?

A lot of track sections I've seen have awfully tiny screws. Yeah, there are (usually) a bunch of them, but still. Makes me nervous.
 
If your using MDF for your workbench surface w/T-track, consider longer screws that can go thru the top and into another underside solid wood board/plywood. Make that underside board wider than the t-track to increase clamping/spreading load of those screws/t-track. Consider using epoxy under the track for extra holding power as well.

I’m building a small 30-36” reloading bench using a solid birch wood top and zero need for underside extra support. Will be routing, glueing & screwing aluminum t- track flush.
Don’t care about being able to pull up the t-track or reusing it. Screwing into solid wood workbench surface will provide clamping power over MDF. Epoxy glue will be extra insurance.
 
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Has anyone managed to pull the track *out* of the bench top while loading? Wrestling with a stuck case, or even just during routine operations?

A lot of track sections I've seen have awfully tiny screws. Yeah, there are (usually) a bunch of them, but still. Makes me nervous.
I glued and screwed mine; they're not coming out. T-track allows me to clamp my inline fabrication base/forster coax and an area419 barrel vise as needed and then remove when not in use freeing up space on the bench. Another option is to use a "T-slot router bit" to route a t-slot into your bench top. I'm a big fan of Powertec T-track and their accessories.

IMG_3679.JPG
 
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Has anyone managed to pull the track *out* of the bench top while loading? Wrestling with a stuck case, or even just during routine operations?

A lot of track sections I've seen have awfully tiny screws. Yeah, there are (usually) a bunch of them, but still. Makes me nervous.

I bedded mine in epoxy resin and I've never pulled it out. My whole table which is heavy as fuck will move before the thing tries to come out.
 
I glued and screwed mine; they're not coming out. T-track allows me to clamp my inline fabrication base/forster coax and an area419 barrel vise as needed and then remove when not in use freeing up space on the bench. Another option is to use a "T-slot router bit" to route a t-slot into your bench top. I'm a big fan of Powertec T-track and their accessories.

View attachment 8535798
I like the barrel storage tube.
Do you have a rack or something to store the tubes in/on?
 
I glued and screwed mine; they're not coming out. T-track allows me to clamp my inline fabrication base/forster coax and an area419 barrel vise as needed and then remove when not in use freeing up space on the bench. Another option is to use a "T-slot router bit" to route a t-slot into your bench top. I'm a big fan of Powertec T-track and their accessories.

View attachment 8535798

Dude, the "over cut".......
 
not yet but now you got me thinking about making one.
I’ve been thinking about this… I need to figure something out.

My though was just use sections of PVC & drill them under a 2x4, then mount 2 of those under a table. Hole saw in 2x4s would also work, but I’d like to have ~6” of retention on the “captive” side. That way you can relocate the whole thing later if needed
 
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I used the inline fab flush quick change mounts and have them mounted 2' apart. I can remove any equipment and have a flush bench surface. I did not want to fish stuff out of the T tracks when working with small parts.
 
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I’ve looked at Rockler and the miscellaneous ones on Amazon. I have an 8 ft piece of Bowling Alley to make into a new top. I used the Inline Fab mounts on my press and have an Inline Fab flush mount as well.

I kinda rethinking the flush mount as it was really only for the vice. I do want to be able to take everything off and have a mostly flat surface.

Would you skip a flush mount and just do all t track?
 
I’ve looked at Rockler and the miscellaneous ones on Amazon. I have an 8 ft piece of Bowling Alley to make into a new top. I used the Inline Fab mounts on my press and have an Inline Fab flush mount as well.

I kinda rethinking the flush mount as it was really only for the vice. I do want to be able to take everything off and have a mostly flat surface.

Would you skip a flush mount and just do all t track?
T-track allows you to secure more than reloading related components compared to inline fabs flush mounts. imo rockler is materially overpriced compared to powertec (https://powertecproducts.com/powertec-t-track/) although I haven't priced stuff lately. powertec is equivalent-to-superior when compared with rockler quality in my experience (i started with rockler, converted to powertec). t-track also gives location flexibility whereas the flush mounts are always going to go in the same spot. my tew sents.
 
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T-track allows you to secure more than reloading related components compared to inline fabs flush mounts. imo rockler is materially overpriced compared to powertec (https://powertecproducts.com/powertec-t-track/) although I haven't priced stuff lately. powertec is equivalent-to-superior when compared with rockler quality in my experience (i started with rockler, converted to powertec). t-track also gives location flexibility whereas the flush mounts are always going to go in the same spot. my tew sents.
I have tried some of the powertec clamps and they are less than stellar quality. In fact, two of them fell apart with little to no use.
 
I have a reloading bench with Rockler T-track and hold down clamps. They are great quality and work great on securing all my stuff. If you sign up for email notification they usually offer a discount. I think I also got my stuff around the holidays last year and they ran some good sales. Your timing might be right.