Loading Bench T Tracks

[Stpilot12]

Hey guys.. Thinking I want to add some tracks to my bench, but I don't know much about them. I see a few different sizes available, Im ASSuming the heavier duty tracks would be better for running presses and such. Any of you DIY yours or buy your bench that way? You think they're worth it? If you did them yourself, what kind of router bit did you use, anything special? I'm kinda handy with my wood (giggity) working, from the pix i've seen they look pretty straight forward. Any vendors or special hardware you would recommend?

Any info greatly appreciatedI Thanks!

 

[pmclaine]

I went with a product from Rockler Woodworking (Google ROCKLER). Probably the least heavy duty of other options out there.

Going good 6 years or so on.....

 

[Stpilot12]

Yeah, that looks good, exactly what Im looking for. Found Rockler. You just cut them in with a router? Thanks!

 

[pmclaine]

Yep I used a router with a rail clamp to keep the cuts straight.

I also epoxied and mechanically mounted them with screws, nuts and washers.

 

[Stpilot12]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Diver160651]

I used liquid nails and rain my track parallel to the bench face

 

[mdmp5]

What’s the purpose of the tracks?

 

[Stpilot12]

I have somewhat limited space so I want to set up my bench to move my D650 and 550 around. Also have an AMP coming as well.

 

[pmclaine]

What’s the purpose of the tracks?

When I need to use my vice I push the press to the back of the bench and mount the vice....

 

[mdmp5]

Oh. I actually didn’t notice the tracks were embedded in the table. Makes sense

 

[Stpilot12]

Ooooohhhh... didn’t think about mounting a vice that way. Me likey

 

[Diver160651]

I also mount one or more at a time a includeing a vice, a 650, a coax, 2 rubs, a powder thrower then remove all when not in use.

My setup is not nearly as nice as the one shown above.

But here is an old image from when the Charge masters first came out. Never could get it working correctly. My other presses, and A&D balance are put away.

The only point is that my tracks allow multi items to be used at the same time.

 

[Stpilot12]

That looks good Jim. That's what I'm after, the ability to move around presses and add the annealer, case trimmer etc. Looks like your bench is about the same dimensions as mine, but my 550 and 650 are hard mounted which takes up a huge chunk of space. Thanks!

 

[Diver160651]

@pmclaine nice setup!

 

[Diver160651]

@Stpilot12 Hope to shoot soon with you again.

 

[Stpilot12]

@Stpilot12 Hope to shoot soon with you again.

Yup!! We will for sure!

 

[pmclaine]

@pmclaine nice setup!

One of the best value buys I got in this sport.

My bench design is based on a 60's era set of plans for building a plywood bench.

I planned on building that bench myself on the hours when not working at my day job.

I priced up the lumber and that alone was well over $1K using "nice" plywood and standard pine dimensional pieces.

One night my wife said why dont I ask the company that built some of our bedroom furniture to build it. It wasnt custom furniture we bought it at a retailer but knew they were in the region. I thought she was nuts, there would be no way I could afford that.

Well the furniture company said they would not build it but they gave my request to one of their foremen and he wanted to do it.

I gave him the plans and he came back with a price using maple cabinet grade wood that was double what I was going to pay for lumber which in light of not having to risk losing fingers and real cabinetry I found to be very fair.

On top of that the builder delivered it and set it up.

A great work space that will last forever.

Excuse my pride......

The builder has since built us a few other custom items around the house. Last we spoke to him though he was changing careers to computer programming.

 

[edd1e22]

Resurrecting an old thread, I'd like to explore installing T tracks on my new work bench. Has anyone else done this and have any updated feedback good or bad?

My initial plan was to run the track 4" from the front edge of the countertop and have a perpendicular set of tracks to push a press out of the way in the middle. Attached is a rough sketch of my bench. Each square is 4" so total overall length is 96"/8'. The three red rectangles represent 16" desk drawer cabinets that I'm using as the base with 2 x 24" stations in between.

After watching one of gavintoobs/ultimate reloaders video, I noticed he has his rail mounted on the far outer edge.

YouTube link for Ultimate Reloader

Does anyone have any recommendations or experience on where to mount the rails?

 

[pmclaine]

With most presses you will need to get the front of the mount pretty close to the edge of your worktop in order to allow full swing of the operating handle.

4 Inches from the edge is alot of space. Check your machine will operate at that setback.

 

[edd1e22]

@pmclaine that's a great point. My concern about mounting it on the edge is will not be as secure but I guess that's unfounded. Did you do t tracks for your bench as well? If so, whats your experience been and do you have any recommendations on how to do things better?

 

[pmclaine]

Look at the pictures above......

 

[edd1e22]

@pmclaine I didn't realize that was your bench. Beautiful build!