On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 11:39:39 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
> On 10/28/2019 6:55 PM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
> > On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
> >> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
> >>> Has anyone tried these?=C2=A0 They look like they would be very usefu=
l for=20
> >>> a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little=20
> >>> pricey.
> >>>
> >>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
> >>>
> >>
> >> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2=
M3RH/ref=3Dsr_1_8?keywords=3Ddovetail+clamp&qid=3D1572299145&sr=3D8-8=20
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=
=3Dsr_1_19?keywords=3Ddovetail+clamp&qid=3D1572299231&sr=3D8-19=20
> >>
> >=20
> > Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I=20
> > missing something?
> >=20
> > I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could=20
> > fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like=
=20
> > the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
> >=20
> > Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that=20
> > didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so you=
=20
> > could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then allow th=
e=20
> > clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
>=20
> Understood, however this might be a case of tomato, tomaato. Off hand I=
=20
> do not see an advantage of a v-grove clamp over the typical slot clamp.
>=20
> T-slots clamps have been around for a long time with no issue. This may=
=20
> be a case of a cure for something that does not have a problem.
What if you looked at this from a different angle? (pun intended)
Instead of a thinking of it as a solution looking for a problem, what
if you looked at it as simply an alternative to T-tracks for those one-
off jigs or out-of-the-ordinary clamping situations?
As Bob D said "Laying out T-track takes more time and is a real commitment=
=20
to whatever layout you need." I have a few T-Track jigs that I built for=20
specific projects that don't get much use, but I don't want to throw them
out because it took me time to build them and maybe (I doubt it) I'll=20
do a project just like that again.
If I have known about the dove tail clamps at the time, I could have
built a jig that I wouldn't have minded throwing away or re-purposing
when I was done with it.
Again, not a replacement for T-tracks, just an alternative.
On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little pricey.
>
> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>
https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
On Sun, 27 Oct 2019 09:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Michael
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little pricey.
>
>https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
They seem to be intended as a substitute for T-track and its
associated hold-downs. At 5-10 bucks a foot, it doesn't take long for
t-track to add up to the same price. But there's a lot of stuff out
there that fits t-track, so it really depends on what you have and
what you need.
On Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 11:48:05 AM UTC-5, Michael wrote:
> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for a l=
ot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little pricey.=20
>=20
> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
I use them. I bought a pair. after using them for a couple of months, I bo=
ught 6 more. I have found all kinds of uses for them. Its quick to take an=
y kind of stock (plywood or MDF) and run a dovetail bit through it in vario=
us directions to make a useful jig, or work top or glue-up clamping surface=
. Laying out T-track takes more time and is a real commitment to whatever =
layout you need. With the dovetail clamps, you can just keep cutting new s=
lots wherever you need them. I've done my share of dedicated T-track instal=
lations and probably won't do any more.
That's my experience. I am sure many will not see any value and that's fin=
e.
On 10/29/2019 12:34 PM, dpb wrote:
> On 10/29/2019 11:29 AM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
> ...
>
>> While I agree that we're talking apples vs apples (sorta, kinda), I
>> like the idea of "making tracks" with a dovetail bit rather than
>> laying down metal t-track. While I agree that one could likely
>> replicate the t-track in wood using a key hole bit, do you think that
>> it would withstand as much clamping pressure as the v-groove.
>>
>> My thought is that the latter would be stronger and less likely to
>> break free under undue pressure.
>
> All 'pends on what you use for the substrate. I think realistically
> would only have an issue if used ply and the depth was such as to
> potential split along the ply. In solid hardwood (doubt if pine would
> be hard enough) I don't think either would be in danger as long as
> weren't totally in line w/ grain direction and even there I'd be
> surprised if could exert enough pressure to break it with those types of
> clamps.
We can probably lay this one to rest along with carcass of the dead
horse we've beaten to death.
Interesting thread that managed to cover all the bases (I think) of an
interesting woodworking tool/concept without veering off course or
becoming rife with personal attacks. LOL!
On 10/28/2019 8:22 PM, Bob D wrote:
> On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 6:55:38 PM UTC-5, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
>> On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
>>> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
>>>> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for
>>>> a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little
>>>> pricey.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
>>>
>>
>> Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I
>> missing something?
>>
>> I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could
>> fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like
>> the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
>>
>> Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that
>> didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so you
>> could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then allow the
>> clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
>
> I think your idea is validated by the fact that Microjig has come out with "track nutsl. I would think you could make something similar as you describe. See this link:
>
> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-nut-4pk
>
Close, but not really what I was thinking. Imagine if you will (cue
theme music from "The Twilight Zone") that same type of track shoe but
with a countersunk 10-32 screw sticking up from the bottom of the shoe.
The exposed screw could then screw into either an existing or purpose
built clamping mechanism. With the right screw size you could adapt any
T-track clamp you had to the dovetail track and it would be allowed to
swivel 360 degrees. For that matter, imagine how much better the
MicroJig clamp shown by the OP would be if it could swivel instead of
being locked into a single axis.
MicroJig's dovetail nut is a great start and for certain jigs it could
be very handy indeed. I just think that they haven't yet carried their
idea quite far enough.
The novelty here, as I see it, is not the clamps so much as it is the
ability to make your own tracks in any suitable material and by using
the dovetail method, provide strength that you could not accomplish by
cutting some sort of t-slot in the wood or MDF, etc.
On 10/28/2019 6:55 PM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
> On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
>> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
>>> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for
>>> a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little
>>> pricey.
>>>
>>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>>>
>>
>> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
>>
>>
>>
>> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
>>
>
> Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I
> missing something?
>
> I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could
> fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like
> the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
>
> Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that
> didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so you
> could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then allow the
> clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
Understood, however this might be a case of tomato, tomaato. Off hand I
do not see an advantage of a v-grove clamp over the typical slot clamp.
T-slots clamps have been around for a long time with no issue. This may
be a case of a cure for something that does not have a problem.
I do see that the MicroJig Dato Stop jig requires a v-grove slot clamp
so you may be locked in to using their v-grove clamps.
While you can use a DT bit to make your own v-groves in wood, you can
also use a key hole slot bit to make groves for the regular slot clamp.
I use both the Festool track screw clamps and the ratchet track clamps,
neither are v-grove and both hold as good as needed for me.
On 10/29/2019 10:39 AM, Leon wrote:
> On 10/28/2019 6:55 PM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
>> On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
>>> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
>>>> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful
>>>> for a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a
>>>> little pricey.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
>>>
>>
>> Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I
>> missing something?
>>
>> I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could
>> fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like
>> the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
>>
>> Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that
>> didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so
>> you could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then
>> allow the clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
>
> Understood, however this might be a case of tomato, tomaato. Off hand I
> do not see an advantage of a v-grove clamp over the typical slot clamp.
>
> T-slots clamps have been around for a long time with no issue. This may
> be a case of a cure for something that does not have a problem.
>
> I do see that the MicroJig Dato Stop jig requires a v-grove slot clamp
> so you may be locked in to using their v-grove clamps.
>
> While you can use a DT bit to make your own v-groves in wood, you can
> also use a key hole slot bit to make groves for the regular slot clamp.
While I agree that we're talking apples vs apples (sorta, kinda), I like
the idea of "making tracks" with a dovetail bit rather than laying down
metal t-track. While I agree that one could likely replicate the
t-track in wood using a key hole bit, do you think that it would
withstand as much clamping pressure as the v-groove.
My thought is that the latter would be stronger and less likely to break
free under undue pressure.
On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
>> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for
>> a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little
>> pricey.
>>
>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>>
>
> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
>
>
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
>
Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I
missing something?
I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could
fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like
the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that
didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so you
could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then allow the
clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
On 10/27/2019 5:32 PM, Bob D wrote:
> On Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 11:48:05 AM UTC-5, Michael wrote:
>> Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little pricey.
>>
>> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
>
> I use them. I bought a pair. after using them for a couple of months, I bought 6 more. I have found all kinds of uses for them. Its quick to take any kind of stock (plywood or MDF) and run a dovetail bit through it in various directions to make a useful jig, or work top or glue-up clamping surface. Laying out T-track takes more time and is a real commitment to whatever layout you need. With the dovetail clamps, you can just keep cutting new slots wherever you need them. I've done my share of dedicated T-track installations and probably won't do any more.
>
> That's my experience. I am sure many will not see any value and that's fine.
>
Thinking aloud here. . . How difficult would it be to adapt this
dovetail system to the current crop of T-Track hold downs. You may not
get the depth afforded by these, but I suspect that depth may get in the
way occasionally (what say you, Bob?).
A bit of aluminum bar stock, cut on an angle with a cheap carbide blade
or router bit and cut off what you need to convert a current t-track clamp.
On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 11:29:46 AM UTC-5, Unquestionably Confused =
wrote:
> While I agree that we're talking apples vs apples (sorta, kinda), I like=
=20
> the idea of "making tracks" with a dovetail bit rather than laying down=
=20
> metal t-track. While I agree that one could likely replicate the=20
> t-track in wood using a key hole bit, do you think that it would=20
> withstand as much clamping pressure as the v-groove.
>=20
> My thought is that the latter would be stronger and less likely to break=
=20
> free under undue pressure.
That's a realistic point that I had not brought up. The clamping pressure =
of the matchfit jigs far exceeds any T-track clamp I have ever seen. I hav=
e a number of jigs and a work table top that I made out of 1/2" MDF. Who w=
ould have thought that would work at all? But it does and quite well. The=
key-slot approach mentioned is inherently weaker because of the stress ris=
ers that occur at the right angle cuts inside the slot. I think they would=
break loose in 1/2" MDF for the applications I have done with Matchfit cla=
mps.
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 6:55:38 PM UTC-5, Unquestionably Confused wr=
ote:
> On 10/28/2019 4:50 PM, Leon wrote:
> > On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
> >> Has anyone tried these?=C2=A0 They look like they would be very useful=
for=20
> >> a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little=20
> >> pricey.
> >>
> >> https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
> >>
> >=20
> > https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M=
3RH/ref=3Dsr_1_8?keywords=3Ddovetail+clamp&qid=3D1572299145&sr=3D8-8=20
> >=20
> >=20
> >=20
> > https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=3D=
sr_1_19?keywords=3Ddovetail+clamp&qid=3D1572299231&sr=3D8-19=20
> >=20
>=20
> Both of these appear to be for use with T-Track vs. dovetail or am I=20
> missing something?
>=20
> I like the idea of the dovetail "track" and think that if one could=20
> fabricate their own aluminum foot to attach to various hold downs like=20
> the ones made of t-track, you'd really have something going.
>=20
> Consider a clamp similar to either the Microjig or the PowerTec that=20
> didn't have the foot attached, but rather just a screw in socket so you=
=20
> could attach a dovetail foot as I've described that would then allow the=
=20
> clamp to swivel 360 degrees.
I think your idea is validated by the fact that Microjig has come out with =
"track nutsl. I would think you could make something similar as you descri=
be. See this link:
https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-nut-4pk
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 4:51:01 PM UTC-5, Leon wrote:
> On 10/27/2019 11:48 AM, Michael wrote:
> > Has anyone tried these? They look like they would be very useful for a lot of applications, but $40 for a pair of clamps feels a little pricey.
> >
> > https://www.microjig.com/products/dovetail-clamps-2pk#Product-buy
> >
>
> https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71410-System-Capacity-Throat/dp/B07SN2M3RH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299145&sr=8-8
>
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Makita-194385-5-Clamper-Set/dp/B004Z55D2G/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dovetail+clamp&qid=1572299231&sr=8-19
I tried the Makita clamps a while back. They were not the same quality as the microjig clamps. I returned them.
On 10/29/2019 11:29 AM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
...
> While I agree that we're talking apples vs apples (sorta, kinda), I like
> the idea of "making tracks" with a dovetail bit rather than laying down
> metal t-track. While I agree that one could likely replicate the
> t-track in wood using a key hole bit, do you think that it would
> withstand as much clamping pressure as the v-groove.
>
> My thought is that the latter would be stronger and less likely to break
> free under undue pressure.
All 'pends on what you use for the substrate. I think realistically
would only have an issue if used ply and the depth was such as to
potential split along the ply. In solid hardwood (doubt if pine would
be hard enough) I don't think either would be in danger as long as
weren't totally in line w/ grain direction and even there I'd be
surprised if could exert enough pressure to break it with those types of
clamps.