Festool clamps in lee valley 5/16" t-track

[shaneymack]

I read a few posts on the festool clamps being compatible with the lee valley 5/16" t-track.  I just received them and they seem to be quite loose in the track. Has anyone else used these without problems?
And how are these fastened into my dado? I thought they would be screwed in but there are no screw holes. Did you guys just glue them in or did you drill holes in it  to be able to mechanically fasten?

 

[bobdny]

They are a little loose when you slide them in, but I think that just makes it easier to slide the clamps in place.  When you tighten the clamps, they hold quite firmly.  I glue mine in with epoxy. You could drill holes and countersink them if you prefer to use screws.

 

[shaneymack]

They are a little loose when you slide them in, but I think that just makes it easier to slide the clamps in place.  When you tighten the clamps, they hold quite firmly.  I glue mine in with epoxy. You could drill holes and countersink them if you prefer to use screws.

Thanks for the response. Is there an epoxy that is more suited for this task. Ive never used epoxy. Lee valley has a few not sure if one is better than another for this

 

[bobdny]

I have used West System, System Three, and MAS epoxies. While building a wooden boat, I settled on MAS with the slow curing hardener. I avoid quick curing epoxies because they don't give you enough working time, and they aren't as strong or as water resistant as the slower curing epoxies. I use small, 1 oz mixing cups ($5.95 for a package of 100 from Lee Valley) to mix up small batches at a time. I am also a fanatic about stirring the two components together thoroughly for two full minutes. (I use "Popsicle sticks" - craft stores sell them as craft sticks - for stirring.) I use disposable small brushes (sometimes called "acid brushes") to apply the epoxy, and I always brush it on both surfaces that I am joining. It may sound like overkill, but on the plus side, I have never had an epoxy joint fail on me either on my boat or my other projects. Although I have never used it, it appears that Lee Valley's G2 epoxy would be a good choice. If you use a "laminating" epoxy, like I do, you would also have to get some silica thickener to thicken it for gluing. (You won't need this with Lee Valley's G2 epoxy.)

 

[shaneymack]

Thanks for the info! I will order the g2. Thats what i was leaning towards

 

[mwildt]

You can also use machine screws that goes all the way through the board to a t-nut on the opposite site. That would definitely stay in place. Might be less cumbersome then glueing.