New Woodpecker Track Clamp Bench Tops

[peter halle]

Well here is that missing video:



Peter

 

[jimbo51]

The Woodpecker video notes that the top is produced on a CNC machine and that implies to me that the holes can be used for squaring materials. There was a thread on here that noted that Festool does not claim squareness with the MFT top even though it is likely produced on a CNC machine.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The Woodpecker video notes that the top is produced on a CNC machine and that implies to me that the holes can be used for squaring materials. There was a thread on here that noted that Festool does not claim squareness with the MFT top even though it is likely produced on a CNC machine.

If you go to the web page you'll see a picture of an 18" square lined up on 4 bench dogs. I did that all over the table and it fit everywhere. Now, that was part of the original run, done by the owner of the company with pristine, brand new tooling. Not trying to put words in their mouth, but I think Festool's concern is trying to marry the protractor fence and guide rail to dogs in the table. That assumes that not only are the holes square with each other, they're square with the perimeter AND the table is attached to the table frame perfectly square, as well.

If you're using a system where you're relying on the dog holes only, I would have confidence in this table. If you're using the protractor head and want to use dogs, in conjunction, it's possible, but you need to confirm that the table gets bolted in perfectly.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I think part of the visual annoyance is the two-tone color of the ply core. Peter's version from Valcromat looks much better.

 

[Cheese]

I think part of the visual annoyance is the two-tone color of the ply core. Peter's version from Valcromat looks much better.

For me it's the round holes juxtaposed against the square boundaries. Although if everything was the same color, it wouldn't be as noticeable.

 

[Vtshopdog]

This may finally push me into purchasing a MFT.  [tongue] It would be easy to use as a cutting table by aligning the saw cut with the clamping track. Until now I've always used the foam sheet on the bench approach. This has a lot of merit despite the fact that's it's tough on my eyes.  [smile]

Be aware if you run your saw kerf down one of the clamp channels your dust collection will suffer a bit as a fair bit of dust will be ejected from far end of the channel. Not end of the world but a noticeable difference.

 

[tsmi243]

T-slots milled directly into wood fail over time. 

Not if you're using em right.

Don't do setups that leave a gap over the track.  That's about all you need to know.  Here's Microjig, abusing this concept in an ad video-

1st pic- YES
2nd pic- NO

 

[cdconey]

What do you guys think?
https://www.woodpeck.com/track-clamp-bench-tops.html

I see the opportunity for a lot of sawdust to be trapped and hardware to be lost. 

Maybe I just like my Track Tubes and assortment of tops I made on my CNC way too much. 

 

[jeh]

It's likely a version of trypophobia.  It's a very busy image, after all.

Always looking for words and definitions I don't know so thanks for trypophobia.

 

[4nthony]

Noticed yesterday that Infinity also has one but looks like it only comes in one size.
https://www.infinitytools.com/dovetail-worktop-system

 

[WastedP]

I had several large tabletops machined that had 3/4" holes on a 4" grid.  I used the Festool clamps, then switched to the less expensive Powertec ones (that are identical to the ones on Woodpecker's site, but $5 less per pair).  All of those clamps have a little more than 2" throat depth.  I kept some 1" spacer blocks on hand that could offset the work from the dogs for clamping.  At no time using this system did I ever wish there were t-slots in it, as the holes/clamp combination allowed me to easily reach just about everything.  For weird stuff, I could make weird cauls or use bolts and straps.

 

[rvieceli]

The infinity one only has 3/4 inch holes.

Ron