I'm not sure if I am trying to cram too much functionality into one workbench here. Could use a second opinion. Background - "beginner level" hobby woodworker. I managed to build a custom workbench, with "average" workmanship (I would never pay someone for this, but it's not going to fall apart...).
I have managed to get the MDF onto the top of the workbench and I will route the holes with a 20mm bit. But I also want T-track for things like my bench cookie risers and for a line of flip stops where they might be closer than 96mm.
I figure I have two options
1) I could route grooves between the 96mm holes and put t-track in. I was planning on using sacrificial boards when sawing on this. However, I used threaded inserts to mount the mdf so that I could flip the top or replace it easily. Flipping wouldn't be good with T-tracks, I wouldn't be able to put the tracks on the other side because there would be no depth left for the groove.
2) I could mount the t-tracks into strips of plywood then clamp these boards to the top using the 20mm holes. The strips would be above the top instead of being flush (which may not be a bad thing...). This would be more flexible since I could have several sizes and place them based on what I'm doing.
Has anyone tried to use separate strips of wood to hold the t-tracks? Any better ideas? My only other option was to build a t-track table on my other workbench (currently just a kit bench made with 2x6's with no "features"). However, I feared that once I built a t-track table, I would then want the 20 mm holes and effectively, I'd be building an MFT with track, the bringing me back to the options above.
I have managed to get the MDF onto the top of the workbench and I will route the holes with a 20mm bit. But I also want T-track for things like my bench cookie risers and for a line of flip stops where they might be closer than 96mm.
I figure I have two options
1) I could route grooves between the 96mm holes and put t-track in. I was planning on using sacrificial boards when sawing on this. However, I used threaded inserts to mount the mdf so that I could flip the top or replace it easily. Flipping wouldn't be good with T-tracks, I wouldn't be able to put the tracks on the other side because there would be no depth left for the groove.
2) I could mount the t-tracks into strips of plywood then clamp these boards to the top using the 20mm holes. The strips would be above the top instead of being flush (which may not be a bad thing...). This would be more flexible since I could have several sizes and place them based on what I'm doing.
Has anyone tried to use separate strips of wood to hold the t-tracks? Any better ideas? My only other option was to build a t-track table on my other workbench (currently just a kit bench made with 2x6's with no "features"). However, I feared that once I built a t-track table, I would then want the 20 mm holes and effectively, I'd be building an MFT with track, the bringing me back to the options above.
