autoBrad

Does anyone do this? Or does everyone do a dado and buy a track? I am making a cross cut sled and wanted to put a slot in the piece you push with.. So I could use this to set a stop.. for repeated cuts accurately...

I bought one bit at rockler on sale.. then I realized I had to first do a 3/8ths straigt bit first(or dado blade)... and I thought this was hoaky.. So I returned it.. only to figure out it seems to be the way to do it.. Most of the t slot bits that perform both cuts at once are huge like over an inch and that won't work with a 3/8 or 5/16ths t slot bolt... Any help is appreciated.. I can't be the only one that's cheap and doesn't want to buy aluminium tracks all the time..

Thanks

Brad

autoBrad

I expected it to be more like my keyhole router bits... to give you and idea.. the one I bought was this one..

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...t%20slot%20bit

You'll notice where it only has the one pair of cutters.. I realized the contained cuts like keyholes are hard on bits, etc.. cause the stuff has no where to go, etc.

LGC KX5 TC

are you planning on putting bolts in the slot then i would assume. If you are i would buy the t track anyways because i would think that the wood would fail eventually and the bolt wouldn't tighten anymore..

GeorgeC

Completely agree.

G

autoBrad

See, I thought if I was using oak that it would take a good amount of use before it got stripped where the bolt would just spin... Interesting point.

johnv51

A lot depends on where you're putting the bolts and how much you tighten them. If you're putting a slot in the back stop of the sled I would spring for the T Track. Watch HF. I picked up some from them a while back but they don't always have it in stock. I also put clamping slots in the base of my cut off sled by routing a wide slot only about 1/8" deep on the underside of the sled and a through slot for the bolt.

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Spilling wine on oak does not make it purpleheart!

AZ Termite

Brad, I have the bit that you are talking about. I used it when I was building my router table. I have two wings on my fence that slide back and forth in a t slot that I made on the back. The fence is made of MDF. I built the table about 6 years ago and have not had any problems with it. I use my router table quite often. I would say give it a try and see what happens, If it doesn't work all you will have to do is cut the dado in place of the t-slot.

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Assumption is the mother of all foul -ups

clampman

I you have good, flat stock, you could always cut half the T slot profile in each of two boards with a straight cut router bit or table saw and glue them together.

That way your could make them any dimensions you want.

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old toymaker

I use routed t-slots in several applications, Miter saw stops, miter gauge stops on the table saw, stops for aux table and fence for the band saw, router table, drill press you name it I use it.

Route several pieces at a time. When one gets chewed up, I just install a new one. If several feet are done at one time your stops can be switched between jigs.

I use mainly mdf and particle board for mine. All hold up just fine unless they encounter a saw blade.

char

I agree with old toymarker, Infact I bought a router jig two years ago so I could make stiles and rails with a handheld router, It is made out of mdf. I've made hundreds of doors and I have not had any problems with the T-slots. (Best jig I've ever bought or used, it puts my router table to shame) For making my own T-slots, I use rockler #90462 and 26099 bits. Well worth the money. Good-luck