Popular Woodworking 2006-04 № 154, страница 20

Tricks of the Trade

Compiled by Paul Anthony Illustrations by Matt Bantly

T-track Bench Tricks

SPEED-COPE™ JIGSAW COPING JIG

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THE WINNER:

When I built my new workbench, I outfitted it with typical front and end vises, but I also added T-track to one end of the bench, recessing it into a groove that I cut into the skirt. I mounted two 12" lengths of track in the groove, leaving a 4" gap between them to allow room for inserting T-bolts for holding various accessories.

The two accessories I regularly use are a planing stop and a pair of hold-downs. The planing stop, which is made from a scrap piece of V2"-thick Baltic birch plywood, is slotted, and attaches with two T-bolts and knobs. This allows me to adjust the height of the stop as needed to suit the thickness of the wood I am working. When planing or scraping, I find it's much more convenient to simply butt a

workpiece against the stop rather than pinch it between bench dogs.

I use T-track hold-downs to mount a workpiece vertically at the end of my bench. This method works much better than trying to hold a piece in just one side of a vise, which tends to rack the jaws. With my bench, I am able to vertically hold a piece as wide as 26" for marking out and cutting dovetails and other joints. I'm not sure what other accessories I'll use over time, but the T-track provides a measure of flexibility for my workbench as my woodworking skills develop.

Steve Sampson Wilbraham, Massachusetts continued on page 20

vertically at the end of the bench

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Add T-track to one end of the bench, recessing it into a groove that's cut into the skirt

CASH AND PRIZES FOR YOUR TRICKS AND TIPS!

Each issue we publish useful woodworking tips from our readers. Next issue's winner receives a set of three specialty planes from Veritas Tools valued at $500. This quality woodworking set includes a low-angle jack plane, an apron plane and a bullnose plane that can also be used as a chisel plane.

Runners-up each receive a check for $25 to $100. When submitting a trick (either by mail or e-mail) you must include your complete mailing address and a daytime phone number. If your trick is selected for publication, an editor will need to contact you. All entries become the property of PopularWoodworking. You can send your trick by e-mail to popwoodtricks@fwpubs.com, or mail it to Tricks of the Trade, Popular Woodworking, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236.

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Popular Woodworking April 2006