My New Clamp Bench Birthday Plan

[Rick]

Ok folks I am a novice and so I am looking at this bench from that perspective.  My better half for my birthday ordered a Kreg Vice Kit and Rockler Universal T Track for my new bench I built.  

I thought and wondered why Kreg trak blocks could not be incorporated as sliding bench dogs to work with the Clamp Vice Kit.   This is a pic of my sketch.  Comments welcomed.

[Ken Darga]

This clamp system is an asset to an assy table, worktop, workbench, or the like.

  and /or   (features a larger base plate)

Allows for 360 degree pivoting.

Very handy for many clamping and holding tasks---

cutting routing, sanding, shaving, planing, just to name a few.

[Rick]

I can see that Ken.  It is on my list . Any suggestion as to the location best suited on the table for the base plate.??

This clamp system is an asset to an assy table, worktop, workbench, or the like.

  and /or   (features a larger base plate)

Allows for 360 degree pivoting.

Very handy for many clamping and holding tasks---

cutting routing, sanding, shaving, planing, just to name a few.

[Ken Darga]

Rick,

I'd use two Kreg Klamp tracks, in lieu of the tracks shown in the drawing.

Kreg's Klamp tracks are HD.

Two such tracks should suffice for most clamping tasks.

I prefer the tracks located in the "Left-Front" corner of the worktop.

Work with your new top for awhile, before adding the clamping plates.

If you plan to add the larger plate, I’d locate it in the geometric center of the work surface,

Or,

 two smaller size plates in strategic locations, to facilitate your project pieces, you intend to make.

You’ll have to figure it out, where they’ll work out best to suit your needs.

 

A Klamp Plate(s) can be easily added at a later date.

A recess can be machined in the worktop to accommodate the plates.

I have a plate in the geometric center, on one of my worktops.

Could you please define the "bench dog blocks" shown in your drawing?

I find bench dog holes (3/4" dia) much more usefull.

I have them in a variety of worktops.

(Make the bench dog holes using a forstner bit, for best results).

[Rick]

I was just thinking with the bench dogs that rather than being defined into each hole location maybe a track with kreg blocks like on the kreg vice clamp would slide and be locked at any location along a track.  

[Ken Darga]

Rick,

Installing track(s) and using stop blocks will work nicely.

I have one worktop that includes 2 t-tracks, just for that purpose.

The track extends the entire length of the worktop.

The end of the tracks need to be open/have an open area, to allow insertion and removal of the clamping bolts.

If you deside to have shorter t-tracks, than the entire length,

mortise a 3/4" dia opening, at each end of the track, to facilitate inserting the bolt heads.

(Counterbore a round hole and sqaure off the corners with a chisel).

Alternate:

Install "t-track intersection" at strategic locations, to suit your needs.

Here's a worktop that features several such t-tracks, with intersections

hold-down clamps

stop blocks in tracks

 

shop-made style stop block, machined so the "T" on the underside fits into the track

in-line stop

  

toggle clamping

track clamp---use inverted in the t-track, with clamping pressure downward

This should give you plenty of ideas to keep you up nights, thinking about it.

[Rick]

LOL yes thanks and my mind is running on overdrive.  

[Ken Darga]

Sounds like you're planning for a great birthday celebration---

one that'll last you a lifetime of enjoyment.

Rick said:

LOL yes thanks and my mind is running on overdrive.  

[Rick]

Got my Kreg clamp vice delivered today.  Going to wait a bit to install it on the bench while I put some more thought into the layout.   

[Rick]

Shelf and tracks and a good clear coat to protect the spruce a bit and I will say she is done.  I will also add a clamp base to the top besides clamp tracks.

[Ken Darga]

Nice Rick,

2-3 coats of shellac will do fine.

Any plans to include drawers?

Mid shelf?

Bottom shelf?

Easy to add the features at a later date.

[Rick]

Bottom shelf a must for me.  Small shop needs all storage space you can get.  I think 3 drawers across may be added later.  The two heavy locking caster wheels to allow me to easily pick up one end and move work great.  Oh if this ends up looking backwards to some I am left handed.  LOL
Ken Darga said:

Nice Rick,

2-3 coats of shellac will do fine.

Any plans to include drawers?

Mid shelf?

Bottom shelf?

Easy to add the features at a later date.

[Ken Darga]

Rick,

Drawer(s) design option:

make drawers "full" depth (front-to-back)---

handle on both ends---

(access contents from either side).