I jumped into Microjig stuff for sleds etc

[mmayo]

I'm going to see dovetails everywhere soon. It appears to be a way to more safely secure pieces I'm cutting like blanks. I admit I hate installing t track. I've done it and it worked but still I hate it.

 

[KMCloonan]

Interesting. I have a number of sleds and jigs already, with the t-track. I agree they are not ideal, but they're not so bad that I will start over with the dovetails - But I will definitely consider them for future needs. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SteveJ]

I've just been looking at getting that!

 

[KenB259]

I've been looking at those too.

 

[mmayo]

I made a fairly substantial investment in this technology. I see a sled for by bandsaw, a new more functional top for my drill press and a large and tiny sled for the table saw. Stay tuned and here's hoping.

 

[RichAldrich]

I made a fairly substantial investment in this technology. I see a sled for by bandsaw, a new more functional top for my drill press and a large and tiny sled for the table saw. Stay tuned and here's hoping.

Details and photos if you can. Thanks. I am interested too!!

 

[rherrell]

Six in one, half a dozen in the other. Aluminum track= standard bolts, dovetail slots= special fasteners.

 

[CHARLES STOPCZYNSKI]

Two weeks ago, I visited a well known wood working supplier. Among other items I was in need some T-track and dust collection items.
Dust collection item for smaller diameter hose out of stock, they hoped it would be in stock in 6-weeks. Made the needed fittings out of 2" schedule 40 plastic pipe. T-track was quite a different story, not expected to be back in stock for 1-year! Yes, you read that right 52 weeks. I have researched alternatives, including steel raceway, even found hardwood T- track techniques on YouTube. Also found how to make your own from rectangular aluminum tubing, also on YouTube. Simple enough. I am a bit uncomfortable about attempting either technique I found.

Thank you, Mark for passing along this information. It appears to be a very sound alternative! I am definitely researching this further.

Charlie

 

[mmayo]

After my wonderful truck of a 2-1/4 horse Bosch router hiccuped due to dust in the switch I bought a new one with both bases. With two matching routers with the same size plunge base I should be able to route the initial relief bit twice and then switch to the dovetail bit in the second router. Sounds efficient to me and the guide will remain fixed until the three passes are completed.

I'm going to make a full microjig workbench, cross cut sled, drill press base and fence and two small part (like pen blanks) cutoff sleds. Big work board but, it could be great.

 

[mmayo]

Made my first pen blank cutting sled. There is a learning curve, but it worked well. I managed to hold down both sides of a blank during the cut. My goal was to reduce small pieces flying at me after the cuts. Success. I cut several blanks nicely and far better than my Rockler small sled. I think biscuits will be used for 90 degree pieces on fences. I used screws and later a screw and a router bit said hello. I was quick to stop. Biscuits and glue won't care. Photo of prototype to follow.

One drawback- the dovetail clamps don't rotate. Think about where you want your blank and where you route your dovetail grooves.

I will cut one more groove an inch to the right side of the kerf to have both clamps travel front to back.

 

[mmayo]

Here is my bandsaw sled for small parts like pens, bottle stoppers and ring/money clip slices.

 

[mmayo]

Drill press base and fence. The fence has been shortened to avoid interference with the chuck.

 

[mmayo]

This is a Microjig modified assembly table based on a Home Depot adjustable height mobile table. It can be used to enhance the real estate of my bandsaw.