When one of POWERTEC’s CSRs asked if we could do a blog entry on the different types of t-tracks and how they’re used, the first thing that came to mind was…say what? T-tracks are blue, take ¼” hex/t-slot bolts. What else is there? The exciting stuff is all the accessories available. Well, it turns out they have been fielding questions on this for a while, and this is why:
1.
Universal
T-Track
2. Combo T-Track Miter Track
3. Standard Miter T-Track
4. Heavy Duty T-Track
And this isn’t just us, these are the industry-wide generic names for these products, four very distinct items. Even more confusing for some is seeing the word “miter” in the same product description as “t-track” (#2, #3). Miters are about moving things, sliding with little friction while t-tracks are about holding things in place with no movement or play. With that in mind, let’s start by looking at the most interesting one on the list (#2) and we’ll soon get to the bottom of all this.
2. Combo T-Track Miter Track
The best of both worlds, a miter track and a t-track side-by side. This very specialized product you’ll likely only see on a shop-built router table or drill press top. One side of this track is to slide jigs or a miter bar, the other to mount clamps.
An important note: On the POWERTEC Combo T-Track Miter Track, the t-track is NOT the same dimensions as Universal T-Track (the blue tracks). We and most of our competitors use mini t-track dimensions instead. This means it won’t accept standard t-slot bolts; however, it will take ¼” hex bolts.
Good news if you’re using POWERTEC T-Track accessories, simply switch out the t-slot for a 1/4” hex bolt to use any one of our track accessories on mini t-track.
View Product Here: 71359 Combo T-track Miter Track 32" / 71365 T-track Miter Track 48"
1. Universal T-Track
When most people think of t-track, they’re thinking Universal T-Track: A standard size shared by most makers that accepts 5/16 th & ¼” t-bolts along with ¼” hex bolts. It is generally made of high-grade aluminum and can easily be mounted on ¾” board by routing a dado. As pretty as they are, t-tracks are only as good as the accessories that you purchase/make to use with them. If something you are building needs to be cut, sanded, painted, varnished, then you will find t-tracks and their accessories to be invaluable.
View Product Here: 71065/71066/71067 Double-Cut Profile Universal T-Track with Predrilled Mounting Holes 24"/36"/48"
3. Standard Miter T-track
This is a miter track (with some t-track functionality) that is most commonly found on custom-built router tables. On its own, this miter track functions perfectly, accepting standard ¾” x 3/8” miter gauges. However, it also accepts miter T-bars, which gives this item its t-track functionality.
Unlike regular miter bars, the T-bars slide into the track and will not come loose until exiting one end of the track. The “T” on these bars keeps them locked into the track. With this we can now add featherboards or even clamps, so long as they are attached to a section of T-bar or a T-bar accessory. Sorry, no t-bolts or hex nuts here, nothing that can scratch or otherwise damage the walls of the miter track.
View Product Here: 71566/71167 Standard Miter T-Track 32"/48"
4. Heavy Duty T-Track
Heavy duty “generally” means mini t-track dimensions, think ¼” hex bolts, but not t-bolts. Unlike Universal T-track, this is not really a standard, or even attempting to be standard across makers. POWERTEC heavy-duty track accepts ¼”-20 hex bolts, so it will also accept most of our universal t-track accessories.
Likewise, some of our fine competitors’ excellent Mini Track products, such as the Kreg KMS7509 and Peachtree’s Mini Track will not accept the standard t-bolts that come with POWERTEC T-track accessories, instead, the t-bolt on any POWERTEC T-Track accessory must be switched out for a ¼” hex bolt to fit these t-tracks. Look carefully at the accessory to check that the bolt is replaceable. Some of older flip stops, both ours and our competitors’, come with t-slots that work perfectly on Universal, but not on heavy duty/mini-track.
Another thing to watch for is how they are mounted. POWERTEC’s two types of heavy-duty track, 71374 & 71378, both require a larger dado than for Universal T-track. This means that while Universal can be mounted on ¾” board, the two heavy-duty tracks will need a thicker base.
View Product Here: 71378 Heavy Duty T-Track 57/64 Inch x 19/32 Inch 24"
In Conclusion
If you are laying new track on a workbench, always go with Universal T-track if possible. It’s called universal for a reason: clamps and accessories from different makers will all work on any universal track system, regardless of who made it. Only use heavy duty t-track if it is already in place, or if you have a specific need for this track’s dimensions.
If we have any final words on this it would be to contact our CSR team if you have any questions about t-tracks, items with ‘t-track’ in their names but aren’t actually t-tracks, or any other product that we sell for that matter. We’d be delighted to help you out, and who knows, if enough people ask the same question, we’ll probably be blogging it. Good luck and work safe folks !