Need some reasonably priced 'T' slotted channel

[Benchwayze]

I need some Aluminium slotted channel.
I see some at Rutlands, along with the sliding bolts too, but the price! I might as well buy a drilling table ready made!

Any ideas where this stuff is available at a sensible price please?

Google doesn't seem to know what I am looking for!

regards
John

 

[eoinsgaff]

I understand what your asking for but I'm not sure if can help. However I'm pretty sure something like this is commercially available to the mech/elec industry to hang piping, ducting, cable trays etc. That might be an avenue if the product isn't too big.

Eoin

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Eoin.. I have scoured Screwfix and all the usual suspects. The only example I came up with was Rutlands, but they are pricey!

I will put my thinking hat on and work out a solution!

Obliged.

John

 

[Jamesc]

The stuff you are thinking of Eoin is Unistrut or one of the many similar products. There web site is http://www.unistrut.co.uk, but I think you will find that it is too big if I understand the application correctly.

What about this http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Kreg-Mini-Trak-791312.htm or this http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Kreg-Combo-Trak-791324.htm from Axminster.

Regards

James

 

[jlawrence]

I seem to remember a post about a month or two back someone posted a link to where they got T-track from.
I'm in the process of sourcing some stuff to fit in my mitre slots (on a Axi TS200) which look almost like very thin T-track - if I come across some stuff then I'll post a link.

 

[9fingers]

Here perhaps?

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... ight=track

Bob

 

[Vinny]

I'm on similar quest, some t track needed for my router table. only place I've found the thin stuff is at Tilgear.

 

[BMac]

Would this be the thread you are thinking about jlawrence?

Sam was looking for something similar.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hp?t=37089

Brendan

 

[jlawrence]

9fingers' post was the thread I was thinking about.

 

[Aled Dafis]

Seeing as this question comes up fairly regularly, I'll make some enquiries with a couple of Aluminium extrusion companies to see what's possible, an at what sort of costs.

What we require is a fairly simple extrusion, so I'm quite confident that somebody somewhere probably has an extrusion die that will probably fit our needs.

I'm thinking something like this, which will take a standard 3/4" x 3/8" guide bar, and also be able to take a top hat section to be used for clamping.

Cheers

Aled

 

[LocalOak]

Aled

I'd definitely be in the market for some of that! 50"-60" or so

Toby

 

[Harbo]

Aled

You would be on to a winner if it was cheap enough?

There's plenty available in the States - a few years ago I bought a supply from Rockler whilst I was holidaying in Florida. The USA etc have standardised on the 3/4" slot and most machines sold in the States come with that. Unlike over here where slots are all sorts of sizes!

Rod

 

[Aled Dafis]

Rod

I'm not really interested in making any money from this, but if I can find a supplier, I could look into some sort of group buy for the forum.

Would you guys only be interested in a standard 3/4" x 3/8" slot, or would a non standard channel be of any interest??

I'll see what my research turns up.

Cheers

Aled

 

[ondablade]

I've bought various bits of T track and mitre slot from Incra http://www.incrementaltools.com/INCRA_T ... kreg18.htm in the US over the past year. About $8 plus postage for an 18 inch length, but much longer lengths and several varieties are available.

Excellent service....

ian

 

[Steve Maskery]

Well I've hunted everywhere for this in economical lengths. The problem is (or at least, was, when I last looked) is that ali extrusions are for the shop/office refurb industry and T-track simply isn't a profile they use. I've had at least two ali stockholders tell me the same thing, that theere may be only one mill in the world that owns that particular die. If you have better luck than I did, then I'm all ears, but, sadly, I think you are onto a loser.

In which case it's Rutlands, Axi, or Rockler-and-risk-the-Import-Man.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks everyone for the input.

I have decided that I will get by without using 'T' slot channel.

I am making a better table for my drill stand as it happens. Originally I thought of using the channel as a means of sliding the fence back and forth. Then I looked at the fence on a router table I bought some years ago, from Trend and realised I can use a similar idea.

Aluminium angle, fixed to Tufnol, makes a moveable fence and by putting brass threaded inserts into the Tufnol base surface, I can fix two, upright M8 threaded studs in the table.

Two slots in the bottom of the fence, to match the uprights, will give me enough movement for most moricing and drilling jobs on the drill-stand. With 'Bristol-levers' for locking the fence, and a nice smooth Tufnol surface, it should look the business and it will last me out! :lol:

After Xmas now though, and I hope to post some pics.

Thanks again Folks. Appreciated all the useful comments.

Regards
John

 

[Steve Maskery]

That's a good solution, John, and indeed, for that application, probably better than T-channel, as it can easily get blocked up with waste.

The other solution you may like to consider for that sort of application is to make the stuff yourself. Not ali, of course, but you can rout a wide, shallow groove in the base, cover it with 6mm MDF, then rout a narrow slot through the 6mm stuff.

Or rout through the base for your bolts, then rebate the underside for the heads. There are lots of options that work well and don't have to cost very much.

S

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Steve...
I had lain awake running those two solutions through my mind. (As I do for most jobs. Better than counting sheep!)

But as I said, I remembered the fence on that router table. (also made from 10mm tufnol) and that seemed to be practical. I even have some brass-inserts in a drawer.

The Tufnol for the table surface will be backed with 10mm mdf so it should be stout enough.

Definitely I will try and document this with pics as the principle could apply to using sheet aluminium, if someone wants to be 'posh'!

Regards
John

 

[Krysstel]

I hunted high and low in the UK for similar t-track a couple of months ago and gave up finding it for a sensible price. In the end I ordered from Rockler mainly due to their low shipping costs. I also found this place which has a very good selection but, at least to Norway, expensive shipping - maybe cheaper to the UK. http://www.ttrackusa.com/

Mark

 

[Jaybee24]

Ah!!! that's a shame.

I don't usually give up that easy.

There is a company in Slough (Berkshire) that does nothing else but Aluminium products. Company name is Aalco. I had reason to use them some years ago for purpose made Aluminium tubing. They will make things to order provided of course you buy enough for them to make a profit.

Only the other day I was looking at the Rutland CAT and I was thinking of making a purchase. However if enough people call out for it I would be happy to drive over to Slough (assuming of course they are still in business)

Jaybee24