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T-Tracks for CNC Routers Explained
Why You Want Them, How To Install Them

In this article, we are going to dive into T-tracks for CNC routers, what they are, and why you will want to consider installing them on your CNC machine.

 

Hello... I’m Garrett Fromme, CNC expert and CEO of IDC Woodcraft. IDC Woodcraft supplies premium CNC bits and accessories for all CNC creators.

 

I went to T-tracks when I ran into a big problem with my CNC router. I didn’t have T-tracks on my first 2 CNC routers. Rather, I used threaded inserts in the spoilboards. These worked well, but it was an intensive process to prepare the board. When it was time to replace the boards, I had to remove all the inserts and make an entirely new piece. Another time-consuming process.

 

When I got my Altmill CNC router, having to put 400 inserts in an entire 4’x4’ board seemed overwhelming. That’s when I decide on T-tracks.

Understanding T-Tracks

T-Tracks are simple yet ingenious additions to any CNC router setup. Essentially, they are C-shaped channels that can be mounted onto the baseboard, under your spoilboard, of your CNC router. 

 

These tracks accommodate bolts, allowing clamps and other fixtures to slide along the track smoothly, positioning them at any point on your CNC machine. 

 

This enables you to quickly position and secure your CNC projects rapidly without the limitations of fixed clamping points.

Why Install T-Tracks On your CNC Router

If you’ve ever faced challenges with fixed clamps or struggled to adjust your setup for different project sizes, T-Tracks offer significant flexibility. By integrating T-Tracks into your CNC router, your clamp placement is fast and easy on the project. And they can be removed just as quickly.

 

Basically, you can quickly position clamps exactly where needed, adjust them on the fly, and remove them with ease once the job is done.

 

There are several benefits to using T-tracks outside of rapid project and clamp placement. The first is. because the tracks sit below the spoilboard surface, they do not interfere with anything on the spoilboard. And they allow you to use other clamping methods when needed, such as the CA glue method, fasteners, or double-sided tape.

 

They are especially beneficial for CNC routers with larger work surfaces, like the Altmill CNC router by Sienci Labs (shown below). At some point, we have o replace our spoilboard when it gets too many cuts in it. A large workspace means the whole board gets replaced.

 

When you use T-tracks, you only need to replace sections as needed. This uses less material and, frankly, is easier to handle.

Real World Benefit of Using T-Tracks

The practical benefits of installing T-Tracks are immediately apparent:

 

Quick Adjustments: Change your setup in moments, which is ideal for projects requiring multiple, rapid adjustments.

 

Versatile Setup Options: The freedom to move clamps anywhere along the track greatly expands the variety of projects you can handle with ease.

 

Ease of Maintenance: Updating or replacing parts of your spoil board becomes simpler, as you don’t need to dismantle your entire setup—just the section that needs attention.

 

The biggest benefit is, once installed, the setup is one-and-done! You will never have to set them up again.

Considerations When Using T-Tracks

While the advantages are significant, here are a few things to keep in mind:


 

Clamp Profile: Be mindful of the height of your clamps to avoid any interference with the operation of your CNC router.

Quality of Materials: Investing in high-quality durable clamps ensures the projects will be held down better.

 

To understand everything about T-tracks, including how they work, why you want to consider them, and how to install them, watch the video below.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see how T-Tracks are a game-changer the minute you install them on your CNC router. They give every setup complete flexibility, and is very efficient. they allow for rapid clamp adjustments and provide robust support for various project sizes.

Poster

CNC Router Bits Designed to Slaughter Run time

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