My Hold Down System

[gvjeeper]

I've only had my WD-1 for a few months but realized early on that I needed a good hold-down system. First off here is my CNC part of the shop:



This is the front of my WD-1. To hold down a board I place it up against the front slat with the blue t-track. I then move the back slat with the blue t-track up against the "top" of the work piece - snug as possible - then tighten those wingnuts (I like the low profile of the nylon wingnuts). With that I move the 4 clamps into place and tighten them down. Works like a charm and won't move no matter how hard I try.



I removed the black metal bars that ran front to back and replaced them with 36" long t-tracks (gold) attaching them to the table.

I then cut two 3" by approx 24" slats and routed a groove for the blue t-tracks. I drilled holes at each end for the t-track bolts and added the nylon wingnuts. As you can see they sit on top of the gold t-tracks so that I can adjust them from front to back.

I also built a few different cross slats for different size boards.



I purchased the 4 hold-down clamps from Woodpecker via Sears.
www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00925173000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Be sure to get the ones with the rubber at the tips. They were only $6.29 each.



I love my hold-downs and they are sooo easy to use!!!

[jimwill52]

Very well done!

[gvjeeper]

Thanks Jim. You've been a great mentor throughout this whole journey!! Hugs!!

OH...I should probably clarify to the others here that I'm a wood wench...not a guy, lol.

[georgemyers]

Nice idea of the T-tracks going from side to side.

I tried that type of clamp on my HS1 with only T-tracks on each side but took them off as not much free space to have that type of clamp and a dust shoe on the HS1.

Your second to last picture gave me an idea so might have to put the T-tracks back on give it another go. Thanks for posting.

[gvjeeper]

Hi George,

If you new thought pans out please let us know. This seems to be a big topic - especially for us newbys.

[gvjeeper]

One of the nice things about the t-track going from side to side is that before I tighten them to the side t-tracks, I force them together as much as I can. That's just one more thing keeping the board still.

[iTag Studios]

This looks great!! Thanks for the pics

[fleetfoot]

Hey there gvjeeper,

I saw your hold down system and it seemed like a very good idea to me so I modeled a version using MoI. This is what I made. I would like to make one for my own WD-1 router.

The engraved lines are an idea I had to make it easier to align the work to the cnc axes. They would be made by the WD-1 itself. Therefore workpiece alignment would register on the lines because these would be cut by the WD-1 it-self.

I refined the design here and there from what I saw in your photos. My refinements are mainly that I put in rabbits to make the cross bars level with the table surface. I can actually make this if anyone else is interested. Or I can furnish 2D drawings.

BTW, I'm in Sunnyvale in the Bay Area.

Cheers,
fleetfoot

Attachments:

[esteeme1]

gvjeeper,

That is an outsanding idea! I have an aluminium top and is seems like I'm always trying to strech my clamp to there limits. with some minor alterations i can make it. Thanks very much for posting your clamp system.

Jim

[romaxxcnc]

That is a very clever clamping system.

Thanks, Ron

[Jim]

Fleetfoot,

I also love the looks of this system and your modifications. I would love to have the cut2D files for this project.

Thanks in advance
Jim

[fleetfoot]

Hi Jim,

I don't have Cut 2D files. I only have the model I made in MoI-3D. You can download a free trial at www.moi3d.com. However the file is much too large to post on this forum. I'd have to email it to you.

If you could use them I can easily make a couple of 2D .DXF files showing the dimensions of the main MDF board and the cross beams as I interpreted them from gvgeeper's original design, and post them or email them to you. The T-Rails I used are available from Incra (or other sources) and are two 36" and two 18".

I have started making the real version for my WD-1 and am about 1/2 way there now. BTW- the design picture I posted is mounted on top of the aluminum tool plate which is available from Romaxx.

Cheers,
fleetfoot

[rneves]

that is awesome! I am totally copying the idea when I make my next top. That is brilliant.
Thanks for sharing
rob