I finally got a chance to take my new Torque Work Centre home from the store to begin to experiment with what it can do. I decided to try doing fluted columns, which would be a great application for the local cabinet and trim guys. As I started the set-up, I quickly discovered that clamping was going to be an issue for me. Since I have a strong production background, I am always concerned with how long it takes to do anything in the shop, even when it is just playing around.
My wife and I we also working with our new video camera, learning the in’s and outs of that as well. Soon I hope to share some of those with you. As I was fumbling with loading and securing the workpiece during the taping of the demo, I knew there must be a better way. As with most of my jigs, I took a step back and began to look for a solution to the problem at hand. Sometimes I will simply stare at the piece and usually something will pop in my wee little mind. Then again sometimes I fall alseep. This is not a good idea in a woodshop.
I will spend a lot of time up front to make things flow better later. I really believe it’s well worth the extra effort. This is what I came up with. An auxilary clamping table. Of course I had to use the world famous Torque Work Centre to do this. Can you think of an easier way? I cut a fresh piece of MDF and clamped it to the old top. I routed T-track into the top. I think the pictures are self explanatory. I drilled holes first to accept the T-bolt head
I flipped the top and used a larger diameter bit to route for the bolt head.
I can now clamp my work anywhere on the table with ease, using any type clamp that uses T-bolts.
Next time I’ll show how I clamped the column to be fluted. I ran into a few minor issues, but figured out how to deal with them.
Thanks for looking
6 responses to “Torque Work Centre–Clamping Table”
Donnie Gaskin aka donjoe
April 15th, 2010 at 03:29
Kent, a great solution to the problem at hand. Waiting for some vids on the TWC doing its thing.
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Lazy Larry
April 15th, 2010 at 03:37
What a great solution to the problem of clamping.. keep up the good work.
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Troy
April 15th, 2010 at 07:22
Wow, that is some tight work and results. As good as it gets. Are they in the USA yet?
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kentshepherd
April 17th, 2010 at 02:16
Troy, This is the only machine in the US at this time. It can be seen in Lubbock, Texas at SRS Tool & Supply. We can get you one if you are interested. Just let me know.
Thanks
Kent
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Rand Lowery
April 15th, 2010 at 07:52
Just a case of great minds coming together, Larry+Kent. ;o)) Rand
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Stuart
April 15th, 2010 at 17:44
Nice approach Kent – makes me wonder how to combine both concepts – both having their own advantages, and disadvantages.
Amazing how easy trenching is on the TWC isn’t it!
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Torque Tips #2 « Lazy Larry's Workshop April 15th, 2010 at 03:03
[…] posted a blog about how he went about it.If you would like to see how he did it just pop over to his blog. -27.042280 152.922760 April 13, 2010 Lazy Larry Categories: General, […]
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