Kreg has come out with new Universal Clamp Trak kits that allow you to built or retrofit almost any workbench top with handy T-track clamp attachment rails. These rails fit Kreg’s bench-mountable clamps, such as the AutoMaxx ones that were released a few years ago.
Kreg Clamp Traks aren’t a new product, but this seems to be the first time that Kreg has combined rails into complete kits. Since I hadn’t posted about these Traks before, now seemed like a good idea to tell you about ’em.
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There will be two kits, one with 45″ and 27″ Traks (KKS2745), and another with 69″ and 27″ Traks (KKS2769).
The smaller kit is designed to fit workbenches and table tops 48″ x 30″ and larger, and the larger kit can fit benches 72″ x 30″ and up. for a smaller bench, you should be able to cut down the aluminum rails to fit. Or buy 2 smaller Kreg Traks instead of one of these kits.
Kreg sized the Trak kits such that they are also compatible with Kreg workbenches.
Kreg Universal Clamp Traks can be installed two ways. You could mount them to one tabletop surface, such as 3/4″ MDF or particle board, and then butt another 3/4″ surface right up to the Traks’ sides. Using this method, all you need to do is cut your worktops to size.
The second way involves routing grooves or rabbets into a workbench top, which is much more involved seeing as how Kreg Clamp Traks are so wide.
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Regardless of how you install them, you have two fastening options as well. You could bolt Kreg Universal Clamp Traks to your workbench, using the two outer T-slots as fastener anchors, or screw them down along the center channel.
So what could you use these Clamp Traks for?
You could use them to secure face frames and other woodworking projects for assembly steps, such as with pocket hole screws.
Or for sanding operations. Personally I’d rather use bench cookies and other grippy standoffs or pads for sanding operations. That way you don’t have to work around clamps.
They give you a lot of options for clamping boards and other wood products for cutting applications.
You could also use them for general hold-down operations.
Price: $100 for the smaller kit, $140 for the large kit
ETA: Nov 2015
Reminder: the clamps and other accessories shown here are not included!
Buy Now(Kreg Clamp Traks via Amazon) – New kits aren’t listed yet, but should pop up soon.
Tom
Stuart, I’d love to see a comparison of all these different t-track systems. I’m planning on building a workbench soon and I can’t seem to really make sense of the options out there.
Stuart
This is somewhat comparable to Woodpeck’s double T-track (http://www.woodpeck.com/dptrack.html) and I’ve seen a couple of other similar products.
These tracks appear to have a thicker T-slot that might hold better under greater clamping pressure.
Generally, it comes down to what you want to do with it. It’s often best to stick with one brand. I have T-tracks from a couple of different brands, and they’re all a little different in size or profile shape.
Rockler’s are pretty good, and they offer a lot of fantastic T-slot accessories. Woodpeckers are also excellent, and I like their double tracks. They also have Super Track (http://www.woodpeck.com/supertrack.html) that’s even wider.
I would go for a track that works with 1/4″ hex hardware, which seems to be a pretty common standard. Some accept T-bolt hardware as well, which increases the variety of accessories that can be used.
For me, it would probably come down to Woodpeckers vs. Rockler, or maybe both. I really like both brands’ T-track accessories.
Hilton
“This is somewhat comparable to Woodpeck’s double T-track”.
Not really as the Kreg Trak features a double row of bolts which anchors down any lateral movement of a clamp.
Nonetheless, it’s great that there are options out there.
Stuart
How is that any different from Woodpeckers’? Flip the Woodpeckers track upside down, and it’s the same. Both have 2 channels on one side and 1 on the other.
Hilton
“How is that any different from Woodpeckers?”
The Kreg has two outside bolt-down rows and a middle track that is sized for only their bench clamps. The Woodpecker track has two t-tracks (more universal) and bolts down using the middle row (less stability). I suppose the Woodpecker version could be used upside down but not the Kreg.
If you don’t have both systems then this isn’t obvious from the photos.
Stuart
The Woodpeckers track doesn’t have to bolt down from the center row. You could do it that way, and that’s how they show it in product photos as it’s how most users will secure it.
But you could also reverse the Woodpeckers double track and bolt it down to a work surface using the double T-track channels.
But if you mount Woodpeckers track double-track-side-down, it limits the types of jigs and clamps that can be used with the lone centered T-track.
As I think we both mentioned, Kreg Clamp Traks can only be installed in one direction, with the 2 mounting channels facing down.
Hilton
All I can tell you is that you NEED 1/4-20 bolts, not 6mm as the instructions mention. They don’t play nice with other clamping devices but then again other clamps are no comparison to their incredible AutoMaxx Klamp.
If you don’t already have Kreg clamps then the Rocklet clamp table with a ‘standard’ T-Track system is probably a better buy.
Brian
I personally love the idea of aluminum extruded tracks with all of the fancy clamps and stops and standoffs and this and that.
They are fantastic on any work surface really… router, drill, workbench, fantastic. The old days of benchdogs and vices is becoming a bit of the past I think… (though I wouldnt say the 2 are mutually exclusive either)
But the pricing on this…we are talking about $16/ft… you can get ttrack on ebay for about 4$/ft or less. Much smaller than this, and not sure if thats a bad thing. Or turn to 80/20 extrusions for more beef.
Still love kreg, they make some awesome gadgets that are unique, but I feel like this particular product is a bit too simple to pay so much for what can only be brand markup.
Hilton
There is probably at least five times as much aluminium in the Kreg trak compared to a standard T-Track so maybe it’s worth it.
Josh
http://www.orangealuminum.com/t-slot-framing-systems-and-tracks/t-track.html
Forget Ebay, here’s $2/ft.
will
I have there pocket jig kit , 6″ clamp and the circ rip guyd ;)…..I love them but yeah Kreg is a bit too pricey imo.