So, I started off with screw it into the MDF waste board as my board and hold down methods and it… is an option that has had some successes. Recently I got a refund for some insurance I forgot I paid last year so I am thinking I upgrade my bed.
Right now I have got my eyes on a T Track and MDF strip setup using T Track
And then some locally available MDF strips to alternate the track to create my new spoil board.
Ive seen people embed nuts into the MDF to create a grid, is that worth the time it takes to setup? Do people actually use them for 2 sided operations or does everyone create alignment Jigs? From what I am seeing its about 50/50.
And then what Clamps/hold downs are best to start out with? Im mostly doing 2 sided operations into lumber/sheets to create inlays and resin troughs currently.
Rather than T-track, I’m think of using dovetail slots in my spoil board along with the appropriate Microjig Matchfit hardware. The advantage of that is it’s very cheap and easy to replace when the spoil board gets chewed up from repeated use. That said, I’d like to hear some opinions from some of the more experienced users here.
Here’s a video from someone that’s using this system on their cnc. https://youtu.be/Eg5nf8NJfFo?si=VDQGrFcsylEg24aD
I had t-tracks, I had those things you screw into the board, I had screws and holes for plastic rods and wooden triangles. The screws and the plastic thingies worked best.
Did you use any clamps to hold down your workpiece? I watch the BroinwooD videos too, and they use wedges to hold the cutting boards in place. I haven’t done any engraving on thick pieces of wood like they use though. So I wonder if the wedges would hold 12mm to 25mm stock adequately.
Ive thought about that, but wouldn’t metal t tracks just be a longer lasting form of that? If I clamp to one area over and over its still gonna wear out the MDF quicker than it might in aluminum.
I use this one mine with 3D printed hardware. It works perfectly for me. And if any of the plastic hold-downs or things get hit, I just will print more.
