A couple of years ago, there wasn’t much to differentiate Rockler’s T-track products from other brands’. They had T-track channels, other brands had T-track channels. They offered DIY jig hardware, other brands offered the same. You get the picture.
Now, the landscape is very different. Rockler has been regularly adding new T-track products to their catalog, with useful and appealing designs.
Rockler just came out with a new Auto-Lock T-track hold down clamp, and this seemed like a good time to talk about some of their other recent T-track accessories.
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Rockler Auto-Lock Hold Down Clamp
Auto-adjusting and locking toggle clamps aren’t new innovations – you can find similar clamps from Bessey – but Rockler’s seem to be a little more refined. For instance, instead of a 6pt hex nut for clamping pad positioning, there’s a knurled thumbscrew for easy adjustments.
Using this clamp is simple. Once you have your clamping arm and clamping pressure adjusted, lift the toggle lever to release clamping pressure, and press down on it to apply clamping pressure.
The new Auto-Lock hold down clamp (54280) can be used with workpieces from 0″ to 2-3/4″ thick. Clamping pressure is maintained regardless of workpiece thickness. Should you wish to change the clamping force, which can be adjusted from 5 to 250 pounds of pressure, simply turn the adjustment screw with a screwdriver.
The clamp can be locked to T-track using a large hand knob, and can be used with Rockler’s T-track table, universal t-tracks, or any other t-track that can accept 5/16″ T-headed bolts.
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It looks like the clamp can be easily adjusted so that you can rotate the clamp at any angle before locking it down to the T-track channel.
You could use these clamps for any number of operations, and they seem particularly suited for drill press and jig operations. The clamping foot has a ball joint, and so it is always kept in full contact with workpieces regardless of thickness.
Price: $30
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Rockler Auto-Lock Clamp
Rockler’s Auto-Lock T-track clamp (58616) is similar to the hold down clamp, but provides horizontal clamping pressure.
You can use these clamps for glue-up jigs, and for holding workpieces against work stops for sanding, planing, or even certain routing operations.
The adjustment range is about 3-1/2″, and a V-shaped notch at the center of the clamping foot helps it to fit outside corners and irregularly shaped workpieces.
Clamping pressure can be adjusted from 10 to 500 pounds.
Price: $30
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Rockler Auto-Lock Clamp Mounting Bracket
If you want to use these clamps but don’t have a T-track setup, that’s okay – Rockler also offers handy mounting brackets. These brackets are mounted to worksurfaces using 4 screws, and the protruding flange provides a resting surface for the T-track clamps’ base-mounted rubber pads to help eliminate slippage.
If you want greater adjustability, you could also embed a 2″ or longer section of T-track into your benchtop.
Price: $10 each
Buy Now(via Rockler)
ktash
I got these and also got their clamping table top, which had a good sale price. The reason I got the table top was that they have these good accessories. I have the inline version of these clamps and they work well on the clamping table. They are good clamps for a good price. It is a good system overall and I just flew through some pocket hole face frames using the stops and clamps and the kreg face clamp (auto adjust, too). It used to take much longer to do face frames and be less accurate.
I plan to get the ones pictured at the top as my next purchase when they have a sale price on them.
ktash
I have some of the Rockler hold down clamps and use them with the clamping table.
http://www.rockler.com/hold-down-clamp-5-1-2l-x-1-1-8w
I like these simple clamps a lot.
fred
Another Rocker item – I’ll add to my wishlist.
I’ve used toggle clamps – mounted on adapter plates from Lee Valley (50f01.30) and Rocker (24872) for similar tasks – but these accomplish the same thing without the intermediate adapter at less cost – and with less bulk and more convenience. I’ve been using the Rocker pusher clamps (58616) since last August for aligning small face frames – and I like them quite a bit
Mike
FYI, the Rockler Auto-Lock Clamp Mounting Bracket retro-fits onto KREG K4 Pocket Hole Jig. Remove the hold toggle and mount the Bracket to use the Rockler Auto-Lock In-line Clamp. Makes it better than a K5 Jig for much less than buying a new Jig.
Benjamen
I was at Rockler today and checked these out. I like the auto-lock hold down clamps, I’m thinking about making a auxiliary clamping table that I can stick over my bench after playing with them.
They seem intuitive well thought out. They adjust to different heights just by unlocking and re-locking them. The large thumb wheel to tighten the t-bolt makes it easy to move and swing the head around. I didn’t mess with the clamping pressure. though.
Manish Kataria
These clamps look good & are practially better than our clamps.
Really I find them easy & better in terms of Holding.