rails for panel jig for T-slot

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fender3x
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rails for panel jig for T-slot

#1 Post by fender3x »

I just replaced the panel jig on my ancient Delta bench saw. "Bench saw" is code for bottom of the line table saw. It has T-slots rather than the standard slots that are 5/8 at the top and 3/4 at the bottom. If you are not able to find something better, I have discovered that inexpensive steel shelving rails work pretty well. They are a little tall, so the sled rides a bit above the table, but otherwise 0fit my slot exactly.

Image

While they work, Bill mentions in the panel jig instructions that T-slot rails may be available from some tool sites. Would be interested to know which ones, since I have not been able to find any, even though rails that fit Craftsman or Ryobi should fit mine...

Thanks! ...and if there are not better suggestions, hope the shelf rails help ;-)
One man's magic is another man's engineering. --Heinlein

1 x DR250
1 x T39
1 x Omni 10

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J_Dunavin
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Re: rails for panel jig for T-slot

#2 Post by J_Dunavin »

McMaster has some selections.
I used the one for hex head screws, grabbed some 1/4-20 bolts and some large 1/4-20 plastic wing nuts to hold stuff down on my DIY table saw sled.

https://www.mcmaster.com/fixture-tracks/
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

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fender3x
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Location: miami

Re: rails for panel jig for T-slot

#3 Post by fender3x »

These look great, but what I am really looking for are the t-rails that fit in the t-slot. I looked at McMaster, but couldn't find those.
One man's magic is another man's engineering. --Heinlein

1 x DR250
1 x T39
1 x Omni 10

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Seth
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Re: rails for panel jig for T-slot

#4 Post by Seth »

My Craftsman job site/portable style table saw had little metal tabs that retained the miter gauge in the slot. I also looked, but wasn't able to find a product to fit in the slot. I chose to simply grind off the metal tabs. Had I been aware of the steel shelving rail option, I may have taken that route instead... even if they are slightly proud of the table surface.

Non-the-less, thanks for the heads up on the option. Good to know :thumbsup:
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

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fender3x
Posts: 647
Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 11:51 am
Location: miami

Re: rails for panel jig for T-slot

#5 Post by fender3x »

Thanks, Seth. Hoping someone will know. The mfg's have to be getting the rails from somewhere ;-)
One man's magic is another man's engineering. --Heinlein

1 x DR250
1 x T39
1 x Omni 10

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