Adding t-track clamps and bracket to X-Carve
Project by
Evan and Katelyn
General Information
We added t-track clamps to our X-Carve to make it easier to clamp things, set jigs, and use less material. It helps us set up jigs which is great when we are making multiples of the same cut, but it also allows us to use less stock because it can clamp from the sides instead of the top.
Open in Easel®
Carve into your wasteboard
We go into more detail in our YouTube video (see above) but we chose for the t-track to start at 5 cm in the X direction and 2 cm in the Y direction and that's what our file is setup to cut. We used a "1/4 in flat endmill":https://amzn.to/2GL4mbP to cut into the waste-board.
Estimated time: 60 minutes
Cut t-track to length
We cut the x axis track to 25.25". We cut the y-axis track to 26.25".
Estimated time: 5 minutes
Install t-track
We centered the track into the cut we made, leaving enough room to install the clamps.
Estimated time: 5 minutes
Cut brackets and enjoy your new clamping system!
We've designed a few brackets that you can use for right angles: "Small":https://goo.gl/w5Urp9 "Medium":https://goo.gl/nkRM2R
But clamps for all sorts of shapes should be pretty easy to design!
Estimated time: 15 minutes
The links to the right angle brackets don't work.
Kenny Freeman
Thanks for the heads up! They should be fixed now :)
Evan and Katelyn
I was trying to figure out what kind of T-Track and clamps you used, and found it after a little research. It appears to be Rockler tracks and Auto-Lock T-Track Clamp. Figured I would post the comment for anyone else looking. Great concept, how have you found it working for you over time?
Matt Slaga
Video was great too, thanks for posting!
Matt Slaga
Thanks Matt! Yes we have them linked in our video description but should have linked them here too, thanks for doing that. Glad you liked the video!
Evan and Katelyn
Great video How did you carv the nice bowl Kristian /Sweden
Kristian Ang
We'll try to do a video on the bowl someday :)
Evan and Katelyn
how do you set up to do an air run?
Craig Baltzer
To do an air run just set the z zero height to be above your work
Evan and Katelyn
do you have a file for the rocker t track as well?
Josh Coxwell
Hey guys, I've tried to find the info but failed so far. What size X Carve do you have? I have the 750mm one.. will your design work with it? Thank you so much for any help.
Michael Hopfensperger
Overview and instructions for your entire waste board would be awesome. I would love to make something like this for mine. Seems like it would make setup way easier and more efficient. Thanks guys. Sincerely, Devine (thingiverse)
D Devine
Awesome bracket system. I'm getting my first CNC Router (X-Carve) today, and will look at making this modification to it as soon as possible. Thank you.
Nickolas Jones
It looks like from the video, you have a 750 x 750 mm. If I am doing the math correctly, the amount of room you are allowing from the edges should not have to change with a 1000x1000. From the video, the right side measurement should be 30 mm and the left side should be 80 mm. next text ...
Don Lamb
The measurement of the track for 1000x1000 should be 989 mm. Is that correct?
Don Lamb
Or 38 15/16th
Don Lamb
Ok. my flaw is that the channel should be at this measurement not the channel length, since there is the opening for the clamp to slide in . Sorry for the confusion
Don Lamb
This is AWESOME! Ordering my track clamps soon and definitely doing this. It will be such a huge improvement in productivity! Thanks!
Jon Dunsmore
Are you loosing any carving foot print area with this
Jeffrey Eubanks
Good morning. Can you tell me how you did the air run first to make sure everything was square and straight? Thanks in advance.
Rich-Marc
Hi .the only thing i enjoyed in this video was that you guys were happy and working together. wishing the best for you .
sandra hojjati
I have the 2 inch riser upgrade, how do I get the machine to cut into the waste board? with the bits at their correct insertion depth, the tip of the tool will sit just above the waste board at the lowest possible z axis location.
Lester Robertson
What are the cut settings for the 1/4" flat endmill bit?
Brian Baakman
great idea. Now all I have to do is convince my makerspace to let me add tack their machine.
Neil Manders
Where did U buy the clamps. I can´t find them here in Sweden Kristian
Kristian Ang