Quick Question - T Slot size?

[aka Larry]

I'm working on a design for welding table and I'm think about a 1/4-3/8" THK steel top with t-slots laser-cut by a local fabricator. What size would the slots need to be? I know there are different sizes, so give me some options.

Thanks!

 

[MoonRise]

English or metric?

T-slot as in tablesaw miter-gauge T-slot, or T-slot as in milling machine T-slot?

Your top plate thickness is not really thick enough for T-slots. You'd have to go with something like a 1/2 inch thick plate to put the 'mini' T-slots (3/8 wide top slot, 5/8 wide bottom slot, 1/4 inch high/thick 'fat part' of the T-slot nut) in it.

http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section11/stn/

http://www.newmantools.com/teco/tslotm.htm

http://www.newmantools.com/teco/tslot.htm

http://www.optimausa.com/products/HEE.html

And I don't think you can really laser-cut T-slots. Milling machine is usual.

Unless you mean through-slots, ala the Miller ArcStation (or many others) 'slots'.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/workstations/arcstation/

In which case, cut the hole big enough to fit the head of the clamp/fastener through it and the 'slot' part a wee bit bigger than the OD of the fastener shaft. Using 1/2 inch bolts? Cut the slot a bit bigger than 1/2 inch wide and the 'lollipop' end a bit bigger than the fastner head diameter. Unless you want to only insert the fastener up through the bottom of the slot, in which case you can skip the 'lollipop' end(s) to the slot.

 

[hawkeye2]

THis link has shows the dimensions of the Grizzly clampming sets. Th3 3/8" size will probably work for you.
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2012/Main/678

 

[justanengineer]

Rather than have something fabbed, you would likely be better off simply buying an old mill table and adding legs to it. I suspect if you asked around the local boneyards, posted on craigs, or asked around local job shops, someone will have one they will part with for significantly less than you would spend otherwise.

Personally, I would avoid the Chinese clamping kits sold by Grizzly and others as there is real potential to screw up the table itself, assuming you dont have quality issues that is.

 

[MFGENG]

I put them in mine. I'm mostly using the miller clamps. They are a little loose at .650" but still useable. I would recommend between .600-.625 if you are using those.

I have a set of the 5/8 and the .650 is perfect for those though.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110263

 

[BWS]

Guver-ment in some today.....it was for a German TS thats been taking up residence for the last month or so....some stupid chit size.


But in general,make mine the std BP,5/8.Our W/T radial drill takes that size.......but the BP RT(rotary table) is a different size?As is our W/T DP in the cabmet shop.The 5/8 is just more user freindly..........

 

[03protege]

Guver-ment in some today.....it was for a German TS thats been taking up residence for the last month or so....some stupid chit size.

Just for full disclosure, what does TS stand for?