T-Track issues? (Router Table)

[dthor68]

I made myself a router table. In the top I have a T-track on both sides that allow me to move my fence back and forth and tighten it down where needed. It is the 3/4" wide by 3/8" deep T-Track with 5/16 T-bolts. All is made by Powertec. However, it does not move well. It gets hung up all the time. Everything is perfetly square. I do not understand why the fence will not slide smoothly. It does not slide at all, it just hangs up and jambs, It is very agrevating.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[The Cobbler]

you have to figure out where the bind points are. is it the fence to close to the table, etc.
shoot/share some pics, might help

 

[neophyte]

First thing if you haven’t done it, would be to wax and buff the inside of the track with a hard paste wax like Renaissance Wax.

The Renaissance Wax is really good at smoothing surfaces. I used it on the plunge rods on a Dewalt plunge router, were you have to push down on both handles for the router to plunge.
After waxing with the Renaissance Wax, you could easily plunge the router with one hand on one handle.

The bext thing to check, is wether both T-tracks are “Perfectly” parallel. Even a thousandth of an inch might screw things up.
You would also need to make sure both T-tracks are also parallel with the surface of the table. Again, even a tiny bit out of parallel can cause things to hang up.

Even tools from professional tool brands occasionally need tweaking yo get stuff to work nicely.

Waxing the rails first is probably the best place to start though.

 

[subroc]

Are you using bolts or actual t-slot bolts?

How do they move in the slot alone?

How are they attached to the fence?

Any images?

 

[RTM]

Usually, if using t bolts, you should have slots in the fence to reduce binding if you get out of square, intentionally or not. Mine are over 1” long. I never worried about keeping the fence parallel to the edge of the table. I would get it sorta close, then bump one end until it was at the dimension I wanted.

If you have fence slots, I don’t know why it’s binding, but pix may help.

 

[Hankoh]

I agree with RTM - either put short slots on the fence where the T-bolts go through or even just oversize holes with washers. I had a similar situation to yours and just giving a bit of slop on the fence holes took care of it for me.

 

[gungatim]

I have used alum t-track before and don't care for it. if the bolts are not smooth they will grab and **** in the slot. also if you screw it down too hard in one spot or the dado is not even, the track will bend and bind.

at least that's been my experience so you could start with how it's mounted maybe shim if needed.