Which clamps for this layout

I built a vacuum table for my CNCRP 4896 pro and I do a far amount of routing onto rough cut lumber so I wanted some t-slot track around my vacuum zones but now I'm realizing that with the tracking around the outside edge, it's hard to clamp down anything because there isn't any material for the back side of the clamp to push against for leverage. I've got a bunch of the Rockler clamps but I'm wondering if there is any other styles I can buy or any I can build.

Attachment 411816

This photo is from before I mounted my spoil boards over my zones

Thank you
Gary

If you have some free space between the gantry uprights travel path and the table, you could use some wooden blocks on the table frame (just to the right of the T-slot).

Make some T shaped blocks that can be extended past the T-slot such that the long part is away from the table and the bolt for the clamp passes through it and into the T-slot (supporting the back-end of the clamp on the protruding end).

A fixed pair of bolts in the T-slots (one either side) and a bridge piece between them with the material between the table and bridge.

He1957 Thank you & yes I thought of using blocks of wood between the 80/20 & the clamp but I was wanting a one piece solution.
I think I know what you mean about the T shaped block but would it need to be a T or an L?

I'm not sure if I understand your last idea.

Thanks again
Gary

I'd bolt a fence to the outer T track, and use CAM clamps in the center T Track to push against the fence. Use scrap wood or MDF for spacers.

Gerry - Thank you do you mean make a fence that has a couple "tabs" that allows me to use cam clamps like these to hold the fence to the t-slot?

Thank youAttachment 411836

The "T" block I got backwards. I meant a T shape with the horizontal bar parallel to the T-slot and the long part going over the part on the table.

The bridge was kinda like the gantry, bolts on either side with a bridge and the material/part sandwiched between the bridge and table. Although it's more than 1 part, it's really only 3 major (T-Nut bolts x 2 + wingnuts, bridge).

He1957 - ok so now I understand what you mean with your bridge idea. I have made a quick drawing by hand on my phone to see if I understand the T Clamp, is this what you meanAttachment 411858

Thank you
Gary

No, just a fixed fence, and clamps like these to push the work against the fence. I've made my own from wood.

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-D334.../dp/B00012XE0A

So the clamps on the sides are only getting side pressure to clamp the material down? I'm not sure that will work on most of the material I'll need the clamps for because 90% of the rough cut I work on is live edge & usually not straight & the sides are not vertical.

Thank you Gary

If you are just surfacing, you may be able to just clamp the ends.

Yeah sometimes surfacing first then routing words & designs into them. Thankfully the guy I do this for has purchased a 20" plainer so the majority of the plaining has came to an end.

I'm thinking I can screw a piece of 1/2" plywood into the bottom of the piece then clamp the 1/2" ply down to my table I'm just trying to figure out ways to be able to tighten the clamps up. I'm probably going to cut some blocks of wood for today then work on some one piece solutions when I figure them out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gary-Wiant

He1957 - ok so now I understand what you mean with your bridge idea. I have made a quick drawing by hand on my phone to see if I understand the T Clamp, is this what you meanhttps://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=411858&stc=1

Thank you
Gary

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Not what I was thinking but that might work :-)

Here is a Q+D sketch:

With the "bridge" being thick/rigid enough you could drill/tap a few holes and bolt some additional clamps to it.