Kreg has come out with new Universal Clamp Trak kits that allow you to built or retrofit almost any workbench top with handy T-track clamp attachment rails. These rails fit Kreg’s bench-mountable clamps, such as the AutoMaxx ones that were released a few years ago.
Kreg Clamp Traks aren’t a new product, but this seems to be the first time that Kreg has combined rails into complete kits. Since I hadn’t posted about these Traks before, now seemed like a good idea to tell you about ’em.
There will be two kits, one with 45″ and 27″ Traks (KKS2745), and another with 69″ and 27″ Traks (KKS2769).
The smaller kit is designed to fit workbenches and table tops 48″ x 30″ and larger, and the larger kit can fit benches 72″ x 30″ and up. for a smaller bench, you should be able to cut down the aluminum rails to fit. Or buy 2 smaller Kreg Traks instead of one of these kits.
Kreg sized the Trak kits such that they are also compatible with Kreg workbenches.
Kreg Universal Clamp Traks can be installed two ways. You could mount them to one tabletop surface, such as 3/4″ MDF or particle board, and then butt another 3/4″ surface right up to the Traks’ sides. Using this method, all you need to do is cut your worktops to size.
The second way involves routing grooves or rabbets into a workbench top, which is much more involved seeing as how Kreg Clamp Traks are so wide.
Regardless of how you install them, you have two fastening options as well. You could bolt Kreg Universal Clamp Traks to your workbench, using the two outer T-slots as fastener anchors, or screw them down along the center channel.
So what could you use these Clamp Traks for?
You could use them to secure face frames and other woodworking projects for assembly steps, such as with pocket hole screws.
Or for sanding operations. Personally I’d rather use bench cookies and other grippy standoffs or pads for sanding operations. That way you don’t have to work around clamps.
They give you a lot of options for clamping boards and other wood products for cutting applications.
You could also use them for general hold-down operations.
Price: $100 for the smaller kit, $140 for the large kit
ETA: Nov 2015
Reminder: the clamps and other accessories shown here are not included!
Buy Now(Kreg Clamp Traks via Amazon) – New kits aren’t listed yet, but should pop up soon.