POWERTEC 71164 Aluminum Cam Clamp for Woodworking, 1/4”-20 Threaded Insert - 2PK
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I attempted to upload an image so you could see it, but it appears that only videos are permitted. It's only about 1/2" on the dot from the center to the nose of the cam without removing the calipers. Not all the way down (flat with the surface would be closer to 3/8").
1" x 4"
Simply Google "5/16 T track" to find it on Amazon. (there are numerous possibilities)
On my POWERTEC 71223 T Track, I use them. Its information reads as follows: br>International: these T- The slot tracks are 3/4" wide and 3/4" thick, and they work with all of the major accessory fasteners - 1/4'' T- bolts | 5/16'' T-bolts | 1/4'' Hex bolts bolts
Selected User Reviews For POWERTEC 71164 Aluminum Cam Clamp for Woodworking, 1/4”-20 Threaded Insert - 2PK
These are intended to take the place of twist knobs for securing items along T-shapes. In my case, it was a miter track. The lever/cam action creates upward tension. br>br>I like them, but there are a few things I don't like about them. br>br>First and foremost, I wish I had purchased the 5/16" model. The metal/rubber washers don't make for a particularly stable levering surface. Too much tilt and play is allowed by the 1/4" bolts. Second, the system is extremely sensitive to the difference between being too loose and being too tight. I can't close them when the lever is pointing towards my fence in that sweet spot. More tolerance or less cam action may be possible with thicker rubber. Finally, they're not particularly easy to close when they're in the sweet spot. I tried lubricating the metal washer, which seemed to help a little. I'll experiment with a nylon washer to see if it improves the action and reduces stiction.
However. When I first got these, the threading on the bolt appeared to be damaged, so I returned them. I noticed that it was pitted after looking at it 30 times closer. As a result, I made the decision to replace it. br>br>When the replacement order arrived, the threads on the new ones were even worse than the old ones. So I sent them back for a refund. br>br> The cams looked great, oddly colored (as if the anodization was done too quickly, and these were "2nds"), but they're nothing more than slag if the bolt can't turn them. br>br>When you get these, make sure you thread them from top to bottom. The quality is terrible, and I'm sure others will notice this issue soon, if they haven't already. And this level of quality should not have passed QC even once, let alone twice. br>br>(I tried to upload pictures, but it wouldn't let me. ) Recently, the Amazon app has been a little "wonky. " So, before you keep it, make sure you've threaded it all the way through.
I just finished installing a Rockler T-slot cabinet. I built a track in the top of my workbench and positioned it to match the hole placement on my Porter- Jig for making dovetails out of cables. My goal was to use the track to hold down a variety of objects, but when it came to using the dovetail jig, I just wanted to slide it into the track, tighten it up, and get to work. br>br>Unfortunately, all of the knobs are too wide, because the jig was designed to be mounted to a substrate and then clamped down. Until I used these cam clamps, that is. br>br>The cam clamps are simple to adjust/tighten and require very little lateral clearance. They hold the jig down with enough force and serve the intended purpose, as you can see in the pictures. The t-shirt has been replaced. I replaced the track bolts that came with these with shorter bolts I had on hand; the rubber washer, in combination with the metal washer, ensures a tight grip on the mounted t-slot without pulling too hard. track. br>br>As an aside, I've discovered that Powertec track components are identical to Rockler track components (same manufacturer) and cost less!.
I haven't used them in a jig yet, but I did try them out in an existing jig to see how well they worked. They did an excellent job. The blue anodization is solid and consistent, and the aluminum is smooth. All of the components appear to be of excellent quality. They performed exactly as I had anticipated, and they did so admirably. These are a great quick clamping solution if your jig can handle the indexing of the handles so they don't get in the way.
This would make it difficult to adjust the height of my easel shelf, but with these clamps, it's a snap. It was a lot less difficult than it would have been if I hadn't been recovering.
On a CNC machine, four clamps are used as part of a hold down system, but one of them snapped after a few uses at the attached nut base. It's possible that the product is defective, but I'll wait to see if POWERTEC customer service contacts me to resolve the issue.
All I had to do was go to the hardware store and purchase a 5/16-inch drill bit. I just needed an 18 x 4" full thread bolt and I was good to go! br>br>It's not what it was made for, but it does the job well.
I haven't put them to their full potential yet, but I did a quick test on some scrap wood. I was confident they would fit my "T-shirt" requirements. "track," but I slid them in just to be sure. They are a good match. I tried a few different thicknesses of wood, and they all seemed to hold the scraps in place well. But, based on those quick tests, I'm confident they'll perform admirably when I put them to the test.
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