Has Anyone Tried a Fence with Cam-clamps?

[gerryv]

Is anyone using or has anyone tried a heavy-duty Beisemeyer or similar fence, perhaps in conjunction with cam-clamps, as a quick-setup hold-down means with their Shopbot?

[tim_mcknight]

I have used T-tracks inset into MDF along with CAM clamps and it works well. You need to keep an eye on it while it is cutting because I have had cams loosen up before. That is one reason why I have shifted to 90% vacuum clamping.

[mwpfeifer]

Gerald,
I've kinda sorta done what I think you’re asking about. I have T-track around the perimeter of my spoil board on my BT48 and also have it on a 12 x 12 grid. I fabricated a "fence" that is shaped like an inverted “T” and slide that into the t-track. If this "fence" is a reasonably close fit to the t-track it works fairly well. Some of my early attempts at making this fence insert were a bit on the sloppy side and it would tilt in the track, this causes problems as it reduces the contact surface and the parts often came loose. It's amazing how far a spindle can throw things!
Mike

[knight_toolworks]

here is my setup. works well for one off's and such it is very fast to setup.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s.../clampjig1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s.../clampjig2.jpg

[Gary Campbell]

Gerald..
We use T track and CAM Clamps often. I use a different T track, so David had the machinist custom make me a set to my specs. Slightly different, but same principle. Heres a pic:

37639.jpg

[beacon14]

Not sure how a Beisemeyer fence would help, but a strip or two of scrap plywood stapled or screwed to a larger piece of scrap makes a quick utilitarian jig.

37658.jpg

[gerryv]

Thanks much for the info and pic's. I now see that the important thing is to make sure my jig is straight and properly aligned with the X and Y. No need for an expensive fence.