table saw hold down system for Kreg pocket hole joinery

[tom coleman]

Has anyone converted the end table on their table saw for use as Kreg clamp hold down area? I bought a bought 2 lengths of Kreg Klamptrack (24") and 2 Kreg holddown clamps at Tampa woodwork show last month. I plan to cut one section of this track in half in order to build 2 right angle hold down areas on the right table of my Steel City table saw as follows: Cut a piece of 3/4 ply 12x27 and bolt short lengths of Klamptrack to 12 inch edge and the 24" length to long edge. Glue a 2nd piece of ply to the open field between the Klamptrack. Install this table between fences on table saw. Voila a $75 Kreg hold down table? Has anyone done this, any suggestions? OK to cut aluminum Klamptrack w carbide saw blade or should I buy a metal cutting blade? I plan on making this table next week and then taking it to summer cottage in Maine in June for use on my Rigid table saw up north. Can anyone tell me the distance between rails on the Rigid saw. I would like to make this table interchangeable for use on either table saw.

[Rich Engelhardt]

My Ridgid TS3660 measures 27" between the rails.
There's also a round metal bar that's 13 3/8" from the end of the cast iron top to the center of the rod.
I roughly figured I'd have to route a 1/4" deep groove w/a 1/2" cove or straight bit to fit the insert over that rod and shim it as needed.

If it hadn't snowed and was warmer yesterday, I could have given you more accurate measurments.
I'm installing both an insert and an outfeed support on my Ridgid TS3660.

Oops - forgot...
Yes, a carbide blade will cut the Aluminum track just fine - better actually than an abrasive type blade since they "load up and smear".
Just go slow with the cut.

[Bob Faris]

These links don't answer your specific question, but they may give you some ideas. The third link has some related posts near the bottom.

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/kreg-assemble-table?context=latest

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/kreg-assemble-table-collapsed?context=latest

http://www.sawdustonthefloor.com/3581/woodworking-project-adding-a-kreg-klamp-system-to-a-delta-unisaw-part-3/

[tom coleman]

Rich, thanks for input re Rigid saw. I decided to build this table in Maine with the Rigid saw in front of me so I can deal with the issues you described. I think I will also put a router table insert into that same table.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Tom,
The 27" measurment is accurate - but - the distance from the edge to the round support bar can vary.
The round support bar attaches to the inside of the rails and can slide one way or the other.