Another take on work holding
Very shortly after I got my Origin it became clear I’d need some sort of work holding device so the work and tape board would be co-planar. Shaper’s version and the modified/improved version both left me wanting something I could use for both horizontal and vertical workpieces. I also wanted to accommodate varying thicknesses of stock. This is what I came up with.
106
Jigs & Fixtures
Files Included (2)
ILU.svg
6 kBOrigin workstation.skp
238 kB
Materials
2, 2x4’ sheets of 3/4 good quality plywood
3, 4’ sections of T-track
5 threaded inserts, 2 tee nuts, 1 hex bolt
8 knobs to match above (5/16 in my case)
Washers for above
3‘ 3/8x1/2 steel or aluminum bar stock
Hold down giblets to taste, see: Rockler, etc
Tools
Table saw and router (how I did it)
Origin (if preferred)
Instructions
I made this using my table saw and routers. That’s why there are no .SVG files included. (The included SVG file is irrelevant and only there because the submission process insisted a file be included.) There aren’t any. If anyone really cares I can make detailed drawings. I did my design in SketchUp and and I added that file for anyone who can benefit from that. The rear backboard is 30” X 12”. The front backboard is 24” X 11”. The other inch is a 1” wide piece of 1/2” MDF at the top for spoilage. The 2 boards are glued together The boxes are 3” wide (that’s about how wide I thought a support was needed for the Origin when adjacent to the workpiece), 8” out and 11” down. The top, inside 1” above the track is MDF for spoilage. Below the track is permanent MDF. The intent here is to use this surface in place of the Delrin rods for vertical registration. The horizontal track in the boxes supports a sliding rail used to support the Origin during vertical cutting operations. That rail also has an MDF insert for spoilage. All surfaces apt to cut into by operations are lined with 1/2" thick MDF to a depth of 3/4". Hard to imagine a deeper cut that that on this jig. There are 2 vertical t-tracks on each side of the back. The inside ones register sections of the bar stock set into the face of the boxes. The fit has no slop but slides nicely. The outside tracks on each side are used with t-bolts and knobs to hold the boxes at the necessary height relative to the bench top tape board. The horizontal work holding tray is 11” wide by 24” long. It is secured to the boxes by knobs into tee nuts on front and knobs into threaded inserts from inside the boxes. I attached a 1/4” thick by 2 1/2” maple strip to the top if the rear backer board. It supports the back board on the edge of the bench while I fasten it. It also is the same thickness as the tape board so it puts everything coplanar. I wanted metal bars to register the boxes and support rail so they would be precisely located and slide easily. Aluminum turned out to be a poor choice for this. Steel would be better. The aluminum of the t-track and runners grate on one another, the chips cause scratches and embed in the mating part causing interference and poor sliding performance. Steel runners won’t allow the aluminum chips or other grit to scratch and interfere. As noted above, if anyone wants more info or something isn’t clear just ask.