🔒 2 Pack POWERTEC 71168 T-Track Hold Down Clamps, 5-1/2” Length x 1-1/8” Width Review

I refrained from buying clips because I thought I could make them. All these woodworkers make it so easy in the video. Not correct! Needless to say, what I made will soon be thrown away as I don't think I can save it for anything else. I gave up and bought 4 of these rail holders that I have, also from Powertec. . They work great and I should have bought them when I bought the track.

Screw heads are a bit large for some T-slots - I have to file them down to fit. Those that fit are very tight and benefit from the same fine-tuning of the fit. Also in one of the packages (ordered 4) there were no screws and washers. I'm trying to contact the seller to solve the problem. Probably just the wrong packaging. Edit - The T-rail I'm using is also made/sold by Powertec. You would think their products would work on top of their other products.

has been corrupted. is that the foam pads on each end actually reduce the effectiveness of this clamp. I thought I'd like it better because it's less likely to damage the surface of my workpiece and it works well in that regard, but I have to over-tighten it for it to be as effective as some of the solid metal clamps, that I have . . . I'm glad I didn't go all in on them, but they will work as accessory clamps, so at least it wasn't a waste of money.

I prefer regular hex head bolts so I swapped out the bolts so they work better with the brand I have. These little clamps are a marvel on my prototyping bench and on my large homemade drill bench. The longer I have them, the more uses I can find for them, so I'll probably buy more. They are very strong and will not deform when tightened. Hopefully the rubber buffers will hold up in the long run. I think they will. I doubt I can make an equally good pair of clamps for the price they're asking…

I took 4 each of 71083 Large and 71389 Mini and they are excellent. Either they fit in the T-slot or they don't. I tested all my slots and found that the left slot on my new jet drill is a slightly different size, but it's cast iron! So I gently touched the edge of both sides of the base of each T-bolt with a grinder. My God, now they make life prosperous! I'm so happy. Just buy them as they require almost no mental activity and are safer for almost anyone with survival-of-the-fittest gear.

I wanted small and simple clamps for my drill press. You'll get the job done if you put some washers on the T at the end of the bolt so they hook into the rails of the drill table. I know they are for T rails so they are too small for my use. I like that they are sturdy and made of aluminum. This means they aren't magnetic or keep metal shavings from drilling, and I can use magnets next to them to catch the shavings without sticking to the clamps. They are much more convenient than 6" or 9"…