Lathe Track Rack System

[Ed Weingarden]

I'm considering purchasing Woodturners Wonders Track Rack System and Track Vac Dust Collector. For anyone who has that system, do you like it? Is it easy to use? Are there any limitations with it? Thanks.

 

[GRJensen]

I have it on both of my lathes. Works as advertised, but the arms are a bit stiff ... they will loosen up a little over time.

 

[Ed Weingarden]

Thanks for the feedback Gerald.

 

[Tom De Winter]

WTW tells me that the arms will loosen in time. It hasn’t happened yet but it hasn’t gotten a lot of use.
I find the support arms are often in the way of the banjo.
I’m also worried that one of the track mounts will break a chunk out of the bed casting.
l

 

[john lucas]

Great system. My only draw back is the arms get in the way of the tool rest on my Powermatic. May not be a problem on smaller lathes. Not really much if an issue. I bought 2 extra platforms and attached electrical boxes with magnets and an extension cord to plug in drills etc.

 

[Ed Weingarden]

@john lucas - when you say "gets in the way of the tool rest", are you referring to the banjo? If so, is it an easy work-around? Thanks.

 

[Odie]

@john lucas - when you say "gets in the way of the tool rest", are you referring to the banjo? If so, is it an easy work-around? Thanks.

If you are considering a depth gauge like what is available for the track rack system, I can see where the tool rest would get in the way of making that measurement. I use a homemade depth gauge, and I have to move the tool rest to get an accurate measurement, because the measurement needs to be taken at the exact center of the bowl interior.

-----odie-----

 

[Peter Jacobson]

I have the track system and the dust collector arms on my Powermatic. It all works as advertised. The arms are pretty beat up from the banjo constantly hitting them, but they still work as intended. The arms are held on with two slick knobs; this would be better if they were more grippy and/or something you could grab with a wrench -- that would make it easier to move them left and right on the track to position for different size blanks.

All in all, I like the track so much I wish there were other things to attach to it.

 

[GRJensen]

The arms are held on with two slick knobs; this would be better if they were more grippy and/or something you could grab with a wrench ...

I'm going to wrap mine with hockey tape.

 

[Peter Jacobson]

I'm going to wrap mine with hockey tape.

Good, simple solution.

 

[john lucas]

Yes it is the banjo hitting the arms. I would love to have a good overhead system but in my new shop that's a really complicated solution.

 

[Ed Weingarden]

Thanks

 

[Tom De Winter]

I slipped a length of bicycle inner tube on the attach knobs to enable a better grip.

 

[Leroy Cook]

I have the Lathe Track and use the Depth Gauge on it. No funnels since I started using it. Was originally stumped about how to attach it to my Nichols lathe bed, but figured out a solution. Bought a 3 foot length of 2" angle iron, then attached the Track to the angle iron with 3 rare earth magnets, and attached the angle iron to the bed with another 3 rare earth magnets. It is quite sturdy. I have not had an issue with it hitting my banjo or tool rest, since I simply fold it out of the way until I need to do a measurement. My Track is a couple of years old and has developed a little wiggle. But if the initial depth setup and subsequent measurements are done the same way (at one side of the wiggle), then measurements are spot on. One great thing that I like about this Depth Gauge is that it works great on live edge bowls. Other depth gauges that have to span the bowl rim to rim have some challenges with a very wavy live edge.

 

[Tom De Winter]

I like your magnet idea.
Early in this thread I expressed concern about the track bar mounts cracking the cast lathe frame. Apparently no one has had this problem or concern.

 

[Karl Loeblein]

Some more pics would be nice on this thread. I can’t always picture in my head what‘s being said in words.

 

[Leroy Cook]

I have the Lathe Track and use the Depth Gauge on it. No funnels since I started using it. Was originally stumped about how to attach it to my Nichols lathe bed, but figured out a solution. Bought a 3 foot length of 2" angle iron, then attached the Track to the angle iron with 3 rare earth magnets, and attached the angle iron to the bed with another 3 rare earth magnets. It is quite sturdy. I have not had an issue with it hitting my banjo or tool rest, since I simply fold it out of the way until I need to do a measurement. My Track is a couple of years old and has developed a little wiggle. But if the initial depth setup and subsequent measurements are done the same way (at one side of the wiggle), then measurements are spot on. One great thing that I like about this Depth Gauge is that it works great on live edge bowls. Other depth gauges that have to span the bowl rim to rim have some challenges with a very wavy live edge.

pics are certainly helpful.

 

[john lucas]

Here is what I did. I bought 2 lengths and and extra platform or two. I use the one spare platform for a magnetic light occasionally. 2 of the platforms have a magnet that holds 2 electrical boxes on an extension cord so I can use it as is or move it if necessary.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Here is what I did. I bought 2 lengths and and extra platform or two. I use the one spare platform for a magnetic light occasionally. 2 of the platforms have a magnet that holds 2 electrical boxes on an extension cord so I can use it as is or move it if necessary.

John are you using the clips provided or did you permanently mount the track to your lathe? I think I see clips but am not sure. I have mine mounted on a Robust Liberty and sometimes the clips slips off. I have the Black Hole dust hood from Craft Supply and a light from Ken Rizza attached.

 

[GRJensen]

I'm using the clamps that are provided with the Lathe Track ...