Getting my new CNC DIALED! // Vacuum Table Workholding & T-Track Fixture Table

Learn how to add a DIY vacuum workholding table and a t-track fixture table to an Avid 4x8 CNC router! These two spoilboard options give me tons of flexibility for clamping material to my CNC and should make clamping and cutting parts on the CNC a breeze.
🔩 Get 15% off router bits using code CRAFTED15 at BitsBits! bit.ly/BitsBits...
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🛠 Tools Used On The Vacuum Table and T-Track Table Build (affiliate):
🤖 AVID CNC PRO4896 4' x 8' CNC Router Kit : bit.ly/AVIDPRO4896
Black Box Hurricane Vacuum Pump : bit.ly/BlackBox...
🔹 Threaded Insert Kit : www.rockler.co...
🔩 ¼" Compression Bit : bit.ly/BitsBits...
🔩 ⅜” Compression Bit : bit.ly/BitsBits...
🔩 2" Spoilboard Surfacing Bit : bit.ly/BitsBits...
Track Saw : amzn.to/3bhjgT4
Table Saw : amzn.to/2WrrNMm
Push Stick : amzn.to/2XIvgFq
Magnetic Screw Holder (for my impact driver) : amzn.to/2xGYPwD
Cordless Drill : amzn.to/2wOFM2S
Vectric Aspire : bit.ly/VectricA...
🛠 Materials Used On The Vacuum Table and T-Track Table Build (affiliate):
🔹 Rockler Universal T-Track : www.rockler.co...
🔹 Rockler #6 Screws : www.rockler.co...
🔹 Peel and Stick Edge Banding : www.rockler.co...
🔹 Total-Lock Casters : www.rockler.co...
👕 Get your Build It Yourself merch! bit.ly/BuildItY...
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[@matsler89]

You can put some t nuts into your melamine vacuum zone piece and then create a file for your CNC to cut out recessed mounting holes that match the t nuts. This allows for repeatable mounting for your spoil board and it saves your melamine piece from multiple screw holes in it over time.

[@craftedworkshop]

Good idea!

[@tmasopust]

It's amazing the everyone with a CNC seems to go through the same evolutionary process of trying to come up with the perfect clamping/spoil board solution. We are on iteration 4 or 5 at this point having initially tried the same things you are doing :)

[@donbillington6360]

What methods do you like the most?

[@TrailFeatures]

It's always funny how machines like this turn into projects. The first two months of owning a 3D printer I spent printing more parts for the 3D printer. XD

[@stu-po]

I really enjoyed seeing this go together and the mystery of the vacuum pump through the mdf!

[@jeffcalvert6502]

Use nylon screws to hold down the spoil board. Never ruin a bit by hitting a screw. When you have to change the spoil board (and you will) they can just be cut out.

[@JDDupuy]

Great tip!

[@boko3155]

First of all. F%$K YES. first video I have seen that is quick - doesn't bull%&T and focuses on sharing knowledge - secondly thank you! I hope we can someday make vids that share like this too - we've modded our avid and really happy with the result. Need to make a video too!

[@IceGene]

7:52 that slide was sooooo satisfying.

[@dairybarnwoodworking215]

It sucks through the MDF? 🤯. That’s sick!

[@djrobstarrcom]

wouldn´t believe it if someone tell me that this is working

[@michaelporter9940]

"Brady Vac". Been using it for years. It IS sick!

[@PjotrStroganov]

Been working with a Homag Vantage 12L for a few years now and it uses the same principle. Low quality mdf is best to use as it lets through more air. Nice about this industrial machine is the work area. About 3600x1700mm.;)

[@markharro8900]

Is this simply relying on the porosity of the MDF? I was wondering the same question.

[@RageGuitars]

For a tad better vacuum, seal the side of your spoil board with the fast edge. There is a little bit if leakage thru the edge. Great video

[@craftedworkshop]

Good tip, thanks!

[@joshm4519]

@@craftedworkshop wood glue works too.

[@nathwald]

Also add a gasket between your vacuum grid and your spoilboard

[@r2db]

@@nathwald That was what I had thought the square pattern was going to be used for. It is pretty much standard with metalworking machine vacuum fixture plates.

[@Dragonrockstar88]

One thing we do at our shop to help suction through the MDF is seal the sides with some spray paint.

[@alexcampbell492]

I have a large CNC router with a vacuum system. I didn’t see if you used gasketing in the plenum. It makes a big difference. I split my spoilboard so I can slide the front section onto the back and then use gaskets right on the plenum for huge holding power when doing surface work or engraving.

[@roeschdan]

Do you have a diagram that can explain this more. I don't quite understand

[@daviddavis1322]

Bind the edges of the mdf spoil board, too. It'll really help focus the vacuum to a quadrant

[@bcer960interurban]

it's faster and easier to put 2 coats of shellac on the edges of the MDF

[@Utaheyelid]

I have the same 4x8 router and vacuum system. I think you're gonna find you don't want all those screws and inserts in your spoilboard. If you are using this table as often I would expect, you'll quickly tear up your spoilboard and lose vacuum power. You'll want to resurface it fairly regularly and all those screws will just become a pain in the butt. Just glue the lightweight MDF to the plenum board and when you want the t-track board, attach it with wood screws in the corners. I go 98% through my spoilboard and then just glue another one on top. Works great.

[@ricardoramirez3084]

I was wondering if both of you plumbed with schedule 20 or 40?

[@nitrousair]

does the glue hinder the suction from the vacuum when you glue the spoilboard to the plenum?

[@Utaheyelid]

@@nitrousair No. Just glue completely around the edges and then in small spots scattered around the board. The air will pull right around it. Be sure and take a millimeter off the bottom side of the MDF that will attach to the plenum, then flip it, glue it and surface the other side completely.

[@AquaFreak]

TIP! close the edges of the MDF with white wood glue. that way your spoilboard is going to have 40% more suction power.

[@hawkeire2414]

Daaaaaammmmn Son... Nice setup... The possibilities with the CNC are endless..

[@craftedworkshop]

Yes they are! Can't wait to really get some use out of it once it comes time to build all of the cabinetry for the house I'm building at the moment.

[@peterkroeker753]

I will own one of these when my shop is built I promise

[@jimmyz1686]

I think you just sold me on getting an avid cnc. The vacuum hold down is a game changer.

[@shakejones]

great video + presentation + explanation! well done mate! thanks for sharing!

[@kineticjoinerypty.ltd.8537]

Hi Crafted Workshop ! Thank you for the great video on how you setup your overall AVID CNC Vacuum Table Top construction and plumbing to the Black Box Hurricane Vacuum Pump ! I have a similar AVID 4' x 8' CNC Router Table, however the Black Box Hurricane Vacuum Pump are not readily available here in Australia, so I will need to look for something similar, or construct my own ! On another side note I saw that you used SketchUp Pro to make your initial design for your Cabinetry Layout, but I would greatly appreciate knowing what CAD/CAM software you used to actually create the chest of draws individual components, and also obviously nest all of these items to be cut directly on the AVID CNC ? I hope you can help me with this inquiry ! Keep up the great work and videos ! Regards Kinetic Joinery.

[@elanman608]

to improve holding just lay clingfilm over the part and surrounding area.

[@davidurdahl6656]

When Jonny calls it bitsbits so many times, the company eventually just drops the & from their name. lol

[@sethbrettell5952]

great to see woodworkers trusting computer aided machines

[@akquicksilver]

Awesome set up brother! Time to see some killer CNC projects.

[@mattbowers5342]

I sooo want to add one of these to my shop! Thanks for letting us enjoy yours.

[@jake196.21]

How loud is the vacuum. I know you'll have dust collection/CNC running at the same time, I was just curious on its own as well as with everything running altogether.

[@JDDupuy]

Okay now I'm thinking about this model over the Axiom.

[@weberwoodshop]

Damn that’s cool. Congrats on an awesome setup!

[@craftedworkshop]

Thanks man! Your CNC setup is pretty damn sweet too.

[@johnross9369]

Fantastic build Johnny. That machine is a beast.

[@jimhinkle7245]

Just found this. DANG BUBBA!!!! Very Very nice setup!!!!

[@nolancraw]

For the drawer slide issue, couldn't you have routed out some material off each side of the drawer on the router table? or was it too much material?

[@toozydude2]

The vacuum working THROUGH the MDF?? Wow did not know that was possible!

[@Z-add]

Not only is this possible. It is how it is supposed to work.

[@godin8262]

Something I don't get it. You made on a melamine board plenty of groove for the air of the vacuum to pass after that you had a Prestwood board over that vacuum board and I saw you plane that board on both side after that you put and small board over that Prestwood and put the vacuum ON, the vacuum pump vacuum that board down across that Prestwood. If there is a Prestwood over the groove how the air pass for vacuuming down that small board? I never saw you drill hold on that Prestwood. At 6:30 on the video. Sorry, I missing something here. By the way that very nice work.

[@A2ZGeek]

Glad you got a CNC, I love my AvidCNC.

[@mavigogun]

"Rockler", "Rockler", "Rockler"- relentless product placement.

[@unclebob8746]

You mentioned Legacy Woodworking for one of the designs (can't remember if it was the vacuum table or the t-track table) but both of these designs are from Legacy. You may have modified the hole pattern to fit your machine, but the designs are Legacy's. Also, as commented below, the fine dust from milling MDF acts more like a gas than dust and will stay in the air for hours. Check out Shop Hacks for an air filtration system. I built one and it works great to clear the air of really fine dust particles, as well as circulating the heat and air conditioning. I have a Legacy Maverick 3x5 with ATC. More money, but much beefier machine than the Avid.

[@craftedworkshop]

Yes, I mentioned that the design was based on Legacy's and would have linked to their video but it appears they removed it from their channel for some reason. I'll check out that filtration system!

[@yaobuckman5006]

beast of CNC??

[@Stevethatiam]

Great job on the vacuum setup! This video helped me a bunch! Would you mind sharing your feed and speeds that you used for the vacuum table?

[@scottschneider4596]

Seems like that dust collector isn’t powerful enough? Have you seen the double sided dust boot?

[@lomoDaniel]

Buying a couple tables, soon. Thanks for providing useful information. Any regrets or things you'd configure differently, now that you've used it for a while? I'll be running both router and plasma. Starting a new shop in Westchester, NY.

[@l.rod2827]

Dude, Thats badass...

[@ronhampe]

Curious did you glue all of the pvc fittings for the Hurricane?

[@dennisvancoolwijk6147]

Do you not have to use rubber in your grid under your spoilboard?

[@drich6816]

Hello, I'm getting ready to order a Avid machine. How do you like it? Do you feel the leg kit is stable enough? Thanks

[@jasonathr]

Could you tell me what software you use to design the cabinets?

[@gerrysantora1706]

Are you drilling your holes with the router bit, or changing out the router bit for a drill bit, and then running a separate drill program?

[@craftedworkshop]

For the t-track table, I just used a standard router bit.

[@ZediZero]

Oh man what a machine ! :D I want it soooo bad ! I got an x-carve. But its... limited i should say. Good work man !

[@davidthompson9359]

For small or garage CNC setups would a Hurricane vacuum system cost too much in electricity to be worth the install?

[@jonjon3829]

hopefully you also sealed the screws? otherwise its gonna leak there.

[@shwoard386]

how much did this entire setup cost? Avids website only has a price for the mechanical portion, everything else is broken out be separate parts

[@sallybryan3754]

Great project

[@serverghost8634]

Question: What Software did you use for designing the cabinet?

[@mrbillheineken]

Following

[@luwk]

Why don't you use the powermatic cyclone dust extractor on the cnc machine

[@mattthrogmorton]

Is there any way you would share your finished file for the routing on the plenum?

[@RonMarshallrone]

Thats incredible. Nice job.

[@jayedwin98020]

Maybe someone has already asked this. Did you just 'dry fit' your PVC pipe and fittings? I didn't see you using any PVC cement. If correct, will not using cement give you an adequate 'seal' on your system? And by the way, "Great video"!

[@danielglr]

Can you tell me wich vacuum did you use ??

[@drich6816]

why didn't the Dust collector work?

[@JustinWild]

What's the grand total $ for this setup?

[@stingrayguy8294]

what was the cost of the hurricane vacuum ?

[@PSModernKitchens]

Q: what was you reasons to pick this brand CNC over the others? Thank you...

[@murali1068]

Very cool.. what is the total approximate cost to setup like this?

[@bigdogmn73]

Love it! I can live my dream of having that upset in my one car shop by watching your videos....thanks buddy

[@craftedworkshop]

Hah, thanks!

[@iraydiaz5888]

Do you have a video or a site with what software you use for your CNC Workflow? CAD > CAM > Machining [I saw mach4 or mach3] [Does Aspire function as a CAD and CAM?]

[@furthernorthfab]

She’s a beauty.

[@dvn711]

Which cabinet design software were you using that allowed you to choose the drawer slides? And would you be willing to do a small video about it?

[@craftedworkshop]

I’ll be going into it in my next video! I used Mozaik.

[@christiansnyder2633]

Hey man do you have the file for the plenum board with the grid!

[@duncangiel9564]

Awesome! You mentioned you selected the Blum under mount slides in the software. Which cabinet software are you using? Or is that part of Aspire?

[@maximazur4854]

You can download Dynaplan that is a Blum software for building cabinets

[@johnramminger]

Looks like he is using mozaik. Awesome software

[@intelligenceservices]

need to see inside the vacuum pump please.

[@makethepart]

Fantastic Video! Thanks for sharing

[@morrow275]

Where do I find the glue you use to glue in the T-track?

[@pistolpete9978]

I think he said, "CA Glue," which is cyanoacrilate, or "Super Glue." For even faster setting, use CA on one side, and CA accelerator on the other.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty interesting process, dude! Great work! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@TOP-SOUND-CHANNEL]

Hi. Any idea of the minimum negative vacuum pressure, needed for a simular vac-system?

[@KBrogger]

1. Seal your spoilboard to the plenum. You're loosing a lot there. There's gasket material 2. Seal the edges of your spoilboard. Almost anything works. Cheap latex paint even. I started using plastidip. 3. Get some proper dust collection. What you have, does not work. You should not have the mess you have from running a full weekl, nevermind just from surfacing the spoilboard. 4. Most through cuts only need .002" of penetration into the spoilboard. The deeper you go, the more vaccum you loose, the more likely parts are to move, and the more often you have to re-surface it.

[@PSModernKitchens]

this was great!

[@greglauderdale7595]

Aaaaaaaand now I want a CNC.

[@miguelarevalo4986]

What's the software you use?..cheers

[@shawnzavoda2050]

Can you put t-track directly into the flow through MDF piece if you sealed the track groove? I realize the area where the track is would not have suction, but any other issues doing that?

[@erik_natzke]

Q: Did you make or buy that Dust Shoe? Looks solid! Polycorbonate perhaps. Mine has a bit of give (made out of HDPE from the Avid Instructions). It works, but I like the appearance of yours... thus the query. Thanks for taking the time to reply (AND make these videos. MUCH APPRECIATED & Learned)

[@rufustoad1]

Good vid. You wouldn't share the 3d code for the autozero tool would you?

[@craftedworkshop]

It's on Thingiverse!

[@workshop_edits]

Forgive me if I missed it - but how does the air pass through the MDF spoil board? Is it just because it's a composite material with thousands of tiny holes that are basically too small to see?

[@theonlyiainever]

MDF is extremely porous, that's why it swells up so much when it gets wet.

[@workshop_edits]

@@theonlyiainever makes sense - cheers

[@gregweber802]

awesome video... informative and well done.

[@kellyb7321]

Overall, what was the final cost of this project?

[@TheWoodCrafter1]

Just a few 10 thousand bucks

[@calvinlamb8512]

Free

[@Jeff_369]

Very cool and thanks for the video!!!

[@TxStang]

Nice setup !

[@jorgevillalpando4269]

How much will this machine run full assembly.

[@Kcustom216]

How much did that machine set you back?

[@TheUserid82]

is it strong enough to double as a vacuum former? Would just need a heat box to mount above the table then to heat the plastic.

[@joshm4519]

I did this with mine, I vacuum formed plastazote foam. I'm using two dust extractors for vacuum.

[@scotchristensen4199]

I paint the edges of the MDF to get more suction on the top

[@craftedworkshop]

Good tip!

[@michaelporter9940]

@@craftedworkshop I roll the edges with wood glue.

[@lenshelton2810]

What cabinet CAD software is that?

[@thomashogan1645]

Hey you've been using this for a year now. How about a review?

[@ericrouanet1262]

Hi,what furniture software is it?

[@chazbarclay]

Just a question for anyone that knows. Is taking .03" off the sides to open up the pores of the MDF? Making buying a thinner board to accomplish the same without removing moot?

[@austingifford8433]

Chaz mdf has two compressed faces when you skim the faces it removes the most compressed portion of the mdf faces allowing for more air flow. If you use thinner mdf you will have to do it anyway and you won’t get much better suction. .75” mdf is perfect because you have more use out of it before needing to change the spoil board. You only need to skim the mdf until the compressed face is gone. I would probably start with a .01 pass and then move To .005” passes until you have gotten it all.

[@chazbarclay]

@@austingifford8433 Ah yes, makes sense. Thanks for the reply Austin.

[@derekjarman1638]

Cool setup!

[@johncarr123]

Do you have the Cut2d files or CAD files for the board for download? What are the size of the squares and spacing between the squares?

[@squidskunk]

im waiting on final delivery of my 60"x60" pro from avid.

[@craftedworkshop]

Nice!

[@jasonflt]

i so want one !!!!!!!!

[@paulbergman8228]

Where do you get the canister filter? It is not on the supply list provided. 🙂

[@craftedworkshop]

It comes with the Blackbox unit.

[@tuscanland]

May I ask if you have the 4HP or the 8HP spindle mounted to the router?

[@jimeronimo]

Well I could use one of those. Lol. Out of curiosity, what are you going to do with this cnc? I'm asking because I have to admit I'm curious about a project. Let me know and if so, an email or a way to chat. I have an Irish home pub I'd like to get some work done for. Jim

[@johnbaker4390]

Sorry, can you supply the Vectric files?