If you’re using an HDS Portable Workbench, one of the most useful accessories you can add is a set of track clamps.
They give you a quick and secure way to hold timber, boards and workpieces in place while you saw, plane, route, sand or assemble.
And because the HDS Portable Workbench has integrated clamping slots, you can position the clamps exactly where you need them.
What Are Track Clamps?
Track clamps are designed to slide into a track or clamping slot and lock into position.
Unlike a traditional G-clamp or F-clamp, you don't need to clamp around the edge of your workbench. The clamp works from the surface of the bench, which means you can secure a workpiece almost anywhere on the bench.
That makes them particularly useful for woodworking.
You can position the clamp close to the workpiece, tighten it down and get on with the job without having a clamp getting in the way underneath the bench.
Why Use Track Clamps on a Workbench?
Good workholding is one of the foundations of accurate woodworking.
If your workpiece moves while you're sawing, planing or routing, it can affect the accuracy of the job — and in some cases, it can make the work less safe.
Track clamps solve this by giving you a fast and flexible way to secure the workpiece.
They're particularly useful when:
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Planing boards by hand
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Cutting timber with a circular saw
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Routing
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Sanding
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Chiselling
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Gluing and assembling
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Working on smaller components
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Holding awkwardly shaped workpieces
The big advantage is flexibility. You aren't restricted to a handful of fixed clamp positions.
How to Use Track Clamps on the HDS Portable Workbench
Using the HDS Track Clamps is straightforward.
1. Position your workpiece
Place the timber or workpiece on the HDS Portable Workbench.
Think about what you're going to do with it before positioning the clamps. You want the workpiece held securely without putting the clamps where they'll interfere with your saw, plane, router or other tools.
2. Slide the clamp into the slot
Insert the Track Clamp into one of the HDS clamping slots.
The clamp can then be positioned along the slot to suit the size and shape of your workpiece.
3. Position the clamp
Slide the clamp into the position you need.
For most work, position the clamp so that it applies pressure firmly onto the workpiece without unnecessarily over-tightening it.
If you're using two clamps, position them so the workpiece is held securely without twisting or rocking.
4. Tighten the clamp
Once everything is positioned correctly, tighten the clamp until the workpiece is secure.
You don't need to apply excessive pressure. The aim is to stop the workpiece moving, not crush it.
Give the workpiece a quick check before starting work.
5. Get to work
Once the workpiece is secure, you've got both hands available to work.
That's where good workholding really pays off.
Instead of constantly fighting the timber or trying to hold it with one hand, you can concentrate on making an accurate cut, clean plane stroke or controlled chisel cut.
Track Clamps vs Traditional Workbench Clamps
Traditional clamps still have their place, but track clamps have some major advantages on a woodworking bench.
A traditional F-clamp or G-clamp generally needs access around the edge of the workbench.
That can limit where you can clamp.
Track clamps work from the top of the bench, so you can secure a workpiece closer to the middle of the work surface.
They're also much quicker to reposition when you're moving from one job to another.
For a portable workbench, that's especially useful because you want your setup to be quick and flexible.
How Many Track Clamps Do You Need?
For most woodworking jobs, two clamps are a great starting point.
A pair gives you enough flexibility to secure boards and other workpieces securely while keeping the setup quick.
For larger or awkward workpieces, you may want to use additional clamps or combine Track Clamps with other HDS accessories.
The right number ultimately depends on what you build and the size of the work you regularly do.
Using Track Clamps for Hand Planing
One of the best uses for Track Clamps is holding a board while hand planing.
A good hand plane produces a surprising amount of sideways and forward force.
If the board isn't held securely, it can move around the bench and make accurate planing frustrating.
With the HDS Portable Workbench, you can position the Track Clamps to hold the board firmly while leaving the working surface accessible for your plane.
That means you can concentrate on your technique rather than chasing the board around the bench.
Using Track Clamps for Cutting
Track clamps are also useful when cutting sheet material or timber with a circular saw.
Position the workpiece securely, make sure the clamp isn't in the path of the saw, and you have a stable surface from which to make your cut.
For repetitive work, being able to quickly reposition the clamps can save a surprising amount of time.
Always make sure the workpiece is properly supported and that your cutting setup is safe before starting the saw.
Track Clamps for Routing and Sanding
Routing and sanding can also generate enough force to move a workpiece if it isn't secured properly.
The HDS Track Clamps provide a simple way to hold the workpiece down while keeping the rest of the bench surface clear.
This is particularly useful when working on smaller pieces where trying to hold the work by hand simply isn't practical.
The HDS Portable Workbench
The HDS Portable Workbench was designed around one simple idea: good workholding shouldn't require a huge permanent workshop.
The integrated clamping slots allow you to use HDS Track Clamps and other HDS accessories wherever you need them.
So whether you're working in a small workshop, garage, garden or taking the bench to a job site, you can create a solid woodworking setup in minutes.
HDS Track Clamps
Our Track Clamps are available individually or as part of the HDS Portable Workbench packs.
They're designed specifically to work with the HDS Hold Down System and give you a quick, secure and flexible way to hold your work.
Shop HDS Track Clamps →
If you already have an HDS Portable Workbench, adding a pair of Track Clamps is one of the simplest ways to make it even more useful.
Good workholding makes woodworking easier.
And when your workpiece stays where you put it, everything else gets a little more accurate.