# Workholding Vote? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Created:** [February 15, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727 "2023-02-15T18:28:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/1 "2023-02-15T18:28:51Z")
Hey all! Doing a little informal survey here… What’s your preferred work holding type and why? Vote for 1 or two in the poll below. Each poll choice has a link to an example. _Poll ([view on site](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![djdelorie](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/djdelorie/32/515_2.png) [@djdelorie](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/djdelorie)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/2 "2023-02-15T18:48:16Z")
wood screws (sorry, I don’t have any of that fancy hardware) ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/3 "2023-02-15T19:01:34Z")
Wood screws are a very acceptable workholding method! ---
**Author:** ![da-kengineer-meister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f1d935/32.png) [@da-kengineer-meister](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/da-kengineer-meister)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/4 "2023-02-15T20:07:41Z")
@Eric I use hold down clamps a whole lot and also wood screws. Screwing down some acrylic, ‘to a sacrificial 2’x2’ board’ held in place to the spoil-board with the clamps while the holes were drilled by the CNC. ![q_20230127_180208](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/e/ec05cd8e2a86d1f69a8636156163f21024d38e44.jpeg) Hold down clamps directly tot he spoil-board. ![q_20220706_180901](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/1X/9e04ea577709b44336a6bfec4c0daa3c99603778.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![abakker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cdc98d/32.png) [@abakker](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/abakker)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:25pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/5 "2023-02-15T23:25:03Z")
I love my mitee bite clamps and t track. Vac pods and composite nails too. Especially with lousy unflat plywood. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/6 "2023-02-15T23:56:51Z")
What mitee bites did you use? ---
**Author:** ![abakker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cdc98d/32.png) [@abakker](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/abakker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/7 "2023-02-16T01:24:32Z")
[McMaster-Carr](https://www.mcmaster.com/2172A15/) I use those, in custom wood carriers with a threaded insert for the 8-32 thread. You can see them in the vertical work holding thread from earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Cleroux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Cleroux](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Cleroux)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 3:17am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/8 "2023-02-16T03:17:52Z")
I am a fan of the masking tape and crazy glue method. I find it holds better than double stick tape. ---
**Author:** ![S2T2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@S2T2](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/S2T2)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/9 "2023-02-16T04:09:31Z")
Blue tape/superglue, if I don’t have extra stock to screw into; otherwise i just screw into the spoilboard. I have t-track and clamps on my table, but find that the clamps get in the way more often than not (mostly because of the bolts and knob size). If I can keep them out of the tool path, they’ll hit the dust boot… 🕶 Simple always does best for me for some reason. Both tape/glue and screws also allow me to ensure the workpiece is flat on the table. Depending on where my clamps land, that hasn’t always been the case. Wish I could justify a solid vacuum system… 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![mitermikeswoodshop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@mitermikeswoodshop](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/mitermikeswoodshop)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 10:35am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/10 "2023-02-16T10:35:17Z")
is that a plasma cutter attached to your gantry? ---
**Author:** ![Randy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2acd7d/32.png) [@Randy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Randy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/11 "2023-02-16T12:23:34Z")
Wood screws. I almost never use any of the others. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/12 "2023-02-16T13:31:12Z")
> [@S2T2](#): > > Blue tape/superglue Have you tried the X-Fasten tape? [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/XFasten-Woodworking-Tape-Parent-1/dp/B09GW8YYPS) It’s fantastic. > **[New video by Eric Schimelpfenig](https://photos.app.goo.gl/tWGG5ZeMXE6HT6CFA)** > [@S2T2](#): > > clamps get in the way more often than not I’ve also had this same experience which is why I mostly use these low profile ones now: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZTB87FS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o02\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZTB87FS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/13 "2023-02-16T13:31:58Z")
> [@Randy](#): > > Wood screws. I almost never use any of the others. That’s how I first started out. I even went so far as to use VCarve to peck drill places on my workpiece to put the screws so I didn’t place them somewhere that I would run them over when I went to cut. ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/14 "2023-02-16T14:16:27Z")
T track and composite nailer I’m a Rookie so I haven’t tried every thing yet so the world is the limit!! … ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/stephen/32/2569_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/15 "2023-02-16T15:47:25Z")
Thanks for including links to examples. How would you do a full vacuum setup on an Avid machine? Would it just be MDF with holes in it for the vacuum and grooves to route rubber stripping? ---
**Author:** ![bcer960](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@bcer960](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/bcer960)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/16 "2023-02-16T16:29:48Z")
Mine is based on the “black box” that was out several years ago. I used the machine to cut a grid pattern in the first sheet of 3/4" MDF, then the spoil board goes over that. (also 3/4" MDF, this lets me surface it several times) The grid is based on 4 quadrants all 2’X4’ . 1 each end across the table, and the other 2 in the middle, along the long (X for me) axis. I don’t have a pic of that here at work, but I do have one of my vacs. I have 4 valves that turn on the quadrant I want to use, so max vaccum is where I need it. I should add I have 48X96 Avid (CNC Router Parts) machine. ![IMG_0456](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/a/a1d140ee2630cbd2e832238b66b6516205c41d36.jpeg) The four vacs are split into 2 groups, and run on an arduino timer. So one group turns on with the switch, runs for 15 mins, 10 seconds before it turns off the second group turns on, then the first group turns off. The second group runs for 15 mins and rinse… repeat. I have had this system running for 6 years, with no issues. The table vac works really great for flat pieces that are bigger than 16"sq. For smaller stuiff I made a T track board that is 16" X 48". I vac that to the table then clamp into it. I do not have any seals between the spoil board and the grid. I do however put 2 coats of shelac on the edges of both sheet of MDF to stop air from coming in the sides. If you want pics of the grid, let me know and I’ll post them tonight when I get home from work. ---
**Author:** ![davidcnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@davidcnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/davidcnc)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/17 "2023-02-16T16:38:33Z")
> [@da-kengineer-meister](#): > > I use hold down clamps a whole lot and also wood screws. Same here - hold down clamps thru-bolted and sometimes screws. Composite nails whenever possible. ---
**Author:** ![gordo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@gordo](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/gordo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/18 "2023-02-16T16:57:03Z")
I use bolt down clamps on a grid of threaded inserts. Been using that method for the 3 machines I’ve had over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/stephen/32/2569_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/19 "2023-02-16T19:18:24Z")
Thanks for the reply Ray. > [@bcer960](#): > > If you want pics of the grid, let me know and I’ll post them tonight when I get home from work. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727/20 "2023-02-16T19:43:26Z")
That’s a nice box. I made one like that a bunch of years early in my routing days in my shop: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/9/9771eccf5b9c490678b70c10fb77000035b3b83e.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/8/8d9af8a22823139c0a437e28aa15539ca8ed582e.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/b/b611eee42951904cf207d1df4d1b3c8d1a8d0982.jpeg) [You can see the full gallery here](https://goo.gl/photos/MUq1RJaKRV2xxrFk7) I called that the “V8 Vacuum” because it has 8 2x2 zones. For those that don’t know how these work, it’s pretty simple: You have a base layer of plywood. The middle layer has a bunch of channels cut into it, and the top layer is ideally LDF (Low density fiberboard). It’s basically really soft MDF. You run pipes up into the grid attached to some vacuums. The suction pulls air down through the LDF and sucks your plywood sheets down. This is what the Hurricane Black Box is really good for. I’ve seen people make some pretty good systems using Fein Turbo vacs too. [Next page](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/workholding-vote/1727.md?page=2)