Will Dovetail Clamps Work with My Track Saw?

With track saws becoming more popular with woodworkers, we often get asked if our MATCHFit Dovetail Clamps will work in the guide rails that track saws use. The short answer is that only MicroJig’s Ratchet Clamp AP is built to work in the standard groove that most guide rails use. The long answer is about why.

To begin with, the ‘standard groove’ in the extruded aluminum guide rails is nominally 12mm wide, 6mm deep with an 8mm wide opening for clamp heads. Most brands conform to this standard, but there is some variation. The dovetail clamp heads of our clamps will fit in somebrand slots but not in others. But fitting into the guide rails is not the real issue.

The 1/2” wide, 14-degree dovetail head of our clamps is wedge shaped and sits in the extrusionwith the wedge in the slot opening. As a result, there is a chance that under clamping pressure, the clamp head could distort the edges of the slot damaging the rail.

To be clear, MicroJig recommends that ONLY our Dovetail Ratchet Clamp AP be used with Track Saw Guide Rails.

MicroJig’s Ratchet Clamp AP is forged with a small rabbet on each side of the head. The faces of these meet the edges of the guide rail opening flat to flat so there is no risk of the guide rail being damaged in use. The rabbets also allow the clamp head to fit in nearly all guide rail brands with the standard 12mm by 8mm t-slot. One exception is the DeWalt system which uses a 1/4” (6mm) slot in the rail, so it does not work with any aftermarket track clamps.

Finally, it is worth noting that the AP in the Ratchet Clamp name stands for ‘Anti-Pivot’, the patented spring that keeps the clamp arm where you set it. Our clamp arm does not drop down the bar every time you loosen the clamp to reset you rail. It is fast, efficient and frustration free.

The MATCHFit system means you can create your own guide rail using the free 2-In-1 Guide rail (free plans at MicroJig.com/projects) and use it with your circular saw and any of our Dovetail Clamps, but only the Ratchet Clamp AP is specifically made to safely and securely hold your extruded aluminum track saw guide rails.