. .

Thread: Work hold down

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
  1. #1
    One problem I have always had is, holding down wood during cutting, successfully.

    I have tried clamps, sticky tape even nails,

    I would be interested to hear what everyone else uses and the success rate?
    Last edited by gorbo; 13-04-2014 at 07:27 PM.

  2. #2
    I'm planning to use a system like this bloke in the video, not so much what he's on about, just to look at his machine bed.
    He has two T slots full length and one each side, four in total. It looks like he made those little clamping blocks from some kind of plastic/nylon but I'm thinking about making them from wood.

    Machining parts longer than your machine - YouTube
    Fixing Mistakes - YouTube

    Also I plan to use a small vacuum table that will be clamped onto the machine bed.
    With my pin router, double sided tape proved quite effective as did screwing the stock down onto a sacrificial piece that was clamped to the table.

    I've never had clamps move but double sided tape has come unstuck before on small parts, mainly due to small 'glue' area and rough surface, so poor contact. Vacuum table is great if you have a decent pump.
    Last edited by EddyCurrent; 13-04-2014 at 07:56 PM.
    Spelling mistakes are not intentional, I only seem to see them some time after I've posted

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to EddyCurrent For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    hi gorbo, what particular problem are you having ? if you try to explain a little more someone maybe able to give you better advice. post some pics as well if you can as this can help others to help you.
    Mike

  5. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by EddyCurrent View Post
    I'm planning to use a system like this bloke in the video, not so much what he's on about, just to look at his machine bed.
    He has two T slots full length and one each side, four in total. It looks like he made those little clamping blocks from some kind of plastic/nylon but I'm thinking about making them from wood.

    Machining parts longer than your machine - YouTube
    Fixing Mistakes - YouTube

    Also I plan to use a small vacuum table that will be clamped onto the machine bed.
    With my pin router, double sided tape proved quite effective as did screwing the stock down onto a sacrificial piece that was clamped to the table.

    I've never had clamps move but double sided tape has come unstuck before on small parts, mainly due to small 'glue' area and rough surface, so poor contact. Vacuum table is great if you have a decent pump.
    Eddy look at his other vids like his laser shoe it's brilliant, I follow Peter and watch his vids, given me some great ideas. his clamps (white) are cut from and old cutting / chopping board, bet his mrs is looking all over for it LOL
    Mike

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to longy For This Useful Post:


  7. #5
    I am just looking for the best way, I tend to cut thick wood (signs) this makes using clamps problematic due to the height and the need to machine around the piece,
    I did consider making a vacuum table,
    Loved the video some good ideas there
    When there is a problem like this I tend to troll through Utube and look at other members ideas

  8. #6
    Hi, as long as you've room and don't mind screwing to the back of the signs there is a very simple answer to your problem. see the image for more details, I've used this method on doors with hand routing designs as long as the customer is ok with a few filled holes on the rear. that's one of the reasons I'm building a new machine wide enough to hold down without drilling.
    Mike Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Cutter Clamping.jpg 
Views:	420 
Size:	54.3 KB 
ID:	12052

  9. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by longy View Post
    Hi, as long as you've room and don't mind screwing to the back of the signs there is a very simple answer to your problem. see the image for more details, I've used this method on doors with hand routing designs as long as the customer is ok with a few filled holes on the rear. that's one of the reasons I'm building a new machine wide enough to hold down without drilling.
    Mike Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Cutter Clamping.jpg 
Views:	420 
Size:	54.3 KB 
ID:	12052
    Thanks for that but holes in the back would be a problem

  10. #8
    In my experience there is no one best way to work holding.! You just use which ever method gets the job done easiest.?. . . I'd use Chewing gum if it did the job.

    Vacuum is ok if you have plenty of it and it suits the job, Often it doesn't if holes or cut thru. I've got some really expensive hold down clamps for alumiium and I've also got some home brew holding devices made to suit jobs at the time and I can tell you the most used by far is the home brew stuff.

    I've also got a big box of screws and large rolls of double sided carpet tape and these are often used for holding wood or thin material.! . . . . . Can't beat double sided carpet tape for large thin material. In the past I've used DST while Engraving large and expensive piece of Brass on my machine which vertical mounted and it didn't move fraction of a millimeter.

    Often I'll use DST and screws/clamps.? If part doesn't have thru holes or can't be clamped and I don't want tabs then I'll use DST so it doesn't move or get pulled back into cutter when outer profile is finished. I'll use the screws or clamps for holding waste material and keeping secure and flat to table while job runs.

  11. #9
    Well after much research and advice I have gone for 6mm nut inserts on my new bed and I must say I am very pleased so far,
    how long these will last is another story, inserts from Screwfix £2 for 50, MDF board £4 so not a great capital outlay, if it all goes tits up

    I will use clamps along with DST for a firm job
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_20140419_001.jpg 
Views:	400 
Size:	427.9 KB 
ID:	12116Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_20140419_002.jpg 
Views:	369 
Size:	384.9 KB 
ID:	12117
    Last edited by gorbo; 19-04-2014 at 05:07 PM.

  12. #10
    If you screwed them in from bottom it would stop them pulling out.!! That said the MDF would probably bulge anyway.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. mini hold down clamps
    By Daedelus in forum Tool & Tooling Technology
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-03-2014, 09:42 PM
  2. Hold down solution
    By jonbabbz in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-10-2012, 08:21 PM
  3. Hold down clamps, what do you use?
    By Web Goblin in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 14-04-2012, 11:45 PM
  4. Custom Vacuum Table 'Hold Down' System - piping/valve advice
    By FlightCaseCo in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 16-01-2012, 06:56 PM
  5. Workpiece hold down by glue
    By Robin Hewitt in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 30-09-2010, 08:22 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •