So, how do YOU fix the job to the mill bed?

[John S]

Robin, I think the question is too generic to answer correctly.

I often hold down anyway I can onto sacrificial plates.
I then program the part to cut all the entities but the first few lines drill thru the part on programmed holes with a tapping size drill into the sacrifical plate.

I then stop the program, remove the part, drill the part holes out from tapping to size, tap the holes in the plate and bolt the part back to the plate.

I then rewind the program and block out / delete the first drilling cycle and carry on with the parts. Any subsequent parts are drilled using the first one as a pattern so I know they will fit the sacrificial plate.

Doesn't apply to all parts as it need some holes in the part or holes into places that don't matter.

.

[Robin Hewitt]

I then program the part to cut all the entities but the first few lines drill thru the part on programmed holes with a tapping size drill into the sacrifical plate.

I am also a big fan of bolts, almost invariably cap heads in the M3 to M8 range.

Another favorite of mine is clamping a bar to the bed, machine the end, then clamp the free end while parting it off. (Although I do tend to leave a tab, Nearly Headless Nick style, don't want to risk it twisting and gouging).

I have heard stories of thermal release adhesives but don't see them for sale.