Here we go again . . . MK4

[routercnc]

Slight change of plan. I decided to use the 10mm plate to make a nice set of clamps to replace the quickly made scrappy ones. I've been using odd bits of aluminium plate that were supposed to be 'temporary' but ended up being used for ages.

There is no hard and fast rule for the dimensions but here was mine:


Here are the 4 small clamps I made out of that 10mm plate:

The came out pretty well.

Now I'm using those clamps to hold the workpiece for the precision vice clamps:


Here is the drawing for them:


Here is one roughed out as a trial:


Looks like it will work OK:


Just need a set of 4, then I can use the vice to machine the holes in the side of the plates.

Anyone else made their own clamps for machining, especially if they have any extra / time saving / novel features ?

[Lee Roberts]

Nice work on the clamps, always handy to have.

Anyone else made their own clamps for machining, especially if they have any extra / time saving / novel features ?

These always stick out in my mind:

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/4420-...hat-do-you-use

Some solid blocks from the side may come in handy for you, seen in this video:

https://youtu.be/MF4SK3ZIXGw

.Me

[routercnc]

OK, to conclude making the precision vice clamps.

Here is the first one set up against a backstop datum (a parallel), with the top surface flush with the jaw (using another parallel to get it level - not in photo). This is so I could batch machine the 4 parts without having to zero and set each one up:



By chance the long clamps I'd just made fitted into the slots on the side of the vice so I could hold it down to make the proper parts. For info the slots in the vice are 10mm wide.

I profiled the counterbores rather than using the drill press:


Then the clearance hole. I don't like drilling deep holes with an end mill as they can jam up, but because of the counterbore they were quite shallow and there was no problem:


Because of the datum plate on the vice each one took moments to set up, then a few minutes on the counterbore and hole and job done. Cleaned up the holes and finished:


Works well:


OK, now back to the main project. I dialled in the fixed jaw of the vice:


I needed to drill holes in the edge of the plate so I used the back face of the fixed jaw to clamp to:




Here is the backstop datum so the second plate would drop in without having to zero:


Then I offered up the parts and the holes were in perfect alignment (lower 5 holes in the plate). All was going well and I was really beginning to like this new vice! :


Then I noticed a problem. The outer plate is clearance for an M8, and the end plate I'd just drilled/milled should be M8 tapped which is dia6.8. Clearly they were the same size.


I checked the CAM and realised I'd picked the outer dia for the M8 tapped hole, which is 8mm. The inner circle, then one I wanted, is 6.8mm. This is because originally they were CAMmed for drill holes (so it doesn't matter which circle you pick), but at the last minute I decided to mill with a 6mm carbide to 6.8mm to save drilling out. But I didn't change the geometry so they were milled to 8mm. Aargh!!

OK, what to do!! M10 x 1.5 takes an 8.5mm pilot so I've ordered M10 button head bolts and will tap to M10 instead of M8. My M10 tap was from a car boot sale and did not want to cut so I've ordered an M10 tap from the same place I bought the M8. It is a spiral fluted tap and the last one I bought from them cuts really well and is good quality.

So I need to wait before I can assemble the end plates.

The other problem I had today was going too deep with a 6mm spot drill which clogged it up and jammed, then snapped it off in the part ! My fault for pushing it too far. Now I need to get a carbide cutting removal tool as someone posted in my thread a while back when I broke a tap.