How tricky would this be to machine? I guess a Triac is not up to the job!

[Lee Roberts]

Here is an example of when a mini pallet maybe of better use:

https://youtu.be/b2qKy43tJcY

.Me

[magicniner]

Have you considered machining a pair of aluminium soft jaws for your mill vice? It's a great way to accurately hold oddly shaped parts in the mill.
Machine a pocket across the two jaws that comfortably accepts and supports the part, use a parallel as a spacer to allow you to clamp the vice up tightly with the right gap whilst machining the soft jaws.

- Nick

[suesi34e]

Hi Nick
Thank you for your thoughts. I would like to try and make some aluminium soft jaws like you mention for a job sometime bet it is a great way of holding some parts up there with the best way I would think. I just think for this case the 316 would be a tall order for my machine. I will soon be making some soft jaws for job or another.
Many thanks
Steve

[Neale]

One clear message to take from that video, something that isn't always apparent to someone starting working with machine tools of any kind, is that you can often spend much longer making a fixture and setting up than you do machining. However, that fixture and set-up time are the difference between a successful job and one that flies out of the chuck or ends up with gouges across the workpiece where it slipped in the machine vice. Of course, a big lathe and 12" 6-jaw chuck also help!

[suesi34e]

Hi Neale, thank you for your thoughts. I see what your saying 100% I have never made the fixture type in question but lots along similar lines.
Many thanks
Steve

[suesi34e]

Thanks for the link Lee, I have watched the video he is a good guy.
Steve

[cropwell]

Here is an example of when a mini pallet maybe of better use:

https://youtu.be/b2qKy43tJcY

.Me

I like the idea, but it is a boring (not a deliberate pun) video. I would bore a big hole in the pallet and use a bullnose in the tailstock to position and hold the workpiece while you clamp it down. You can then check the original hole in the workpiece is central with a dial guage, if it matters that much.
Rob

[mekanik]

Guys
Steve doesn't have a lathe, i asked if he had a faceplate so that i could explain a technique.

[suesi34e]

Thanks mekanik, perhaps one day I will get a lathe. That would cause another project extending the workshop!
Many thanks
Steve

[magicniner]

I think your Triac should manage it, my little benchtop CNC would, the trick is to get your tooling, feeds & speeds, DOC and cutting lube right.

- Nick