(11-28-2016, 11:41 PM)Hawkeye Wrote: Since my X2 CNC mill is finally rising from the ashes, as it were, I'm realizing that there are certain fittings that did not return to my custody after the fire. Today, I made up a bunch of T-nuts in both 1/4" and 3/8" for all of the necessary workholding tasks.
In the near future, I'll be making a pair of low-profile toe clamps and a clamping bar, as well as a replacement for my hot-wire attachment. I will likely use the attachment mainly for making forms to use in lost-foam casing.
Hello MIKE
Firstly, why do 'they' describe U as a "Junior" when U are an experienced ol' Pro from the excellent projects we have seen U accomplish ??? Methinks that's an error and not right at all !!! Is there some explanation for this anomaly ???
Be that as it may for now, t'would be nice to see some WIP (work-in-progress) pics of the Low-Profile Toe Clamps U intend making together with the Clamping Bar. These Low-Profile type Clamps were quite expensive, ( converting 14.5 to the US $), when we last looked at them and they are indeed very handy whilst working on the Mill. Mr "Pixman" did recommend we get them the last time we were doing some mill work.
And we do take all advices seriously !!
Thanks for sharing and showing Your Clamps. It just says all is possible, one needs not dig too deep in the pocket, and yet enjoy the opportunity to 'make' one's own small Toolings. Am most certain others would be inspired as well.
Today I spent some time unnecessarily disassembling, cleaning, painting, and brightening up a small 3" Abwood machine vice I was lucky to win on Ebay. I just had to paint it green to match my mill. Will post before & after photos when the paint dries and I put it back together.
As it happens, aRM, I got the low profile clamps and accompanying bar done today. The T-nuts that form the base of the clamps had to be limited to 15/16" long so that they could fit in through the end trays on the table. The block that acts to clamp the unit to the table has a 15* slope to one side. When the clamping bar is tightened down, the end slides down this slope, causing the bar to move tighter into the work as it is being pulled down to the table. There is a sharp ridge on the work end of the bar that digs into the work, in this case, a block of plastic.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the work piece, the anchor bar has a sharp edge that bites into the work as it is pushed by the clamp bar.
This block will be used on the CNC mill to make ten water sensors when I get all of the G-code steps tweaked out. (And a few more design issues sorted out.)
Some day, I'll probably make a pair of new clamp bars out of tool steel and heat treat them to work with steel. For now, these ones will do fine for the plastic and possibly aluminum.
Mike
If you can't get one, make one.
Hawkeye, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun Forum since Jan 2013.
(11-30-2016, 12:03 AM)Hawkeye Wrote: As it happens, aRM, I got the low profile clamps and accompanying bar done today. The T-nuts that form the base of the clamps had to be limited to 15/16" long so that they could fit in through the end trays on the table. The block that acts to clamp the unit to the table has a 15* slope to one side. When the clamping bar is tightened down, the end slides down this slope, causing the bar to move tighter into the work as it is being pulled down to the table. There is a sharp ridge on the work end of the bar that digs into the work, in this case, a block of plastic.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the work piece, the anchor bar has a sharp edge that bites into the work as it is pushed by the clamp bar.
This block will be used on the CNC mill to make ten water sensors when I get all of the G-code steps tweaked out. (And a few more design issues sorted out.)
Some day, I'll probably make a pair of new clamp bars out of tool steel and heat treat them to work with steel. For now, these ones will do fine for the plastic and possibly aluminum.
Hello there Mike
Get the gist here of what and how these thing-a-ma-jigs work.
However, we are rather unfortunately a little in-experienced with these. Do kindly show us pics of them un-installed to get a better perspective of the fabrication. Regret being a pain here.
TIA
aRM
Okay. Here's the breakdown on the low profile clamps. The main body is a T-nut with threaded holes at both ends. It is locked to the table slot by tightening the upper block. Then the clamping bar is forced down and outward by tightening the second screw.
The clamping bar has a 15* slope at one end, to slide down the matching slope on the upper block. At the other end, the bar is undercut toward the bottom, with an angle ground on the top edge to form a sharp edge to bite into the end of the work piece. This one is mild steel, but I may make new ones out of tool steel and heat treat them later on.
Mike
If you can't get one, make one.
Hawkeye, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun Forum since Jan 2013.
(12-02-2016, 01:19 AM)Hawkeye Wrote: Okay. Here's the breakdown on the low profile clamps. The main body is a T-nut with threaded holes at both ends. It is locked to the table slot by tightening the upper block. Then the clamping bar is forced down and outward by tightening the second screw.
The clamping bar has a 15* slope at one end, to slide down the matching slope on the upper block. At the other end, the bar is undercut toward the bottom, with an angle ground on the top edge to form a sharp edge to bite into the end of the work piece. This one is mild steel, but I may make new ones out of tool steel and heat treat them later on.
Thanks a zillion Mike
These are perfect and as we can now see, easier to fabricate ourselves.
Like U said, it would be versatile in hardened Tool Steel - being exactly what the good doctor ordered
Much appreciated.
LORD BLESS
aRM
12-02-2016, 01:26 PM (This post was last modified: 12-02-2016, 01:33 PM by Mike E..)
The blue is gone, and the new green finish has dried, so today I greased and put the little Abwood vice back together; and am well pleased with it. Over the years I've enjoyed restoring good tools back to their former glory. I didn't have much to do on this one though, as it wasn't abused, and obviously well cared for.
