Years ago I made a stop for my milling machine so I could repeat the position of an object in the vice.
It was a pain the backside to set up and it was forever getting in the way.
A couple of nights ago I was sat watching TV and started to think about an improved stop. I had a quick check to see what materials I had to hand then came up with a design that I can't claim is original but it was very easy to make and seems incredibly rigid - and, most importantly, repeatable.
A few hours work and this is it.
![](https://listerengine.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10017/P1110427_28Custom29.JPG)
![](https://listerengine.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10017/P1110428_28Custom29.JPG)
On feature I haven't seen before is the collar on the stop rod which enables you to pull the rod out of the way (it often would be clobbered by the cutter) and then slide back into position for the next part. Alternatively I can pivot the top arm. The arm clamping screws have wavy washers so that they can be easily positioned before locking in place.
![](https://listerengine.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10017/P1110429_28Custom29.JPG)
Today I thought in plain mild steel it would soon look tatty so I broke out my probably 20 year old blacking kit. To my amazement it worked and makes it look so much better.
The base block is 1" square ms bar. There are two 10mm pins (screwed M6) to locate in the T-slot. I'll make some more pins so I can transfer the stop to my CNC. The arms are 3/4" x 3/8" ms machined to 18mm with radiused ends on the CNC. (Why use a file when you have CNC?) The stop rod is 6mm silver steel and the thumb screws are in 303 stainless.
Phil.