MadModder
Gallery, Projects and General => Project Logs => Topic started by: klank on April 06, 2011, 09:48:56 AM
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I came across this idea in a 20 year old copy of Model Engineer Magazine and it seems worth passing on - I have not seen it posted elsewhere..
The original article explained that this method is commonly used in industry but does not seem so well known amongst model engineers.
I am posting this in the hopes it may prove a useful aid for a "quick and dirty" method for setting up a large item on the mill table.
It is a really simple, yet effective way of clamping larger items (provided they have two parallel(ish) sides) on the mill table, without the interference of strap clamps or similar.
The clamped workpiece is thus clear to machine over its whole surface without re-setting.
The attached photos should be self explanatory. I have "posed" a steel plate in the "clamped" position between the two wedge ended blocks on the left and the stop block on the right.
The three blocks would be held by straightforward studs/nuts/washers into T nuts (not shown).
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n354/klank_photo/Wedgeclamp1.jpg)
My blocks are from 3" X 1.5" X 1" mild steel.
The "wedge" angle on the two blocks is 10 degrees, with a 5mm "straight" at the top of one and the bottom of the other.
The "angled" faces should be a very clean finish - polished on a stone to remove any machining marks if possible. Nice and slippy/slidy against each other.
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n354/klank_photo/WedgeClamp2.jpg)
Set the "stop" block first against one edge of the work.
Set the other two together, with the slotted block proud against the other side of the work.
As the nuts are tightened on the middle block, the wedge drives the middle block hard against the work and the fixed wedge.
The clamping force on the work-piece is very powerful so excessive force on the spanner is not required!
The centre block has T slots to allow for movement as it is screwed down.
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n354/klank_photo/WedgeClamp3.jpg)
Very simple to make in an hour or so and worth the effort?
I hope this idea may be of help to someone.
Peter
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Very nicely explained Peter! :clap: :clap:
I/ we, used that sort of system for many years, many years ago..... Simple and effective! :thumbup:
David D
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Good idea! Looks like a very useful addition for the mill.
Chuck
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Thanks Peter - nicely shown.
...... The "angled" faces should be a very clean finish - polished on a stone to remove any machining marks if possible. Nice and slippy/slidy against each other.......
To help this, I have an offcut of thin acetal sheet (2 or 3mm thick) which I drop in as 'filling in the sandwich' to help them slide easily.
Dave
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Nice I think I will build this.. :D
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Thanks mates for the very kind replies.
I am delighted the original idea (not mine) is worth posting and can be of use. :beer:
Best wishes
Peter :beer:
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Thanks for sharing Peter :thumbup:
very hand addition to the mill :dremel:
Rob
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Nice! Thanks for sharing.
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Cool simple tool :)
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Great idea. I'm going to have to make a set.
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I like that :thumbup:
Stew
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Will add it to the to-do list once i get home from Germany (what? of course I'm not buying any new machine tools here :lol:)
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Nice write up Peter and thanks for sharing this. :thumbup:
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Thanks!
I'll think of you when I make them!
Regards, Matthew
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Something else to make :thumbup: :thumbup:
John
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Great idea. I bet that is handy to use. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Eric
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Ok - I like this idea. Thanks for posting.
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Thanks that's great. I have a little milling slide for my 9x20 and have been trying to figure out various clamp, vice ideas for it.
This is perfect.