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7x10, 7x12, 7x14 Mini-Lathe Information

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WORKHOLDING AND TOOLHOLDING

This is fast becoming one of the more interesting areas of machining for me. When you first get started, chucking a workpiece in a vise is all it takes to machine your part. However, when you start getting into machining via CNC, it gets a bit more complicated (and more interesting)...

We've broken this section down further to include the following:

  1. Basic workholding (vises, blocks, clamps)
  2. CNC workholding (special jigs, fixtures, etc.)
  3. ER Collets (save your Z-axis travel)
  4. Mitee-Bite clamps (this company has some interesting clamping methods)
  5. Phase 2 Quick Change Tool Post (QCTP) (this is lathe-related)
  6. Rotary Tables (make your mill function like a lathe and more)
did someone mention mitee-bite clamps?
here's a pack of 10 of their cam action fixture clamp.

these are 3/8"x16tpi which offers more than double the holding force than the 5/16"x18tpi ones (which the clamp block is tapped for)
this is the back of the package. they're spec'd at 0.400" throw.

how much? expensive at over $6 per clamp.
here's one set. it's basically a brass/bronze hex washer and a socket head cap screw with an offset head.

the hex washer can be made from hex stock and a 3-jaw chuck in your lathe.

here's a top view of the socket head cap screw. note the cam/offset/oblong head. if you have a 4-jaw independent chuck in your lathe you can do the same with a similar bolt.

it may be more work than it's worth..

they also have ones that mount to t-slot nuts, but they're even more expensive. so with these basic clamps. you can just buy the cheap t-slot nuts at ~$1.00 at enco for your table and use these with them if need be.

the other type of clamp is the toe-type which exert force downward as well. but at ~$50 per clamp, it's quite cost prohibitive for the small shop. we may just make these ourselves.. the real key to all of this is having some cam-action mechanism.

still, good workholding fixtures, clamps, jigs, etc. is like having a set of sharp drill bits. makes all the difference!

here's another clamp base being made for use with these clamps.
 

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