Low profile finger clamp and plate

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

Strap clamps can get a bit high with the raised clamp knobs sometimes well above the workpiece. This system uses pivoting, sliding clamps with the clamp knob below the clamp top allowing easier access for tooling. The main body incorporates a vee + step + pivoting detent end stop for accurate part location. A separate movable arm can be locked in any position along the centre of the vee for drilling through the centre of a bar. The video shows grinding, drilling & milling operations on small parts of different shapes & in various materials. This principle can be scaled or lengthened to suit smaller, larger or multiple components.

https://youtu.be/R4yzxrJgJBE?si=91GklV8LpAkhT0wK

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

Low profile finger clamp and plate

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Neat piece of work..

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Is this a commercial item rather than one made by you Greg ?

The video seems to be of a quality that makes me think (including the plethora of adverts).

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

The item was designed and made by me this week. I have no control over the adverts & have refused any monetisation from Youtube.

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Nice job then Greg. Unfortunately these days I, along with many others, tend to be more and more suspicious of items being purported as one thing but actually are something else. So no offence intended.

If you design and make other similar items do post details on here as these are just the sort of thing we like to see on the forum.

All the best Mike

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

Thanks Mike

There are loads of unique engineering projects and tips on my Youtube channel. If you find anything useful or interesting let me know & I will share them on here or share them yourself if you want to.

https://www.youtube.com/@machinists-shortcuts/videos

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Nice fixture, Greg

… and well demonstrated too

Just one naive question from me: What grinding wheel do you use?
… it appears to cope quite well with Brass

MichaelG.

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 23/09/2023 17:03:26:

Nice fixture, Greg

… and well demonstrated too

Just one naive question from me: What grinding wheel do you use?
… it appears to cope quite well with Brass

MichaelG.

I like to use a 46 grit for most things, especially when using the side of the wheel. I find it clogs less & cuts cooler.

46KV.

[Martin Johnson 1Participant @martinjohnson1]

How did you machine the profile of the clamp base?

Martin

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

I machined the profile on a thicker piece of mild steel on a CNC mill. The excess thickness was then removed in two halves on a manual mill using the side of an endmill with the finished face against the fixed jaw. Then it was surface ground to thickness on both sides.

[Martin Johnson 1Participant @martinjohnson1]

It was the return part of the "shaft" feature that had me foxed. It looks like quite a reach if you are machining that in steps.

Martin

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

Sorry Martin I am trying to post an image from underneath that should explain how it works but I can't. Any tips on pasting?

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

FAQ on posting pictures can be found here. A bit complex, but hopefully will be sorted when the new forum software arrives.

Links to https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=103028&p=1

Rob

[Greg Webb 1Participant @gregwebb1]

That was a bit of a faff to sort out, hopefully the new software arrives soon.

So you can see the holes underneath for 5 – M4 cap head screws that go through the base & key then into tapped holes in the bar.

The elliptical hole is tapped for a sprung loaded ball grub screw that clicks into the vees on the stop shaft. This allows the stop shaft to rotate without losing its position as demonstrated in the video.

[Martin Johnson 1Participant @martinjohnson1]

Thanks for taking the time to post the photo. Everything clear now! Very nice design, well executed.

Martin

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