Making V-Blocks

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Posted by julian atkins on 20/08/2014 00:30:07:

hi ray,

you are doing a marvellous job and is great credit to you! keep up the good work!

cheers,

julian

Thanks Julian so often I nearly gave up and handed them to mates who have the gear to do it to perfection (well maybe LOL)

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

You are a man after my own heart. I love reading those old books and even older by LH Sparey and Duplex. Those guys bought the basic lathe, a couple of chucks, and made everything else themselves — from v blocks to the whole milling slide in some cases. I still have the toolmakers clamps, vice, C clamps etc hewed by hacksaw and file from black steel bar as an apprentice, just to remind me what can be done with not very much.

Making a fixed steady for the old Drummond right now, out of a cast off 9" "hole" laser cut ifrom a piece of 20mm plate at the local steel merchant's. Yes I could buy one on Fleabay but nowhere near as satisfying. (or as cheap!)

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Hopper over the years I have picked up some old small paper back books which are full of ideas for making jigs, tools and even small hobby machines. I have almost the full series of the Workshop Series, Compact lathe, and these sorts of downloads are a great source of information, https://archive.org/details/toolengineeringj024704mbp

Having done but not completed a Mech Engineering Ass Dip course in the 90's, only strengthened my love more for engineering sadly ill health caused me to drop it only having sat a small number of exams.
My trade back ground of Coach/Motor Vehicle Builder helps I went on to do Mechanics and spray painting also. The guys whom I was around then including one of the teachers of AutoCad were brilliant from all walks. Grahame was a Physicist / Mechanical Engineer others ranged down to workshop technicians as they are known today. In days gone they were Engineers. The course I was doing external studies when we lived in Tamworth NSW.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Mmm the old ….”why make it when a bought one is cheaper than the metal to make one ” argument.

Well I can see both sides

But I watch will interest as to the techniques.. ( what? not got a mill with tilt table..!)…
And it looks like you have access to someone who can verify the accuracy ( for your needs) …..no small problem so lucky you…
Good on you!

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Posted by jason udall on 20/08/2014 08:46:24:
Mmm the old …."why make it when a bought one is cheaper than the metal to make one " argument.

Well I can see both sides

But I watch will interest as to the techniques.. ( what? not got a mill with tilt table..!)…
And it looks like you have access to someone who can verify the accuracy ( for your needs) …..no small problem so lucky you…
Good on you!

Jason yes the argument goes on as does the one of never enough room or money.

No mill just milling attachment table for the Myford. Pity a mate didn't keep the Douglas shaper for the Mens shed they were given he was president for either…………man was I not happy about that.

Yes have a mate ran his own business doing instrument accuracy checks and repairs if need be.

As long as I am with in a a nuts hair I'll be a happy chap.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

….^…. exactly

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Ray, know your situation, mines been similar. Got my V blocks at an auction, the where among some tools from an NZ army mobile workshop, and seem to be unused, Cost me $NZ 7 . 50 for the pair with clamps, there are a pair of wooden handles similar to file handles that can be screwed into a hole in the end of each block, not too sure about their use.

Ian S C

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Posted by Ian S C on 21/08/2014 12:22:15:

Ray, know your situation, mines been similar. Got my V blocks at an auction, the where among some tools from an NZ army mobile workshop, and seem to be unused, Cost me $NZ 7 . 50 for the pair with clamps, there are a pair of wooden handles similar to file handles that can be screwed into a hole in the end of each block, not too sure about their use.

Ian S C

Interesting wonder what they used them for I suppose you never have??

Might be to hang on to while drilling without a vice or holding sausages between both blocks while cooking.Kiwi's do some strange things will ask mate who is ex-Nz army and a Kiwi.

 

Edited to add.

Ian mate says

old school idea to keep your hands of the blocks to maintain accuracy. They most likely a set of gauge blocks used in high precision of the manufacture of other vee blocks.

Edited By Raymond Sanderson 2 on 22/08/2014 01:00:24

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Posted by Bogstandard2 on 22/08/2014 08:15:18:

Ray,

I know it is a bit far along on this post, but if ever you have to do it again, this post might give you a few tips.

**LINK**

John

Thanks John I had seen your link before but its always good to review ideas. I like the tool made hope to get round to making one, one day.

Ray

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Ray, how are you going to make the inverted U clamps to fit on the V-blocks?

I've seen them made out of a disc of plate with an eccentric hole bored through it to make a sort of crescent shape whose ends fit in the slots in the block. But they look like they might spring out a bit under tension. But easier than hacksawing U clamps out of 3/8" plate. Just wondering if you have come up with a better idea?

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Hopper might sound strange for me but keeping it simple on the clamps I have one of these LINK But will make similar especially for the V-blocks.

I don't see a problem making them U shaped if I was going to out of solid material, I have some plate it could be done from.

One way is to use a face plate or 4 jaw chuck set up to hold the plate off centre to form the top part of the U.. Drill and bore out to suit. Then possibly using the BS again to cut the lateral/vertical cuts OR mill them. Making sure NOT to cut away the tongue.

Best and simplest way is to bend the U out of say 3/8 x 3/8 sq bar weld tongues to the end not to forget to drill the centre hole for threaded rod to go through.

Only accuracy required is the tongue's to be equal and tension bolt to be square and centred.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A mate of mine has some nice simple V blocks, each made from two bits of angle iron about 3 or 4" long, welded apex to apex, quite ok on the drill press.

Ian S C

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