Jason, I have just read your latest Milling for Beginners and I have to say it is excellent you couldn't have a clearer or more understandable "how to do" than that.
I hope.beginners are reading the guides I for one have picked up such a lot from them.
I dont know how long the beginners mill and lathe series have to run, I,m guessing not that many now. Just a thought but having made myself your vice stop I wondered if there is any other mill tooling/fittings that you have made which would be useful for the beginner. There may not be any others but it if there are it would be good to see them, its just an idea.
Thank's Ron, There will be just one more which I have most of the content for but will see if I can think of anything else to add. Having said that Neil has asked for the occasional article aimed more at the beginner that will cover a broader spectrum than just milling for which I'm open to suggestions.
Best get your name down on the list for a good price on a lightly used SX2.7
With issue 289 about to be available in digital here are a few additional photos to go with part 14.
A posed photo to better show how the two pins inserted into the base of the casting along it's front to back axis can be used to set the casting for machining features at right angles to that axis.
A similar setup but making use of the castings mounting holes to take pins (drill bits) to rest on the parallels
Using the same mounting holes to line up the casting but this time with the pins (drill bits) set against the side of the mill table's tee slots.
Close up of the pins against the side of the tee slot
If using a machining plate that will need to be repositioned several times then some simple buttons can be made to fit the mill's tee slots and then the edge of the plate placed against them. Buy using two slots and adjusting the position of the buttons the plate can be quickly reset at an angle which would be time consuming to have to set up each time the plate is moved
Close up of the buttons for anyone wanting to make a pair.
I made a set of buttons some years ago when I got my CNC mill. Very useful; but I'd make a set of three. That way you can use two for alignment and the third, in a different T-slot, as a stop. A set of hex blocks with an eccentric screw are good for holding work in conjunction with the buttons, while leaving the top free, like these three:
I bought the hex blocks and screws, but made the T-nuts.
I also made a set of buttons, but much taller than standard, which can be useful for larger work. I cylindrically ground my tall buttons, but that's a bit OTT. The tall buttons can just be seen in this picture:
Just read part 14 Jason, very good as usual pity its the last one but they cant go on forever. I think a big thank you is in order for all your effort in producing the series, the timing was ideal for me with my first mill 18 months ago. I have learnt a lot from the series and hope other beginners have to.
Any chance that the two series on Milling and Lathe for beginners might become a book? Both very good series. The book could incorporate the extra details that appear in this thread and the lathe work thread.