Been learning how to use the desktop CNC lately but I’ve only used flat sheet type material with the very low clamps we have fitted - do we have a two jaw vice anywhere that can be fitted to the t slot table on the mini CNC?
I’m happy to buy a cheap vice and leave it on indefinite loan, I just don’t want to do so if we already have one in a draw somewhere - here’s roughly the sort of thing I mean: Steel Grinding Vice 2" Inches Vise 50 mm For Mini Lathe Vertical Milling Slide | eBay
@CNCtechs @davidN
We don’t have anything iirc. I’d be down to chip in for some tiny little parallels too. Anyone recall how much Z we have with a normal amount of tool stick out?
We don’t have anything as far as I’m aware. Even though the linked vice is tiny, I’d still deffo measure the leftover space with an endmill in before buying. I was surprised how little z there was when I wanted to do something similar.
Not super convinced by this design, but have thought about making / buying something like this.
Damn that’s a good point, I hadn’t particularly thought about the amount of z we’d be losing with that design - will measure next time I’m in
Maybe 3D print one - could size to suit and less chance of damage to endmills
E.g. Carvey CNC Vise by Johnson County Library MakerSpace | Download free STL model | Printables.com
Could work for softer materials, I expect with brass / aluminium you’d probably end up with a fair bit of deflection
Measured the CNC today and it’s 90mm from the plate to the bottom of the collet when at max height, definitely too tight for anything higher than 20-30mm from the bed.
Using the fixtures we’ve already got I could clamp solidly in one direction, but it was shifting on the other axis, ideally what we need is an equivalent to these, but for the t slot bed, something to take up extra room when your workpiece doesn’t line up with the slots in the bed.
Just checking - were any clamps ordered following the above? If not, I might buy something like below (happy to leave on long term loan if so) - I’m looking to machine some small aluminium blocks so a low profile vice like this would come in handy.
we have these on the MFT in the woodshop I don’t think there would be arugument about you using them
There are currently no vices or clamps at the mini CnC that I am aware of. We do have some alternative clamping solutions to the ones usually used (placed in a tray on the counter next to the mini CnC ) but nothing asd advanced as shown above.
I ended up buying one of these style vices and leaving in the cabinet next to the mini CNC, works pretty well - certainly seems like enough clamping force for the mini CNC, and low enough that you can get it within the z axis available
There should be a little hold down clamp in the same box that attaches it really securely to the machine bed
This looks perfect @Sean - thanks a bunch!
