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)

this is a 6" rotary table from phaseII (phase 2). it's huge as you can see. but it works! it's shown here with a centering indicator. note that the tape is holding the little bracket that broke and needs to be replaced. unfortunately, it's not easily replaceable so it will need to be made. click here to see how to center a rotary table.