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So, now that I'm happy with my CNC Router, I wasn't really happy with my work holding. I had created a system a long time ago with 2 t slot tracks crossing the work surface in an X. It looked good, but in reality, all I did was to use some hold downs with it to hold a sacrificial spoil board on it that I would use screws on.
I used the sacrificial board because I didn't want to mess that 'nice' one up. All I ended up doing was robbing myself of 3/4" of z travel, and with my machine, I really didn't have that much to spare.
That worked fine, but it really wasn't all that convenient and constantly putting screws in it creates dimples that needed dealing with.
So I found this video and though, heck, that looks like it's worth a try.
He uses 3/4" copper tubing as a pivot point in pockets drilled in the spoil board to hold some lever action cams with some clever little blocks that give your 4 different clamping ranges that should be able to meet any side clamping needs.
I also went ahead and drilled a bunch of 13/64 holes in the board and tapped, then countersunk, and coated in super thin CA to harden them up a bit. I can use some hold down clamps in those holes to hold things down, if clamping from the side isn't good enough.
I'm using some purchased hold downs here, but I plan on making some that are a little lower profile out of wood that would not hurt the bit, should I make a mistake when planning cuts.
I used the sacrificial board because I didn't want to mess that 'nice' one up. All I ended up doing was robbing myself of 3/4" of z travel, and with my machine, I really didn't have that much to spare.
That worked fine, but it really wasn't all that convenient and constantly putting screws in it creates dimples that needed dealing with.
So I found this video and though, heck, that looks like it's worth a try.
He uses 3/4" copper tubing as a pivot point in pockets drilled in the spoil board to hold some lever action cams with some clever little blocks that give your 4 different clamping ranges that should be able to meet any side clamping needs.
I also went ahead and drilled a bunch of 13/64 holes in the board and tapped, then countersunk, and coated in super thin CA to harden them up a bit. I can use some hold down clamps in those holes to hold things down, if clamping from the side isn't good enough.
I'm using some purchased hold downs here, but I plan on making some that are a little lower profile out of wood that would not hurt the bit, should I make a mistake when planning cuts.