Holding things for drilling/milling etc.

Discussion in 'Hints & Tips' started by Rob Pulham, Apr 14, 2021.

  1. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    While re-watching David LO Smith's workshop video that he did for last years virtual show I was reminded that quite often the job itself doesn't present the biggest problem for machine tools it's holding the item securely in the right orientation that proves most challenging.

    Needing to drill out some cast brass brake hangers and shoes I was struggling on how to hold them because the castings were ever so slightly miscast meaning that each part had to be slightly tilted to get the hole to go through cleanly without coming out of the side of the casting.

    I thought I would share with you the method that I came up with.

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    I gripped the pliers in the small machine vice and bought the drill bit down in front of the part to check alignment, adjusting until the hole would pass through the casting correctly before aligning the drill bit over the point to be drilled.

    I have had these pliers for years and I removed the spring for a job and never put it back this means that the jaws stay where you put them so ideal for using both hands to do the set up.

    They have quite straight but quite narrow jaws (3mm for most of their length tapering to 2.6mm at the ends) and I wish I could buy another pair as using them for soldering many times has started to corrode the ends of the jaws.

    Then to start drilling grip the handles of the pliers to keep the part in place and operate the drill with the other hand. I had to keep minutely adjusting the angle as I drilled each end of each casting but all six were drilled both ends without mishap.
     
  2. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Rob

    How about a couple of pieces of 3 or 4 mm square bar with a pair screws towards the ends to clamp the part - similar to bending bars. I know RS stocks Stainless steel bar.
    That'll free off your pliers for soldering again :thumbup:

    Paul
     
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  3. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    I’ve always found these incredibly useful for this sort of thing.
    image.jpg
     
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  4. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Brian,
    I have 3 different sizes of similar clamps but in this instance they were all too thick in the jaw to grip the part.
     
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  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Thanks Paul,
    That sounds like an idea worth persuing.
     
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  6. redpiperbob

    redpiperbob Full Member

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    Hi Rob
    This is what I use.

    I made this some years ago now and use it everyday.
    Be seeing you
    Bob
     
  7. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Very nice Bob
     
  8. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    This is where I confess to having a proper DOH! moment. I have a very similar plate that I bought years ago from Metalsmith, I usually use it for bending strips but it is sold as a drilling plate....
     
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  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    :avatar: ...... got that tee shirt, normally happens when a new parcel arrives and the boss casually say's that's just like the one you got a few months ago :facepalm:, if she could remember where I put it that would be more useful :giggle:

    Paul
     
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