Setups and Jigs

General JointCAM questions and discussion
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alan254
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:00 am

Setups and Jigs

Post by alan254 »

I am running a 4x8 MM and would like see pictures of the set ups other are using.

I would like to make something that can be attached to the table and am thinking I will have to cut a section of table out and am reluctant to do so. Any ideas??

Al

G-Force_Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:10 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by G-Force_Admin »

Does the Mechmate allow the spindle to reach past the end of the table?
What about the opposite end?
Gerry

alan254
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:00 am

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by alan254 »

Not on either end but will modify to suit

al

AndrewStanden
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:46 pm
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Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by AndrewStanden »

Hi Alan,
I also run a Mechmate #109

its 4 by 8 and I made a jig to go on the end of the table, works fine not pretty , I'm down my workshop tomorrow, I'll
take a couple of photos for you.
Cheers
Andrew :)

Solomani
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:56 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by Solomani »

Hi,

Solomani here. Jointcam is just the program I had been looking for to do outstanding and easy setups for joints on my machine.

This is what I set up for as my fixture. I drilled a grid of 3/8ths holes on a grid in two panels of MDF. In some of the holes are threaded inserts for attachments. others are left blank for positioning pins. This setup also allows me to set pins and do tenons on an angle.

Best regards,
John

Solomani
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:56 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by Solomani »

Here is the picture
joint fixture for ACE small.jpg
joint fixture for ACE small.jpg (159.98 KiB) Viewed 49014 times

G-Force_Admin
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Posts: 81
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Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by G-Force_Admin »

Do you find the holes in the MDF deforming from clamping pressure?
Gerry

Solomani
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:56 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by Solomani »

Hi, I use these:
insert.jpg
insert.jpg (5.55 KiB) Viewed 48997 times
instead of these:
knife inserts.jpg
knife inserts.jpg (7.34 KiB) Viewed 48997 times
Most of my clamping force is through the board and to the other side of the mdf using the first type. I did get pullout using the other two if a fixture is used very much. I have not had issues with clamping against the 3/8ths dowels but then again I am not using them for work holding just for positioning so the force against them is relatively light.

i relieve the back of the mdf fixture board to allow the inserts to sit below the plane of the mdf so I am not resting the board on the inserts. one downside of using these threaded inserts is that they cannot be used for positioning and they also don't allow me to use the same hole for hold down and for positioning.

best regards,
solomani
John

G-Force_Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 81
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Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by G-Force_Admin »

I thought you were clamping against the dowels.
Gerry

Solomani
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:56 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by Solomani »

My bad. I agree with you that the force needed to keep the work piece in place against the pins without any other hold-down would definitely deform the MDF. Short of going to metal for a fixture plate have you seen other ideas or materials that work and hold precision over time?

-John

G-Force_Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:10 pm

Re: Setups and Jigs

Post by G-Force_Admin »

I use MDF fences bolted to the table.
Gerry

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