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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Sydney, NSW
    Posts
    1,249

    Default Clamping Kit - What Size?

    Hi,

    I'm going to buy a clamping kit for my mill. I'm not sure what size to buy?

    The top channel is approx. 14 mm (for the stud) and the bottom channel (where the tee bolt goes) is approx 24 mm wide.

    I was originally thinking M12 would be ok but now thinking M14 might be safer? Anyone care to enlighten me.

    Cheers Ben.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    If the slot is only 14mm wide test it over there full length , if 14 mm passes through easily with minimum clearance then the 14 mm will be ok, if it doesn't pass through easily then you will need the smaller nut.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Toorloo Arm, VIC
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,270

    Default

    I would imagine that an M14 T nut is going to be somewhat wider than 14mm at the narrow part, otherwise the thread will be breaking out the sides? Which means it's not going to fit in your T slots (will likely be wider than 24 at the larger dimension as well). M12 is more likely the size you need, or maybe even smaller?

    Unless I'm completely misunderstanding something here...

    *edit* Quick check on Ebay seems to suggest that M12 clamp kits have 14mm wide T nuts, so I'd be saying that's most likely the go. Can always grind the sides of the base of the T nut down if it's more than 24mm.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Ben, Guys,

    Why not just make some to suit your machine ? That way you have full control over all the dimensions. I've made all mine including the odd specials.
    Plus I think the kits are expensive and the quality of the ones I've seen is not that brilliant either.

    JMTPW.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
    Posts
    1,038

    Default

    M12 is what you need for those 14mm slots. Buy 2 sets while you are at it, quite often I run out of something in the first set and have to start on the second set.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Sydney, NSW
    Posts
    1,249

    Default

    Hi,

    I thought it was M12. I'll probably make more tee-nuts eventually but it's really just the steps, fingers and flanged nuts I always seem to be searching for.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Just remember that unless you are hogging large amounts of material off, you don't always need the strength of large diameter tie downs. The face plate on my lathe only has slots able to take a 3/8" tie down, as does the drill press, so I've made up special nuts for my mill that fit the 18mm wide slot but are tapped for that same 3/8" tie down rod. I've also made up some stepped washers so that accessories with larger diameter slots (vices, rotary tables etc) can be held down with the 3/8" nuts.
    As a result I'm not stuffing around trying to find the 'right' bits for the particular machine I'm using. 3/8" is also common and usually cheaper than the larger sized sets.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Ben, Guys,

    That is what machinists jacks can be used for, and clamp plates can be any old bar of suitable length and thickness with a hole drilled in it.
    If you really wanted you could drill and thread a hole in the bar and use a bolt like a machinists jack.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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