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Post by holmz on Feb 5, 2016 17:24:27 GMT -5
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Post by reflector on Feb 5, 2016 23:45:10 GMT -5
I posted about an alternative clamp concept a while back (Hopefully its applicable now compared to an attempt to modify the other clamps): mafell-users-forum.freeforums.net/thread/641/wooden-bolt-cam-clamp-rails
Still need to order the bolts from Kreg before I can make a test version.
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Post by toomanytoys on Feb 11, 2016 12:52:34 GMT -5
Sometimes in our personal life we have other issues that occur that make being online inconsequential. I'll leave other comments to myself. Anything I'm doing I'll post freely here as it's an open forum and that is what I interpret as a collaborative effort, as should anyone's comments or suggestions. Please don't PM me. After getting the first clamp I decided to look to another to see if it had the exact bar size. I also got one that is smaller. Unfortunately even the other similar bar clamp uses another size bar. The mini bar clamp actually is more in-line with the Mafell size and might be more appropriate to fit in the track carrying bag. But first, dealing with the original clamp. My first thoughts were to utilize items that could be incorporated into other endeavors since getting parts made by a machine shop is going to be expensive. Elevator bolts of either 1/4" or 6mm fit into the groove of the tracks, they just need to cut and machined. And they do work well. Prototyping a head that incorporates all the components out of 6061-T6 isn't that hard. And it can be threaded so the original clamps thumbscrew can hold it so someone can go between a track clamp and a regular clamp if needed. This could work, but there are issues as far as machining and in-service use. The bolts would require a good amount of machinists time to set up individually, the dimensions of the forged head is not consistent, therefore the setting of the T-Bolts can vary the parallelism, and in-field movement could throw off the overall fitment. When I have some time I'll make the second prototype design, as well as participate in other discussions here. There's a few other forums that I have commitments to that take priority over some of the things going on here.
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Post by GhostFist on Feb 11, 2016 15:26:06 GMT -5
Why not forgo the tbolts and machine the block to fit in the slots?
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Post by ohan on Feb 13, 2016 2:09:45 GMT -5
Does the block really have to be metal? I was thinking of going the complete opposite way - make the thing strong, but so cheap that if it gets bunged up it's no big deal to make another. Or make a whole bunch and have spares in case one breaks.
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Post by Red on Feb 13, 2016 10:53:07 GMT -5
Okay, I'm back on my thread again. What type of base material did you have in mind, Ohan?
Regardless, keep the great ideas comin.' If it's good (and safe) for the knowledge base, it's a good thing.
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Post by toomanytoys on Feb 13, 2016 11:45:07 GMT -5
Back in your thread. Here I thought it is was communal.
Goastfist, yeah that's another way. Weeks ago I ordered a mill bit to fit into my router table to do just that. What worries me is with the Bosch clamp they already are putting an offset load on the track rail and that is why I previously asked if anyone had distorted their track when dropping the assembly. It may not be a valid concern, but one I have. The Mafell clamp does not stress the groove in the same manner.
Ohan, no it doesn't. You could do this with Baltic Birch or a very strong wood. The ply would give strength in multiple planes and something like IPE probably would also work. Even plastics, especially reinforced composites like Garolite can work. I used the aluminum as I though a contractor would want something as sturdy as possible rather then carrying around multiple replacement parts in case of a drop. I also wanted to see if aluminum could be worked easy enough to generate the slot needed for the bar. Wood would be much easier at home. And as I said earlier the T-bolt part was an attempt where the part could be used elsewhere.
The other approach is to make the top T-Bar as Bosch had done. That could be mated with either a wood or metal head. I've got the supplies to try that, but I'm not sure I'll get to play in my shop next week. The tang is so thin however that I believe only a metal would work there, so I selected 2024 aluminum alloy which has a higher strength then 6061.
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Post by Red on Feb 13, 2016 15:09:54 GMT -5
Beginning to love this thread. Keep the great ideas comin'....
...and, as ever, keep it safe.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day
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