Machining Rucker 9” Straight Edge 45 degree, hold down??

[Janderso]

I’ve been thinking about it for twenty minutes or so.
The project so far has been easy.
Have you machined one yet? How did you do it?
I’ll surface grind it once I figure out how to mill this. Then I’ll scrape it flat.
Thanks

 

[Liljoebrshooter]

Here is a picture of how he set it up.
Joe

 

[benmychree]

The ones that I have machined (Rich King), I used my horizontal mill, clamped it down with the bottom surface overhanging the mill table with strap clamps on top and the top shimmed up and held down with another strap clamp, and used a face mill to surface the bottom, then I clamped the base to the table with the square surface overhanging an used the same facemill to surface it, I then set the bottom surface and the square surface in the table slot at the intended angle and again held the base down with strap clamps and used a planer jack to support the top surface and used another strap clamp and cut the angular surface with an end mill. This same procedure could be done on a vertical mill using a angle plate for the first operations and the same setup for the angular surface. I have also machined them on the shaper, just using the vise to hold the work, using wood pieces to clamp against the rough casting.

 

[Janderso]

John,
I watched Kieth Rucker and Adam (Abom) mill theirs on horizontal mills.
I do have several angle plates.
I think I’m going to try Liljoe’s method.
I’ll strap it down and see how it looks.
Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Janderso]

Well shoot.
What if I place a half inch rod across the straight edge? Clamp it in the usual way?
I cut the back edge to get a clean surface without wobbling (opposite the 45). This will allow for a rigid set up once I figure out what that is.
You know, I do have a light weight horizontal mill.

 

[Janderso]

Wait a tick, I have a vertical mill, it tilts!
I’m gonna spread my wings.

 

[Janderso]

This is going to work out just fine.

 

[Liljoebrshooter]

Be gentle clamping it. You could flatten out any bow in it and it will spring back when you release the clamps.
That should work though.

Joe

 

[macardoso]

So I understand you want to mill/grind/scrape this to an angle less than 45 degrees. Is there an agreed upon value for this angle?

 

[Janderso]

Be gentle clamping it. You could flatten out any bow in it and it will spring back when you release the clamps.
That should work though.

Joe

Good point,
I'm going to surface grind it before I scrape it. I haven't figured out how I'll hold it to the mag chuck. I don't know if the transfer V blocks will allow for enough hold. I'm sure I'll have to get creative and ask the group
I will contain my grunt work to the end clamps. The middle clamp is bridging the straight edge supports.