Extra low profile milling clamps

**WmRMeyers** · Sep 23, 2021, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Raytonian

I'm really surprised and very much appreciate the number of 'thank you's' I received and which are still coming in.
Thanks to YOU guys!

You met a need a bunch of us have. More than one, really. Versatile hold-down, Check! Low profile, Check. Doesn't eat a lot of table space, Check! Easy to make without a fully equipped shop, Check!

Of course we like it!

Bill

**Raytonian** · Sep 23, 2021, 09:42 AM

Thanks Bill, there are already some thoughts for modification that you or who-else might have, by now, considered.
Like, adding springs for holding up the tips for easy reach but it would defy the object of keeping them out of the way and the secondly some strip or shoe to protect the bottom of the T-slot from damage.
Truth is, clamps like those will only be needed for special conditions. Not your everyday run of the mill utensil.
Much appreciated!

**Toolmaker51** · Jul 26, 2023, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Raytonian

Thanks Bill, there are already some thoughts for modification that you or who-else might have, by now, considered.
Like, adding springs for holding up the tips for easy reach but it would defy the object of keeping them out of the way and the secondly some strip or shoe to protect the bottom of the T-slot from damage.
Truth is, clamps like those will only be needed for special conditions. Not your everyday run of the mill utensil.
Much appreciated!

Agreed on hold-open springs; counterbores for those will reduce material needed for clamp bolt recess, or threads in the nut.
But a flat leaf or wire torsion spring won't. . .

**tonyfoale** · May 30, 2024, 10:50 AM

Holding thin stuff for machining is always a challenge. This morning I needed to mill some 3 mm polycarbonate. The cutting forces being a lot less than the steel plate used as an example in this post, that enabled me to use a simple vacuum chuck that I made for PCB milling.

Click for full size.

The finished piece.