12-30-2023, 03:41 PM
More knobs! When I originally made my mil stop, I used the method where you slit the block and use a screw to clamp it. It worked, but not well. The problem was it required a lot of force to clamp the rods, and it was a pain to hold them in position while cranking down on an allen key. You can see the marks in the original piece where the screw head has dug into the aluminum body after only a few uses.
New knobs eliminated the use of tools to tighten, but it still took too much force. So, the answer was a different type of clamping system, in this case split cotters. This is the method used to lock the quill on many (most?) drill presses.
This method requires very little screw pressure to provide positive clamping force. Now, I can tighten the knobs with only light finger pressure to lock the rods in place.
New knobs eliminated the use of tools to tighten, but it still took too much force. So, the answer was a different type of clamping system, in this case split cotters. This is the method used to lock the quill on many (most?) drill presses.
This method requires very little screw pressure to provide positive clamping force. Now, I can tighten the knobs with only light finger pressure to lock the rods in place.
Full of ideas, but slow to produce parts