Fixture plate buy for Pro 5

I did splurge and get a custom SMW fixture plate and Gen 3 hobby vise. Yep, I like it.

The OEM setup is to cut the MDF and mount to the top of the tracks.
I went with mounting onto the MDF ( after surfacing the whole table ).
I had to get longer SHCS then what SMC sent.

I will take a little possible slop in the tolerance for flexibility of a full clean surface.
I would assume you would have to face the tracks anyway to true up the mounting.

5 Likes

That’s metal :metal:

Now you just need some nice low profile machinist jacks to put under those long spans. The SMW ones are really clever but we’re still missing the M6 variants :smiling_face_with_tear:

Maybe that would be a decent entry into @Tod1d community challenge :thinking:

What is a machinist jack ?
Funny you mentioned that . I was drilling holes ( pecking ) and noticed a bit of deflection.

Thanks for the education and new search term !

Oh yeah. That looks interesting for a few reasons. M6 version looks for be available.

1 Like

I can’t believe they didn’t send some kind of newsletter out for them. I’ve been waiting forever for :melting_face:

The cost is a bit much but given the quality and general usefulness of the rest of their system, I’m going to bite the bullet and order a couple.

I’ll let folks know how they work out.


Yeah machinist jacks are useful little things. It’s surprising how much flex you can get out of a relatively short span of unsupported aluminum.
Especially if it’s something like 1/8” stock :grimacing:

I am listening to the plate vibrate right now cutting a .270 slot with a 1/4 278 bit.
I am in.

1 Like

Only downside to my vacuum table is my in ability to use these.

Resisting the urge to buy another machine.

2 Likes

Sounds like you need some swappable work surfaces or maybe just M6 threads in your vacuum table :yum:

1 Like

I wish it was that simple. It’s. 4x4 with a 3 zone hard piped high volume vac system.

It’s far from easily removed.

As far as inserts into it. That would cause other issues.

Any realistic way for me to do it would be to hold it down with vacuum and I’d rather not deal with the noise.

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.