nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on May 12, 2020 7:56:34 GMT -5
Hello again, I thought I'd share today's down time project. IMG_20200512_222730 by nik1924, on Flickr IMG_20200512_222903 by nik1924, on Flickr the jaws are 3 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3/8" aluminum plate, drilled and tapped 10-32 for the clamping screws and 3/8-16 for the tension rods. Having clamped a couple of rocks in it, I think it may have been better to use a single screw on the upper plate, and the extra nut on each tension rod is not needed. IMG_20200512_222756 by nik1924, on Flickr Just for fun, a gratuitous matrix opal pic
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 444
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Post by herb on May 12, 2020 8:52:04 GMT -5
I like the design. I would suggest wing nuts on the top so you can tighten it down without having to use a wrench.
I also like the screws for holding the rock in place. The commercial clamps usually have a "V" groove cut into the plates the the rock sits in. I think the screws might be better especially if the edge of the rock doesnt have a crisp edge that the "V" groove can get a bite on. The screws are also nice for when the blade gets a little too close and hits some metal. Less metal to cut thru so less damage to the blade and the screws are easy to replace if they do get hit with the blade. I've accidently shaved a bit of the aluminium plates off my clamps on more than 1 occasion!
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Post by knave on May 12, 2020 9:37:49 GMT -5
That’s a really cool design and I love the work fabricobbled, it’s what I do.
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nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on May 12, 2020 16:21:19 GMT -5
That’s a really cool design and I love the work fabricobbled, it’s what I do. Thanks, sadly I can't take credit for the word, but it seemed appropriate for for a tool made from scrap airplane parts and random hardware. The clamp screws are titanium, so if I ever hit them with the blade, I will get a nice light show.
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nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on May 28, 2020 6:09:17 GMT -5
After clamping a handful of rocks, I have decided that the moving jaw needed to have a bit more movement to grip irregular shapes. Having a bit more down time, this is the solution that appeared. I'm not exactly sure what to call these parts, but they were made from a little chunk of 1.25" aluminum bar stock, combined with tapering the holes in the moving jaw, it allows about 30 degrees of tilt. IMG_20200528_180246[1] by nik1924, on Flickr IMG_20200528_180029[1] by nik1924, on Flickr Now I just need the new saw to get here, sadly it is sitting in some dark container on a ship between California and here. Maybe I'll see it in another few weeks...
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