MAKING A FINGER PLATE

[Don1966]

I have had times when I had to do some work on a small part and just couldn't find a way to hold it like I want to. I was reading G.H. Thomas's Model Engineering Workshop Reference book and there was a Finger Plate he made and describe. So I ventured to say that I set out to build one and Hemingway kits has the plans.
This is my thread on making the Finger Plate and will start out milling the plate itself square and flat. The next steps was the mill the 1/4" slots around the perimeter of the plate 1/4" deep on three sides,and then make some 1/4" openings about half way on the three milled openings.
This photos is where I am facemilling the plate to square it and make it flat.

milling the 1/4" slots on the three sides.

milling the three opening midway in the three milled sides.

Then I drill the center hole that holds the finger and the rest of the holes but the Vee it will come later.

Cutting the Vee groove parallel with the side.

Ok so now we drill the rest of the holes and one down the Vee while we cut the Vee groove.

Kurling and parting off the clamp screw we will thread it 1/4x28

thread the middle post, clamp screw and jack screw.

OK so far we have the plate body, the clamp screw, jack screw and middle post


on to next post
Don

[Don1966]

This next step was making the finger which involved cutting angles,slotting, and drilling.
The beginning of making the finger I started aout by drilling the holes and slotting it.

Then is was the matter of cutting the angle, once I knew what angle I had to cut it was a simple matter of putting an angle plate under it and secure it to the vise, after I had marked it out of coarse.

Ok the Finger all complete after a little filing  to shape the Vee and round the corners.

after milling the cross drill bracket which I have now photos of, I had to insure alignment of the hole in the Vee. So by placing a center drill into the chuck and moving the axis I had it spot on. I used my dial setting to so you know I cheated.

Then I had to mount the cross drill bracket on the base body to drill the hole centered with the Vee groove.

I am making the Rocker Plate hear fist making some 3/32" grooves 1/16" wide and deep on each side of the slot the going down the center with an end mill to just less then 1/16". Then used a file to make a convex surface of the inside groove.

A shot of all the parts made. The drill bushing was made of 3/8"drill rod and cut 3/16" shank with a 1/8" hole and harden. The 1/8" hole should be good enough to spot drill with and the drill bushing can been removed once spotted and drill with final size drill bit.

The Finger Plate all assembled with rod in the Vee groove ready for drilling.


The Finger Plate can also be mounted on to the drill press and has a clamp screw to secure it from the bottom. I do hope you enjoyed this thread, I ready enjoyed making this nice tool and will be a great adding to my collection. My next project will be an adjustable file rest. So keep a watch out for the next thread.

Don

[zeeprogrammer]

Looks like a fun project and would have been very useful to me.
I hope to see more posts with it in use.

And yes...I'll be watching your adjustable file rest build too.

[steamer]

Nice post Don!    I like that


Looking forward to the filing rest!

We can compare notes!

Dave

[Don1966]

Thanks Carl and Dave for checking in on me. It was a fun project Carl and I will post when I use it just for you.

Don

[Jo]

Don, nice gadget

I keep meaning to make a finger plate but it is on the must get around to it list.

I look forward to seeing how useful it is.

Jo

[b.lindsey]

Nice post Don. Thanks for posting it and making all our "to-do" lists one item longer   Will also look forward to seeing it in use as you have time.

Bill

[ScroungerLee]

In my ignorance I didn't realize there would be an alignment thingy over the center of the groove such that drilling on center is automatic.  Very nice, and a sincere thank you.

Lee

[Don1966]

Thanks Jo, Bill and Lee for you interest. I will try to show some setup when time prevails.

Don

[craynerd]

Yes, also on my to do list at the top! One day soon.

Thanks for posting!

Chris

[steamer]

Got your email...thanks!

Dave

[ths]

Hi Don,

Nice job, I've seen this in GHT's book, and noticed that Hemingway did it as a kit. Did you get plans only, or did you go for the materials as well?

On another note, what sort of cutter did you use for the vee slot?

Cheers, Hugh.

[Arbalest]

Nice job. I started mine ages ago but it's not quite complete.

[Don1966]

Thanks Hugh, the Vee was cut with a 90 degree countersink tool and it is a kit.

Arbalest thanks for looking in.

Don

[Bearcar1]

Say Don, will that thing open beer *ahem* soda bottles?   Seriously, that is a truly functional tool. Versatile and well made. I like it! Kudos to you and thanks for sharing your journey with us. 


BC1
Jim

[Arbalest]

Mines based on the one in The Machinist Bedside Reader 1 by Guy Lautard, photo page 88 and plan on page 89 if anyone has it.

[Don1966]

Hi Jim, yea I am sure we can arrange something on it to open a beer or soda bottle. LOL....

Don

[Chris J]

A good read Don, thanks.

[jacobball2000]

I keep seeing that photo-bucket and not the intended pic. I once download that photo-bucket program and got virus. I won't do it again screw me once shame on you screw me twice shame on me! NOT AGAIN!