Low profile clamp for 4” Vertex RT

[chucketn]

I want to make a couple of low profile clamps for my RT, as shown in the attached photo, to clamp my RT on my X2 mill, in the horizontal postion. I have 6061 aluminum, or I could make a pattern and cast it out of wheelium. I plan to put 3 bolt holes in it as shown in the picture.
Will either material be strong enough?
Any other suggestions on dimentions or features?
I have tried contacting the web site where I got the photo, but no response.

Chuck

[mklotz]

This is the third forum on which you've posted this without the picture mentioned in the text.  What gives?

[chucketn]

So sorry... Forgot to add picture to the posts...

Cuck

[Jo]

Why not make it out of steel?

Jo

[Jasonb]

Don't know if I like the idea of that clamp, the nut looks nearer to the clamps point of contact with the mill table than it does to the rotary table so not going to be very efficient

[chucketn]

Why not make it out of steel?

Jo

Don't have steel that big, do have aluminum, and casting ability.

Chuck

[Jo]

Ok so 6061 is normally used for extrusions which have reasonable strength....... how much strength is a function of the shape of the material and  there are a few thin bits on that clamp that could be improved on.

How about two clamps on the front and two on the back?

Jo

[John S]

Why not make it wider so you can get three bolts direct into the tee slots, can't see what the other two holes do ?

[b.lindsey]

Or move the point of contact with the mill table farther out away from the RT without moving the bolt holes so as to gain more leverage?

Bill

[steamer]

6061-T6 will be much stronger than home cast aluminum.  Should be OK on a small table.

2024-t4 would be better.....7075-T6 is the strongest.


Dave

[Jasonb]

Looking again at the size of the nut compared to the size of the "lip" on the rotary table you could mill slots into the lip of the R/T and bolt it down direct to the table and no bother with iffy clamps.

Another option would be to drill and tap the lip then you could screw on say a 100x100x10 6061 plate with countersunk socket screws. Then drill holes in the plate to suit your tee slot spacing