From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

Okay, Jim, lets try to stay on topic this time. ;^)

How many of you guys have a tool rack directly on your milling machine?

Currently I use a tool cart. Actually a wide tool cart/work bench with drawers for the manual mill. On top I have a tool rack for "most" of my
R8 collets and tooling, and a small Kennedy box for misc other tools.
Spares and a few more expensive R8 collet chucks do get stored in a
drawer in their original container. When I first set up the cart I kept
it right out in the middle of the shop next to me when I was standing in
front of the mill. It wasn't to bad, but when I was doing ANYTHING
other than using the mill the tool cart was in the way. I found a place
for it two steps (three if I am tired) away partially blocking a double doorway, and partially blocking the stairs up to storage above my
office. I only open the second door to move machinery so not in a few
years, and I don't need to move it to get up the stairs as infrequently
as I need to go up there.

The problem is I start to begrudge those three steps when I am doing a
semi repetitive job and I am not a fan of leaving tools on the mill
table. I lost my Grampa's Starret 6 inch rule that way a couple months
ago. I'm sure its still in the shop, but when I blew off the table one
day it went somewhere.

I was thinking a small tool rack on the swing arm for the DRO with
spaces for 3 or 4 R8 tools, a few drill bits, and a small pocket shelf
for some misc tools and "stuff," and a couple tool hooks on one end for wrenches and a hammer might really be handy. Yeah I know. Half that
stuff will fall off when I am doing some heavy milling and that 3500 lb machine is vibrating. LOL.

I'm not thinking one of those chicken rotisseries like guys with only
ten collets for everything use. I always thought those were silly. No,
more something where I can set up the tools and accessories for a semi repetitive job. Right now I am going through a batch of molds where I
have to drill two cross pin holes in every plate at specific locations
at 45 degrees one way, and then 45 degrees the other way. Every single
plate gets setup twice and then edge found six times to accurately place
the two holes. It takes three tools for each hole. Edge finder, 1/16
end mill, and 1/16 extended reach drill. Each tool is only used for a
very short time with the edge finder spending the most time in the
spindle.

Those three steps are breaking my rhythm, but this isn't the only job
where I have a couple or a few tools that need to be changed quickly.
Setting hinge pins in hinged molds is two setups and two tools on each
setup. Its a very common job. In fact I will be doing that to these
molds when I get done drilling the diagonal cross pin holes.

Well, "Just move the tool cart when you are using the mill," you might
say. I wish I could keep my shop clean enough to make that the trivial
task it should be, but my floor has HSD too.

So anyway, do you have a tool rack or tool tray directly on your mill?
Is that where you store the tools you use with it or is it more for the
tools you are going to use right now like I am thinking?
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10ppkv3$r23i$1@dont-email.me...

Okay, Jim, lets try to stay on topic this time. ;^)

How many of you guys have a tool rack directly on your milling machine? ------------------------

Sorry, can't help. The Clausing mill is on a cabinet base with a collet rack in the door, and the other tooling is on a shelf rack behind it. In my
limited exposure I haven't seen a tool rack other than for R8 collets
mounted on a mill. The big CNC machines had automatic tool changers. https://allindustrial.com/all-industrial-41060-r8-collet-rack-tool-tray-with-15-slots-for-bridgeport-high-precision/?

My lathe tool holders are above it on a shelf with holes and there's a
drawer base plus tool chest beside it. The lathe stand has shelves for the chucks.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/22/2026 2:59 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10ppkv3$r23i$1@dont-email.me...

Okay, Jim, lets try to stay on topic this time.-a ;^)

How many of you guys have a tool rack directly on your milling machine? ------------------------

Sorry, can't help. The Clausing mill is on a cabinet base with a collet
rack in the door, and the other tooling is on a shelf rack behind it. In
my limited exposure I haven't seen a tool rack other than for R8 collets mounted on a mill. The big CNC machines had automatic tool changers. https://allindustrial.com/all-industrial-41060-r8-collet-rack-tool-tray- with-15-slots-for-bridgeport-high-precision/?

My lathe tool holders are above it on a shelf with holes and there's a drawer base plus tool chest beside it. The lathe stand has shelves for
the chucks.

Even big VMC are often paired with a tool cart or tool rack outside the machine with more tools than will fit in the tool changer. In theory a
large magazine at least allows for preloading every tool for the current
job, but not always, and of course there are plenty of machines with
much smaller magazines.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10pppg5$3lhfi$1@dont-email.me...

Even big VMC are often paired with a tool cart or tool rack outside the
machine with more tools than will fit in the tool changer. In theory a
large magazine at least allows for preloading every tool for the current
job, but not always, and of course there are plenty of machines with
much smaller magazines.
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
------------------------------------

My own designs used a minimum number of the cutting tools the shop foreman suggested. At home on the rare batch job I set up stops for quickly changing the part and run all through each machine setting, or spot hole locations
and let the stub length drill or tap position the unrestrained part. This is the pre-CNC mass production method:

https://yoderbrothersmachinery.com/listing/6-spindle-leeland-gifford-gang-drill-stock-18509/?

The table lacks clamping slots, the operator manually aligns work clamped in
a jig fixture with replaceable hardened drill bushings. https://millenniummachineworks.com/box-drill-jigs.html

This type can be quickly swapped between drill and tap sizes. https://www.carrlane.com/product/drill-bushings/renewable-bushings/slipfixed-renewable-bushings-sf/srsltid/afmboorp3h8dyp_ujijqk_qf9giwhswh9t5xt_q32tx5_bs10w9ierjp

I made one to identically locate, drill and tap the joint holes in antenna mast sections made from chain link fence top rail.


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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/22/2026 4:39 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10pppg5$3lhfi$1@dont-email.me...

Even big VMC are often paired with a tool cart or tool rack outside the machine with more tools than will fit in the tool changer.-a In theory a large magazine at least allows for preloading every tool for the current
job, but not always, and of course there are plenty of machines with
much smaller magazines.
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
------------------------------------

My own designs used a minimum number of the cutting tools the shop
foreman suggested. At home on the rare batch job I set up stops for
quickly changing the part and run all through each machine setting, or
spot hole locations and let the stub length drill or tap position the unrestrained part. This is the pre-CNC mass production method:

https://yoderbrothersmachinery.com/listing/6-spindle-leeland-gifford- gang-drill-stock-18509/?

The table lacks clamping slots, the operator manually aligns work
clamped in a jig fixture with replaceable hardened drill bushings. https://millenniummachineworks.com/box-drill-jigs.html

This type can be quickly swapped between drill and tap sizes. https://www.carrlane.com/product/drill-bushings/renewable-bushings/ slipfixed-renewable-bushings-sf/srsltid/ afmboorp3h8dyp_ujijqk_qf9giwhswh9t5xt_q32tx5_bs10w9ierjp

I made one to identically locate, drill and tap the joint holes in
antenna mast sections made from chain link fence top rail.

That can work if you are making a batch of identical parts. Maybe not
so much for finishing out a batch of "similar" parts.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/22/2026 4:39 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10pppg5$3lhfi$1@dont-email.me...

Even big VMC are often paired with a tool cart or tool rack outside the machine with more tools than will fit in the tool changer.-a In theory a large magazine at least allows for preloading every tool for the current
job, but not always, and of course there are plenty of machines with
much smaller magazines.
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
------------------------------------

My own designs used a minimum number of the cutting tools the shop
foreman suggested. At home on the rare batch job I set up stops for
quickly changing the part and run all through each machine setting, or
spot hole locations and let the stub length drill or tap position the unrestrained part. This is the pre-CNC mass production method:

https://yoderbrothersmachinery.com/listing/6-spindle-leeland-gifford- gang-drill-stock-18509/?

I have missed out a few times on gang drills that went cheap. I always thought it would be efficient if I could buy one cheap enough to setup
one up for my most common drill finishing operations. Pin press, pin
slip, tap drill, tap, etc. A turret drill might also work. I had a
little tail stock turret on my 8.5 x 18 lathe for a while for making
knobs a while back. Had it setup for two different thread sizes in the
six positions. Drill click, counter bore click, and tap click click
click. The little 3C collet closer got quite a workout until I decided
they were still to much work to sell at a reasonable price.

The table lacks clamping slots, the operator manually aligns work
clamped in a jig fixture with replaceable hardened drill bushings. https://millenniummachineworks.com/box-drill-jigs.html

T-slots, vises, or just holes are all options. Never let a flat table dissuade you. Heck, on my welding table I've been known to turn the
table itself into a fixture by welding steps directly to it. Not so
easy to do a repeat job months later, but I'm working on that.

This type can be quickly swapped between drill and tap sizes. https://www.carrlane.com/product/drill-bushings/renewable-bushings/ slipfixed-renewable-bushings-sf/srsltid/ afmboorp3h8dyp_ujijqk_qf9giwhswh9t5xt_q32tx5_bs10w9ierjp

I made one to identically locate, drill and tap the joint holes in
antenna mast sections made from chain link fence top rail.

Carr-Lane does make some cool stuff. I use their Tiny Vise edge clamps
all the time. I probably have a dozen fixture plates made up using them
for batching different size stock. I don't even know how many of the
CL5TVLP tiny vises I have.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/22/2026 5:29 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

Carr-Lane does make some cool stuff.-a I use their Tiny Vise edge clamps
all the time.-a I probably have a dozen fixture plates made up using them for batching different size stock.-a I don't even know how many of the CL5TVLP tiny vises I have.

https://www.carrlane.com/product/edge-clamps/tiny-vise-edge-clamps/tiny-vise-edge-clamps-low-profile/cl-5-tvlp/srsltid/afmbooouaggvkyzbc3g3atnotwd4wqvdbgjci-jt6t8_05pdyec7aqm3
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10pq0s4$3nq6s$1@dont-email.me...

That can work if you are making a batch of identical parts. Maybe not
so much for finishing out a batch of "similar" parts.
Bob La Londe

--------------------------------

Would it work for standardizable features like hinges and latches that
locate from an edge?

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/23/2026 3:50 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10pq0s4$3nq6s$1@dont-email.me...

That can work if you are making a batch of identical parts.-a Maybe not
so much for finishing out a batch of "similar" parts.
Bob La Londe

--------------------------------

Would it work for standardizable features like hinges and latches that locate from an edge?

I don't want you to think I don't already do work in that fashion when
its suitable. For instance drilling hinge pin holes in different molds
that are the same footprint. At one point I played with the use of a
self centering vise for that with molds of different thickness. My
issue was a I do just enough different types of work to make leaving the
self centering vise on the mill table inconvenient. Yeah, I know. Cut
the ears off and make it into an insert vise. That is still one of my
plans.

Now a gang drill with fixtures and/or vises attached to the table with a
press on the end of the table, or a smaller foot print with a turret
drill... I just don't have the space for it any more.

That's where my idea for a custom made step drill came from. One drill
to make the press fit, slip fit, and a slight deburr/chamfer in one
operation. I wouldn't even need to set the depth stop anymore. When it deburrs its done. My initial experiment sorta worked, but the I wasn't
good enough, and got over sized slip fit holes. I may remake the tool
again, but I have a million ideas that need development all the time. I
even asked a commercial tool maker about making the step drills for me
from carbide, but I never heard back. I guess if I have time and think
of it I may contact some others.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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