The CNC Milling Vice Aligned On a Plate With Reference Edges
Most mills have T-slots running along the length of the table and these can be used to secure a vice or a workpiece to the table. Use proper T-nuts if you value your T-slots and your table.
A good investment is a set of T-nuts to fit the T-slots, and some studs, clamps, nuts and washers to go with them (Fig. 4-26). Note that studs must not protrude through the bottom of the T-nuts as there is then a real danger of damage to the T- slots. This is the kind of accessory that is virtually indispensable, but can be made in sizes to suit both the general range of workholding tasks and some specific jobs. For most small mills, the larger ready-made commercial clamping sets are a bit too big.
Work is often held in a purpose-made fixture (Fig. 4-27). The fixture stays on the mill table or in the vice and a series of workpieces is secured in the fixture for machining one after the other. Fixtures are best made for the job in hand, but they are very useful devices for repetition work. There are some examples later on.