[kentdesautel13]

I purchased a couple of vises for my Haas, and they didn't come with clamps, and they don't have bolt slots on the side.
I'm on a tight budget at the moment.... so I didn't buy the most expensive vise... but it's still an upgrade for me.

So I was forced to machine up a side clamp.

My plan is to put 2 of these on each side of the clamp.

I machined these out of Aluminum.... ( I know I should have used hardened steel, but I don't have access to this at the moment, and to be totally honest I haven't done any machining of steel.... I only work with Aluminum at this point )

The sample clamp I made is plenty beefy in my opinion.... but I would like a second, or third opinion.

Attached are some photos of the aluminum clamp.

( I forgot to include the thickness of the stock.... It's 1 1/4" thick. )

Thanks,

Kent

[maxspongebob]

That looks fabulous to me. If you only machine aluminum you may never need a steel set. Just make sure to keep them tight.

What Haas do you have? What is the motor HP?

[kentdesautel13]

Thanks Bob...

I have a Haas Super Mini Mill

15HP

10,000 rpm spindle

Thanks again Bob...

Kent

That looks fabulous to me. If you only machine aluminum you may never need a steel set. Just make sure to keep them tight.

What Haas do you have? What is the motor HP?

[Machineit]

Looks ok, but prepare for the future and get a set like this to have handy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/58Pc-1-2-Sl...3d517b2f065d5e

[mactec54]

Thanks Bob...

I have a Haas Super Mini Mill

15HP

10,000 rpm spindle

Thanks again Bob...

Kent

Now that you have them made, make some out of 1018 steel or 4140 just the same, as the aluminum mounting on to the table like this will react and over time the aluminum and the table will be damaged

Use a 1/2 SHCS with the head in a pocket milled into the top of the clamp, that way you don't have to worry about the nut up o top of your clamp block