Rigid set-ups = safer machining

[Toolmaker51]

All this drilling work brings new set-up fixes. Most aren't through holes, but necessary on this 1.5" x 3.0" x 10' tube. So, can't rest on table.
Ends are elevated on 3/4" flat bar, under clamps in free area. 3" wide makes it difficult to open an adjustable parallel, not only being 'too valued' for such application. 1-1/2" drill will apply considerable pressure.

To alleviate flex in middle of tube, a quick bit of diagonal sawing rendered these opposing wedges. Used bar clamp to set and hold position.

[Frank S]

I have become a firm believer in rotobroach bits. my little 1-1/2 HP drill press struggles with any twist drill above 1" but has no problem drilling a 2" hole through 1 1/2" plate with the rotobroaches.
Using tapered wedges under the edge of a tube is something I have often done to keep the end level while the tube is clamped in a vice I also have several pieces of scrap laying around the drill press that have become dedicated height supports. and don't dare think your are going to clean around it and huck my scrap bits of metal in the bin.

[Toolmaker51]

Once getting the engineers and sales trained to run prints past me in ADVANCE, timesaving tools will be more prevalent here.
Building machines to order or especially the short runs of replacement part orders are hot priority. Sure I can pilot drill 3 times or use annulars once, their call. Make or buy, got to spend money to make money. The area isn't over-run with industrial distributors, specials always tend to need ordering. Reminds one of a particular geographical oddity...

[Frank S]

Once getting the engineers and sales trained to run prints past me in ADVANCE, timesaving tools will be more prevalent here.
Building machines to order or especially the short runs of replacement part orders are hot priority. Sure I can pilot drill 3 times or use annulars once, their call. Make or buy, got to spend money to make money. The area isn't over-run with industrial distributors, specials always tend to need ordering. Reminds one of a particular geographical oddity...

And here I thought that I was the only one who was two weeks from everywhere

[Toolmaker51]

And here I thought that I was the only one who was two weeks from everywhere

Well Frank you are also correct, two weeks from everywhere there; I'm two weeks away here too!
But would only take me one day to get to your place. Must be that new math.

[Frank S]

New math eh! I think that what the government used to use to figure how much I owed in taxes