Clamping to a mill table

[Occasional machinist]

This is something I came up with on the weekend. The first part of the clip is about clamping to a mill table, but the second part is making up a new style of table clamp. (there is a drawing in there somewhere too)

[DIYer]

Thanks Occasional machinist! We've added your Mill Table Clamp to our Clamps category,
as well as to your builder page: Occasional machinist's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Mill Table Clamp by Occasional machinist

tags: table, clamp, mill

[Floradawg]

I have been schooled. Thank you veery much.

[emu roo]

HI OM really interested in your clamps and your explanation of manufacture. Many thanks

[Saltfever]

Swiveling studs (leveling bolts) are quite common. Modifying one of these for your application may be an easier fab.

[Occasional machinist]

A couple of people have suggested something like that. Two reasons why not - firstly, I wanted something with a hex the same size as my hold down clamp nuts - so I could use the same spanner (11/16"), which is larger than normal for this size pad (across the corners of the hex is the same diameter as the pad).
Second reason was that I hadn't done a form tool like that before, so this was more interesting!

[Saltfever]

The off-axis automatic adjustment is a nice idea. I was responding mostly to post #4 which seemed to have questions about fabricating the swivel part of your design. If turning, or grinding a form tool is a challenge, then modifying a store-bought item may be an easier way to make the clamp. Certainly agree the "less tools the better" and a single spanner is a great convenience.

[emu roo]

Saltfever, yes less tools the better

[Jon]

Congratulations Occasional machinist - your Mill Table Clamp is the Homemade Tool of the Month for November 2025!

This is a versatile, thoughtful, and useful clamp design that is also easy to reproduce.

And that makes two Homemade Tool of the Month wins for Occasional machinist, after his Universal Indicator Holder from last March.

Some more good builds from November:

Leaf Shredder by hemmjo
Sharpener by My MiniCrafts
Mechanical Leather Stitcher by My MiniCrafts
Tailstock Ejection Tool by Improvised DIY
Micro Table Saw by My MiniCrafts
Fly Boring Tool by troyhaack
Lathe Chuck Soft Jaws by hemmjo
Welding Cart by Making Stuff
Tailstock Cam Lock by LMMasterMariner
Bearing Puller by hemmjo
Thickness Planer Stand and Dust Collection by The Hobby Machinist NZ
Cleaver by Mazay
Cut-Off Saw by IntheGroove
Miter Plane by e_m_maker


Occasional machinist - You'll be receiving a $250 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize choice and I'll get it sent over right away.


Nice work

[alphonse]

Ocasional machinist, I like your clamp idea so much I'm making a few modified versions for my weldment clamp to the mill table. Congrats also on your prize win here on HT. I posted a few videos on making them as well.Thanks again, Al [

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