Clamps Anywhere, Locks Instantly – My Best Work Support Yet!

[Mook]

I've made all sorts of work supports, and all have their shortcomings. If I clamp them to the bed, the tee slots are not always in the ideal position. If I don't clamp them, they can move as the machine vibrates. Can I make something that clamps anywhere and also locks the adjustable height without tools?


I have some height pre-set columns that attach to the bed. They have two height settings, one level with the vice base and the other set to a known set of parallels. Although they can be clamped in position on the bed, they are not always where you want them.


The box style support is ideal for very quick support, but not able to be fixed to the bed. Even my end stop support bracket is precisely set level with my vice bed, but it is not height adjustable. On some precision applications, I use my precision ball screw, but it's mainly for inspection and layout because the top stays accurately parallel throughout its range. For taller setups and larger parts, I have a pair of ten-start quick-rise supports, which again not able to be clamped to the table


Finally, I have made a pair of lockable adjustable supports that can be clamped anywhere on the bed without any tools. Turning the magnet on not only fixes the support to the bed it also prevents the height ring from rotating. First, I set the height, then move them to the ideal positions and simply turn on the magnet to lock the height and the bed position.


The magnetic blocks are first ground precisely square, so they can also be used as precision reference squares. I use the internal threading bar from the lathe to thread mill a 1.5mm pitch thread on the corners.


The units can have multiple accessories, such as a flat top disc, support point, support ball, or a vee for round parts.


At the end, there is a quick demonstration of the Ainjest threading unit for automatic depth stop when internal threading.