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Clamping System For Threaded Wasteboard

12/16/2018

15 Comments

 
 ​Now that you followed my previous blog and created your own threaded waste board, it's time to make some clamps for it.  You could buy some clamps like the Rockler Hold Down Clamps or Oops Clamps from Suck It but we want some clamps that will clamp from the side and not have to worry if we hit them accidentally with a bit.  We're going to be making some Cam Clamps.  We'll be using the hardware you bought from the waste board blog post to hold them down (but I'll link them below also).  You'll need at least a 1' x 1' x 3/4 piece of mdf (or plywood) as the material to make them out of (it's ok if you have a bigger piece, there will just be waste left over).  If you bought a 4x8 sheet of mdf to make the waste board, you should easily have enough left over for this project.
​
​Myers Woodshop Cam Clamps
Purchase the file from my etsy shop. 
​It helps support what i do so I can create more free content :) 
It also includes an .SVG file for those who want to use a different program.
Picture

You'll notice their is two different sized clamps included in the file.  There are times that smaller ones may not provide enough length to reach the work piece so I created a slightly bigger one.  I've included work holding tabs to secure the clamps while they get cut out.  You'll have to cut them once your file is finished cutting.  I like to use a multi-tool like this, Dewalt 20v Multitool, for easy removal.  You'll use the bit that came with your Shapeoko, the #201, 1/4 up-cut bit, to make all the cuts.  If your not using that bit for some reason, make sure to use an up-cut bit, as you'll be drilling holes and a down-cut bit is never a good choice for hole drilling.  It pushes the material down and you run the risk of starting a fire.
There is a hole within a hole in the center of the clamp.  The larger, shallower hold will hold the washer, and the middle through hold will house the bolt.
This file was designed to use the 1/4 upcut bit included with the Shapeoko. If you have a 1/8 bit it would be ideal to 'drill' the smaller holes with it.  Generally, it is recommended to use a bit 1/3 of the size hole your going to create.  If your having problem drilling the hole with the #201, use a 1/8 upcut bit. As always, make sure to use breathing protection and a vacuum when working with mdf!

When your going to clamp, start off with the clamp upside down, then slowly twist it clockwise until it engages the material.  It's best to have even clamping pressure along all the corners of the work piece.  Too much pressure and it could bow the board up and throw off the cut.
Happy CNCing!
Ben

1/4 - 20 hex bolts - https://amzn.to/2UgneU5
1/4 - 20 washers - https://amzn.to/2KXoFST
15 Comments
Patrick Myers
12/17/2018 04:33:10 pm

Hi there! Totally new to CNCing - don't even have a machine yet but lurking a lot around reddit. How exactly do the clamps work? Do they sit next to the piece and hold it by exerting lateral pressure or do they get clamped on top of the piece and hold it by exerting downward pressure? I would assume the latter, but all the pics indicate it's the former. Thanks!

Patrick Myers

Reply
Patrick Myers
12/17/2018 04:35:18 pm

Ack, re-read the description - it's lateral pressure. Out of curiosity, why not have them sit on top of the piece? Possible interference when cutting?

Reply
Ben Myers
12/29/2018 06:23:01 pm

Patrick,
You can have clamps sit on top of pieces when you cut, but that runs the risk of your bit hitting your clamps. This way, the laterial forces hold the material in place and are no higher than the piece itself, saving you from the oops times when you break a bit hitting a clamp.

Dawn
12/29/2018 12:00:22 pm

Hi Ben, I just bought a Shapeoko XXL and these Freud bits https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01LZ4AR3Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Eight piece Sign Making Kit.

My question is, you mentioned you did a video regarding the bit section of Carbide Create for the Shapeoko but I can't find it. I am trying to see if some of the already entered settings for their bits would work for these bits and/or you may know where I can go to get the data I need to enter the settings for these Freud bits correctly in Carbide Create. I am a graphic designer and not a pro in tooling so this is a bit overwhelming. Appreciate any advise you have!!

Reply
Ben Myers
12/29/2018 06:19:49 pm

Dawn,
Feeds and speeds will be hard to figure out even when your a pro. It's something that takes time and experience and testing.....and occasionally breaking a bit. For most, you can use carbides preprogrammed settings. 1/8 bit is a 1/8bit and so forth. Here's a good starting point:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W9qJwvAab4wG3X_33UDxojnT4U-X_ajUnJlPFmh2LtM/edit#gid=0
I haven't done a video yet....I plan on it sometime in the future.
Ben

Reply
Matthew King
5/24/2021 06:25:17 am

Ben,

I downloaded your google doc. However can you clarify what DOC stands for?

Larry Holt
1/16/2019 04:02:14 am

I downloaded the file for cam clamps this morning. It will not load in Carbide Create. Its a text file. Ready for Carbide Motion? Would like to open the file in CC to understand how it is set up. I'm a rank beginner so please be patient. Thanks for all you are putting up on the web for others to learn

Reply
Ben Myers
1/16/2019 04:15:55 pm

RIGHT CLICK : SAVE AS .c3d . You cannot just click the file....my website host is weird like that.

Reply
Brian Douangratdy
5/21/2019 08:37:44 am

Hey Ben! Just wanted to give you a shout - thanks for putting out the video tutorials. Looking forward to cutting out the clamps! Happy to support.

Reply
ben myers
5/23/2019 07:48:13 am

thanks brian. I'm glad they've helped you!

Reply
Scott Sayre
2/12/2020 08:45:26 pm

Hey Ben-
Can I use 1/2 inch MDF for these? Guessing I can't easily modify the files.
-Scott

Reply
Ed Hill
5/8/2020 11:35:25 am

Ben, I was having trouble opening your wasteboard file. Every time I tried to save the gcode it would give me a post error.I must have watched your video at least 100 times to make sure I was doing everything right. Being new to this I assumed it was me. Finally I installed the newest update of Carbide Create and that solved the problem. Please post this for those who are having the same problem

Reply
Thomas Shepherd
7/18/2020 04:29:17 pm

How do I know how far to insert my 201 bit in my router? I am brand new at all this.

Reply
Jason
7/18/2020 05:50:02 pm

It doesn't matter to have it in an exact position. What you want is to have it so it sticks out enough so your router or suck-it attachment doesn't bottom out on the material you are cutting. Generally you want at least the thickness of the router nut (about 3/4") in the router so the bit is fastened securely. If you put just a sliver of the bit in there it could fall out which would be bad/dangerous.

If you are doing a deep cut into material then you need to leave more of the bit hanging out. If its a shallow cut it doesn't matter that much.

When you zero the machine on the surface material it will let the machine know where you put your bit on the z axis.

Another subtle thing is where the router is set in the machine. If you have the router too high or low then you will notice that you cant reach all the locations of your cut. So you want to have your bit located so you have enough travel distance to reach all the depths and heights you will need during the cut.

Reply
Schuyler Brock
9/2/2021 08:34:28 am

Hey, Ben. Thanks for the post! I have a Onefinity I just set up this week, and have been following a lot of your content leading up to it. I've learned a ton, so thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

I've seen these cams in a number of places, and everybody screws them into threaded inserts. Is there any reason why simply putting a dowel in the hole wouldn't work instead? It would save a lot of time if you have to move the clamps around frequently.

Reply



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