With G10, you can set the values for any work offset. Let’s say the coordinates of the fixed rear jaw, left front corner, on the left vise in the picture above are X20.0 Y11.733 Z0.0 on that left jaw when you drop it into the proper grid position on the fixture plate. You’ve also got a set of fixed coordinates for the right vise. Run your short g-code program with a couple of G10’s in it, and Bob’s your uncle (not really), the work offsets are set and you’re ready to start running parts. I saved the best for last. Fixture Plates are just the starting point for true Modular Fixturing solutions. Tosa Tool has an extensive line of accessories that cover virtually any need. At his price points, that is unusual to see, but it is the norm for much more expensive high-end solutions. It’s great to be able to add more capability through these accessories which are also very reasonably priced. Some vendors tap every single hole on the plate, but having both smooth bore and threaded holes is a better design. When using a Fixture Plate, the holes perform 2 functions: Well, you could indicate the work offset from the vises (or fixtures) each time. That wastes the potential of the modular fixturing setup though. Reduced impact of transportation: No need to transport lorry loads of heavy steel or excessive volumes of concrete, further reducing the environmental impact of the job

Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! Keep in mind that anyone can view public collections - they may also appear in recommendations and other places. Suddenly our Fixture Plate is a lot less convenient to use. The alternative is we loosen up tolerances and make bigger holes in the sub-plate. Of course that means it will be positioned less accurately. Once clamped in place, the dowel pin holes are drilled undersized them reamed to size. Their position is not super-critical, but we should still spot drill and use screw machine-length twist drills. Soon you’ll wonder why you wasting so much time setting things manually! Fixture Plate Review: Tosa Tool Fixture PlateOnce that’s done, I will unclamp the plate and install a set of keys, then re-clamp the plate so it is keyed to the table and secured with T-Slot Nuts.

Fewer raw materials: Steel and cement manufacture are energy-intensive processes. Reduced steel and concrete usage means a lower carbon footprint. I’m using some dowel pins that are part of Tosa’s modular fixturing kit. It comes with a variety of gizmos. Here are just a few of the locating pin variety:

The hole grid on a Tosa Tool Fixture Plate alternates smooth (dowel pin) and threaded holes. The threaded holes take 1/2-13 bolts, and the dowel pin holes are 0.5005″ in diameter and finished smooth. The precision doesn’t affect most of the functions of a Fixture Plate at first glance. After all, the fact a hole is off its theoretical ideal position by 0.001″ doesn’t affect repeatability or most other factors. What it does affect is how easily we can use more than one hole to locate and orient whatever we’re positioning on the Fixture Plate. Now the real fun begins. We have to drill about a zillion holes. We will do alternating threaded and smooth bores, all the holes get reamed in at least one if not two sizes, they all get chamfered, and they all get spot drilled. Plus, we need to position these holes as accurately as possible. We can set up a work offset on the machine for the left corner of the fixed jaw, and the g-code will also know exactly where to find the vise and can assume that corner is part zero. Now if we design parts with that in mind, we save all sorts of time. Fixture Plates will save you time, but they have a couple other advantages too. They present a clean path for coolant and chips to escape. They also help protect your machine’s table from crashes, dings, and other damage.

With an accurate Fixture Plate, you can machine big parts in sections, moving the part to allow access to each section. That’s very hard to impossible to do with T-Slots.Works equally well with soft, green or hard woods. The curved blade is relatively easy to sharpen. Available in three sizes only: 3/8 inch (9.5 mm), 7/16 inch (11.1 mm) and 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Simpler maintenance: Full access to subgrade enables re-levelling in the event of rutting from vehicles These cutters made by Veritas can be used two ways. Using them like a hand-held pencil sharpener, you can put accurate tenons on the tips of turnings or on rustic furniture components. The cutters can also be used with a power feed to make accurate dowelling.