Machine help received

[Mike Davis]

Can someone here make 4 of these for me?
I have ordered 2 times, the specs are not complete and my table slots are not standard.

 

[BobbyB]

Hi Mike,

McMaster Carr sells various sizes of T- nuts and is most cost effective.

 

[Mike Davis]

Hi Mike,

McMaster Carr sells various sizes of T- nuts and is most cost effective.
View attachment 246557

They don’t fit my slots.
I need exactly what I posted.

 

[ptt49er]

Would plastic be strong enough?

 

[Mike Davis]

Would plastic be strong enough?

Since it is only a drill press and not a milling machine plastic may work.

Let's wait and see.

 

[Mike Davis]

Well, I ordered two more from McMaster-Carr, I will have to grind .040" off the top of each one.
Will try this before going any further.

 

[mdbuntyn]

You decided to do what I was going to suggest, but several years ago, I saw someone make custom t nuts from wood. Unfortunately, I don't remember who, and I can't find the video.

 

[Jack A.]

I have seen videos claiming that wood can take and hold threads very well. So maybe worth a try.

 

[Hmerkle]

That is what I did.
I got 3/8-16 threads with a 1" width and milled the shoulders to suit.

 

[Mike Davis]

You decided to do what I was going to suggest, but several years ago, I saw someone make custom t nuts from wood. Unfortunately, I don't remember who, and I can't find the video.

After two fails @ $11 and $9 I was frustrated. At least McMaster-Carr gives a good full engineering drawing of many parts and I trust their measurements after many decades of ordering from them unlike most of the Amazon and other suppliers who only give overall dimensions without the necessary details to make a qualified decision so you just have to take a chance and usually get it wrong. Unfortunately my Grizzly falls into the later category with poor to no product specs or frivolous information like package size instead of product size. So, possibly two more useless t-slot nuts but a much higher possibility of success with the added cost of $12.00 shipping for next day UPS which is the only way M-C will ship.

 

[Mike Davis]

That is what I did.
I got 3/8-16 threads with a 1" width and milled the shoulders to suit.

Only makes a little sense, but when the manufacturer has to mill the table .040" extra due to poor casting this is where we land. My metal working equipment consists of a 6" bench grinder, various belt sanders, and a drawer full of files.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have seen videos claiming that wood can take and hold threads very well. So maybe worth a try.

Yeah, I probably could mill them out of purple heart or Lignum Vita, I have the taps.

 

[mdbuntyn]

My metal working equipment consists of a 6" bench grinder, various belt sanders, and a drawer full of files.

Thankfully it's mild steel, so that .040" will come off in no time

 

[Michael Mathews]

what about 3D printed with an embedded 3/8-16 nut?

 

[ptt49er]

what about 3D printed with an embedded 3/8-16 nut?

That's what I was thinking of too.

 

[Wilsoncb]

You might find a T-bolt that would work in some set-ups…put the guide bars on the fence, or whatever is going on top of the table. In that case plastic or UHMW works well for the guides.

 

[Mike Davis]

This seems like a good idea for a contest. I can think of tools that don’t exist or aren’t made well and anyone can submit examples of their solution. To keep it fair I’ll choose another member or two for judges. And the winner is free to apply for patents. So, no postings of photos in public. I can get a NDA printed to sign before submission. I’ll have to figure out what to do for prizes.

 

[Mike Davis]

You might find a T-bolt that would work in some set-ups…put the guide bars on the fence, or whatever is going on top of the table. In that case plastic or UHMW works well for the guides.

If I had sets of parallel bars I could raise the vise off the table. But, I think grinding the nuts will be easier in the long run.

 

[Chris C]

Aluminum? This piece is 4 in Long... Can you cut it to length and tap it?

 

[BWSmith]

PM me an address. Will get them in the mail.