Thanks to everyone for the replies! I think I've got my start up order list hammered out.
Phil H, I hear you on spending on the tooling. I'm going to leave about $500 from my budget unspent and save it for the tools I don't know I need yet.
DeusExMachina, I think clamping and indicating the piece is exactly the route I will go. I don't mind the extra work, since I will only make one (if it comes out right). I like that vice, and I added it to my "wish list" for things to by later on.
doanwannapickle, thanks for those recommendations. I'm going to get both of those items you linked, as well as some other stuff from that store. Like I said, I'm trying to use cheap stuff and upgrade to nice stuff later on. I think I have some hardwood that would be thick enough for the part, but I still need to work on a source for practice material. I use SolidWorks at work and have access to Mastercam at work too. My first parts will be for work, I'd like to look into open source cad/cam programs for designing stuff at home.
Hirudin, thanks for the advice. I've put the ez tram on my wish list too. Your mod looks interesting, I bookmarked the link. Most of the outside dimensions can be +/- .020 but there's a lip at the top that needs to be +/- .005.
Jeff-Birt, thanks. pm sent
I was having trouble finding the t-slot width on the taig. Is it 1/2"? I'm wondering if this is the right clamping kit: This kit work?:
http://www.shars.com/products/view/5...c_Clamping_Kit