Using faceplates?

[sp1nm0nkey]

Just how tricky can I get with face plates? Can I literally put any mill stuff (step clamps, small angle plates) on it with the consideration that there will be a huge radial force on it rather than a linear one, or are there certain no-nos since it's gonna be a huge spinning mass.

[dhiruj]

hi, are you asking about magnetic plates used on milling machines

[Alfonzo]

I once had an interesting experience with a face plate. I had an off-center angle bracket mounted with some counterweights to balance. The counterweights came loose and shot up vertically punching through the ceiling whilst similtaneously destroying the workshop lighting circuit and plunging us into darkness. Didn't half make us jump

[spykerbotdotcom]

Usual to counterbalance and not wreck the shop. (Tighten every thing properly) Lower speeds are safer but not always the best for finish. But vibration from off balance machine also no good. Enjoy the ride

[DareBee]

It is common practise.
Care and consideration MUST be used.

[Servo Wizard]

spin,

Chances are that if you could perform the work using a spindle face plate then you could accomplish the task on a vertical milling machine by using a boring head with the cutting tip turned inwards.

Servo

[Les A W Harris]

Originally Posted by sp1nm0nkey Just how tricky can I get with face plates? Can I literally put any mill stuff (step clamps, small angle plates) on it with the consideration that there will be a huge radial force on it rather than a linear one, or are there certain no-nos since it's gonna be a huge spinning mass.

Face plates were around long before chucks, as advised above, Think up your solution, secure firmly and go for it!
Cheers, Les H.

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[DareBee]

That's pretty horny ^

[Mcgyver]

spin, like others of said (and shown!), it is very versatile and can be pressed into all kinds of service. think of the generations model engineers who turned out some of the most beautiful stuff in metal and who only dreamed of owning a mill.

Balance the load as best you can, run at low speeds and remember a lot of these set ups leverage the cutting force so compensate buy using less DOC

Les takes the prize, no competition, however here are some other, more pedestrian ideas

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...nfaceplate.jpg

(These two halves to a ring were forged - torch and vice gripes, scraped on one side, the soft soldered onto the 3/8 packing you see in the pic). here;s a gratuitous shot showing the finished ring, turned od, id and faced http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ercomplete.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...0/DSCN8959.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...0/DSCN8953.jpg

the last one isn't the best set up, in that there is nothing anchoring the packing blocks but it was a very low speed lapping operation. Also keep in mind this is not the milling table - if you torque down too much you will pull out a hunk of cast iron. as always when clamping, its best to have the force opposed by the packing/parallels etc.

Also, nothing wrong with attaching a big slab of aluminum to a backplate or faceplate itself and tapping where needed.

[philbert]

You should do this with any set up, but particularly with faceplate work, be sure to check clearances with your toolpost and carriage by hand turning the spindle before you start cutting. Be sure to check at the extremes of your cut too - no point checking that there is clearance only at the start of (say) a boring operation.

Sounds obvious, but sometimes you can be so focussed on the setup that you forget this basic stuff (I know I have!)(

[pepo]

Best advice I can give is to avoid strap clamps when you can. Leverage is the key to getting away with this stuff. Keep in mind that the closer to center the clamping is the less it will do. I try to set things up with the faceplate on the bench then mount and make adjustments as required. Block things in.