Gang Plate Dimensions

[rdsi]

When I download the Tormach models for the gang plate & riser the t-slot's don't lineup and it looks like they would not even go together at all! The first slot is different than both the 2nd & 3rd slots.

I called Tormach & they just gave me the lame excuse that their models are just approximations and that the real dimensions are proprietary.

Anyway, if someone with gang tooling could tell me the dimensions I would appreciate it?

From the models it shows:


It's not a lot but if these are the real dimension it looks like the mounting bolts will be cocked and the reference surfaces not necessarily in contact.

Maybe the actual gang plate slots are bigger than the model dimension of 0.472" or 12mm. Actually all I really need to know is if the riser dimension is really 1.378" (35mm). Then I can just correct the plate but it would still be nice to know what the plate really is.

So I decided to make my own gang plate because my saddle mating surface is not parallel to the spindle center-line.

I made my own QCTP mounting plate because of this issue & it worked out great -Cross Slide Variance

Thanks

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[Warren_3Deee]

I'll measure mine in a few hours when I get home, if you haven't gotten any replies by then. Interesting, my Tormach brand riser is very short.. in that I needed to use ALL the shims and it still wan't high enough to center tools w/ the spindle. I was also going to make a proper one rather than screw with the shims every time I moved it.

[jeffrey001]

Yes, very easy to do, install a new steel block on the plate, put the drill in the chuck and drill, you'll be sure about the height of the tool.

[Warren_3Deee]

Measured the actuals and they match your diagram. In other words, yes, the center of the riser to the plate is .020 variance, but in practice I didn't notice any issue.

[number40Fan]

Are you buying the gang tool holders and/or risers?

After seeing that you made your own QCTP mount and now your gang plate, I figure you'd make your own tools holders and riser too. If that is the case, you could make the t-slot spacing any dimension you like. If using the tool holders/risers, I'd probably get them first and make the plate fit them perfectly.

[maker of things]

Am I wrong to lean towards buying the blank tooling block and putting holes in on the lathe? Should be ordering a Slant soon.

[rdsi]

Are you buying the gang tool holders and/or risers?

Yep, I got a discount from Speedy Metals so for the gang plate & 2 risers the iron cost was only 135$ delivered.



I needed a t-slot cutter which I found for 27$ from Little Machine Shop & I’m thinking of getting a 7/16” End Mill from Shars ($44) just for this job. Although I probably have a EM laying around that I could use I’m kind of interested to see how the EM from Shars will work.

So I have everything else I need and it’s a breeze to make these parts on my 10X50 manual mill.

These parts from Tormach add up to: gang plate $345 + riser $165 + riser $165 = $675. My cost making them will about $205 so I’m saving $470 and will have a custom fit to my saddle.

Since I’m retired I’m count my time as free.

If the Tormach tool holders have an accurate 1/2” center-line I’ll probably just buy those. Otherwise I might make some of those too.

Am I wrong to lean towards buying the blank tooling block and putting holes in on the lathe?

I'm not putting any holes into the lathe - not sure what you mean here?

Thanks for the info ...

[maker of things]

Put holes into the tool holder. At least in my mind, if everything is mounted and the tool holder is drilled and reamed using the spindle, shimming should be unnecessary.

[maker of things]

Measured the actuals and they match your diagram. In other words, yes, the center of the riser to the plate is .020 variance, but in practice I didn't notice any issue.

Possibly to pull the riser against the plate in Z also?