Irregular parts clamping jig

[Brian Harnett]

I made this up for surfacing a bunch of tree rounds, could be useful for other applications.

The one fence is fixed the other pivots on a single bolt the air cylinder I am using is overkill, I regulated it way down or it would have ripped the fence off the table.

Sandpaper is glued to all holding surfaces.

http://i.imgur.com/owF8IUZ.jpg (http://imgur.com/owF8IUZ)

http://i.imgur.com/AEkPOAr.jpg (http://imgur.com/AEkPOAr)

http://i.imgur.com/efL2Vt9.jpg (http://imgur.com/efL2Vt9)

[Davo]

Why not double sided sticky tape?

[Brian Harnett]

Double sided tape would not work, the rounds are rough right off the chainsaw and I am doing multiples, clamp release grab the next one. the one pictured had already been surfaced.

Double stick is good for a one off flat project I use it occasionally.

[knight_toolworks]

I do the same thing with some scrap plywood and a nail gun. just nail scraps around the edges. though most fo the rounds I flatten are heavy enough to stay in place on their own.

[Burkhardt]

I think that is a good idea. For that matter, any idea that works is a good idea....
I would be tempted to run the slices through the drum sander with 40 grit abrasive planing belt (like these) (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KaDJrPUKMqU/U7oRrAhMIwI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/CX7QBGRgXDA/w1137-h853-no/DSC02568.JPG)but maybe that would not be as efficient or gum up the abrasive.

[Brian Harnett]

I think that is a good idea. For that matter, any idea that works is a good idea....
I would be tempted to run the slices through the drum sander with 40 grit abrasive planing belt (like these) (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KaDJrPUKMqU/U7oRrAhMIwI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/CX7QBGRgXDA/w1137-h853-no/DSC02568.JPG)but maybe that would not be as efficient or gum up the abrasive.

Sanding would be an issue with these they vary in thickness from one side to another up to 3/8 or so I just cut a bunch off a tree I was milling I will be cutting a butterfly joint in the cracks and making stools out of them with proper under support they should not spit more they are dried to 8-9 percent, I will find out soon enough.

[Bob Eustace]

Nice idea Brian. Pneumatics are just so overlooked in CNC yet it truly is an amazing time saver and just so controllable. Its unbelievable just how cheap solenoid valves have become. We have one on each DC gate so it opens as soon as the machine starts. From memory I think you were messing with this as well??

Brian, have you "discovered" AliXpress for all air stuff? Only marginally cheaper than Ebay but most freight is free. Its an amazing site. We are doing a bunch of ukuleles at present and use all their gear - leaves Amazon way behind as again no freight. Good example is maple/rosewood necks and fretboards fully 3D machined at 5 for $74.00. Also great for those making jewellery boxes as their hardware is amazingly cheap without being **** quality. Couldnt exist without them competition wise!

[Ajcoholic]

Yup, pneumatic clamping is sweet.

Cylinders and control valves can be had fairly inexpensively if you go used or import (which seem to be good quality still).

Just actually got another cylinder and two control valves for another project in the mail this afternoon. I have two larger cylinders/clamps I made up that I use on my 10' sliding panel saw to hold sheets down. And on the shaper sled for door parts.

Many uses, faster and much more convenient than traditional clamps.

[Brian Harnett]

Pneumatics have a lot of uses depending on control valving I used them extensively when I was working at my old job.Here is a machine I made to dado Adirondack chair back slats it saved a ton on mistakes on spacing and the person shaping them just fed the hopper.

The machine in the video is the second, 2003 vintage the first I made in 1998 but it was lost in a fire in 2002. A 5 port pilot valve and pulse valves ran the machine for the cycles. The video is not very good quality compared to the cameras we have now.
https://vimeo.com/71855840

[Designer]

This is a huge help to me. Thanks for posting it.