WTB - Set of slotted Angle Plates 4"-6" tall.

[YYCHM]

It's time to get a set of angle plates. If you have some to part with let me know please.

Also, any suggestions as to where to purchase is appreciated. Can't find any on AliExpress and Amazon is as expensive or even more than BB.

On another note.... how would one use a non-slotted angle plates?

 

[PeterT]

KBC has a decent selection. You would have to confirm the weight but suspect within the max limit for flat fee shipping. (If it exceeds they just charge you more but its not horrendous). The one I have is made in China cast iron but decently accurate for most hobby purposes. You typically bolt them to mill table & then strap clamp you part using the slots. Gives more vertical support than what a vise can offer in some setups.
https://www.kbctools.ca/CatSearch/333/slotted-angle-plates

 

[YYCHM]

KBC has a decent selection. You would have to confirm the weight but suspect within the max limit for flat fee shipping. (If it exceeds they just charge you more but its not horrendous). The one I have is made in China cast iron but decently accurate for most hobby purposes. You typically bolt them to mill table & then strap clamp you part using the slots. Gives more vertical support than what a vise can offer in some setups.
https://www.kbctools.ca/CatSearch/333/slotted-angle-plates

I'm sold. Going to try KBC for the first time. Any idea how to choose one that has slots that match your mill table slots? Or maybe suggest a size appropriate for a 8.5" X 29" table.

 

[PeterT]

They don't list slot dimensions, darn. Seems to me this is around when I discovered many accessories are orientated to Bridgeport standard tables. Whereas imports like my RF45 & probably your mill may well be different slot to slot distances. I could measure mine but it may not do you any good if its not the same model. I know I elected to get the one without the corner web even though that feature will make it more stable & rigid. I thought it might interfere or limit set up options, for example C-clamping parts directly vs strap clamps. Geez I'll have to dig mine out, I haven't had it mounted in a while. It might also be ground on all faces not just the 2 primary like example. But I seem to recall its only 4".

You can see these examples - one face has slots going one direction only & other face in both directions. Just different picture orientation. I may have had my T slot orientated along the red line so I could put 2 bolts in regardless. I guess it kind of depends on how you are holding the part, size of part, where it has to be relative to spindle etc.

Maybe other guys who use these more have more constructive advice.

 

[PeterT]

On another note.... how would one use a non-slotted angle plates?

Sorry I missed your question. To be quite honest I usually find some way to use my mill vise most of the time. But my vise is ground on side edges so it can table mount like this whereas the cast lug style cannot. The slotted angle plates are generally for supporting bigger parts. I think the smaller all-ground ones get a lot more use in surface grinding. I have used my smaller one for milling by clamping parts to it. Do you have a specific application in mind or you just think they would be generally useful?

Don has some words of wisdom.

 

[YYCHM]

Ya, even the KBC over all dimensions are ambiguous. I'm thinking 6" high is over kill, but 5 would be ok. The webbed one's appear to be the way to go? Dunno?

 

[PeterT]

What application do you have in mind?

I've seen people use them single or in pairs primarily milling a face of a long bar for example. But maybe a 'big mill' job depending on table movement. Or a tall or irregular piece or casting maybe... that needs the side support that a vise jaw wont provide. But as a rough guess the absolute biggest would be dictated by your end mill/milling head to table height. I don't use mine a ton but that's mostly a function of work I do.

If your vise is wide enough you can sandwich 123 blocks to gain vertical support. Some people use 246 blocks & bolt them to the table. They are precision ground on all surfaces & clones can be had like 123.

 

[Brent H]

@YYCHobbyMachinist : you can also make your own if you pick up some angle iron that is nice and thick (3/4") for example. Check the Harold Hall book - #35 Milling Chapter 3: Angle Plate

He discusses making one from a cast iron piece of angle but same principle for the steel as far as set up etc. Then you can mill the slots to fit your table

 

[RobinHood]

I have both, webbed and straight angle plates. I use them mostly for support of awkward parts.

Also to hang parts off the back of the mill table. Here is the 12x6x5 in use.

Angle plates are one of those tools that collect a lot of dust for the most part; but when you need one, you really need one because there is just no other way of doing it.

 

[YYCHM]

Yup, I know what you mean about those things collecting dust. I made a set for my mini-mill out of angle iron and probably used them a whole 3 times. But when they got used it was the only solution to the mounting problem.

Boy, some of that KBC stuff is pretty spendy.

 

[Dabbler]

KBC stuff is pretty spendy

they can be. I have unwebbed angle plates, a 4X6, a 5X4, and lots of 1-2-3 blocks. You can also use Vee blocks to do setups as well.

For milling setups, go cheap - even cheap ones are plenty accurate.

For real small stuff 1-2-3 blocks can be made to do what you need (You'll need some long bolts to make them work.)

I'd say these would work fine for your mill:
https://www.busybeetools.com/products/angle-plate-4-5in.html
https://www.kbctools.ca/itemdetail/8-420-113

 

[YYCHM]

they can be. I have unwebbed angle plates, a 4X6, a 5X4, and lots of 1-2-3 blocks. You can also use Vee blocks to do setups as well.

For milling setups, go cheap - even cheap ones are plenty accurate.

For real small stuff 1-2-3 blocks can be made to do what you need (You'll need some long bolts to make them work.)

I'd say these would work fine for your mill:
https://www.busybeetools.com/products/angle-plate-4-5in.html
https://www.kbctools.ca/itemdetail/8-420-113

Thanks John. I ordered two of these https://www.kbctools.ca/itemdetail/8-420-113 $11 flat rate shipping for the pair so not too too bad.

I have V-Blocks but have never found an obvious use for them.

Got your phone message. I'd love to see your plates and discuss mounting strategies. I can't come over today as my grand daughters are coming over for a visit shortly. I'll contact you later this week.


Craig

 

[TOBARApprentice]

I have this one as an “odd one out”. I picked up 2 matched pairs of angle plates on kijiji so this one is an orphan. It’s 6 x 5 x 4.5 inches. Slots are 1/2 x 3 1/8 and 1/2 x 3 3/8. The steel is 11/16 and 5/8 thick. I’m heading out to Calgary next week for training and could bring it with me. I think I bought it at Busy Bee in Calgary if memory serves me. I’ve never used it so it still has the packing grease on it...... if you think $30 is fair and don’t mind driving to the Marriott at the airport to pick it up I’ll plan on bringing it along..... if not, no hard feelings. Cheers,

Derek.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[YYCHM]

I have this one as an “odd one out”. I picked up 2 matched pairs of angle plates on kijiji so this one is an orphan. It’s 6 x 5 x 4.5 inches. Slots are 1/2 x 3 1/8 and 1/2 x 3 3/8. The steel is 11/16 and 5/8 thick. I’m heading out to Calgary next week for training and could bring it with me. I think I bought it at Busy Bee in Calgary if memory serves me. I’ve never used it so it still has the packing grease on it...... if you think $30 is fair and don’t mind driving to the Marriott at the airport to pick it up I’ll plan on bringing it along..... if not, no hard feelings. Cheers,

Derek.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PM sent.

 

[YYCHM]

Angle plates arrived today via Purolator. Ordered Sunday, delivered Thurs. Not bad.

I think I went too small. The slots don't span two slots on the table. I suppose the non webbed plates would have made it across two table slots? The plate slots are wannabe 1/2" but in as cast condition and as such will need some cleanup to allow a 1/2" bolt to pass through.

Craig

 

[Dabbler]

in as cast condition and as such will need some cleanup to allow a 1/2" bolt to pass through

par for the course. You will enjoy the nice crisp, straight sides after you do.

-- consider facing 1/4" on each side of the slots; it makes tightening a lot easier as well (and more secure!)

 

[YYCHM]

Look what @TOBARApprentice brought to Calgary for me.....

Thanks Derek!