Overlooking the Obvious

Sep 24, 2025 0 Replies

When I can make a mold that I think will sell more than one I like to find or make a fixture plate that will allow me to cut more than one piece at a time. Its handy for some things to have a single reference point machined into the plate with hard stops for each piece. It makes the plate less universal, but its very fast to setup for a second, third, fourth batch.



Its not always as universal as I would like. I've found with open ended fixture plates, and a single adjustable work stop I can setup multiple rows of mold plates. I often have to leave a small gap between them or parting line air vents would leave marks on non vented plates or in in appropriate places on the next mold plate.



I would set one plate in the first row, and hten use a precision straight edge to set the first plate in the next row, then use a gage block to set the next plate in each row. Yesterday I was thinking it might be handy to have multiple gage blocks, and then I realized I have several sets of cheap to mid price parallels. Thickness isn't always perfect, but height is very good. Even on the cheapest sets.



I set the first plate, threw down a parrallel and pinched it in place with the next block in the same row. Then I just pinched the other end of it with the first pair plates in the next row. I placed 6 plates (all that would fit) almost as fast as I could tighten down the edge clamps. It might not be perfect, but is definitely with in the set of values defined as "good enough."



I presize blanks manually on another mill these days, so across six plates total positional variation is within a couple thousandths. Alignment of features from plate to plate is as good as the machine.



I know. I know, it only saves a few minutes, but I begrudge minutes that could be saved.


Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required