CLAMPING WORK IN THE VICE

First, be sure the vice is securely fastened to the table, and the swivel locked. When clamping work in the vice, place the piece solidly on the ways of the vice between the jaws, use parallels of the right height to raise the work above the jaws sufficiently to allow cutting to be done without the tool touching the vice. Proceed to tighten the vice with one hand; at the same time, lightly tap the work downward with a small hammer. This is to overcome the lifting tendancy of the sliding jaw when it is being tightened. A piece of paper put between the work and the vice jaws will be of great benefit in this operation.

CLAMPING WORK ON THE TABLE

When work cannot satisfactorily be held in the vice for shaping, the vice must be removed and the work clamped either directly to the table, or to a special fixture. An angle plate with holes in the wing can conveniently be fastened directly to the table by bolts.

SQUARING OR CUTTING FLATS ON SHAFTS

For this type of operation the work is held in the vice. The tool post slide and clapper should be in a vertical position. To square a shaft, first cut one side. Then rotate the work a quarter turn for the next cut. Check for trueness by holding a square against the top of the table with the vertical arm of the square against the flat and on the shaft. Clamp in the vice in this position and re-check in this manner before cutting the next side.

DOVETAILING

When performing a dovetailing operation, the work may be held either in the vice, or in a fixture, depending upon the shape of the work. Set the tool post to the desired angle, and tilt the clapper so that the tool lifts off and away from the work on the return stroke. Bad work will result if this is not done.

CUTTING KEYWAYS

A cutting tool ground to proper size and shape will be suitable for cutting small keyways. Provide sufficient clearance behind the cutting edges of the tool - the sides as well as the bottom - as the sides are also cutting away stock.

When using a narrow tool for cutting wide key-ways, cut a slot the width of the tool first, then cut away the sides until the proper width is obtained.

If a keyway is desired along the entire length of a shaft, which is considerably longer than the maximum stroke of the shaper, this can be accomplished be having the table offest to the left, so that the work will clear the machine as it is moved back for continuing the cutting of the keyway. The clapper should also be tilted towards the left.

INTERNAL SHAPING AND KEYSEATING

This kind of work is usually held in the vice. A special tool projects ahead of the holder a little further than the length of cut. In some cases of internal shaping, the clapper action must be limited.

One method is toinsert a fairly stiff spring under the shank of the tool holder just above the hinge of the clapper. It must be remembered that the purpose of the clapper is to relieve the pressure on the tool point during the return stroke while it is being fed for the next cut.

Internal shaping is a delicate task because the tool will have a strong tendancy to bite into the work, and extreme care must be taken in feeding, especially downward.

CUTTING TAPERS AND WEDGES

When cutting tapers, the vice will be found the most convenient fixture. Clamp the work in the jaws firmly, set the swivel to the desired angle and tighten the bolts. A combination of angles can be cut on the same piece without removing it from the vice, simply by setting the swivel to different angles. In most taper and angle cutting, the tool is fed across the surface and the depth of cut is controlled by the cross slide. The width of the surface is limited by the travel of the tool slide.

In general, however the operator will set up his work so as to take advantage of the power feed.

To make a wedge with only a slight angle, the work may be clamped in an inclined position in the vice, one end being raised to the desired height, but all parts should rest as solidly as possible.

RACK AND GEAR CUTTING

Cutting gear or ratchet teeth in racks is a comparatively simple operation, whereas cutting teeth on a radius necessitates the use of a special indexing fixture.