CUTTING A STRAIGHT KEYWAY with BRIDGEPORT MILL tubalcain

[MrDeepwoodtickles]

Thanks for all the vids, they are very educational, am just beginning as a model engineer at 45 yr old, the insights you give are realy helpfull.Next project is a small milling machine,as i dont have space or cash for a big one.

[ruscccpsia2010]

Thought I would mention that if the shaft is large enough in diameter it can be clamped directly to the mill table parallel to one of the T slots. I like to just drop the shaft into the T slot and clamp the top of it with strap clamps. Doing it this way allows you to skip the process of indicating the vise and using V blocks to hold it securely.

[bcfcmarcus]

Surely you mean a slot drill, apose to an end mill?

[rodricki]

Always use a 2-flute endmill and cut the  TOTAL depth in ONE pass(SLOWLY)...or else you will have steps

By Rod Inab.

[730M]

Thanks Ill try that Bob

[730M]

Ive done a lot of slots in plates and keyways the problem I run into is doing slots in plates or sloting a hole they seem to wander and the line is not striaight is it because iam trying to use the side of the end mill and not the bottom and taking light passes and do you have a video on cutting slots Fellguy@aol.com

[mrpete222]

@730M I always have that problem with small dia cutters. Take many light cuts with a sharp bit.

[havebenthere]

Keep up the bridgeport vidios! Learning something everytime. Do you have any spline cutting you do on your bridgeport? Love to see anything you could show. Thanks!

[snoopdog68]

Im shocked at how many home shop guys cant do this, Iv done it 10,000 times

You can cut that key in one pass.

[snoopdog68]

Im shocked at how many home shop guys cant do this, Iv done it 10,000 times.

[ant2190]

Hello, just curious, what size is your vise?

[mrpete222]

@ant2190 5 inch

[ronnyswanton]

By your handle here I suspect you are a Free Mason. Great work I'm not a metal worker but find it fascinating .

Ronny

[bddc201]

BTW, that vise nut should have a washer under it.

[bddc201]

I've done a bunch of keyways and rarely ever use v-blocks, I just set the shaft on a parallel, tap down till it's solid then center against vise jaws or sometimes the very small portion of shaft sticking out of the vise. This way the shaft is solidly held in place. I also step over with a smaller end mill to get the best finish (that's just an appearance item, though), and to get a truly accurate cut dimensionwise. Don't mean to sound critical, your videos are very informative and I enjoy them.

[Berey23]

thank you very much for putting this up, it definitely helps me a lot in my course.

[19asres]

I am grateful for all the wonserful information and training you are putting out. I admire and deeply appreciate your gernerous spirit of sharing. I doubt if you will ever truly understasnd the magnitutude of your generosity and skill and the benfit you are bestowing on thousands of interested viewers like me. Thanks and pls keep up the good work. If there is anything I can do to reciprocate pls let me know.

With kind regards

Asress Araia- asres19@gmail.com

[mrpete222]

@19asres THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your support & encouragement.

[dc5000123]

How much do machine shops charge for cutting a keyway in a small engine crankshaft????

[mrpete222]

@dc5000123 No idea.

[TheManFromAlaska]

Another god vid. Thanks

[hvolboll]

Thanks .

[russtuff]

oops, i missed it the first time. starrett v-block.

thanks again!

[russtuff]

very much appreciated!

what are those blocks called that are holding the stock in the vice?

[calsonick]

@russtuff V blocks