How to fixture bodies for milling?

[russc]

Anyone have tips on how to fixture a gun body for milling? Do you bolt it to a base plate using frame screws? Or do you clamp it in a soft jaw vise?

Looking for inspiration!

[Siress]

Ydna has done a great video on this topic. Check out his youtube channel to see his various methods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koNMFFM4ELA

[russc]

Looks like he incorporates precision pins into his bodies to index them on his fixtures. I could do a similar mounting plate, but it wouldn't have the pins and would be trammed by hand every time. My big question would be whether two frame screws are good enough if I'm not using pins. My machine is like 3/4HP with 1/4" end mills so it's not like I'm doing huge cuts...

[Siress]

There isn't much point to the mounting plate if you locate it the traditional way each time. Just anchor the bolts themselves without a plate. As for if the frame screw threads are good enough, they certainly are if you limit the cutting loads appropriately. I've hogged out >30lb of titanium on a single part using nothing but spray adhesive to hold it down.

[Ecapnation]

Depends on how/what you are doing....

I've made a few different fixtures over the years

[russc]

I've got some Autococker bodies that I want to do some cosmetic cuts on - 2, maybe 3 setups.

[DavidBoren]

The frame screws should be fine for what you are doing.

You could also make a fixture that engages both the frame screws and the front block threads. Make the fixture "L-shaped" with the small leg of the "L" pointing up. Drill a hole that aligns with the banjo bolt, and secure it to the body like a front block. Then put the frame screws through the long, horizontal leg of the "L". I am terrible at explaining these things, sorry.

[Freerider_79.1]

I like that “L” mount idea... really depends on what you want to do and if you need to easily locate the part. Just flat topped 2 right feed autocockers.... I knew I was only doing 2 and no need to adjust the piece so clamped in a vise was good enough.