Home Machine Shop Tool Making - Machining A Finger Plate Clamping Tool - Part 2
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Machine Shop Tool Making, Machining A Finger Plate Clamping Tool - Part 2, by Clickspring.
A Finger Plate clamping tool is a valuable tool in any workshop, and is a great mini mill and mini lathe project. In this second and final part of the Finger Plate clamping tool build, I finish off the tool, by making the clamping finger, lifting screw and drilling jig bushings.
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If you would like to help support the creation of these videos, then head on over to the Clickspring Patreon page: / clickspring
Project Plans available from the Clickspring Store:
www.clickspring...
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Cameras used in this video:
Panasonic GH5 - amzn.to/2rEzhh2
Panasonic X920 - amzn.to/2wzxxdT
Tools & Shop Products:
"Solidworks 2013 Bible": amzn.to/2FObS1D
"Machinery's handbook": amzn.to/2pi7XE5
Dykem 80300 Steel Blue Layout Fluid, Brush-in-Cap (4oz): amzn.to/2HGPaJJ
Digital Calipers: amzn.to/2IkFh4O
Dormer A190202 Jobber Drill Set, 1.0 mm - 6.0 mm x 0.1 mm Size: amzn.to/2DR5fdb
Dormer A190203 Jobber Drill Set, 6.0 mm - 10.0 mm x 0.1 mm Size: amzn.to/2ITfeTa
Blue Matador Abrasive Paper - amzn.to/2IAFiBT
Loctite 231097 603 Retaining Compound, 10 mL: amzn.to/2pid6vR
Abbreviated Transcript:
00:28 Anyway first things first, it needs to be marked out on a strip of mild steel plate. The symmetry of the part means that if I mark off the various dimensions along a center line,
00:56 I can then construct the rest of the shape using an engineers square and protractor. I must get around to buying some radius gauges for marking out. In the meantime, this washer will do the trick. You can see I'm opening up four holes.
02:21 The two outer ones are for later threading, and the two inner ones will form the end curves of the internal slot.
02:52 To make the slot, I started out with an undersized slot mill, and then once I had broken through, I moved the cutter closer to the line on each side, to bring the slot to size.
03:18 So thats the inside cutting complete, now for the edges. The band saw takes care of most of the waste stock. And I used the belt sander and filing machine to bring it closer to the line.
04:00 I've left it a little short of the line , to allow for a bit of finishing later. Now for those chamfered surfaces. First the depth of cut is marked out. And then its off to the mill.
04:45 This part is like the base; the surface of the raw stock is kind of rough. So I gave it a bit of time on some 240 grit paper, to clean it up and to leave a nice surface finish. And that's the clamping finger complete. You can see how it can be swung around the stud, to bring either end into use.
05:26 Now for the Lifting screw thumb wheel. This one was made very much like the clamping nut. I started with the knurl; trimmed off the end, and then drilled and threaded the center.
06:07 Once parted off, it becomes a bit hard to hold, so I used this cap screw as a mandrel, and did the rest of the turning while it was on that. I used a graver to form the dome. And then gave it very light touch with some emery paper.
06:45 A bit of loctite holds the threaded rod in place, and that's the tool basically done. All I need to finish the job, is a set of bushings for the cross hole jig.
07:08 Now the bushings are basically just a shouldered cylinder, with a hole drilled down the center, matching whatever size drill you intend to use for the cross hole.
08:33 I've faced off the end of the rod to have a look at the hole; As best as I can tell, its where it should be. The drilling feels quite stable, and the tool is easy to hold.
08:49 I can see this tool is going to get a lot of use on the belt sander and filing machine too. And if I'm working on something that tends to grab like brass, I can lock it down on the vise,and know that its going to sit tight.
References:
Finger Plate Clamping Tool books and plans (let me know if you are aware of any others):
"Workshop Practice Series Number 31" Stan Bray
www.teepublishi...
"Tools For The Clockmaker And Repairer" John Wilding
www.ritetimepub...
"The Model Engineers Workshop Manual" George H Thomas
www.teepublishi...
"Model Engineer Magazine" Edition Vol 104, Issue 2596, 1951 Commander W.T. Barker
www.itech.net.a...
"The Machinist's Bedside Reader" Guy Lautard
pages 88-91
Machine Shop Tool Making, Machining A Finger Plate Clamping Tool - Part 2
I really love the shots of the marking fluid going down, it's such a gorgeous colour
+Rob Mckennie Thanks Rob, it really is a vivid color isn't it. Thanks for watching :)
Came because this old tony poked fun at you, and now all I can say is.... LET THE BINGE BEGIN!!!! Thanks for the incredible videos!
Isaac
I'm out of words. I never saw that level of finesse and precision in fabricating parts by hand like that. I say by hand because despite using lathe, milling machine or else, material still needs to to be marked up, grinned, milled, you name it, using the touch of a clocksmith in order to have these parts slip into each other like they do in your videos. Please keep on showing us how nice one can turn raw piece of material into work of art. Thanks for that.
This is not just a clamping fixture but a work of art too.
These videos are fantastic!
Drunken Woodworker Thanks David.
Super high quality videos...and very interesting, too! Thanks!
I'm an HVAC tech... but I'm also a 'maker'. I found this channel cause I was watching puzzle solutions from the guy you made the card press for. Today I just happened to be working in a place that trains young people to be machinists, no tuition. If I wasn't 60, I'd seriously consider applying. I've crafted things using just home made jigs on my drill press, and hand tools. It's Saturday night and I'm watching some guy show me machinist skills.... I don't have your tools, but I'm willing to bet, some of the stuff I've learned will help me make something down the road. Either way, I have eternity ahead of me and some day I'll get to do this as well as learning to play the cello.
It is refreshing to see a craftsman take such care with their work. Great learning videos for those of us who do not have the machines to see how they can be used with care and attention to details in a home shop format. I would like to see a shop tour of how you lay out your machines and store your tools. I am sure lots of us could learn more organizational skills to use in our own home workshops. The camera work and sound editing on these clips is truly superior. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
+Larry Hansen Will do a shop tour at some point, but in the meantime: www.clickspringprojects.com/blog/from-little-things Great to have you watching Larry
The smoothness of your work is pleasant 😊
Thanks Chris - in the middle of making this now, and is so good to take a coffee break and watch the vids again and again.
It's a kind of magic ... I believe it will make you happy. Thank you for letting us take part.
Very nice work. I am stuck with these videos for one week. I can't get enough of the fine workmanship and the clear and soothing narrative. Thank you for inspiring me to get back to work and use my hands ands tools! Keep up the good work!
Your videos are amazing and inspiring- I am a jeweler and I can think of a half dozen tools that I can't get anywhere that I would like to make with a lathe and mill. So even though the lathe and mill are an investment, I think in the long run they will pay off. I have learned a lot from you. Thanks
Cheers Jonathan, great to have you watching :)
Chris, your work is among the very best that I've ever seen. Well done, mate. Excellent craftsmanship all the way around, from the parts and tools, to the video. Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in Aaron :)
This is not a shop tool, this is a piece of art, thanks for your video, it's amazing job
Thanks for watching :)
Awesome,
The design, layout, machining, details on the parts and the extra effort to make the part look good (the crown on the nut and the bevel on the clamp) is the proof of your skill and passion.
The Video, music and the presentation is awesome. You got a subscriber from INDIA. Looking at such skill and presentation is inspiring. Keep rolling :)
Mukhthar Ahmed Cheers Mukhthar, very pleased to have you on board :)
Wow! The art of marking out, very few apprentices will know this now!!! So important!!!
Thank you Chris for these wonderful videos, you can definitely see the effort and care put into each one. I'm not a machinist (as much as I wish I were), but I love watching machining videos and yours are the best I've seen, and it's rather awe inspiring to see you make nearly every single thing you use. I can't wait to see more!
Very nice, classic, old school machining!! You don't see layout like that much anymore. Very nice work and great video!
Tony Rouleau Thanks very much Tony.
That looks like such a handy tool and I can see how something like it could come in handy in the woodshop as well. So slick, Chris. Scott
Aristocob Thanks Scott.
Hi Chris, I love the cunning way you held the finger on your angle plate in the vice. I can use that trick. Thanks for the clue.
Clickspring you amaze me with your skill, you're so meticulous, and thorough! For sure one of the most talented machinist I've seen!!! Thanks for sharing....
A great motivational video. Very professional finish and a fantastic tool that I will definitely try for myself. Thank you SO much.
Beautiful purpose built mill clamp. The machining is par excellance!
This is beautiful. Wish I had a little home machine shop like yours!
+Warren Postma Thanks for watching Warren!
Mate, your videos are second to none... Amazing skill, beautiful work... 👍
What a nice tool you made there. Once again you made first class quality. I'll copy that little tool for my workshop, thank's for sharing.
Terrific to hear that KK, thanks for tuning in :)
Wow!
VERY nice production quality too! I liked the spin around the angle plate.
Hirudin Cheers Hirudin, thanks very much for tuning in :)
man even the tools you make are a thing of beauty and a joy to watch their build processes...another awesome set of videos sir!
+TheBearuk1 Thank you mate, appreciate you taking the time to watch.
Outstanding work, new to metalworking! I’m a woodworker; however I just added to my humble shop a South bend 13” tool-room lathe and a friend willing to educate me on its operations! Can’t wait to get started on some basics, and “UA-cam” will be my other source for information. It is a desire but not a need. As always, thanks’ for taking the time to make this video! And I support this site. ~M~
Mike A Drover Excellent Mike, you're of and running now :)
You are incredibly talented!
Real handy tool holder Chris.
I don't do metalwork, woodworking is my hobby and a wooden device inspired by this will come in handy for working on small pieces and what not. Thanks for the video! Subscribed, 5 videos before lol.
+Ali Haidar Cheers Ali, I appreciate your sub
Beautiful video work on all of these tutorials instructions are exceptionally clear and concise . They are a real pleasure to watch.
Terrific to have you watching Donald :)
Excellent videos of very interesting projects without unnecessary and time consuming details. Well done thank you!
rc manos Cheers!
Amazing tool, thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and your family
Your videos are a guilty pleasure. There is something primal about watching tools shape metal.
Your videos have great music, editing and voice-overs. Keep it up and best wishes for future endeavors!
Arjun Shenoy Thank you very much Arjun! Very pleased you're enjoying the videos, more on the way :)
Im an apprentice locksmith, in my first year now and only starting to work on the lathe and mill, i gotta say damn your work is inspiring! Keep it up =)
+Grimmel EJ Thank you very much mate, I appreciate you tuning in :)
How ya goong mate, AV also sent me to your videos, and now I'm hooked. the most clear concise and well presented videos i have seen on youtube. keep up the good work....very inspiring
Machining A Finger Plate Clamping Tool - Part 2
In this second and final part of the Finger Plate clamping tool build, I finish off the tool, by making the clamping finger, lifting screw and drilling jig bushings.
#lathe #milling #machining
+Clickspring whats the purple stuff you put on the piece
+The Pilot Penguin, it's Dykem 80300 Steel Blue Layout Fluid. See time 0:57 in the video.
Syncubus thx
Your works are incredible.
Great work, like the way you spend time on the finnish.
Jeffrey Miller Thanks for watching Jeffrey.
That is a beautiful little tool
Everything about your work, from the parts you make to the videos themselves, is immaculate. Very impressive!
+Syncubus Thanks for watching :)
Excellent work. Thanks for sharing.
Outstanding, great ideas and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing.
Glenn Felpel Cheers Glen, thanks for checking it out.
Beautiful workmanship!
Another woodworker who found his way here thanks to The Drunken Woodworker's Twitter feed. With exactly zero exposure to metal working I always assumed some kind of dark magic was involved in making things like this. But thanks to UA-cam I'm realising that although the tools look bigger, angrier and more expensive, the reductive process isn't that different.
Great videos, look forward to seeing more.
craym0nk Thanks for watching. I've been watching you woodworkers and thinking the exact same thing. Although I think your tools are bigger and angrier... have you seen Frank Howarths jointer!
Great video and your work is spot on, been in the workshop today to make a Finger Plate Clamping Tool, as you say great for small items. Nice to be in the workshop for an hour or so over Christmas!!!
Regards Dave.
+DAVID TRUMAN Cheers Dave :)
Nice work. Great channel, glad I found it.
arduinoversusevil sent me here and now I'm hooked! Great videos man!
Surprisingly soothing videos
great job ! you really have a good sense for the finish of your parts. good stuff.
MrTallbeck Thank you MrTallbeck. I'm trying out a new tin lap in this weeks video, for polishing pinion flanks.
Chris I've watched them all at this point. I've learned a lot and your video production skills are just as impressive as the work itself. Top notch, thanks and keep them coming. Why am I shopping for a metal lathe now!? Cheers
+Andrew Cullen ha ha! That's how the addiction starts! Cheers mate :)
A lovely little tool. I now know what a finger plate is! I can imagine that a wooden (or plastic) variant could be useful in a wood workshop too. I'm wondering if this design would hold tight enough for router table work, or if side-clamping is still the better way to do that. That filing machine also looks really useful, especially with triangular and round files.
The old timers really knew how to design functional and aesthetically pleasing tools!
l0ckcr4ck3r Agreed! There are so many cool tools hiding in those old catalogues too. Great designs, some of them just beautiful.
Really fantastic. Inspirational
What a great little tool.
These are some great videos! You are an artist, both for how you work with machine tools and for the filming. Greetings from Italy.
olivierTUBO Thanks very much for watching Olivier.
Thanks for posting this video. I'd seen pictures and descriptions of the finger plate in G H Thomas' book(s) but never got around to making one. Your video provided the inspiration to complete one today. Making the finger plate completes my having made virtually all of the tools GHT has described. Now perhaps I won't scarify fingertips when drilling small holes and holding the part on a block of wood without the benefit of clamps. Thanks again and keep up the good work on the skeleton clock.
Regards,
Alan S, British Columbia, Canada
Alan S Cheers Alan, thanks very much for tuning in.
I made 1 of these and its such a useful tool saves the fingers
Have been trying to get this toolmaking. It’s a guide to apprentices first jobs.😊
Now that is a really handy tool. I'm going to make one.
+Grant Shuttleworth Cool! I use mine all the time. Thanks for watching :)
Superb in both conception and execution.
Great build !
Here we go with the graver... the skill that only a few possess!
true craftsmanship ... great work.
Nitin Rajeev Thanks for watching Nitin.
That's really impressive.
Just love the delicate work, very well done 👍🏻
Ryan Degiorgio Thanks very much for watching Ryan.
Beautiful work! Very useful tool. Keep on.
SAA 77 Will do.Part 2 out on Wed. Thanks for watching.
Very very usefull tool! Thanks for sharing clickspring! I will definitely try and machine one for my shop! Oh and the small tips you give through out the video are really helpful, i'm really learning a lot! Thanks mate!
+Luka Radakovic Cheers Luka, great to have you watching :)
Such a useful tool, and just as beautiful! Great work
dustinc1820 Dustin Collins Thanks Dustin
Excellent. No more burned fingers trying to hold tiny parts on the belt-sander!
(Spoilsport...)
For a small machine shop in home - you sure do big work and outstanding tooling jobs. Just stumbled upon this channel again and very happy I did. Have you made any recent videos lately - would really like to catch up on your work. Three thumbs up mate.
You are amazing man! period.
Man your work is great. Keep the videos coming
Knicelydone Will do. Thanks for watching.
I hate watching ads but I'll do it 'cause it helps Clickspring.
Wow! AWESOME VIDS, very informative and beneficial for all.
eddie Towers Cheers Eddie, thanks for dropping by!
great job, I could see this being very usefull for some work I do counter boaring on brass lock cylinders and drilling holes in brass rod. Keep up the great work!
Brilliant Job
Gotta love well made tools. Good stuff.
George Harris Cheers George, thanks for watching.
Pleasures all mine
You have a great voice, love your videos, keep them coming, good luck.
+DIECASTER Cheers mate, I appreciate your support :)
Love this build Chris TFS. G
These videos have an odd calming effect. It's been ages since I used a lathe and I really miss it. Sometimes I wish I could change professions and go back to using my hands
+Kostas Pagratis Very pleased you're enjoying the vids Kostas. I think you are right - there is something very satisfying and fulfilling about making things with your hands. Thank you for watching mate :)
Brilliant!!!
thank you for doing these videos
+Blackened Platypus My pleasure BP, thanks for taking the time to watch 'em :)
That would be on the mantle piece in our house 👌🏿
Thank you for the wonderful experience have joined us and are waiting for new works
+Bouaziz Tarik Thank you for watching :)
Great channel, great video with attention to detail.
sincitymachinist Thank you.
Great video! Nice job on making and editing the video.
Ted Johnston Cheers Ted!
Keep up the good work
On the lifting screw, wouldn't it be a good idea to add a little brass tip to the end of the screw so that the screw doesnt mar the steel?
+SeriouslySharp Absolutely, I really wish I had thought of it! I currently use a little scrap of sheet brass, but I really should get around to doing it properly... Cheers mate :)
Da gusto ver un video de ésta calidad, tanto en el aspecto visual como de la forma de trabajar los materiales. Simplemente EXCELENTE.
Pablo Saro Muchas gracias Pablo, me alegro mucho de que te haya gustado.
Love your videos mate! Keep up the good work!
+Bubbibjoern Thanks for watching.
+Clickspring My pleasure! I'm a toolmaker and I love watching manufacturing vids.
Very Nice!
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Norway.
1814Custom Cheers!
i watch these and end up falling asleep... something about the way he mutes the loud noises theyre kind of soft and soothing
Me too
His voice is soothing too. Very calm.
This would be good for leather work as well, I use small wooden dowels often, and shape tiny pieces of aluminum/brass for accents/latches/etc.
Plus... you can never have too many clamps!
I like the clamping nut
Stunning work. Thank you!
howiemnet Cheers!