123 blocks Dumb Question

1949DC · Post by **1949DC** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:02 pm

I have a Millrite, 8x36" with 5" vise. I recently purchased. I am a newbee but not a total idiot but you be the judge. I'm gathering tooling. My question: Do 123 blocks come in 1/2" holes? I would think one would at times want to secure block to the table. My table has 5/8" slots and use 1/2"-13 stud bolts but most blocks i've seen have 3/8" holes therefore am I required to make T nuts to fit a 3/8" stud bolt that fits the table slot I have. Is this a dumb thing to be asking as blocks are not used in this way? I am thinking of buying some to elevate the work piece so perimeter cuts can be made on thin pieces larger than the what the vise will hold. If I can run a stud bolt through the work piece then through the block and secure it to the T nut to secure without the need to move clamps.

Bill Shields · Post by **Bill Shields** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:10 pm

purchase a set of blocks and bore out holes as needed

1949DC · Post by **1949DC** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:14 pm

The blocks are no hardened ??

Post by **Harold_V** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 1:48 am

They are typically harder than the hinges of hell, so boring them would be quite challenging.

H

RMinMN · Post by **RMinMN** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:59 am

Use your mill to make new T-nuts with 3/8" tapped holes.

Bill Shields · Post by **Bill Shields** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:30 am

I put a carbide end mill through two holes in a set in a couple of hours. Granted they are cheapie blocks..but they serve the intended purpose...to lift a rotary table so that the handle clears the mill table.

tornitore45 · Post by **tornitore45** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:08 am

1-2-3 block are supposed to have some 3/8 threaded holes and some clearance holes for a 3/8 stud.
At some point in the history of transferring our industrial capability to China, were all sort of product are copied and cheapened, some knucklehead (here in the US or in China) made the mistake to drill all holes for tapping 3/8-16 and forgot or cost reduced the operation to open up the other holes to clearance hole for a 3/8 stud.

Nowadays a properly made block is a rare find.

After ruining some $80 in carbide end mills, carbide ball end mill, and carbide drill I finally bored the suckers by destroying 3 masonry bits.
It was not pretty but at that point it was a matter of principle. Me or the Blocks.

Bill Shields · Post by **Bill Shields** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:14 am

my blocks must be softer than yours (admittedly from a cheap asian supplier)...

carbide end mills went right through the holes...

or my carbide end mills are better than yours

giggle....

tornitore45 · Post by **tornitore45** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:47 pm

or my carbide end mills are better than yours giggle....

Being somewhat tight, that is not hard to believe.

Bill Shields · Post by **Bill Shields** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:16 pm

nah....mine are as cheap as they come made on this side of the pacific

tornitore45 · Post by **tornitore45** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:33 am

side of the pacific

Big difference

ptross · Post by **ptross** » Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:28 am

McMaster sells 3/8-16 T-slot nuts sized for 5/8 slots.

but, as someone already said- you can make them yourself.

The Home Machinist!

123 blocks Dumb Question

123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question

Re: 123 blocks Dumb Question