Pinning the Table PT2
If you're considering moving to a fixture based system for holding your work, you will need a repeatable way to mount and remount your fixtures.  Pinning your table consists of adding hardened steel pin liners to the table and steel thread inserts to secure fixtures.

A few notes on pinning:

  • Pinning your table is something you need to think long and hard about, it is a one way trip, once the liners are in they are considered permanent.
  • Properly pinned, you will retain full use of the tee slots.
  • Do Not try to just drill the holes and not use the liners and inserts, the cast iron holes will wear out in a short period of time.
  • Although we use the term 'pinning' the pins are actually used in the fixture, hence the term fixture pins.
 
1" to the side of most of the liners we put in threaded inserts.

We love 5/16" bolts, that is what our kits use the most of, so naturally we used 5/16 ID inserts.

Any insert with an internal thread of 5/16 or 3/8 will work well.
   
Pilot hole drilled.

We recommend letting the liners sit overnight before use, but that doesn't mean you cannot do the tapping.
   
Thread the hole.

Most higher quality, larger taps have a hole in the shank.  The hole allows the use of a dead center to align the tap.

Hold downward force against the tap with the manual feed.
   
Tapped.

The top of the hole looks jagged because of the tape.
   
Clean the hole with break cleaner.
   
Most thread inserts have some sort of locker on them.  At a minimum we put red Locktite on them as well.  Other times we wire brush the other red stuff off, then Locktite them.
   
Tighten in  the insert.
   
Insert in.
   
Continue to the next part Pinning the Table pt3