Clamping set (metric or imperial)

So I'm looking to buy myself a clamping set for my new to me series 1 bridgeport mill. I am more comfortable working in metric. Would it matter if I got a metric clamping set for my old mill? I was wondering if things like the t nuts would fit correctly?

Thanks

Colin

I think that the most important thing is to ensure that your clamping set fits your Bridgeport. After that there is no need to worry about whether they are metric or Imperial.

Brian

Most of the generic Bridgeport size clamping sets I have seen use 1/2"UNC rolled thread studs and suitable tee nuts. Mine takes a 22mm A/F spanner (7/8". I have a set with 12mm studs for the rotary table with the same hexagon size on the nuts. I always thought about altering all the hexagon sizes to 3/4" (19mm) A/F the same as the draw bar but never got round to it and just live with two spanners on the table. Enjoy the machine, they are a joy to use.

It makes zero difference. I doubt the manufacturer makes imperial and metric sets; they make one set and label it accordingly. On my Bridgeport I use 5/8" (16mm) sets. It has never occurred to me to worry about them being imperial or metric, as long as they fit.

Andrew

Except it's a good idea to use metric studs so you don't get confused by similar sizes in imperial and metric.

As Andrew say,s "What,s in a name" ?

Hello Colin,

You may well find there is actually no choice in the matter and what is on offer will be metric anyway. I don't think it will matter one way or another.

Regards Brian

Mesure the slot width and then buy what fits, 5/8" set will fit and have 1/2" thread but you may be able to squeeze in a 16mm set which will have M12 threads if you prefer metric. Also what spanners and threading tackle do you have as it would seem sensible to go with M12 if everything else in your workshop is metric orientated and you want to make up any special fixtures etc

Thanks everyone for the speedy and detailed responses

My Bridgeport main set i have about 12 mm stud into custom nuts, some also tapped 8 mm and some 6 mm. As well[ double tappings) use depends on size of work and thus access with small cutters it doesn’t really matter

Get metric if not in the USA. The reason is that one day you will need some special clamping with extra long studs and only metric threaded bar and nuts will be easy to get to match your T-nuts.

When you know which size spanner fits the nuts best, which might not be the 'official' size then find one at a car boot sale to paint to match the mill / clamping set holder and keep it there.

www.amadeal.co.uk sell clamping kits with 5/8" T slot. They also sell Metric sizes

I seem to remember reading somewhere that 16mm my be a bit tight, and as I was given a 85% complete set of 5/8" slot (1/2" studs) I have used that. I have considered changing to 12mm studs & making the t-nuts to suit but for the gain it is a lot of work when I have clamps that work. I have so far found it fairly easy to get extra studding, just have to ignore a few metric only suppliers.

If I was starting from scratch I would probably investigate the 16mm t-nuts, perhaps buying a single one to check it fits every where easily.

If I need smaller studs for some vices or items that 1/2" won't fit I will probably make odd t-nuts in metric though as I do agree that is easier to get hold of at your average DIY shed & probably cheaper now.

Baldric.

The objective is to clamp the work to the table of the machine.

As long as the clamping force is sufficient, it matters not whether the load is applied by a Whitworth, BSF, Unified or Metric thread.

Using the largest possible thread maximises the strength and power of the clamping set up.

If the worst come to the worst, you could make (After all, you do have a Mill ) your own hybrid T nuts with Imperial external dimensions and Metric threads. There are precedents fot his sort of thing.

MANY years ago, Morris cars used Whit form threads, but the engines supplied by Hotchkiss were Metric!

Howard