Multiple Parts Milling Fixture Needed

[rustydog]

I have a job coming up where I have to make about 30 cutters of the same shape and length (about 2.5 in.) but with differing widths (1/8 – 3/8). In the drawing below you can see the shape of the cutter. O1 steel is called out with hardening and tempering after the shapes are milled.

I am an intermediate, self taught home machinist with very little production experience. I’m looking for an approach to hold the cutters together for milling such that I only have to mill 1 or 2 batches. I’m open to any suggestions and/ or help.

I’m assuming that clamping 15 or so pieces in the regular milling vice would bow up in the middle and thus be a bad choice. The only idea I’ve had so far is the clamping fixture shown in the drawing. The basic idea of the clamping fixture is to slot a large piece of steel and install set screws to secure the individual cutters. The clamping fixture will require a fair amount of work and I’m hoping there is a simpler way.

 

[dickr]

Lot of questions go with this project.I assume the blades are that shape and will be 1/8th to 3/8th wide. Need a little better or complete drawing to be sure. what type of milling mch. are you going to use Horiz. or vertical. Have you thought of one piece of 01, cutting the shape then cutting to the different widths and finish mill them. what are the blades for? Would you need to grind them after?
Just a starter, I'm sure you'll find all the answers here if you give enough information. You've got a good sAtrt. GOOD LUCK
DICKR

 

[rustydog]

Lot of questions go with this project.I assume the blades are that shape and will be 1/8th to 3/8th wide. Need a little better or complete drawing to be sure. what type of milling mch. are you going to use Horiz. or vertical. Have you thought of one piece of 01, cutting the shape then cutting to the different widths and finish mill them. what are the blades for? Would you need to grind them after?
Just a starter, I'm sure you'll find all the answers here if you give enough information. You've got a good sAtrt. GOOD LUCK
DICKR

The blades will be replacement blades for Stanley weatherstrip planes. You are correct, the shape of all 30 will be the same; only the width varies. I'll be using a Grizzly vertical milling machine (one of the new mid sizes). Before hardening a releif will be ground or milled on each blade. After hardening, each will be sharpened on a home made lapping / sharpening machine.I'd be glad to submit a better drawing but I have not found a way to upload drawings yet. Thanks for your help.