Stock holding case 1: large sheet

We’ve covered some basic principles of workholding with SmartBench. Now let us apply that to holding a large sheet.

What will we do?

In this example we will:

• choose our spoilboard

• position and align the spoilboard on SmartBench

• position and align the stock material on SmartBench

• lock both sheets on SmartBench using clamps

Choosing our spoilboard

We will use a large sheet of 9mm coated MDF material for our spoilboard.

Click here to learn what makes a good spoilboard.

Raising the Upper X Beam

Unclamp and lift up the Upper X Beam, ready to load the material. 

Positioning our spoilboard

Load and position the spoilboard on the Y Bench, aligning it using the tape measuring technique. 

Click here for detailed instructions on how to do this. 

Positioning our stock material

We will use a sheet of plywood. 

Position and align the material.

Click here to learn how to position and align stock material to the spoilboard. 

Locking materials

Use speed clamps to lock both spoilboard and stock material on SmartBench.

Lock on leg plates at the home end of Y axis.

Lock on wheel tracks on the far end of Y axis.

Lower and clamp the Upper X Beam

Adjust the rollers so that they will make full contact with the material as the Beam runs along the Y axis. 

Unclamp and lower the Upper X Beam. 

Ensure that the rollers are fully resting on the surface of our workpiece, with the full weight of the Upper X Beam distributed evenly through them. 

Securely clamp the Upper X Beam onto the Lower X Beam, using the two clamp handles at each end of the X Beam.