Had to pick between 2 hold-down methods for a tricky aluminum job yesterday

Got a part that kept shifting on me during a 6061 aluminum run for a local aerospace order in Everett. I could either go with double-sided tape or a vacuum fixture, and I went with the tape since my vacuum pump is acting up after I dropped it. It held fine for the first 3 passes but slipped on the 4th and ruined a $60 blank. Anyone else have better luck with vacuum setups for thin-gauge jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

king.zara1mo ago

I mean, is a $60 blank really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things? Sounds like you saved more time going with tape over messing with a busted pump.

barbara2781mo ago

$60 for a blank, yeah that's basically pocket change these days.