Installing & Fixturing with the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise

Our Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise is a rigid fixturing solution that can help you optimize your machining time and prototype more aluminum parts. It’s compatible with both the T-slot bed that comes with your Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine and our Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Fixturing Pallet. Depending on your job, you can install the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise in either an X- or Y-axis configuration on either of the pallets. Plus you can use the inner or outer steps to clamp thinner pieces of stock. In short, this pro-level vise gives you a ton of fixturing options! 

In this guide we’ll cover:

• Anatomy of the vise
• Installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise on both the T-slot bed and Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Fixturing Pallet
• Probing the vise in the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software
• Setting up your material using the Bantam ToolsDesktop CNC Low-Profile Vise
• Using the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop and Aluminum Soft Jaws with the vise

Ready to dive in? Let’s go! 

Anatomy of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise

Let’s take a closer look at the different parts of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise. If you’ve used vises before, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

Installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise

Connect your Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine to the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software, home the machine, and then install and locate your 1/4” probing pin. 

See our Installing & Locating a Tool guide for more details. 

Installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise on the T-Slot Bed

To install your vise on the Desktop CNC Milling Machine’s T-slot bed:

1. Remove the T-nuts from the L-bracket that comes with your Desktop CNC Milling Machine.
2. Place the button head screws with the washers into the slots on either side of the clamps. Then screw the T-nuts onto each screw, but not too tight.
3. Slide the fixed clamp onto the T-slot bed in the orientation you wish. For this how-to, we’ll be using an X-axis configuration.
4. Using the hex key that comes with your Desktop CNC Milling Machine, tighten the screw on the fixed clamp until the screws are snug.

Now let’s locate and align the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise. Go to the Initial Setup tab in the Bantam Tools software and complete the following steps:

1. Start at the Initial Setup tab in the Bantam Tools software. Go to the Brackets and Accessories dropdown menu, and select Locate under the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise.

2. In the pop-up window that appears, select either the X- or Y-axis configuration, and click Next. 

3. In the next window, use the Jog menu to move the spindle to the front left corner of the vise, so that it’s just below the top edge of its bottom plate. 

4. Click Start and watch as the Bantam Tools software locates and probes the alignment of your Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise.

When the probing routine is finished, the spindle will retract and the software will provide a reading indicating your alignment. For the most precise results, we recommend having the fixed clamp within 0.001” to 0.003”. 

If you need to adjust your clamp, click Back in the pop-up window. Then, use your hex key to loosen the button head screws on the fixed clamp’s slots and slightly adjust the vise. Then run the probing routine again. 

Installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise on our Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Fixturing Pallet

The installation and probing process for the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise is the same on the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Fixturing Pallet, with one exception: You don’t have to remove the T-nuts from your L-bracket and install them onto the Low-Profile Vise clamps. Instead, you’ll tighten the screws into the threaded pin holes on the pallet.

Important: When tightening the button head screws to secure your vise to the fixturing pallet, don’t over-tighten the screws because doing so strips the threaded hole over time.

Additionally, if you’re looking to align your vise more efficiently onto the fixturing pallet, we recommend inserting 6 mm dowel pins into the underside of the fixed clamp. This enables you to place the clamp quickly and align the clamp.

Setting Up Your Material

Now that you’ve installed, probed, and aligned the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise’s fixed clamp, it’s time to set up your material. Under “Low-Profile Vise” in the Brackets and Accessories dropdown menu, select the surface you’ll fixture your stock to. You can choose from the bed, inner step, or outer step.

Note: If your job calls for the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop, you’ll need to install it before continuing. Jump down to the section below for more details.

When you’re ready, navigate to the Material Setup tab and complete the following steps:

1. Place your stock against the fixed clamp. If you’re using the end stop, you’ll want to make sure the stock is butted up against this as well. 
2. Place the adjustable clamp onto the T-slot bed until it’s touching the stock. 
3. Using the hex key that comes with the Desktop CNC Milling Machine, tighten the adjustable clamp until it’s snug. Then give the key a final quarter turn.

Now that you’ve fixed your stock, you’re ready to use the Bantam Tools software’s Material Offset Probing Routines to locate your stock.

Using the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop

Think of the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop as a backstop for your material. Like our Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise Aluminum Soft Jaws, the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop is totally optional, but if you’re looking to rapidly prototype parts on the Desktop CNC Milling Machine, this accessory is a must-have. Because it acts as a backstop and can be probed using our powerful Bantam Tools software, you only have to set up your job once for repeat jobs.  

The End Stop attaches to any of the M3 holes on the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise. Use the hex key that comes with the End Stop to tighten it in the hole of your choice.

If you’re installing the Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise for the first time, complete the steps outlined in the installation and material setup sections above. You’ll want to have your clamps installed and your material fixtured in the vise before running the End Stop Probing Routine. It’s important to have the stock butted up against the end stop like this:

Complete the following steps:

1. Go to the Jog tab, and install and locate your 1/4” or 1/8”-diameter probe. 

2. Navigate to the Initial Setup tab, and select the Set End Stop button under the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise in the Brackets and Accessories dropdown menu.

3. In the pop-up window, specify whether you’ve installed the end stop on the left or right side of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise’s fixed clamp.

4. Click Next and follow the prompts to jog the probe.

When you’re finished, you’ll see the Bantam Tools software’s real-time preview update to include your Bantam Tools Low-Profile Vise End Stop on the vise. Now that the software knows that this is the point of origin your plan will offset from, it’ll automatically snap your material location to there.

Using Aluminum Soft Jaws

Soft jaws are an optional, but commonly used, fixturing accessory for holding uniquely shaped parts that are difficult to fixture with the standard Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise clamps. Use a CAD/CAM software like Fusion 360 to design soft jaw geometry based on the part you’ve designed. This way the jaws will line up with your part and hold it in place during your job. Soft jaws also make it easier to machine repeat jobs using the Desktop CNC Milling Machine.

After you’ve created, programmed, and exported the G-code, load the file into the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software. Set up your file and navigate to the Material Setup tab. Each soft jaw is 4” x 1.5” x 0.5”, but we always encourage you to measure the X, Y, and Z dimensions using your digital calipers and enter them into the Material Setup tab in the Bantam Tools software. 

Note: Make sure the dimensions in the Bantam Tools software match the dimensions you entered in Fusion 360.

Using the hex key that comes with your machine, install the soft jaws onto the outer step of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Low-Profile Vise and continue setting up your job in the Bantam Tools software. If you need further guidance, see our Setting Up G-Code Files in the Bantam Tools Software guide. 

Alternatively, you can use our Desktop CNC Toe Clamps and L-bracket that come with your Desktop CNC Milling Machine. To learn more about using these fixturing methods, check out our Fixturing guides.