Magnet tricks for milling

[Les Ford]

I was getting tired of constantly pulling out the parallels and sweeping out the jaws on my mill vise or pushing them back in when they vibrate out.
I had some neodymium magnets around the shop and I just used them to hold the parallels in position.
It's surprising how much time I wasted pushing them back into position and trying to keep them out of the cutter when side milling.

It turns out that they also make handy stops for repeat operations.

Magnet Stops.jpg

[Tim Toberer]

Cool idea! I have Neo magnets stuck all over my milling base and never thought of this. I just bought a vise stop for repeat operations, but magnets for holding the parallels is really brilliant. Thanks!

[Ross Shafer]

I have a collection of springs in different lengths that I use along with couple other methods, including spring loaded parallel keepers(my favorite). I have used magnets, but they become a mess if you're milling steel. Securing the parallels is a big time saver and a big help in keeping accuracy/repeatability. Keep having fun!

[Ian Worley]

I've always cut pieces of squishy foam to hold the parallels in place, which also keeps a lot of the chips out of the vise. The foam pieces don't last long, they get clogged with chips really fast, the magnets are a really cool idea. Heading to Amazon now...

[Les Ford]

You're right Ross, If I was milling steel they would be more hindrance than help.

As instant stops they work great for aluminum, brass, delrin.