I use a Stevens Engineering Angle Plate and their Modular Vice for a similar set up as the Kurt Sidewinder...more expensive than the Kurt set-up but also more versatile than the Kurt.

Mick, What did you think of the Heidenhain Lathe control? How do you rate it with the others? I really like the control myself but it's also the only lathe control I've ever used.

I have been very happy with my CTX 410 lathe for the past 6 years. I have had no major problems in all that time although I need to mention that I don't get much lathe work so it only runs about one week out of every month. When I go over to my buddies shop across town I'm always amazed at how slow his Haas lathes seem, the CTX's spindle ramps up and down much faster and tool change speed is quicker. I have the Heidenhain control on mine. Here is a link to the history of Gildemeister, the "G" in DMG; http://www.dmg.com/internet/v3/nav.nsf/v3.jsp/us,group,history?opendocument&print=1

Looks like you can get it with a Heidenhian control. Thats a plus

CNC Milling 1 DMG DMU 80 1 DMG DMC 835V CNC Turning 1 DMG CTX 410

There is a button in the upper right side to change to english. Could be you have to register to download??

Try this link? http://www.cnc-arena.com/forum/index.php?a...loads&showcat=2 not sure if it will help you or not.

Stevens Enginering also; http://www.stevenseng.com/tombstones/index.html

I milled quite a bit of G10 (FR4) in the past and did as Leigh suggested. Low speed high feed. Standard carbide cutters as you would use on aluminum. The advantage is cutters hold up longer carving it off and you have less dust to contend with.

From link above "501.35 each" OUCH! I have one of those, been in my box for years. Can't belive I paid anywhere near that. I will treat it with more respect from now on ;>)

Doesn't M05 just stop the spindle? That's all it does on mine.

Look at AB tools also. I like their ShearHogs. http://www.abtoolsinc.com/ There 3/4 tool is only a single insert, but check out their cutting data on this page; http://www.abtoolsinc.com/Aluminum%20Milli...illingtests.htm [ 10-29-2009, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: GVM ]

Heidenhain Manualplus 4110 Lathe Control Manual download here; http://filebase.heidenhain.de/doku/manualp...54%20267-24.pdf 8.84 MB pdf

The 4110 control is a super easy control meant for 2 axis lathes with or without c-axis milling and drilling for cycle controlled lathes. Great control for one offs or repair type work. I don't think you'll need Mastercam unless you want the ease of reposting and moving the program to another machine at a later date.

I was just trying to explain a similar set up to mount a faceplate to the chuck, but I like your idea much better. Solves some clamping issues. Thanks for sharing.