Where can I buy various angled steel blocks?

[hooblah]

Where can I get some angled blocks for machining? I don't need anything too precise or heat treated, just a few really basic steel blocks that would allow me to set 15, 30, 45, 60 degrees etc.

The prices differ massively for what is essentially something really simple. I've had a look on eBay but the cheapest is £25 from China, which would take a month or so to arrive. I'm looking to get something in the next week if possible.

I don't suppose anyone's able to machine me a few bits of steel with various angles?

 

[julianf]

I was going to make myself some angle for setting blades for sharpening - i was just going to make them out of 3mm anodised aluminum. So plates, rather than blocks. I dont need them to stand upright by themselves though, but you might?

 

[hooblah]

Yes I'd prefer something around 10mm thick.

 

[optima21]

how about buying an adjustable angle plate

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352218407695

or how about a tilting vice

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/ctv25b-tilting-vice/

 

[rory1]

You can use one side of a Vee block to get 45

 

[hooblah]

Hmm thanks for the suggestions but I'd rather have blocks. I'll be using them in my 6x4 bandsaw so they can't be too small like a vee block, or too big like a vice lol.

 

[scott0031]

I'm not being funny but if you think 25 quid is expensive then there is something wrong. If the time scale is the problem you will probably find most places are shut until the new year.

https://www.chronos.ltd.uk Look here and search angle blocks. The correct name for them is 'angle slips' but with the watered down modern engineering of the internet era a lot of the correct names have been lost, this being one of them.

I will make some for you but they will cost a lot more than the price you can buy them for off the shelf. 25 quid or even 40 quid is dirt cheap for what you get. The gauge plate to make them out of will cost you more in the uk then the whole things complete from somewhere like chronus. The ones you buy will be hardened and ground.... cheap as chips

 

[scott0031]

Hmm thanks for the suggestions but I'd rather have blocks. I'll be using them in my 6x4 bandsaw so they can't be too small like a vee block, or too big like a vice lol.

Its unusual to use something like you have described to be used for what you have described. Ie setting up a saw vice... I think you need a combination square, thats the norm for setting up a vice. Or mark the angle on the material and set the vice up to that angle.

Is this what you are actually asking for?

 

[hooblah]

Thanks Scott. I wanted something thicker as those eBay ones are only 1/4". But if that's my best solution then I'll go with it. Yes time is a factor and I'd like them asap.

The vice on the bandsaw will only allow me to go a max of 45 degrees. The angle markings on it are wrong so it's pointless using that. It's much quicker to set up correct cutting angles this way, and I don't have to faff about setting 0 as I'd leave it set at that.

 

[Richard.]

Morning guys n gals. Yes sorry for the delayed response my kiddy’s have just transformed my living room into a major disaster zone lol. Merry Christmas to all.
On topic, Pdg is correct I made a couple of jigs at desired angles to bolt on the base of the saw. No need to start spending money on such things just drag out the protractor and knock some up. Here’s my 45° one to give you an idea if you want to have a go.

 

[Richard.]

Do you have anything to 'fix' the jig to the rigid jaw? Visions of jig popping out mid cut...

They are not bolted to the fixed jaw because that is a movable point and in theory defeats the object of absolute repeatability. it’s bolted to the saw bed and on the back. It needs to be bolted down firm or as you rightly say it won’t stay there.
Close up of the bed fixing point.

 

[hooblah]

Thanks that's a good idea, but I've ordered those blocks so we'll see how it goes.

 

[Richard.]

They need to be quite specific in actual size to work with the saws vice. Too big or small and you’ll either restrict the saws capacity on job size or the job won’t sit at 45 as it will be obstructed by the end of the fixed jaw. I think you’ll also need to make them fixable to the saw because as Pdg said the block won’t stay put. It sounds an expensive way to do something quite simple. I’d be sending them back and making some up

 

[bigegg]

I made some out of 3x2 timber to use on my radial arm saw.

 

[Kram]

I got one of these for milling www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222125582467 might not seem useful, but you could modify it so that the moving semi circle is fixed and bolt that to bed, allowing you to use the bottom long flat as your adjustable guide. The locking bolt is on the bottom so ideal. You would need to make a spacer (bolted to the bed and the inside of the V) to allow the full movement.