Mikester wrote:
What's the rule of thumb for amount of vacuum/pressure required to hold
a flat part for milling operations?

I need to machine up aluminum and plastic plates.

Aluminum plate 4"x4" square
flat plastic puck 2.5" round

Can anybody point me to some links for low cost DIY alternatives to
buying a plate/pump set?

TIA, Mike


I've no experience with vacuum chucking, probably never will.

Just a thought, though - is there some reason that you would not use
solid stops, particularly in the direction of the cutting force? Seems
that would help a lot.

John Martin