On Jan 27, 9:15*pm, "DoN. Nichols" wrote:
* * * * Nope. *For an Atlas, just slip it over the stud and tighten the
setscrews to close the angled clamps (which he also mentioned making) to
lock it in place. *(BTW, I would suggest bronze or brass for the
clamp.)


The Atlas clamps are, I believe, steel - at least mine are. Brass or
bronze sound good at first blush, but I'd stay away from them for two
reasons.

One: the clamping pieces project out from the compound or milling base
until they bear against the dovetail. They are well supported in the
base, as they are (or should be) a good fit in the holes there, and
you want them pretty stiff before they contact the dovetail.

Two, and more important: while you don't want the clamping pieces to
wear the dovetail appreciably, you also don't want them to mushroom at
all. If the contact areas deform, they won't retract into the base -
and you'll have quite a time getting the base off the dovetail.

Mine are, as I said, steel. They are ground to match the angle of the
dovetail, and appear to be hardened.

John Martin