I got my new G0484 wired and powered up this weekend, and in the process discovered something: it has a decidedly non-standard T-slot width.
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Abrasive waterjet cutting can be used for milling. The process that typically cuts edges, slots, and holes can also be used in controlled-depth applications where the jet doesn't pass all the way through the workpiece. In other words, it can mill surfaces. It can even be used to mill. The machine used for the milling tests is a ‘DYNA V4.5’ CNC end milling machine having the control system SINUMERIK 802 D with a vertical milling head. The specification of CNC end milling machine is shown in Table 5.2. For generating the milled surfaces, CNC part programmes for tool paths were created with specific commands.
Typical 'Bridgeport' slot width is, as far as I can tell, 5/8' (0.625 in). The common 1/2' clamping sets come with t-slot nuts which are made to fit 5/8' slots. Because the catalog page for the G0484 lists the slots as half-inch, just like the BP clones, I assumed that the standard kit would work fine. Heh.It turns out that the G0484 slots are actually 0.55 inches wide, which seems like an odd number -- unless you convert to metric and realize that this is extraordinarily close to 14mm. My guess is that the G0484 table is actually machined to metric specs, which end up being close enough to imperial spec that Grizzly can get away with selling some extra-narrow '0.55-inch' t-slot nuts to make up the difference.
The downside, of course, is that I wasn't able to get my vise mounted this weekend due to lack of hold-downs, so after I ran the mill through the break-in cycle I was not able to actually try it out. Running an extended break-in cycle is well worth it, BTW -- a cyclic gear noise that was quite prominent during the first few minutes was practically gone by the time I was done.
In case anyone is wondering, I was unable to locate 14mm t-slot nuts with 1/2-13 threaded holes, at least from the common suppliers. McMaster-Carr has 14mm parts with metric holes, for quick delivery, but at a single-unit price close to what Grizzly charges for their '0.55-inch' t-slots nut 4-packs.