Old timer at the shop taught me a trick with a penny

So I was running a Haas VF-2 last Tuesday and kept getting chatter on a aluminum part, couldn't figure out why. This old guy named Joe who's been doing this since the 80s walks over and hands me a penny, tells me to put it under the part before clamping. Honestly I thought he was messing with me, but he showed me how it absorbs vibration and evens out the hold. Has anyone else tried something like that, or is there a better trick for thin stock?

2 comments

2 Comments

parker5431h ago

Oh man, I feel this so hard! @perez.mia I actually had a mentor with a similar trick, he used a nickel for the same reason. It sounds goofy but there's real logic behind it, the coin acts like a little damper and helps break up the resonance on thin parts. I've tried it myself on some 1/8 inch aluminum plate and it actually cut the chatter way down. Definitely one of those old school tips that seems dumb until you see it work right in front of you.

perez.mia1h ago

Wait, is this guy trying to turn your machine into a wishing well or something? I can just see him chuckling to himself while you're out there fighting chatter with pocket change. Honestly though, if a penny works for thin stock, I'm gonna start carrying a roll of dimes just in case.