Make Your Tool Setter Removable (and Repeatable) on a Small VMC

A clever magnetic, self-locating mount that frees up table space on compact machines like the SYIL X7/X5—while repeating within a tenth.

When you’re running a compact VMC, table real estate is precious. Add a tool setter, a vise, maybe even a 4th axis… and suddenly your work envelope feels tiny. In this build, we design and machine a removable, repeatable tool-setter mount so you can clip the setter on when you need it—and park it safely out of the way when you don’t.

The result? More usable table space without sacrificing accuracy. In testing, the assembly repeated within a tenth on a dial test indicator.

The Problem: Great Tool, Wrong Time, Wrong Place

Tool setters are productivity gold… until they’re physically in the way. On small machines, a fixed tool setter can block workholding, limit travel, and complicate set-ups. The goal here was simple:

• Make the tool setter removable in seconds
• Ensure it repeats to the same location every time
• Keep everything rigid, compact, and easy to machine

The Concept: Two Plates and Smart Geometry

We modelled the SYIL X7 table and current tool-setter position, then designed a two-part kinematic mount plus a wall “dock”:

    1.    Base plate (stays on the table):

• Bolts directly to the T-slots
• Features angled locating faces that constrain X and Y

    2.    Top plate (bolts to the tool setter):

• Mirrors the base’s angled faces
• Neodymium magnets provide strong, consistent seating force
• Drops on/off the base without fasteners

    3.    Wall dock (inside the machine):

• Lets you park the wired tool setter safely on the enclosure wall
• Oversized magnet pockets + a “pry-off” threaded hole so removal is easy

By shifting the base plate just outside the axis limits, the setter sits clear of the cutting zone—reclaiming table space when it’s parked and staying out of the way when mounted.

Machining the Parts (Material, Tools, Set-ups)

We cut all three parts from heat-treated 4140—great strength, beautiful finish potential.

Highlights from the build:

• Adaptive roughing and finish passes delivered excellent surfaces on the angled faces
• A 45° face mill with high-positive inserts kept cutting forces low—ideal for modest spindle power machines
• Through-holes and countersinks machined for magnet pockets
• M12 (≈12 mm) tapping in 4140 HT was tested successfully—plenty of torque headroom
• Finishing showed just how clean an X5/X7 can cut even in real steel, not just aluminium

Set-up tricks that help:

• Find work offsets with a 3D taster for quick, confident zeroing
• Use a 1-2-3 block to touch off Z cleanly, then offset by the block height—no mental math errors mid-set-up
• Switch from serrated to straight jaws for op-2 clamping when you need fully finished edges on parallels
• Stone critical faces lightly before assembly to remove micro-burrs

Assembly & Installation

    1.    Mount the base plate to your T-slots (we sized the slot width by measuring with a 5.56 mm pin for a snug fit).

    2.    Bolt the top plate to your tool setter.

    3.    Drop the setter on the base—the angled faces align X/Y; magnets seat it firmly.

    4.    Sweep and calibrate once:

• Indicator across the stylus showed ≤0.0001” variation in X and Y
• Remove and replace the top plate multiple times to confirm repeatability

    5.    Install the wall dock where the cable won’t interfere with the ATC or table at travel limits. The threaded “pry” hole makes removal easy despite strong magnets.

Repeatability result:

Repeated within a tenth on multiple remove/replace cycles without babying the placement.

Why This Matters on Small Machines

• Reclaim capacity: Free your vise and 4th-axis set-ups from a permanent obstruction
• Faster changeovers: Clip the tool setter on, touch off, park it—done
• Confidence in accuracy: Kinematic faces + magnetic preload = predictable seating
• Safer storage: Wall dock keeps the wired unit secure, visible, and out of harm’s way

Try It on Your SYIL

If you run a SYIL X7 or X5, this quick project can transform your table management. Touch off when you need it; get your space back when you don’t.

Thinking about a compact, production-ready VMC?

Talk to the SYIL team about the X7 (rigid, small footprint) or X5 (nimble, value-packed) and see how this set-up fits your workflows.

Got a question about accessories? Watch the video or visit: https://www.syil.com/x7.