Design Feedback?

[philso]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

I would avoid making gearbox plates on a manual mill, unless you have either a highly-experienced machinist or a moderately-experienced machinist and DROs. Otherwise, it's way too easy to put the bearing holes a few thousandths off which could cause excessive binding of the gears.

What about clamping and bolting the pairs of the plates together then using the mill to drill the holes for the standoffs and bearings?

Start by clamping the pair of plates together then using the mill to drill the holes for the standoffs. Bolt the pair of plates together using the standoff holes. Machine the holes for the bearings so that the holes in the two plates match. You may have to make a block to support the work piece that has recesses for the bolts used to hold the pairs of plates together.