Fixture for holding a part during a machining operation

A method of using a fixture to hold a part, the method comprising:

• providing the fixture for holding the part, the fixture comprising:
• a frame that includes a base plate and that supports a guide plate;
• a controlled engagement device passing through the guide plate and arranged to be advanced incrementally towards a lever on a first side of a fulcrum so as to clamp the part by moving the lever on the first side of the fulcrum towards the base plate, the controlled engagement device being a bolt and the guide plate comprising a threaded orifice into which a mating thread of the bolt engages, the controlled engagement device being advanceable by way of screwing the bolt into the threaded orifice;
• on a second side of the fulcrum, the lever being connected to a linkage arm, the linkage arm passing through a gap in the guide plate;
• an end of the linkage arm distal to the lever having mounted thereto a swivel clamp;
• and
• a support arranged to face the swivel clamp and defining a space therebetween, the space configured to receive the part to be clamped in the fixture,
• the base plate including a rounded sprung plunger aligned with an axis of movement of the controlled engagement device such that the lever is configured to be engaged between the sprung plunger and the controlled engagement device when the controlled engagement device advances,
• aligning and securing the part so as to leave multiple surfaces of the part accessible for machining, and
• performing multiple machining operations on the part without repositioning the part in the fixture.