Arrangement for clamping workpieces

An apparatus for supporting workpieces of various shapes and sizes on a platform for clamping with a clamping shoe comprising

• a substantially planar horizontal plate having a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined array, said array including a plurality of rows and columns of apertures the centers of which lie along orthogonally disposed lines, the apertures in a first predetermined number of said rows being circular holes and the apertures in a second equal number of rows being elongated holes, the centers of the apertures in each of said rows and columns being uniformly spaced apart, the holes in alternating ones of said rows and columns being offset from the holes in adjacent rows and columns by one-half of the center-to-center spacing;
• and
• a plurality of workpiece support members each having two pegs insertable into selected ones of said apertures, downwardly facing shoulder means for resting on said plate adjacent the selected apertures, and an upwardly facing support portion for contacting and supporting a portion of the workpiece, the spacing between the centers of said pegs being greater than the center-to-center distance between the first circular hole and the first elongated hole in a column.