Machine Vice any recommendations ?

[chris jParticipant @chrisj]

Posted by NJH on 24/10/2012 18:17:29:

Hi Chris

If the vice has a swivel it doesn't take long to clamp a parallel in its jaws, loosen the swivel holding bolts, and adjust the vice by traversing the table against a clock held ,say, on the column. If you have a non-swiveling vice then a tenon will always mount it parallel to one axis – but you will have to choose which one. The tenon method has the advantage of speed when mounting a vice. On the other hand my vice stays on the machine most of the time and I tend to place it towards one end so that I can accomodate a rotary table too when I need it.

Norman

Edited By NJH on 24/10/2012 18:19:34

One of the things I dislike about these swiveling vices is the poor degree scale.

Can you perhaps give a little more detail of how you get it square ?

Chris

[chris jParticipant @chrisj]

Posted by Niloch on 23/10/2012 11:27:35:

Warco DH-1, very capable vice, no connection etc.etc.

This is what I went for and I have to say it's a lovely bit of kit, thanks guys. (and gals)

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I align my swivel vice by holding a foot of good, straight material in it. I then eyeball the ends against the edges of the table and adjust until there is the same thin line visible at each end.

I find I can get it within a thou or two of dead on every time, and this saves ages on no-critical jobs. Even if finishing off with a DTI, this is still a good way to get a decent initial setting and you can run the DTI along the same bar.

Neil

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

A machine vice is one of the easiest of all things to make – at minimum it is a few bits of bought rectangular bar and a few bought bolts.

You actually have a choice of fabricated , machined from solid or machined from casting for the main body and the rest is just bits and pieces .

You might like to consider making more than one size of vice and a subtable as well – apart from being good fun and good experience to make anyway the whole lot would cost less than one good quality commercial machine vice .

You don't need any vice to begin with to make the parts for vices or subtables .

Regards ,

Michael Williams .

Edited By MICHAEL WILLIAMS on 04/11/2012 22:49:49

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by chris j on 24/10/2012 18:02:27:

I guess if I use a vice with a swivel that makes sense.

I'd be worried without the swivel that I cant turn the vice, good idea though.

Mostly you don't need to swivle so take it off. Double check that the side of the base is square to the jaws. Also check that the T slots on your table are clean and true. Then make a 1/4in plate that fits in and against the edge of the slot but rising above it. Wedge with two screws in tapped holes that unscrew to push against the other side of the slot. You then align work or the vice against it . Got this idea from Mike Chrisp at a talk he gave our club.

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