Machine vice – Vertex/Arc Euro Trade/Gloster?

[MM57Participant @mm57]

Vertex VA4?

Arceuro 90mm Precision Tool Vice Type 2?

Gloster 100mm swivel base Accu-Lock?

Something else?

..about those sizes, downward clamping on tightening a definite requirement, for Chester 20v/G0704 size table (700mm x 180mm).

Thoughts please? TIA, Martin

[MM57Participant @mm57]

[SteamgeekParticipant @steamgeek]

Axminster do a nice acculock style vice at sensible money, considering one at the moment for my SPG version of 20v

[norman valentineParticipant @normanvalentine78682]

Why not make your own? That's what I did.

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Wouldn't contemplate anything else but this one.

[MM57Participant @mm57]

Interesting Warco vice – had a look at the patent – no downward clamping mentioned?

Assuming you have one Niloch, any problems observed with the workpiece rising as the final tightening takes place?

[ANDY CAWLEYParticipant @andycawley24921]

I went through the same exercise and finally chose the Gloster vice however they had no stock so ended up with the Arc type 2. I have no regrets and find the Arc vice excellent.

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

I bought a vertex swivel base mounted one, after having a poor quality Chinese one. My work accuracy in improved no end.

They are a bit chunky when fitted with a swivel base, and sometimes I wonder why I opted for the swivel, but hey we live and learn!

 

Bri

Edited By Boiler Bri on 09/09/2014 05:39:12

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> I bought a vertex swivel base mounted one, after having a poor quality Chinese one.

Can't beat Tiawanese quality

Neil

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/09/2014 08:45:09:

> I bought a vertex swivel base mounted one, after having a poor quality Chinese one.

Can't beat Tiawanese quality

Neil

Ummm…there is a high probability that the Vertex one was also made in Mainland China, if it is from recent vintage. The only thing is that Vertex have good QC.

There are many factories making this type of vice in China. During our last visit, JS and I visited a maker of the Vertex/Kurt D40 type/similar vice. We were a little disappointed, followed by a pleasant surprise for all concerned.

This particular product has been discussed at great length in the U.S., where majority of the copies go. In an effort to compete, this particular factory was lowering the standards, as requested by the buyers who were doing the purchasing for their respective import companies. This is where the disappointment came in. We asked if they were interested in considering our technical proposals, to which the reply was YES with a but!…the 'but' was…would we pay the extra for the proposals being put forward?. After discussion with JS, my answer was YES we would. So they were surprised and further discussion followed over a large piece of melon in the hot weather. They made further technical suggestions of their own too. This was the point at which we started to get surprised, because this is not normal.

Orders have been placed for this type of vice with a few extra bits and pieces. We wait and see what we get probably around December/early January next year. Its too early for me to say any more then this for now. At present, we only offer the Precision Tool Vice Type 2 from the above selection, which is from a different factory, with which we are happy.

Ketan at ARC.

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

I've had one of these for a couple of years now, along with the V jaws, and high jaws in both aluminium and hardened type.

Never had any problem with jaw lift and the clamping force and capacity are excellent. Gets more use than any of my other vices (of which I have many )

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

My Emco vice is excellent a real quality item worked in engineering all my life and this little beauty performs as well if not better than any vice I have ever used. This is after buying it second hand and giving it 10 years of abuse.

Edited By Stephen Benson on 09/09/2014 13:33:17

[VicParticipant @vic]

These are very nice, pretty much a copy of the old Abwood vice.

http://www.rotagriponline.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=108&category_id=124&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29

[IanTParticipant @iant]

I thought – "That's a nice looking vice" Vic – and then I looked at the price!!

Fortunately (for me) I have an original Abwood (albeit with a few bits carved out the top) which even so – I may now start storing in the family vault for safe keeping!

Regards

IanT

[VicParticipant @vic]

Yes Ian, the price is the only downside! Wish I still had my Abwood …

[MM57Participant @mm57]

Thanks – some excellent food for thought. Some are a bit over budget

I think I've narrowed it to Arc Euro Precision Type 2 (if someone can confirm it's good enough for all that a KX3 size mill can reasonably throw at it) or wait for the new "Kurt for £100" that Ketan is promising us all for Christmas

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

These are ok, brought mine from MSC, no connection..

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Martin Millener on 09/09/2014 22:56:37:

Thanks – some excellent food for thought. Some are a bit over budget

I think I've narrowed it to Arc Euro Precision Type 2 (if someone can confirm it's good enough for all that a KX3 size mill can reasonably throw at it) or wait for the new "Kurt for £100" that Ketan is promising us all for Christmas

Ah..KX3 = cnc…If you are looking for less moving parts – rigidity – low profile – consider the ARC Precision Type 2 or similar products. if you are looking at general purpose – higher quality Kurt type – then consider the Vertex VA2. Also look at the heights/profile of all the vices you are considering. Don't consider waiting for ARCs similar offering due in December/January. I myself don't know how good the product will be, and I will be in Zanzibar in December

Ketan at ARC

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Can't beat Taiwanese quality

Took quite a few years to be able to say that, originally same problems as Chinese offerings.

After discussion with JS, my answer was YES we would. So they were surprised and further discussion followed over a large piece of melon in the hot weather.

Don't consider waiting for ARCs similar offering due in December/January. I myself don't know how good the product will be, and I will be in Zanzibar in December

So there's a remote chance Sir John will get his two quid then????

Regards Ian.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

It's three quid now…………………………………

[MM57Participant @mm57]

ARC Precision Type 2 – 90mm ordered. Will report back…

[MM57Participant @mm57]

…less than 24 hours from hitting the web page buttons to a man at the front door bearing a gift from Ketan's elves. Great service.

On my dining room table it looks good and sturdy – all square, zero movable jaw/workpiece lift on tightening (the parallels are still as tight under the 3-2-1 block after tightening as they were before)

A little odd when you undo it – the moveable jaw doesn't move until you pull it back, but I'm sure that's easy to get used to – and a ballend allen key will help in hunting the recessed cap head set screw in the moveable jaw.

Pre-drilled hole for work stop is a nice touch.

[Bruce FormanParticipant @bruceforman62613]

I just ordered a Warco WM14 milling machine and was looking for machine vice recommendations when I came across this thread. I like the look of the Arc Kurt copy and saw the original comments about this vice but was wondering if anyone had one yet and what they thought of it?

Any other machine vices to consider up to £100?

[VicParticipant @vic]

The only thing with the Kurt style is that they seem to be deeper than most vices so you lose a bit of your Z.

I've had a Soba for a few years and it's been very good. Paid about £80 for a 4" at the time.

http://www.shobha-india.com/precision-machine-vises/precision-machine-vices-p3.html#1

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