Squaring up a miling vice?

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Posted by Harold Hall 1 on 05/10/2012 09:52:34:

In following this thread I felt ……………………………….

However, now having seen, Nick's photograph I am confident that a longer jaw, especially in front is worth doing, even to the point where say a few millimetre projects from the front of the vice when fully closed.

The method of adjusting the fit of the jaw is new to me and if replacing the keep plate I would suggest four screw as the two screw will be tending to tilt the plate diagonally.

………………………………………………

Harold

Edited By Harold Hall 1 on 05/10/2012 09:56:54

Hi Harold, exactly my thoughs, however I was thinking of making a deep enough and longer keep plate that would eliminate the two adjusting screws alltogether, even if it needed shimming to get the clearance right.

The problem with these two small grub screws, as you say Harold, has a tendency to tilt or twist the plate, but also they are a small point contact which of cause allows creep due to the loading v's area contact and after a while the jaw becomes sloppy again. full contact between jaw and keep plate would eliminate this.

Regards Nick.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Arceurotrade (Dave sent the catalogue no 8), have some vices, that seem to fit even thier smallest mill. and look to me to be of a reasonable design, and price. Wish I could get stuff like that! Ian S C

[Harold Hall 1Participant @haroldhall1]

That Nick is a far better idea, only bettered by also fitting a longer moving jaw. That though reduces the vice's capacity. Your Photograph does indicate that the vice is rather better than the very cheap drilling vices I updated many moons ago. That incidentally was in issue 23 of MEW. Unfortunately, not on my web site as I no longer have the photographs.

Perhaps, one day, I will rig it up on the mill with a block of mild steel and take a substantial cut, making a video of this to put on my web site, just to show what it is capable of.

Harold

Edited By Harold Hall 1 on 07/10/2012 12:14:22

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I'v only got about half a dozen MEW, and two of them no.,23, and no., 26have Harold's artical, and a bit in 26 byBob Loader on a Fabricated vice, this one is 40 mm wide, and the body is100 mm long, but could be scaled to suit your mill,what ever size you want Ian S C

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

A quick update on this. I checked the two grub screws and although they seemed to be set about right the main cap screws holding the keep plate were loose. Even after making sure everything was secure it didn't really help much. From the helpful advice in this thread I believe I know what I need to do make a bigger keep plate and I'll probaly have a go at making some new jaws too. I'll try to get a drawing done and post it here for scrutiny

Harold, I've ordered a copy of your Complete Milling Course. My milling machine is a Warco WM-16 (16mm largest end mill diameter).

Thanks all,

Regards,
Ed.

[Harold Hall 1Participant @haroldhall1]

I have looked at the WM-16 Ed and it would look large enough to house the milling vices recommended in the earlier posts. Of course, whether you need such a large vice depends on the type of work you will be carrying out on the machine. Perhaps at this early stage you may not be absolutely sure. Many of us equipped a workshop with the idea of using it for model engineering only to end up largely making workshop equipment. Even model engineering can be anything between a small Stuart steam engine and a 1/4 scale traction engine.

As at this stage you seem to be committed to the vice you have then a longer keep place will certainly make a noticeable improvement. I should though clarify my comment regarding four screws. These are not to permit the jaw to be tilted so as to make it adequately upright but to give a better area for the two jaw clamping screws to fasten against. Both the jaw and the keep plate need to be fully in contact with the vice surfaces.

If I were setting this up I would wind the four grub screw well back and secure the keep plate such that the jaw could just be moved by hand. With that done, then tightening the four grub screws as equally as is possible. If the jaw is still stiff to move loosen the two main screws very slightly and tighten the four grub screws a little more. If the jaw becomes free then the reverse is the method.

The jaw should end up very slightly stiff to move, if easy, then this indicates clearance which is not what one requires.

Hope this helps.

Harold

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Ed,

As well as the keep plate it is probably worth making a longer jaw as Harold did on his drilling vice. It will reduce the capacity but make for a stiffer vice. I think Harold would agree with me that you should also use all four mounting holes as this effectively makes the table integral with the base casting unlike the much heavier vices which only need two mounting bolts due to the stiffness of the castings involved. I hope that I am not being too presumptuous with respect to Harold.

Best regards

Terry

[Harold Hall 1Participant @haroldhall1]

Not at all Terry.

Harold

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

Just to add to this thread. I eventually bought a Vertex VA-4. I'm now the proud owner of some square pieces of stock …and lots of swarf !

The drawing I was going to do wasn't necessary, as Terryd mentioned the problem was covered in Harold's book, drawings included.

I'll still try to fix the other vice (vise?) to make it useable; for the experience.

Cheers all,
Ed.

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