Which of these 2 vices for milling?

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

I have a Vertex Toolmakers vice, similar to this, that open up to 100mm. I am very satisfied with the vice and haven't had any problems with the workpiece twisting. I don't take heavy cuts when using the toolmaker vice, but then I only have an Asian made hobby milling machine.

Thor

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

the 80mm vice I have comes with a pair of keys and slots in the bottom and the rotary base.

One irritant, the slots in the main part run along the length of the vice (so they don't conflict with the mounting holes and I usually mount my vice across the table.

Neil

[Men IfrParticipant @menifr84251]

Ketan

Do you have the length of the base on the 80 mm radial vice and 100mm precision vice?

Would you have the weights as well?

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

80mm radial vice length of base just under 190mm.

90mm (not100mm) type 2 Precision vice length of base just under 210mm.

Weights : just under 7kg each, for either one.

Ketan@ARC

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Neil,

My vice is normally across the table and it came with lengthwise key slots only and I added the slot across the vice. It is spaced to align with an adjacent milling table T- slot to the bolts.

Paul.

[JonParticipant @jon]

Leading on a bit broke me 5" vice this afternoon, same type as the OP's first link. Bought to replace the second link 4" which also broke.

Backs broke out from the peg downwards about 30 degrees and need to replace pronto, I am at a stop. **LINK**

Just noticed similar style in ductile SG but the breakout area is still a weak point. More for Ketan are these any stronger and better made than the others?
6" may be too big, current broken one is around 380mm length and on furthest out T slot. Fixed jaw side where broke is 60mm from face of jaw.

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Jon,

Apologies for delay in response. Short staffed this week. Read your earlier post, as well as your post above.

Difficult to give you are clear answer to your question. Comments and observations as follows:

– There are too many factories in China, one or two in Taiwan as well as some in India who are making this vice to this pattern. Ours are from Mainland China. Where did yours come from?.. Mainland China, Taiwan, or India?. Within China there is good, bad and ugly casting/assembly. Taiwan generally good, India – good and bad. I would like to think that our Chinese offering for this vice sits in the 'generally good – general purpose' category for the price, better than average Chinese (we pay more for extra bits and pieces), but still not to be compared with high end American.

– How long have you been using both of your vices, how regularly, and how heavy handed are you?… any pipes involved during tightening?… anyone other than only you using the vice… in a good or bad way . We have only been selling this type now for just under two years. based on this period of sales, we have not yet come across this problem, be it for this type or the SG iron type. However in our case, we do not profess to sell them as high precision. The ways in our case are 'hardened' which means they are harder wearing (not to be confused with high level HRC hardening of steel). If the breakout you are seeing is not a result of use/abuse over time, then there could be a casting issue of some nature, for which I have no explanation.

– For comparison we need to ask how many people on this forum who have this type of vice have experienced the same problem as you, with details of origin/time/use/expectations.

– The SG iron product will by its very nature be better than the standard cast product, probably preferred for heavier duty of use. I can only guess that the type of breakout/fracture which can be seen at the week point in your standard product would be less likely, but difficult to say for sure. other factors could be machining of the keyway/fit/use over time/vibration.

My comments are based on ARCs experience of the products we have sold in the time frame i have stated, only. The only other alternative, especially for production work would be to consider the original Kurt product i would guess.

Ketan at ARC.

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