Machine Vice any recommendations ?

Hi Chris

could I lesuggest a mod to your vice have suggested it in other threads, bolt a small strip of steel to base to match your T Slot. dead square, there are other threads that we have covered this extensivly. worth a hunt. plonk it on the bed dead sqaure every time.

Bob

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.

Hi Chris

If the vice has a swivel it doesn't take long to clamp a parallel in its jaws, loosen the swivel holding nuts, 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.

A "down side" of the swiveling vice is that it reduces the headroom ( and , some might argue the rigidity of the set-up)

Norman

Edited By NJH on 24/10/2012 18:23:31

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

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

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

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.