3" precision vice

Just ordered one of these so here's hoping I get a good un .Anyone else use this type of vice .

Sean

It might help if you were more specific as to type and from where you ordered it?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-3-Toolmakers-Vice/261742367730?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

Mine is only 70mm and it came from our reliable supplier Arceurotrade.

Perhaps a little more expensive (actually I doubt it) but no risk of getting a wrong un.

Works well enough.

Edited By not done it yet on 31/12/2017 22:50:07

Hi Sean

Looks like a compact unit and look forward to your findings when set up and used.

Emgee

Whilst on the subject of milling vices, I'm after one for a WM18 mill but cant make up my mind. From most reviews on here it would seem the preferred ones are the DH-1, the Arc versatile, and the precision tool vice... I'm more inclined towards the versatile vice 80mm as it has the largest jaw opening compared to similar jaw sized vices. Not sure if its the right size for my mill tho.

Sorry for the thread hijack Sean

The arc euro looks more useful as it has slots in the side to clamp it to the table. However, how do you move the jaw on either, I cant see any clamp screw. Or does the angled one somehow traverse the moving jaw.

I, too, bought one from Arc Euro Trade, preferring the slots to anchor it to the table of the Perfecto shaper that I acquired recently. Works well and is ideally sized for the purpose.

I've owned a DH-1 for several years and for the majority of milling jobs, this is my goto vice, very versatile, has a bigger capacity than any other vice in the same footprint. Additional Jaws are well worth purchasing

The 90mm Type 2 from Arc is no bigger physically from the 80mm versatile but it will open up to 120mm ( 76mm versatile) and has deeper jaws. The only thing you don't get is the abilty to hold large items for gentle work that the extra jaw positions on the versatile allow.

You can also see the hole for the key to tighten the precision ones.

J

PS The e-bay seller Harryuk is Harry from Amadeal.

Edited By JasonB on 01/01/2018 07:41:34

I looked at the 76mm versatile ,the different clamping down positions was what I need also the extra jaw opening . I looked at loads of vices and it all became rather confusing in the end . Looked at a few youtube videos .....as you do . Saw this one on the bay ,the price was right for me and the size plus it'll be more than accurate enough for the stuff I do ,if not it'll be going back . The Centec vice I have is far from accurate,the fixed jaw has a slight curve accross the face and it will now be demoted to the drill press .

Happy New Year to everyone .

Sean

Alright, I thought the versatile could handle 205mm work, looking closer to the listing it says light work only in that config - as you say. Is the table size on your mill similar to a WM18 Jason? that is will a 90mm type 2 fit or it's too large?

“the fixed jaw has a slight curve accross the face”

Isn’t that what a milling machine is good at - milling things flat?

For my cnc router , I brought a pair of Toolmakers vices, similar to what is listed , but from a local tool company. They are within 0.01mm everywhere to being the same. I mounted them onto a sub plate that has dowels to located the vice to. 3 pins , 1 is an end stop, and the other 2 are a side stop. These are spaced so that I can have the vices 25mm apart to a max of 200 mm between the 2 vices. The dowels are a neat slide fit for the side pins, so can be removed if required. I'm very happy with them so far and it's been 2 years now. The new vices all seem to have the short retaining pin that can be loosened off and then slide to the next hole point. The older ones used to have a through dowel that needed changing and that really was a pain at times. I used M8 capscrews for the end clamps, so the 6mm allen key does all the clamps and the vice jaw tightening. Mine also has M8 threaded holes for the side stops etc as well.

Neil

That is the table of the SX2.7 which is 140 x 590. Yes 90mm type 2 against the 80mm versatile both suit that size table, you may be able to go larger on your WM18

Having had to replace another rebranded Versatile 5" from JLS that broke the back out i replaced with a 120 Type 2 and regretted every second with it.

In hind sight its quite a good vice but its the constant annoyance of having to use an allen key with limited travel. Even worse back out 1 rev too much to clear the underside indents and nut drops off. You will send more time faffing about than using.

Personally i would risk the Versatile again and put two rows of off the shelf cheap bearings in about £2, wish i had.

Must say that my experience with the Allen key type vice is the same. I bought one of the smaller ones because I thought it would be good for holding small components but I hardly ever use it. Two reasons, one is the step in the jaws which never seems to suit the part I am gripping, and secondly there is no method to secure the vice to the table so it has to be held in my main chuck, which sort of defeats the object.

Ian P

Ian, That is why I made a sub plate to hold the vices with. The new ones have a sping and are very user friendly. I have never had the bottom nut come off yet at all.

Neil

I have since added some more hold down clamp holes and more dowel holes. The new holes were done in position after the plate was put in place.