Milling vise mods

I have long been thinking of modifying the 100mm Bison vises we have at the museum. Most of the time they are bolted to the table with the jaws lined up with the X axis. They also have lugs which allow the vise to have the jaws in line with the Y axis. I don't want to loose that facility, but I do want to loose the overhanging rear lug which uses up Y axis travel. This is more of a problem on the Tom Senior, than on the drill mill as the bed is smaller, and only has three slots whereas the DM has four slots and more Y axis movement. A start has been made on making a removable rear lug for the rare occasions when it might be used.

I missed out the start of the detachable lug.

Would it not be easier to just drill a hole in whats left of the vice and use a peg type clamp? or use a tee slot or woodruff cutter to form a recess for a standard clamp.

Yes it might be easier, I could even use the hole drilled for the stop.

More pictures, the step is to make the height easy to achieve. When the lug is bolted on it will be 0.008" higher than the rest of the base to ensure the vise is pulled down.

Finished at last. The new end and its screws and shim have been put away safely, it probably will only be needed once in a blue moon. The other matching vise will only have the end cut off, there is practically zero need, or room for both to be set up lengthwise together. I am pleased to be able to use that extra inch of Y travel.

I have the same issue with my vice and mill. I had to mount my vice length ways a few months back so glad I didn’t mill off the end of the vice. I like your solution though so may carry out a similar modification on my vice. Thanks for posting.

Engrave the lug with 'Bison vice' to make it look more official and paint it the same colour as the vice or it will go missing once you take it off.

Bazyle has the right idea but the only way to stop it running away and hiding is to bolt it somewhere visible on the machine so a regular "last eye sweep before shutting the door" will spot it. Bright yellow paint might help.

Even then I give it 3 years max before it escapes and hides in nice dark corner to catch up on undisturbed sleep.

Clive

(Who has 3 bright yellow flexi tapes and can never lay his hands directly on even one!)