Machine Vice any recommendations ?

Edited By chris j on 23/10/2012 11:22:41

Warco DH-1, very capable vice, no connection etc.etc.

Hi Chris

I have the Vertex model from Warco which is fine ( and a good bit cheaper than the DH-1) At the risk of an accusation of "stable doors and horses" if you are buying a new machine it may be a good idea to buy accessories, like vices, at the same time as you may be able to negotiate a "package deal ". ( Well it used to be possible anyway!)

Good point but I did negotiate that at the show. The sales chap was very busy and I was rushed. I did buy some bit and pieces yesterday and they were good to their word. In fact they have been very fair with me all round.

So Vertex or DHI, thanks guys I'll have a look. Keep it coming

I have one of these Precision Vices on my smaller (Geo. Taylor) mill (18" x 6" ) very accurate for the price.

Regards

Paul

Edit due to Anal forum software.

Edited By _Paul_ on 23/10/2012 12:17:22

I looked at these Paul but didn't like the lack of a mount to the bed.

As far as I can tell you have to clamp them to the bed with a clamping kit, how do you find that.

I liked them otherwise.

Chris

Hi Chris

I have both a Vertex K4 and a Warco DH1 and find that they both have their uses - really depends on what you intend to make as to which way you go. I've fitted tenons to the bottom of both vices so swapping over is quick and straightforward.

The DH1 is a brilliant, accurate piece of kit and is very versatile - it's overall jaw opening of 175mm vs the 63mm of the K4 sold it to me. It's not cheap if you buy it with the optional vee-jaws and high jaws (around £240 total) but these increase it's versatility tremendously.

In use the DH1 is a bit more restrictive regarding headroom (spindle nose to table) as the VMC isn't exactly over-endowed with headroom. The distance table to base of jaws is 93mm for the DH1 vs the K4's 76mm (with the swivel base in place in both cases) - not a lot but as the ad says "every little helps".

Probably the best approach is to consider carefully what you intend to make and make your purchase accordingly. If you can afford to buy both then that has to be a good option and maybe a deal can be done with Warco. After all they could both be delivered together reducing carriage costs.

On the subject of moving the machine into your workshop, it may be worth talking to Warco to see how they would move the machine as I believe that they offer an installation service. I'd be interested to know how you tackle the job - maybe you could make a posting to this forum.

Regards, Roger

Edited By Roger Vane on 23/10/2012 13:15:56

I have a Vertex 4". The only rather minor niggle I have is that most of it has a black crackle finish, possibly applied to make the thing look smart without cleaning up large areas of the castings. The rough crackle finish makes it difficult to clean chips off the painted areas.

Andy

Chris,

Mounting on mine is catered for by two shop made dogs fitted either side which locate in the holes in the body, the big difference I found and like with these vices is there is effectively no jaw lift so no more deadblow hammer needed to locate the part level.

If you dont fancy one dont forget to add a decent deadblow hammer to your shopping list

Paul

Any chance of a picture of your mounting system Paul ?

Do you find that your workpieces rise up in the DH-1 Roger ?

I will take some pictures and put it into the thread, I'm expecting it on the 31st

Hello Chris.

You can find here **LINK**, here **LINK**, here **LINK** and here **LINK** three pictures of the clamps I use to clamp the vice to the milling table.

My first vice is a very good Vertex clone but since I started using this precision vice I never used the Vertex clone again.

Best regards
Dias Costa

Edited By dcosta on 23/10/2012 14:37:42

Edited By dcosta on 23/10/2012 14:38:10

Hi Chris

Not experienced workpiece rising-up in the DH1, in fact it has very good grip holding the workpiece very securely, but you will have to adopt a different way of working with it. I also find the recesses in the top of the jaws very useful for holding thin components.

The thread **LINK** will provide you with some more information on the method of use. This method has the advantage that if the workpiece is slightly away from parallel you can still grip it tightly.

Hi Chris,

You can actually do a lot of milling work without a vice. Harold Halls book on milling ('Milling A Complete Course' shows many examples of accurate work holding without using a vice. It's worth a read and may get you started on some useful projects to ease you into your new machine while you are saving your pocket money for a new vice.

I would say now that I only use my vice for about 20% of my work (mostly drilling amd reaming) and could probably get away with more. I'm not saying that a vice is not necessary, it is, but just that you can do a lot without. A vice does introduce another variable with the posibility of innaccuracy but by clamping work directly to the bed when possible can help to ensure accuracy.

By the way, a lot of the problems with jaw lifting can be overcome in many cases (again not all) by using a round bar between the moving jaw and the work. I keep a precision roller from an old photocopier for that purpose.

Best regards

Terry

Having owned a Warco DH-1 from almost its introduction, I can attest to its longevity and accuracy.

I have recently added the high jaws (both hard and aluminium) to the jaw arsenal.

I have not found many occasions to use the Vee jaws but... they are useful!

I have never suffered any kind of 'jaw lift' and I think that is inherent in the design of the vice.

As others have said, if holding pieces which may not have quite parallel sides then the same principle applies as with any other vice in the use of a round bar between the jaw and the workpiece.

For small to medium sized work, this is my vice of choice, for larger stuff I have a BIG Kurt and some other specialised vices, don't expect a DH-1 to hold huge workpieces, but it has its place.

Graeme

Here you go:

Hold down 1 Hold down 2 Hold down 3 Hold down 4

what really anal forum software this is......

Edited By _Paul_ on 23/10/2012 22:34:40

Sorry Paul

That doesn't work easily. Can you not post as a link?

Ah you have but ...

Oh - but now the formatting is kaput

N

Edited By NJH on 23/10/2012 22:32:22

What crap forum software this is and coupled with the recent changes to Photobucket I have no chance.....

Well done Paul

Success at last! ( good pics too)

Yes not the most user friendly site is it

N