Recovering a Milling Vice

Hi everyone, long time lurker but I recognise a few familiar names from other forums

Well, I didn't quite know what to use as a title but this is the scenario. I have aquired a pretty decent 4" jaw milling vice. Snag is, someone has milled off the cast lugs that you would use to hold it down to a table. The short "wings" that are on either side of the jaws (usuually) are missing. The upside is there is a good 14mm tapped hole in the centre of the underside. It is not a swivel base.

In order to use it, so far, my plan is to use a countersunk machine screw to bolt a square plate to the underside and lock it by drilling either side for a silver steel dowel.

That's as far as my thinking process will go so far so I am looking for ideas. Am I on the right track? I would of course machine a couple or four slots in the plate so I can mount it to the milling table. Should I use countersunk machine screws instead of the silver steel pins in order to furthe secure the base? There is no question of welding as the base is cast.

Thanks everyone.

You could just mill a slot in either side or drill a hole for clamps in much the same way that precision vices are held to the table

Suggest you fit a tenon on the base to engage your table Tee slot, this will provide extra rigidity with the holding down accomplished as suggested by JasonB, and be quick to set up when needed without "clocking."

Emgee

Good idea but I don't think it would work, the bottom of the vce is too thin. I think if i took a picture and posted it that would help.

Thanks though, it is certainly another angle.

If fixing a plate to the underside I would want to use at least 4 bolts, and preferably six, equally spread round the base. Have used this method on smaller vices.

The plate and base to be a tight fit together (blueing).

Even though the single bolt is quite hefty it can still rock, the dowels will only prevent rotation.

As you say, a picture would help

.

A useful "cheat" is to use 638 Loctite as a gasket.

MichaelG.

A couple of photographs of the actual vice.

"was" I think is the word you are looking for. It is only a rotatary base if I have the other half, which sadly I don't.

But any suggestions as to how to securely attach it to a mounting plate gratefully recieved. The hole is tapped 5/8 Whit.

You could still just make a couple of clamps to hold what you have left, the remaining lug would be like the bottom of a groove and no loss of head height

If you do still want a separate plate then I would have a large Csk screw in teh existing hole and tap the base to take another M6 fixing at either side. The three together should be firm.

Edited By JasonB on 14/10/2013 18:47:25

Jason, thank you. Sometimes you get tunnel vision and for the lfe of me I couldn't see this. I will set to and make some clamps as per your drawing.

I appreciate the guidance.

graham.