Model Engine Maker

Help! => Hints, Tips & Tricks => Topic started by: Mosey on March 04, 2014, 09:39:49 PM

Title: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: Mosey on March 04, 2014, 09:39:49 PM
I think I'm not alone in having one of those inexpensive precision toolmakers vise, made in China, in which the little ball and pin never stays in the slot you want. So, I made a trivial improvement that makes the vise usable. I pulled the little cylindrical cross pin out and put in a longer cylindrical pin that spans across the width of the vise through a set of holes. It solves the problem completely because the pin can no longer jump out of the recess in the body of the vise.
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac290/sussna/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Robert%20Sussnas%20Mac%20mini/IMG_1450_zpsa888598f.jpg) (http://s908.photobucket.com/user/sussna/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Robert%20Sussnas%20Mac%20mini/IMG_1450_zpsa888598f.jpg.html)

(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac290/sussna/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Robert%20Sussnas%20Mac%20mini/IMG_1451_zpsc903d7c4.jpg) (http://s908.photobucket.com/user/sussna/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Robert%20Sussnas%20Mac%20mini/IMG_1451_zpsc903d7c4.jpg.html)

Mosey
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: Don1966 on March 04, 2014, 10:19:22 PM
That little boggier gives me problems at time too. I try to keep pressure with the Allen wrench to keep it in the slot but still gives me a fit. Nice setup Mosey.  :ThumbsUp:

Don
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: smfr on March 04, 2014, 10:28:58 PM
Yep, have the same problems! Sadly my vise doesn't have holes all the way through  :'(

Simon
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: zeeprogrammer on March 04, 2014, 10:35:57 PM
Newbie Alert!!!

I've seen those holes. Didn't know about a pin or ball. Don't know the differences between this and a plain vise (not knowing what a 'plain' vise is).

Here is an opportunity for someone to teach and probably more than just I to learn (I hope)...

What makes it a 'precision toolmakers vise'?
When do you use it over another type of vise?
What are those holes, pins, and especially that ball for?

Do I need one and can I get it for $2.00 off of eBay (if Doc hadn't gotten everything already)?

Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: GailinNM on March 05, 2014, 12:00:00 AM
 For my 1 inch vice I made a carrier for the barrel nut that is tall enough to fit between the sides of the bed of the vice. It captures the the nut to keep it from turning. Everything is a loose fit with the hole for the nut about 0.005 oversize and about 0.005 clearance on the sides.The photos should explain. No strength is need in the part as all it does is keep the nut in line while you are changing positions.

There are a big variety of these vices so no dimensions are given a they are all different.

Gail in NM
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: b.lindsey on March 05, 2014, 12:05:49 AM
Nice solution Gail. Mine gives me fits too and once I have it on the mill table and all squared up, I usually just live with it and throw in a few choice words at times. :)

Bill
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: Johnmcc69 on March 05, 2014, 12:38:04 AM
Zee, I used to use this style vise on a surface grinder for "precision" grinding.
The vise is precision ground ground square & perpendicular, & can be used on it's
side. The screw & pin/ball create a wedge type clamping force that force the workpiece down,,
unlike a screw type vise that has a tendency to twist & rotate the workpiece when clamped. (Vised?)

 John
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: GailinNM on March 05, 2014, 01:02:45 AM
Very useful for setting up compound angles for milling.  Set one angle is the toolmakers vice and then set the toolmakers vice at the second angle in the milling machine vice.
Gail in NM
Title: Re: Fixing your micro vise
Post by: RickBarnes on March 05, 2014, 02:31:15 AM
I enjoy making a nice tool out of Chinese stuff.  I consider their tools rough castings.  Nice work.
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