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Miniature Wilton vise project may be rejuvenated. But this time with the twist. I want to try mounting vises on a miniature power arm. The project is on early stage. I am checking if I could make such a small power arm. At least I know I can make such a small vise. Here are first wax models of...

Drilling and tapping #0-80 threads in bearing pillow blocks

I was ready to start milling jaws but my milling machine had different thoughts. The laprop that controls it just stopped turning on. Something happened to voltage regulator. Anyway, I found the one just like mine on ebay and already purchased it. I made the screw, pinned it to the rear jaw...

Retaining plate

In this wise the nut is turning and the lead screw is attached to the rear jaw. I made the nut today.

Now I start machining parts. Flywheel machined inside and outsode. Clutch hub and a sleeve. Everything should fit to the body between two bearings.

Original power hammers were sand-cast. The company also made about a dozen of salesman items- fully functional miniature hammer. The base of that hammer was 18 inches tall and it also was sand cast. They used wooden patterns in the foundry. My model is much smaller. I can not get fine detailes...

After CAD is complete next stage is choose the scale and 3d print all components. I 3d printed a version with 6 inch tall base. But if I cast it after I could only position 5.5 inch tall part in the flask. So it determins the scale my miniature will be built.

I start a new project. This time a miniature working Little Giant power hammer. Unlike my previous projects this time it will require a large number of parts cast. Little Giant power hammers have a very recognizable shape. The one I decided to make is a miniature version of 50lbs model. As...

Some slight filing and the rear jaw is sliding as it should.

Unlike sand casting here I used investment mix for jewelry. It is a fine powder that turns into solid in a few minutes and requires kiln firing before bein filled with liquid metal. The Technology widely used in jewelry. Therefore good surface finish.

It took some time for all preparations. First, I built a wax tree where the stem will be a metal feed and the branches are the gates molten metal comes to the mold. After I finished with the tree I prepared investment mix and filled the flask. The mix dried and became solid. Next morning I...

Third since I started publishing here. I created a few more miniatures before.

And here is a short video of the entire process. From mold assembly to wax injection and model extraction.

Once the size is determined, time to make a CAD of two molds- each for corresponding jaws. Molds should open allowing wax extraction. It also should have a port for wax injection. Some of the features cannot be resolved wothout cores. So the cores are designed as well. I 3d printed cores and...

Once I had the 3d model I printed a few small-scale miniatures just to determine which size I am comfortable to work with. It seems 1/3scale is too tiny, so I decided to start building a 1/2scale vise.

With this message I am starting the story of creation a miniature version of Boley jeweler's vise. First, I got a vise and thoroughly measured all dimensions. Then created a 3d version of it

Tonthe end of story: I made a videonof the process ohttps://youtu.be/DhqiUvZ8XVw?si=AbF7fjDi4P9DhX_Yf creation. It is available on youtube.

I finally finished this project and have a few vises for sale. They are $525 each. Already started a new project- a 1/2 scale miniature Boley jeweler's vise. I will post updates for my new peoject in a separate thread. Thanks!