How do you hold pipes in your vise if it doesn't have pipe jaws?

Flash21 · Jan 29, 2010

If your vise doesn't have pipe jaws, how do you hold a pipe? Does someone make a tool off-the-shelf that you can set over your regular vise jaws to hold pipes?

I"m looking for a new vise and I want to be able to hold pipes...not all the time, but on occasion for mostly around the house work for pipes that that you find in a residental home construction or general automotive / truck (Need capacity to maybe 3" or 3 1/2") I need to know if I should limit my search to those that have pipe jaws built in (like a mechanics or tradesman vise) or if I should also look at the machinist models without pipe jaws and then just another utility when holding pipes.

Thanks for the advice :beer:

alex71 · Jan 29, 2010

vee-blocks

Flash21 · Jan 29, 2010

alex71 said:
vee-blocks

thanks, I did a google search and now see what you are talking about.

Is there a source for a stepped version, similiar to what is on a vise with pipe jaws?

Also, something < $100?

All the vee blocks at MSC were $100 - $1200

*Sorry for the total newb question

ephotrod · Jan 29, 2010

Angle iron or c channel both work and are cheap.
Josh

alex71 · Jan 29, 2010

Now that I think about it a bit more, vee blocks may be problematic in a bench vise. they're normally used in a machine vise where they can be bottomed out on the vise or a set of parallels.

Zrexxer · Jan 29, 2010

Just get one of these and bolt it to a piece of plate or angle such that there's a vertical flange to clamp in your vise jaws. When you're done with it, stow it under the bench.

Flash21 · Jan 29, 2010

ephotrod said:
Angle iron or c channel both work and are cheap.
Josh

with angle iron, how does the holding assembly go together, do you fab something that is flat on one side (vise jaw side) with a relief for the "V" of the angle iron?

I can see how that would work. I was hoping someone made something like that off the shelf that maybe had a little ledge on it to sit on top of the vise jaws so it would hang in place while you get your clamping setup.

Flash21 · Jan 29, 2010

Zrexxer said:
Just get one of these and bolt it to a piece of plate or angle such that there's a vertical flange to clamp in your pipe jaws. When you're done with it, stow it under the bench.

I didn't think of that, thanks, that seems like it would definetely be the easiest and most flexible / functional solution. :thumbup:

BanjoSavesTheDay · Jan 29, 2010

What the heck...Zrexxer, that's the second time in 5 minutes that I was going to say something only to discover that you had already beaten me to it!!

Technic_569 · Jan 29, 2010

On my vice it has screws to hold the pads on the jaws. I made an insert out of wood that has the same hole configuration as the pads. Then i notched a vee into the insert. This is by no means would hold up to heavy use or tight clamping, but works fantastic for occasional use. I made this to hold my bike in the vice to make it easier to service and clean. I will post pics when i get home if anyone is interested.

BanjoSavesTheDay · Jan 29, 2010

That's an interesting idea, Technic. I'm definitely interested in seeing pictures.

regguy1 · Jan 29, 2010

KLars1 said:
If your vise doesn't have pipe jaws, how do you hold a pipe? Does someone make a tool off-the-shelf that you can set over your regular vise jaws to hold pipes?

I"m looking for a new vise and I want to be able to hold pipes...not all the time, but on occasion for mostly around the house work for pipes that that you find in a residental home construction or general automotive / truck (Need capacity to maybe 3" or 3 1/2") I need to know if I should limit my search to those that have pipe jaws built in (like a mechanics or tradesman vise) or if I should also look at the machinist models without pipe jaws and then just another utility when holding pipes.

Thanks for the advice

Rotate the jaws and clamp the handle of a pipe wrench in the vise, then use the pipe wrench to hold the pipe. This will work for rotational clamping only.

Most pipe wrench handles are tapered and don't hold well in the flat jaws of a vise, you could grind a flat area on the handle of the pipe wrench so the jaws would have a good bite.

metal1313 · Jan 29, 2010

http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/c...&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=productfeeds

look on cl to find one used, they wont take up alot of space and can be locked into a vise if you make a little mount

Griff93 · Jan 29, 2010

Buy a real pipe vise and then do the setup to use it in your regular vise. I have a ridgid one that I think I use more than my regular vise.

Mickey O · Jan 29, 2010

Griff93 said:
Buy a real pipe vise and then do the setup to use it in your regular vise. I have a ridgid one that I think I use more than my regular vise.

I recommend buying a pipe vise and I just happen to know someone selling a very nice Ridgid no. 23:

snapmom · Jan 29, 2010

you could buy this one.
http://lakeland.craigslist.org/tls/1576858689.html

Nealcrenshaw · Jan 29, 2010

Here's a cheap one from HF

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=8890

ephotrod · Jan 29, 2010

You need four piece of angle, lay two right next to each other and weld the ends so it looks like and M and do the same with the other two pieces. With your extra scrap you have a couple of poor mans v blocks. I've also had a large thick piece of angle that i milled a v groove on on of the flat sides and then cut it to fit both jaws.
Josh

ephotrod · Jan 29, 2010

You can also stick it under the jaws and close the vise so that the bottom of the jaws hold the pipe against the barrel. Please remember we don't all have the tools to get everything done so if in a pinch think a little and make do with what you have present.
Josh

Technic_569 · Jan 29, 2010

Here is the wooden attachment i put on my Ohio forge Vice. I seems to hold pipes really well. I have been able to clamp 1" to 4" diameter pipes in it.

Riley

Flash21 · Jan 29, 2010

Technic_569 said:
Here is the wooden attachment i put on my Ohio forge Vice. I seems to hold pipes really well. I have been able to clamp 1" to 4" diameter pipes in it.

Riley

Thanks Riley! Bonus points for those pictures, thanks. :beer:

How do you hold pipes in your vise if it doesn't have pipe jaws?

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