Homemade Vise Anyone?

[kams1973]

Just wondering if any members have fabricated their own vise. If so, how and pics

 

[Griff93]

I haven't yet as I have 3 million other things on my to do list, but I was thinking about making one that would go into a receiver hitch so I could use it when I'm out away from the shop.

 

[Packard V8]

Back when manual machine shop was an engineering course, the project was to make a vise. I still have mine somewhere and will post a photo when I find it.

Question is why? Of all the projects I'd ever attempt, making a vise is very nearly the last one. Good vises of every description are thick on the ground for less money than the parts and material to make one.

jack vines

 

[NWphotog]

I made a tool box back in middle school. Man that was one ugly sob!

 

[mdlbldrmatt135]

........

 

[lilredex]

Here's a woodworker's vise I made, after finding the screw at a garage sale.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

If you were thinking more along a mechanic's vise.....I have some pictures of a few I can post if you want (not my work).

 

[AL`]

There is a welding projects book, vol. II sold by Lincoln Electric which has a steel vise project in it complete with diagrams and instructions. The book is a collection of DIY projects from highschool metalshops and the like and there are several neat projects in it. The vise has 6" jaws and opens to 10.5" made of steel. Ridgid makes an all steel vise as opposed to cast vises found too. Sorry, I know you were looking for pics and stuff, but thought I'd toss that source out there. I don't remember what I paid, but my recollection is that all of the Lincoln Electric educational/reference books are very reasonably priced. I have also seen a homemade vise project on the internet before, but darned now if I can recall what forum it was on. Might have been weldingweb, or possibly practicalmachinist or HSM.

Edit to add: I scanned the first page of the DIY project vise; however, I cropped it to only show the pic of the vise with its general description. Don't want to violate any copyrights, so the scan does not include any of the very detailed project diagrams. In fact, looking the project over, it really only consists of very detailed drawings and materials list.

The book and many other great books are available from Lincoln Electric. Here is a direct link to Arc Welded Projects Vol. II available for $10. You'll see that all their books are real bargains.

 

[ndoran]

I remember my dad had a vice he made as one of the tests during his apprenticeship as a railway fitter - it was a beast with 8 in jaws we pounded many bushings and bearings on that thing. Of course they had access to a drop forge with a 10 ton steam hammer. I also remember going to the local railway isntitute every year to the flower and vegetable show which had all the apprentice test pieces on display, from the file a piece of steel into a 1inch cube through all sorts of tools and jigs. Amazing to remember what guys could do with simple tools and a hell of a lot of skill.

 

[fitz11]

I made a small one in high school. poured aluminium jaws and milled to specs. Then turned the rest of the pieces. Ill have to get a pic. Its more of a display piece than useful because of the flat jaws

 

[kams1973]

Thanks for the replies men. I'm looking forward to the upcoming pictures.

 

[Rural53]

I made a wood working type vice at high school. I've still got it somewhere. If I can find it I'll post pictures.