Improving a vise

[abstamaria]

I read a vintage car restoration book in the 70s that recommended replacing the serrated jaws of a vise with smooth jaws, so as to avoid marring the surface of the piece being held. That made good sense to me, but I never got around to doing it. Here is someone who did.

http://www.frets.com/homeshoptech/Tooling/WiltonJaws/wiltonjaws.html

 

[Falcon67]

Soft jaws:
http://www.grahamtool.com/visesoftjaws.aspx
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-drill-press-vise-jaws-soft/p-00929835000P

When I build race plumbing, I use a set of specialty jaws:
http://pitstopusa.com/c-132875-tools-equipment-fitting-hose-tools-vise-jaw-protective-inserts.html

 

[gorilla]

Wilton make a set of copper jaw liners that just drop over the vise jaws. You can do the same thing by clamping some soft aluminum or copper in the jaws and hammering it over the top of the jaws.

 

[gtrotter]

Both my dad and uncle always use two pieces of wood cut to fit. Nothing special, just cheap and works.