Makin' Some Alum. Vise jaws

[hofferwood]

Hey All,
I'm makin' some soft jaws.
Thought I'd post some Photos as I go along.
The stock is .750x.750, 6061 alum.----Why? Because I had it
I need it to be .500x.750, So here goes.

I'm using my lathe, cause I'm too broke to buy a mill
Chuck

 

[hofferwood]

I'm stopped right now, because the previous owner(or before that), made some jaws. And somehow the bolts in the stationary got busted.
They f.u. drilling the old ones(off center). So new holes were made.
Will try to get the busted **** out, and use orig. holes(I know lotsa tricks).
Already got the left one out.
I'll keep yall updated, if any interest.
Chuck

 

[waggie]

i'm too broke to buy a lathe but i have a mill... hey, we should get together!

nice job on using the lathe as a mill, I'll be using my mill as a lathe on some round stocks this weekend.

what vice is that, btw. I have an old cman hand me down that i like to put some new jaws on, so i'm watching this thread.

 

[reinhardt]

lemme ask a dumb question.... whats wrong with some aluminum angle cut to fit over the steel jaws? the steel jaws are useful for a lot of things and the aluminum angle slips over the steel jaws easy whenever you need soft jaws.

i have a small garage (14x20) that wouldnt support 2 vises. even if i did have the room to, i dont understand the useful-ness of two. not criticizing, i'm always open to learning methods to madness. anywho, thanks for entertaining my ignorance.

ben

 

[hofferwood]

i'm too broke to buy a lathe but i have a mill... hey, we should get together!

nice job on using the lathe as a mill, I'll be using my mill as a lathe on some round stocks this weekend.

what vice is that, btw. I have an old cman hand me down that i like to put some new jaws on, so i'm watching this thread.

Hey waggie, Ben,
Here's the vise.
It's not a dumb question. But there is a reason to my madness
I will explain in a bit(gotta shower).
More photos to follow, that will help explain.
More to come
Chuck

 

[whelenfan]

looks great, I am anxiously waiting to see the finished project.

 

[hofferwood]

Sortin photos now

 

[hofferwood]

Hey all, (click on pics to enlarge)
First shot, the old f.u, jaws & the pencil grinder W/carbide burr to hog on the busted bolt. notice the hole centers, and these guys were not sitting on the "shelf or ridge"

The busted bolt. WAY off center, at least they didn't bust off a "sleazy out"

Removed

The culprit, and below it is a 1/8" cutting bit for the lathe HSS. I used the grinder to thin the walls of the bolt. Then use the HSS w/a brass hammer to tap the piece out.

Blind hole centers

Center drill

About to drill 9/32" holes

Stay tuned MORE TO COME
Chuck

 

[hofferwood]

Gettin close to the end (again click on pics to enlarge Twice makes em bigger)
Ready to hog out the hole with a 1/4" socket head capscrew "mill"

A 1/4 20 screw to set depth

Mounted




With the jaws closed you can see a slight rise on the back fella. No problem, that is how the "Shelves" line up. That will be gone tomorrow, when I knock the sharp corners off (old ******* like me,would end up with a boo-boo)
The alum. angle is a great sugg. But as you can see, the old jaws are F.U.
I will be making steel guys next week. Then a four bolt change out, pretty easy with fresh stuff.
If your wondering about the "pull pin", The 1/2" thru hole was there, and the pin fits. Great for lateral reefing, my hold down clamp wont get bent
One FINAL photo tomorrow
Any Questions or comments welcome
Thanks gang
Chuck

 

[A_Pmech]

Nice work!



My only suggestion would be since you're setup for the job, you should make a couple spare sets.

 

[arkangel06]

You need a mill.

 

[pipehack]

You need to make some for sale. Hint hint.