Vice Jaw Pads - Recommendations?

[Colin Len]

I searched but couldn't find much, there are so many vice threads its like a needle in a hay stack.

I just bought my first vise and wanted to get some sort of vise jaw pads so I can use the vise on parts I don't wanto scratch up. Hoping to find something local or on Amazon (free prime shipping). My friend got some at HF that would be perfect but apparently they don't carry them anymore. These soft jaws look perfect, but at nearly $20 shipped the price seems excessive.

Maybe there's something else out there that is better and/or cheaper? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Outlawmws]

Depends on how soft you need. I made caps for my Parker from sheet lead, I also made some from softwood. My Morgan came with copper caps, those rubber ones might be good for some things, less so for others...

It's the shipping that is killing you on those Amazon caps, have you checked you local box store?

 

[PCO6]

Here are some ideas ...
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205926

I have a few Record vices. Slip on soft jaws are available from Acklands-Grainger and know they have them for other brands of vices too.

 

[Arachnotron]

I searched but couldn't find much, there are so many vice threads its like a needle in a hay stack.

Maybe there's something else out there that is better and/or cheaper? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have these from Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_209898-52800-BV-NVJ_0__

 

[PCO6]

^^^ Same here. They work well.

 

[SLOCOBRAR]

i have the nylon magnetic ones, the part wants to slip in em. i think i'll find some copper angle

 

[larry_g]

I have made them from copper pipe. Split the copper length wise and fold over the jaw.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[EOC_Jason]

What width do you need?

Aluminum: 4" Lisle Aluminum Vise Jaws

Copper: You can find 6" Wilton sets on eBay or online stores for $25 or less. You can cut them smaller with a hacksaw.

Plastic Material: Check this guy on eBay He has 4 kinds in his listings that you can buy individually or two at a time.

Another good pad material is at Brownells: SUPER-HOLD VISE JAW PADS

 

[lwlobo]

I have these, seems like I paid more like $11 at home depot a long time ago.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004XPVT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They're pretty good, a bit too squishy for some jobs. I use them a lot.

 

[Colin Len]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! And sorry I forgot to mention the size - it's a 4.5" vise.

I had seen those yellow ones but wasn't a fan of all the different slots and grooves that was cut in them. I'm sure this is useful for some things but probably troublesome for others. The orange "Soft Jaws" brand ones look perfect! And on ebay I can get free shipping. I think I'll order those. (Although now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if the yellow ones would actually be better...I'm a horrible decision maker.)

Oh, and FYI I found another guy selling the Soft Jaws on eBay for a little cheaper even: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Ne...7?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item56585858e3 He has the 5.5" ones too.

 

[larry_g]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! And sorry I forgot to mention the size - it's a 4.5" vise.

I had seen those yellow ones but wasn't a fan of all the different slots and grooves that was cut in them. I'm sure this is useful for some things but probably troublesome for others. The orange "Soft Jaws" brand ones look perfect! And on ebay I can get free shipping. I think I'll order those. (Although now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if the yellow ones would actually be better...I'm a horrible decision maker.)

Oh, and FYI I found another guy selling the Soft Jaws on eBay for a little cheaper even: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Ne...7?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item56585858e3 He has the 5.5" ones too.

It's OK to have more than one set. Each set will have a different strong point.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Colin Len]

Yeah, I'm tempted to get both. But, and I know $8 won't break the bank, I've been spending a good chunk of change getting new tools and supplies for the garage recently and am realizing I need to slow that down a bit... Especially if I want to have any $$ leftover to put into my car, which is the whole reason for my garage re-vamp in the first place.