Vice Squad

[LordPsychon]

A quick question for all the machinists out there - what would you say is the most important thing you look for in a vice? Since I do mostly woodwork with a little DIY mechanics/metal/plastics work, I really have no clue what would be a decent homeowner's vice to work with pipe.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Sounds like a vise that is older, American/Europeans manufactured, ~4" jaw size, pipe jaws cast in the vise, and swivel base.

Brands like Craftsman (made in USA or Japan), Columbian, Wilton are good brands.

You may want what's called a shop or mechanic's vise.

I'll try to dig a picture for you.

 

[Fretters]

It depends more on what your main use and the types of shapes you'll be holding more than owt else. If you're going to be doing both woodwork and metalwork, I've personally always much preferred to have separate, dedicated vices for both. The design and mounting position of either doesn't really lend itself to the other. Plus, woodwork vices are easier to clean sawdust from after use, whereas it'll merrily get into the innards of a metalwork vice and be nigh on impossible to shift without a strip down.

 

[zkling]

A quick question for all the machinists out there - what would you say is the most important thing you look for in a vice? Since I do mostly woodwork with a little DIY mechanics/metal/plastics work, I really have no clue what would be a decent homeowner's vice to work with pipe.

You are asking 2 different things IMHO. A machinist vise vs a pipe vise. My ideal vise would be a mash up between Reed, Wilton, Starrett and Record.

What size pipe and what do you want to do with the pipe (ex. drill, thread, bend)? A yoke vise followed by a chain vise are nice for pipe.

My main vise (mostly machinist work) has custom made aluminum jaws, one has a V going long ways and the other has a V cut going vertical. They are very handy for working with ~1" and under round pieces.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

The first picture is a Wilton mechanic's vise with 5" jaws and pipe jaws.

The second picture is a Charles Parker 205 machinist's vise. The Reed No. 1 pipe vise is mounted on to a piece of 4" x 6" angle stock, that's clamped into the Parker. It's my daily driver.

These vises were restored in my shop. If you're patient, you can find older, quality vises (although not pretty, but ready for work), for very reasonable prices.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[Fugio]

Older American made and in decent condition and at a good price.

 

[Packard V8]

If one is patient, shops wisely, vises are so cheap it is not necessary to choose just a single one for all uses. Over the years, I have picked up a couple of woodworking vises, three or four mechanic's vises, a couple of machine vises, a couple of precision vises, a pipe vise, et al.

jack vines

 

[Mark in Indiana]

If one is patient, shops wisely, vises are so cheap it is not necessary to choose just a single one for all uses. Over the years, I have picked up a couple of woodworking vises, three or four mechanic's vises, a couple of machine vises, a couple of precision vises, a pipe vise, et al.

jack vines

That's a good point. It's handy to have 1 or 2 back up vises in case your main one is ******* in a project and you need to clamp a work piece quickly.