whelenfan
Well-known member
I was wondering if one could use any type of material for an older vise's jaws. Hard wood, soft wood, aluminum, steel, brass, hard rubber. As long as I am able to properly attach them they should work, right?
vise jaw question
- Thread starter whelenfan
- Start date
autopts71045
Banned
Hi, I guess it kinda depends on what you plan on holding in that vise. I'm assuming its a typical bench vise and not a under the bench wood vise. If your doing light hobby type work, nylon will work well and will hold light objects, I guess a hardwood would work also. If its your household vise, nothing will last very long except steel jaws. Preferably serrated. If its a cheap Big Box Store vise, maybe obt for a new vise.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDF...338569&PMITEM=09208737&PMCTLG=00&PMT4TP=*LTIP
You can make whatever you heart desires. You know the requirements of the work you do and your vise jaws will reflect that. The above link is one place that you can buy jaws and covers. There are some vises that have quick change jaws, and some have made their own. Your imagination is your limiting factor.
lg
no neat sig line
You can make whatever you heart desires. You know the requirements of the work you do and your vise jaws will reflect that. The above link is one place that you can buy jaws and covers. There are some vises that have quick change jaws, and some have made their own. Your imagination is your limiting factor.
lg
no neat sig line
mjozefow
Well-known member
Yes and no. Hardwood Jaws work well on Wilton type vise jaws, were the insert is screwed on. I cannot see putting wooden jaws on a Reed, Ridgid,Parker, etc as wood and weaker materials would not do well with the pinned jaw style.
I have UHMW jaws on my Wilton and I like them OK. I'll put them on a smaller vise soon thought because softer jaws do castrate the vise a bit.
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caper
Well-known member
Use what works for you.I find serrated steel jaws over rated.The serrations are usually not necessary and will damage what your working on if your not careful.Jaws made from aluminum flat bar work well.They don't damage most things you clamp in them and when they wear you can make new ones pretty cheap.A 3 ft piece of flat bar makes a good supply of 6" jaws.
bgott
Well-known member
I agree. I used to worry about the serrations until I strted working around valve companies. They all use copper jaw covers to protect the valve body and I've worked on 200 to 300 pound valves chucked into a 4" vise by the pipe flange and had no worry of it coming out.
ZRX61
Well-known member
I just picked up a 1ft section of 1 x 1/2 brass to make some jaws, I also have a 3 or 4ft section of 1 x 1/2 aluminum for the same purpose.... That project is on the *to do* list.
What are you talking about. Wood is a terrible choice for delicate clamping requirements
As a follow up to this old thread, Elroy tenders these hard wood vise jaw inserts for your enjoyment:
It also helps to have the appropriate size transfer screws. In this case 5/16-18. Start off by cutting some hard wood blanks.
Install the transfer screws in all (4) locations
Line up the blocks and close the vise solid to mark the hole locations on the back side of the blocks.
Pilot drill through the block from the back side
Flip over and counter bore for the screws heads using the pilot drill to pick up on. Counter bore for the heads first going deep enough to cover the screw heads. Drill the clearance hole for the screw shank last
Install and enjoy.
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GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
After looking at the no-mar plastic jaws that were on the Wiltonthat I bought this weekend, I think I will retrofit all of mine with something similar. They are cut in an "L" shape to fit over the jaws and they have two magnets glued into the vertical face on the back side next to the steel jaws. A forster bit to drill a flat bottomed hole and a couple of round magnets epoxied in should do fine. They stay in place and seem to work very well.
UHMW is a great material for sliding applications. Also try teflon is has the lowest friction of any plastic. Try http://www.iplasticsupply.com/materials/teflon-ptfe-dupont-halar-ectfe-fep-sheet-film-rod
SweetD
Well-known member
I definitely need a set of copper inserts at the least. I like the idea of making something that fits nicely over the existing hard serrated jaws.
My "machinist guy" that has made jaws and parts for me here locally mentioned that he would be making a copper or brass design for such purposes. I'll have to ask him about it again. His problem is that it's a side thing for him, and he gets a lot of business this time of year doing rod and reel repair / customization.
Dave
My "machinist guy" that has made jaws and parts for me here locally mentioned that he would be making a copper or brass design for such purposes. I'll have to ask him about it again. His problem is that it's a side thing for him, and he gets a lot of business this time of year doing rod and reel repair / customization.
Dave
What are you talking about. Wood is a terrible choice for delicate clamping requirements
That is fantastic! Where did you get the transfer screws? Did you make them or buy them?
Silly me I just did a little search and found some on my own. I will have to get some! Thanks for showing Elroy!
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