I had to mill a round hole in a rod to be square(ish) so I held it in a collet block vertically. But the ground surface of the vise jaws just couldn't grip the ground surface of the collet block with enough friction so that the collet block wouldn't rotate under cutting loads. Anybody got a clever trick for holding the collet block so that it can't fall over?
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How can I hold a 5c collet block vertically in a milling vise
- Thread starter Sblack
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2013
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- 3,206
I'm visualizing you were using a toolmakers vise on its side (jaws going up and down)? The jaws held the block vertical in one direction, but not the other. Could you have used a clamp (c-clamp maybe?) to hold the collet block tight to the bed of the vise then?
With the vise on its side and clamped to the table, the jaws hold the block in one axis and your clamp holds the block to the bed of the vise on the other axis.
Other alternative is an angle block with a 1-2-3 block block bolted up to form an inside corner to clamp the collet block against.
The third alternative is that I have completely misunderstood what you were trying to do!
-frank
With the vise on its side and clamped to the table, the jaws hold the block in one axis and your clamp holds the block to the bed of the vise on the other axis.
Other alternative is an angle block with a 1-2-3 block block bolted up to form an inside corner to clamp the collet block against.
The third alternative is that I have completely misunderstood what you were trying to do!
-frank
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
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- 4,406
(1) You can use a piece of brown Kraft paper (shopping bag) to increase friction between the vise jaws and the slick ground surfaces of the collet block.
(2) Going with Frank's idea, put V-block(s) between the vise jaws and the collet block. If your mill vise has a vertical groove in one face, you can use that to keep the collet block vertical, with a V-block against the opposite jaw. Or else use one V-block and a piece of sheet aluminum. The aluminum will provide friction against the opposite vise jaw.
(2) Going with Frank's idea, put V-block(s) between the vise jaws and the collet block. If your mill vise has a vertical groove in one face, you can use that to keep the collet block vertical, with a V-block against the opposite jaw. Or else use one V-block and a piece of sheet aluminum. The aluminum will provide friction against the opposite vise jaw.
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- Mar 19, 2014
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I would change the cutting direction. If the cutting direction is parallel to the jaws of the vise. Then change the direction of the cutting 90° so that most of the cutting force is against the jaw and not sliding parts with the jaw…Dave
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- Jan 2, 2014
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Paper between the collet block and vise jaws will likely do it.
You could also add some tool-makers clamps to the fixed jaw, positioned up tight to the sides of the collet block.
Perhaps horizontally out the sides of the vise so as not to interfere with the vertical milling cutter.
-brino
You could also add some tool-makers clamps to the fixed jaw, positioned up tight to the sides of the collet block.
Perhaps horizontally out the sides of the vise so as not to interfere with the vertical milling cutter.
-brino
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,594
Hardware Factory Store (HFS) has some very good prices on toolmaker vises. I bought a 3" one for $42.75, free freight, advertised as .0002" accuracy, mine tested to that and was absolutely flawless, beautifully ground. I don't think I could buy the steel for that cost. The vise was delivered the day after ordering it.
https://www.hardwarefactorystore.com/tools/vises-hold-down-clamps/
https://www.hardwarefactorystore.com/tools/vises-hold-down-clamps/