New milling machine vise

[Alberto-sp]

Hello. I own a mini mill. I don´t make brain surgery on it, but the vise I own is not very precise. Is this, and the jaw lift a lot when I tight it



So I´m thinking about buying one like this



Do you think is a good choice?

I choose this model because I think is more precise, but you are the experts and I appreciate your advice. It has to be around 3" wide and the cost around 100$

Thank you

Best regards

 

[Eddyde]

The lower picture is of a toolmakers vise not a milling vise. Although, It could be used to mill it might not be as convenient to use.

 

[hman]

I've successfully used a toolmaker's vise as a milling vise for several years now.

 

[DavidR8]

Stefan Gotteswinter also uses that style of vise on his mill. Seems to work fine for him.

 

[MrWhoopee]

Those "screwless" or toolmaker's vise are better suited to grinding and very light milling. Here's what is generally considered a milling vise.

 

[Alberto-sp]

Thanks for your answers

Ok, and to use in a mini mill, what kind of vise is recomended that the jaw lift is low or almost inexistent?

I thought about the toolmakers screwless because the no jaw lift, but is will be a PITA to fix to the milling table. If there is another good option I´d prefer that.

 

[DavidR8]

I don't have a mini mill but I'm very happy with my Glacern 4" vise on my mill which has a 9x30 table.
One challenge with the smaller mill is the loss of Z-height from a tall vise. And the table is not very deep so a large vise tends to extend over the front of the table and obstruct the Y axis handwheel.
Not sure what access to machine tools is like for you in Spain. What outlets do you have? Is mail order a viable option?

 

[Just for fun]

Here is a little 3" unit that looks pretty nice.

Milling Machine Vise | Precision Milling Machine Vise

Kurt-style milling machine vice features a detachable swivel base and easy to read divisions. Discover this precision milling machine vice today!

littlemachineshop.com

 

[sdelivery]

That is a cool mini vice.
Anybody have one?
I think a pair of those for my BP might be very handy.

 

[ChazzC]

That is a cool mini vice.
Anybody have one?
I think a pair of those for my BP might be very handy.

I have one for my mini mill and have very happy with it. As stated in the description, it is built like a Kurt vise so the moving jaw exerts down force when tightened. You can also move the jaws to the ends and hold material up to 8” “deep.” I made a set of tall jaws from 1-1/2” x 1/2” precision ground A36 low carbon steel. I also added shim washers to the shaft on either side of the handle-end support so the shaft & retaining collar don’t rub against the (machined) casting.

As noted in another reply, the mini mill has limited vertical clearance, even with the 2” riser, so I seldom (never have?) used the swivel base.

You should check with LMS to see how close to a matched pair they can supply. For a BP you would probably be better off with a matched pair of 4” or 5” Shars mill vises (see Clough42’s latetest video:

).