4" vise - help choosing the right one

matthewsx

matthewsx

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So, I'm at the point where my CNC mill/drill project is just about ready to start making actual parts and I think I need to buy a 4" milling vise to replace the hardware store drill press vise I've been using to test. My table is flat cast aluminum and I have some more cast pieces that I think will eventually be drilled and tapped for sacrificial workholding fixtures which I'll use with hex clamps but I know I'll want a decent vise for quick set-ups.

Looking at Shars think I've ruled out the $150 model so I'm down to the $250 "CNC" vise

https://www.shars.com/products/workholding/vise/4-440v-cnc-milling-machine-vise-0-0004-1

or this one for $75

www.shars.com

4'' x 3.93" Lock Down Precision Milling Machine Vise

www.shars.com www.shars.com

While I'd like to just buy the more expensive one my budget tells me to go with the cheapie. I figure it will be a while still before I'm likely to be splitting tenths with this machine if ever, and "good enough" will be just fine until then. I already have a China built 6" HF vise I've never put on a machine but it seems like it would work if it was just a little smaller. The $250 vise from Shars has a wider jaw opening but I don't see that as a major limitation for my use and probably not worth the extra $175 in itself.

Thoughts?

BTW, here's the machine as it sits now.

mill1.jpeg

Thanks,

John
 
Last edited:
I've used this one since I got my machine and I have been very happy with it.

4'' SINGLE LOCK DOWN PRECISION MILLING MACHINE VISE

<!-- <ul><li>Jaw Width: 4"</li><li>Jaw Opening: 4"</li><li>Jaw Depth: 1-1/2"</li><li>Overall Length: 11"</li><li>Bed Height: 2.8"</li><li>Overall Height: 4.8"</li><li>center distance between jaw's bolting screw: 3.8"<br /></li><li>Clamping Force: 9,000 lb
www.shars.com www.shars.com

Don't go too big. You don't have a ton of Z travel there.
 
macardoso said:
I've used this one since I got my machine and I have been very happy with it.

4'' SINGLE LOCK DOWN PRECISION MILLING MACHINE VISE

<!-- <ul><li>Jaw Width: 4"</li><li>Jaw Opening: 4"</li><li>Jaw Depth: 1-1/2"</li><li>Overall Length: 11"</li><li>Bed Height: 2.8"</li><li>Overall Height: 4.8"</li><li>center distance between jaw's bolting screw: 3.8"<br /></li><li>Clamping Force: 9,000 lb
www.shars.com www.shars.com

Don't go too big. You don't have a ton of Z travel there.
Click to expand...

That's exactly the one I decided I didn't want... Is there a reason you prefer it to one of the others, or just what you have?

I'm actually leaning towards the 3" model since I have other plans for larger pieces.

RJ, would love to hear your thoughts. Even if they're snarky;)

John
 
I have this vise::
www.grizzly.com

Premium Milling Vise - 4" - Grizzly Industrial

<h1>G7156 4" Premium Swiveling Milling Vise</h1> <h2>Perfectly align your best work with this quality 4" milling vise.</h2> <p>This premium 4" vise provides secure and accurate positioning of your workpiece during milling operations.</p> <p>Premium quality swiveling milling vise features...
www.grizzly.com www.grizzly.com
on my mill.
I have made hundreds and hundreds of accurate parts with this vise.
However, If I had it all to do over again I would get a Kurt in the 4" to 5" range.
 
matthewsx said:
That's exactly the one I decided I didn't want... Is there a reason you prefer it to one of the others, or just what you have?
Click to expand...

I bought it 5 years ago because it was fairly inexpensive ($105 I think) and could be mounted on its side (which I have done many times) since it doesn't have any flanges sticking out. Pretty sure that's why they call it a CNC vise. Shars sells soft jaws for it ranging from $8-15 per pair depending on the size. It seems very accurate and I have the jaw adjusted for minimum lift.

I don't think it is the best on the market, but it is inexpensive and worked for me.

I have a G0704 BTW and this is absolutely the biggest vise I would put on the table.
 
Mitch Alsup said:
I have this vise::
www.grizzly.com

Premium Milling Vise - 4" - Grizzly Industrial

<h1>G7156 4" Premium Swiveling Milling Vise</h1> <h2>Perfectly align your best work with this quality 4" milling vise.</h2> <p>This premium 4" vise provides secure and accurate positioning of your workpiece during milling operations.</p> <p>Premium quality swiveling milling vise features...
www.grizzly.com www.grizzly.com
on my mill.
I have made hundreds and hundreds of accurate parts with this vise.
However, If I had it all to do over again I would get a Kurt in the 4" to 5" range.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that looks pretty much like the Shars vise I'm looking at.

John
 
macardoso said:
I bought it 5 years ago because it was fairly inexpensive ($105 I think) and could be mounted on its side (which I have done many times) since it doesn't have any flanges sticking out. Pretty sure that's why they call it a CNC vise. Shars sells soft jaws for it ranging from $8-15 per pair depending on the size. It seems very accurate and I have the jaw adjusted for minimum lift.

I don't think it is the best on the market, but it is inexpensive and worked for me.

I have a G0704 BTW and this is absolutely the biggest vise I would put on the table.
Click to expand...

Thanks, your table is about as deep as mine so that helps visualize it size wise.

My spindle doesn't tilt and I figure I'll be using sacrificial plates for any fancy set-ups so not sure why I would need to mount a vise on it's side.

Probably going with the 3" version for less overhang on the table.

John
 
matthewsx said:
My spindle doesn't tilt and I figure I'll be using sacrificial plates for any fancy set-ups so not sure why I would need to mount a vise on it's side.
Click to expand...

I've done this for doing end machining on thin round parts or anything that is too tall for me to work on if it is sitting on top of 2" of vise. I have 10 inches of Z travel, so a 6" tall part + 2" of vise + 2" of tool gives me no room to work. Flip the vise on its side, lay the part directly on the table and clamp from the side, now I have 2" of clearance.

Just found it helpful for getting me out of tricky setups.
 
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