I was thinking I might hear that answer but didn’t want to ask a leading question. I suppose if I’m diligent about not pushing the machine too hard, I can keep flex minimal. As a hobbyist, I’ve got plenty of time to make light passes.
Not sure were talking about the same thing, about "the pin dropping out of the slot" (me) and "I don't lose the locating pin" (you). In my case, the vise came with a long pin that spanned across the full width of the vise. This meant the pin had to me pulled out enough to release the screw and reinserted in a new position. I didn't like this, so I made a short pin that only engaged the half-slot hole down the middle. When the screw was loosened, the short pin would fall down, out of the slot. This was handy for moving the jaw back and forth, but was not so good when just inserting another part. I put in the spring under the screw-head to keep the pin held up snugly in the slot.
It is possible the keep the clamps/bolts below the base surface of the vise, if this is the sort of think you're referring to. Nothing here interfering with use of the vise.
Never had a problem with the stud or nut sticking out. I was initially worried about it, but left it long, thinking it would be easy to shorten the stud. Have had zero issues, so no need to shorten either the stud or the nut. At least for me, it is a non-problem.
I was talking about the bottom piece which has a threaded section, and the 8mm pin, forming a tee. If you remove the screw a bit too far, the "tee" falls off, which means it's likely you need to un-clamp the vise from the table and have to re-indicate it again. Um, I dislike that. Sure, I've saved it once or twice, but the other 8 times I had to pull the vise off the table. With the stud in place, that can't happen. You always can finagle the tee back in place and get the pin in the slot again. My approach works for me. It seems your idea works for you. There are lots of ways to solve problems in machining, great that you found a simple way to accomplish your goals.
Ah, yes, the "tee" falling off when the screw is backed out too far. Indeed, annoying. Depending on hope much I back the screw out, the pin will click into one of two slots on the underside. I think I just developed a feel for how much to back it out.
Clearly, I did not understand what you were referring too, so, yes, protruding above the top surface of the vise limits it use. I vaguely recall dealing with that when machining the spring capture cap under the SHSC head (such a long time ago...)
