Kurt DX4 or Tegara 550V vise for new PM-833TV?

[jlficken]

DX4 vs 550V vs DX6 on a size accurate representation (including slots) of the PM-833TV table and where I'd probably put the vises.

The STEP files for the vises came from manufacturers websites.


The DX4 is downright tiny!!

 

[WobblyHand]

DX4 vs 550V vs DX6 on a size accurate representation (including slots) of the PM-833TV table and where I'd probably put the vises.

The STEP files for the vises came from manufacturers websites.


The DX4 is downright tiny!!

Just remember that with the DX6 shown overhanging above, you may not be able to reach what you think. The vise may hit your column. If you have a big piece, you may be better off clamping direct to the table. Not as convenient, but it works.

 

[jlficken]

Just remember that with the DX6 shown overhanging above, you may not be able to reach what you think. The vise may hit your column. If you have a big piece, you may be better off clamping direct to the table. Not as convenient, but it works.

Yeah...here's with them all moved to the middle slot.

The DX6 overhangs the back front of the table my nearly 8" and the front by almost 2" which is too much so I don't think it's really a good fit for the mill.

The 550V overhangs the back by 6" which isn't as horrible but still quite a bit.

The DX4 overhangs the back by 5" which isn't near as bad since it doesn't overhang the front at all.

Those measurements are excluding the shaft for the handle.

 

[WobblyHand]

Yeah...here's with them all moved to the middle slot.

The DX6 overhangs the back front of the table my nearly 8" and the front by almost 2" which is too much so I don't think it's really a good fit for the mill.

The 550V overhangs the back by 6" which isn't as horrible but still quite a bit.

The DX4 overhangs the back by 5" which isn't near as bad since it doesn't overhang the front at all.

Those measurements are excluding the shaft for the handle.

View attachment 507132

Not trying to convince you to get any particular vise. Just trying to point out that a too big vise isn't that useful. Get one that "fits" your mill. By that I mean it works within the envelope that your mill allows. For dinky stuff, you can clamp a toolmakers vise in the big vise, or just mount the toolmakers vise direct to the table. I have about a 7 x 24" table and I find a DX4 is about right. If you have a bigger table, then you can use a bigger vise.

 

[jlficken]

Not trying to convince you to get any particular vise. Just trying to point out that a too big vise isn't that useful. Get one that "fits" your mill. By that I mean it works within the envelope that your mill allows. For dinky stuff, you can clamp a toolmakers vise in the big vise, or just mount the toolmakers vise direct to the table. I have about a 7 x 24" table and I find a DX4 is about right. If you have a bigger table, then you can use a bigger vise.

Nope that makes perfect sense. Mine has an 8.25” X 33” table.

Is aligning the fixed jaw at the back (column side) of the table the correct placement or would I be better off putting it where it is in the picture to limit overhang off the back of the table?

 

[Ischgl99]

Nope that makes perfect sense. Mine has an 8.25” X 33” table.

Is aligning the fixed jaw at the back (column side) of the table the correct placement or would I be better off putting it where it is in the picture to limit overhang off the back of the table?

I have mine mounted to the center slot to minimize overhang off the back of the table. My mill table goes right up to the column, so anything hanging off the back will interfere. If yours is the same, then mounting it to the back slot would limit your Y travel and you might not get much, if any, closer. You can always mount the jaws to the back of the vise to get a couple extra inches as needed (provided you are not through drilling in that spot).

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Nope that makes perfect sense. Mine has an 8.25” X 33” table.

Is aligning the fixed jaw at the back (column side) of the table the correct placement or would I be better off putting it where it is in the picture to limit overhang off the back of the table?

We always look at the table when the work envelope is the actual limitation. Do what I did, it doesn't cost anything, roll your table as far foreward (toward the column) as you can and measure from the edge of the table to the closest point on the column; then note where your quill center line is located in relationship to the edge of the table. Now run the table out (away from the column) and repeat the exercise. This will tell you where you want to locate the vise and the area you can cover. All the way in my quill centerline is 2.875" outside the edge of my table and I have around 5" clear from the column. Your machine is a little smaller in the Y axis but not much, I would be surprised if there is more that an inch difference and I use a 5" vise while a 6 would work fine.

 

[jlficken]

We always look at the table when the work envelope is the actual limitation. Do what I did, it doesn't cost anything, roll your table as far foreward (toward the column) as you can and measure from the edge of the table to the closest point on the column; then note where your quill center line is located in relationship to the edge of the table. Now run the table out (away from the column) and repeat the exercise. This will tell you where you want to locate the vise and the area you can cover. All the way in my quill centerline is 2.875" outside the edge of my table and I have around 5" clear from the column. Your machine is a little smaller in the Y axis but not much, I would be surprised if there is more that an inch difference and I use a 5" vise while a 6 would work fine.

Thanks for the advice!

I'll measure it this weekend and see what numbers I come up with. I don't want to get too big of a vise, however, too small to the point where I'd have to buy another vise would be a bummer too.

 

[AllenV]

The surprise I had with the 833T mill is that the limit switch for X travel interferes with the Y handle when the table is moved toward the operator. This limits the table motion somewhat. This will only matter to you after you install X power feed

Perhaps cardboard templates of all the vice options will help to optimize this situation. You can place a cardboard vice on the table and see how the fixed-side overhang limits cutter placement. I have had a few occasions where I was happy to have almost no overhang with my 440V as it allows me to work more with the table nearer the column.

 

[Magnett]

On 5” vises are there any issues obtaining 5” parallels?