[Newbie] New (to me) milling machine in need of a 4" vise.

[JustBen]

All great responses. Looked at Toolmaker's vises. Looked at Homge as well.

 

[JustBen]

After a lot of reading and second guessing, I went ahead and ordered the Tegara 440V. Will see how it does. The availability of replacement parts is a good sign to me at this price point. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[wrmiller]

After a lot of reading and second guessing, I went ahead and ordered the Tegara 440V. Will see how it does. The availability of replacement parts is a good sign to me at this price point. Thanks for all the advice.

Just received my 440V a few weeks ago. Currently sporting 5" oversized aluminum MonsterJaws. Seems to be a great little vise for the money.

 

[JustBen]

Well, Shars shipped fast. I have the 440V vise as of today.
Says Made in Taiwan on the side.

 

[ChazzC]

Well, Shars shipped fast. I have the 440V vise as of today.
Says Made in Taiwan on the side.
View attachment 491941

Looks good.

Recommendations (and more $$ I'm afraid): give the table surface and the vise mating surface a very good cleaning, then lightly stone both with a Precision Flat Stone – this will remove any burrs and make you happier. Check YouTube videos for "mounting a vise on a milling table" for some suggestions.

You can spend a lot on these stones, but I got my 3-3/4" x 2" x 1" stones from a Seller/Maker (not currently offering them) on eBay for significantly less than 26 Acre or Kinetic Precision; they are only ground on the top & bottom faces, but they work for me. Here is a current listing from another Seller:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304643323335?itmmeta=01HZ7TG5RVMW79YEFNEH37MK28&hash=item46ee2835c7:g:arUAAOSwpvhjNGEw&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8LgKcKH9ZYxHZxXSnF9/AigXi+PVA6MAG2DRf7va3QhVLWTndy7+haKWmyX1l2qx+ZTfxlJwvokz4yLnOJVN5ImSSr1P7CPZ7g9XSMt+WwQ0Nz3Sj0GIMvLR019LFz0NzneZ0CxkXiA6OHP15e6T2YhWQ4JEGiY9vtstlGEe0bJ3rjN/ElVOd4zXVVCYFGgLoaRBqvD+Gd8AryqvZJzWgsj9XxxW+p4ev2y4loDXIpKC2WOl8JR9fNVDOHf9AorKtOa0bpDRrk6JRKAtBEN3ZSCP5+IbYSfmTP9Sci5TyZKvHvNfLlyfdyGCD4saVO3M0A==|tkp:Bk9SR8bcwPr5Yw

 

[JustBen]

Looks good.

Recommendations (and more $$ I'm afraid): give the table surface and the vise mating surface a very good cleaning, then lightly stone both with a Precision Flat Stone – this will remove any burrs and make you happier. Check YouTube videos for "mounting a vise on a milling table" for some suggestions.

You can spend a lot on these stones, but I got my 3-3/4" x 2" x 1" stones from a Seller/Maker (not currently offering them) on eBay for significantly less than 26 Acre or Kinetic Precision; they are only ground on the top & bottom faces, but they work for me. Here is a current listing from another Seller:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304643323335?itmmeta=01HZ7TG5RVMW79YEFNEH37MK28&hash=item46ee2835c7:g:arUAAOSwpvhjNGEw&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8LgKcKH9ZYxHZxXSnF9/AigXi+PVA6MAG2DRf7va3QhVLWTndy7+haKWmyX1l2qx+ZTfxlJwvokz4yLnOJVN5ImSSr1P7CPZ7g9XSMt+WwQ0Nz3Sj0GIMvLR019LFz0NzneZ0CxkXiA6OHP15e6T2YhWQ4JEGiY9vtstlGEe0bJ3rjN/ElVOd4zXVVCYFGgLoaRBqvD+Gd8AryqvZJzWgsj9XxxW+p4ev2y4loDXIpKC2WOl8JR9fNVDOHf9AorKtOa0bpDRrk6JRKAtBEN3ZSCP5+IbYSfmTP9Sci5TyZKvHvNfLlyfdyGCD4saVO3M0A==|tkp:Bk9SR8bcwPr5Yw

Thank you for this. I have seen those stones, but wasn't sure when they are necessary vs a regular stone. I will check into it. Can regular stones be flattened with the three plate method?

 

[WobblyHand]

Regular stones will abrade the surface, whereas the ground and surfaced stones will only attack burrs and stuff above the flat surface. They really do work. As for your last question, I suppose it's possible to use 3 stones, enough work and determination. The stones I have are quite smooth surfaced, even on the coarse grit side.

 

[JustBen]

Regular stones will abrade the surface, whereas the ground and surfaced stones will only attack burrs and stuff above the flat surface. They really do work. As for your last question, I suppose it's possible to use 3 stones, enough work and determination. The stones I have are quite smooth surfaced, even on the coarse grit side.

Thank you. I will get a set.

 

[JustBen]

Regular stones will abrade the surface, whereas the ground and surfaced stones will only attack burrs and stuff above the flat surface. They really do work. As for your last question, I suppose it's possible to use 3 stones, enough work and determination. The stones I have are quite smooth surfaced, even on the coarse grit side.

What are the downsides (if any) of getting a set of knife edge stones instead of the rectangles?

Precision Ground Flat Stones, Diamond Ground Tool Room Stones | eBay

Compare the before and after grinding photos. Sold only as a pair. You will receive one pair of stones with instructions. Lathe saddle, surface grinder chuck, vise, parallels, magnetic hold-downs, etc. not included.

www.ebay.com

 

[WobblyHand]

What are the downsides (if any) of getting a set of knife edge stones instead of the rectangles?

Precision Ground Flat Stones, Diamond Ground Tool Room Stones | eBay

Compare the before and after grinding photos. Sold only as a pair. You will receive one pair of stones with instructions. Lathe saddle, surface grinder chuck, vise, parallels, magnetic hold-downs, etc. not included.

www.ebay.com

Harder to hold, might wear out (eventually) near the thin parts? I bought the small rectangular stones a couple of years ago.
A good thing about knife edge stones is you could use them to clean up dovetails, which I can't do with the stones I have.