Vises for Small Mills
Last updated on
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 09:09:06 AM
Mountain US Time Zone
HOME
Mounting
Brackets,
Adjustable Work Stop,
Work Holding Examples,
Parallel Sets
A 3-inch, screwless vise for the
Taig mill.
The
original milling
vise is not good enough for precision work.
A good vise to use on the mill is
this
precision screwless type.
This type of vise has very flat (+/- 0.0002") &
parallel
critical surfaces. It is also, of course, hardened.
The movable jaw pulls down as clamping pressure
increases so the part does not rise. The precision surfaces
eliminate/minimize part
marring. Typically,
a
drill press vise does not have the precision or features
required for milling.
Can be used in conjunction
with a
miniature
screwless vise.
Screwless vise exploded diagram
3-inch vise; adjustable, pivoting, solid-jaw mounted work
stop.
An M6-1 cap head screw holds the bracket.
The adjustable 8-32 screw has a pressed-on knob,
a tip that was diamond ground
flat, & a knurled lock nut.
Of course, the stop can be pivoted out of the way,
placed on
the other side, or simply removed.
1", 2", 3" &
larger vise widths available.
Click on select
linked thumbnails to view different sizes.
Note that 1" screwless vises differ &
may or may not have
built-in parallels.
Work Holding Examples
Milling flats onto
a Taig
3/4-16
threaded
arbor
for a
7/8" wrench.
Not a screwless design but this excellent precision
Tool Maker's
vise can also be used on small mills.
A very high-precision vise.
The Toolmaker's vise needs a pin
spanner to fully tighten &
loosen.
A variable angle V-block used to make 45 deg beveled edges.
A 1-inch screwless
insert vise with built-in, ground parallels,
is being
held at 30 deg by the 3-inch
vise.
The
built-in parallels aid holding especially small parts.
Note that 1" screwless vises differ & may or may not have built-in
parallels. The movable jaw of the small vise is not as wide as the base
so it can be
operated while still clamped by another fixture. Parts
can thus be
swapped-out while maintaining an accurate, fixed position.
Shown here, a computer keyboard key was CNC engraved
(white)
so it will have a
customized
trans-illuminated label.
Top to bottom: 3-inch, 2-inch, &
1-inch screwless vise size
comparisons.
Parallel Sets
A set of
3-inch wide, precision ground
parallels (import).
The shorter sets are ideal for smaller mills & vises.
4-1/2" long, wavy parallel set (Swiss).
The spring steel can compress in the vise for very small pieces.
Use one slightly compressed parallel to support a narrow piece.
Mounting
Brackets,
Adjustable Work Stop,
Work Holding Examples,
Parallel Sets
