Thread: A new machine vice - recommendations

Gday All
I'm thinking about a new 100mm -125mm machine vice for my mill. As the finances dont run to a new Kurt or similar, that narrows it down to Chinese.
I got a bit of pocket money saved up, so can go a couple of hundred $.
Just general home workshop stuff, no Aero/space accuracy required (nor expected for that sort of $)
So does anyone have any recent experience with a new vice (of the machine variety.)
Yes, I have searched the forum but not a lot showed up apart from Bobl's $50 3' vice review.

thanks
Peter

For that kind of money I can absolutely reccomend the import grinding vices, i think I bought two from mag-pro and ganged then next to each.

Is "Mag pro" an ebay seller? I'm still looking but as yet haven't found much.
thanks
Peter

I'm happy with the Vertex ang-lock vices (I have a 4")

Michael

Yes Mag pro is on eBay or you can pickup if you are in Melbourne. https://www.ebay.com.au/str/M-G-mach...p2047675.l2563

I have been thinking about getting one of these, not sure of the quality though, I believe it is the ang-lock type. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Precisio...IAAOSwtnpaIgle

I have one of the toolmakers vice from ozmestore and am happy with the quality, though it is limited in what I can fit in there, it's good when you are working on the same job but it is a bit slow when you need to change to something else.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/63mm-2-5..._NBgTK_P1NKj9Q

I'm thinking a vice with the screw covered might be a better option to protect the thread from swarf.
Also just came across this. Looks ok in the pics but as usual, who knows what its like in the metal?

peter

That one looks similar to the one ozmestore sells. I was told to avoid it. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-100mm-...4AAOSwT-9aiSEW

Hi Guys,

When I was looking round for a good milling vise, I bought one just like that, I sent it back ! Horrible thing. All sharp edges, jaw not square, handle sloppy on the nut. Mine didn't come with the "Optional" swivel base but the hold down tabs had harrage on the underside and no slot in it for a key. Yuk yuky.

Vertex anglock is your Chinese Kurt clone. Generally the best option. Bugger it if I would be using a grinding vice all the time. I barely dust mine off on an annual basis and I have a surface grinder! The Vertex pair are in constant use. You can pick them up from Hafco. Buy the largest you can comfortably lift and you won’t look back.

If you don't mind saving up for a bit longer I can highly recommend a modular vice.
They are lighter, use less Z space and are fast to operate. The jaw action also pulls work downwards when tightened.
I was lucky enough to score a pair of 125mm Sagop RP80's at an auction but these ones don't look too bad:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Precisio...WnYtFg3LlLWuUA

Cheers,
Greg.

Peter,

I have one which appears to be the same as the mydeal one. I would not recommend it. It suffers from jaw lift even when the keeper plate under the movable jaw is so tight it is difficult to move the jaw. I have never had cause to use the swivel base - only ever use the vise by itself bolted directly to the table to save weight and headroom and improve rigidity.

Frank.

I'm very happy with the $50 3" vice from Ozme store.

It has <0.01 mm run out all along the jaws.
There's no discernible jaw lift but and when loose the front jaw is ~0.3mm lower than the rear jaw but this goes to between 0.015 and 0.010mm when tightened.

AB showed me how to test the parallelism of the jaws using a parallel bar (ie lightly tighten a parallel in the jaws and see if there is a preferentially loose side) and it came up pretty good on that score.

Like most cheap things it will be the luck of the draw to find one with decent specs.

I'm thinking that it might be an excuse to make the trip to Sydney and go to Hare and Forbes soon. Will possibly cost a bit more then buying from O/S but I should be able to check out what I'm buying before handing over the $
p

Has anyone had anything to do with this type?

I can see how something like this would have some advantages on some jobs but I wouldnt like to have this as the only vise.
p

I knew Blackwoods were exxy but ......

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