Thread: A Large Vice Build

Inspired by the make it extreme youtube series I was sick breaking vices so I decided to build my own.

It is nothing special but it is very strong and should last a lifetime...or two

I built it out of scrap from the local recyclers. So besides the acme threaded rod and a couple of thrust bearings it owes me next to nothing, which is well within my price range

Pile of scrap



Some of the actual build









And of course a stand that suits the vice..





And the finished article.....and a pic to give a size reference







I made both soft jaws and hardened steel jaws for it. I havent bolted it down yet as I am unsure where to commit to that but as it is with a stand full of concrete and solid lump of steel for the vice it weighs so much it doesnt really move a lot just sitting there!

And I have also removed the paint from the top anvil section and polished it...it looks so pretty it was a shame to use it, but like everything in my garage it now looks quite second hand.

The shed is Waaaaaaaay too tidy.

Vice looks great

Originally Posted by BobL

The shed is Waaaaaaaay too tidy.

Vice looks great

Thanks Bob, its not always clean, sometimes you cant move in there when I am doing a project. I do feel like I spend most of my life tidying up though

With that list of Bathurst winners I'm guessing there's a Ford in the shed as well.

Nice build looks good, where did you get the acme thread from?

Thanks gents

I bleed blue and over the years have owned many a nice Ford but none in the shed at the moment.

I got the acme threaded rod at our local nuts and bolts supplier and just machined they end to suit the socket I made.

That is a really good job.
It needs a made in Aus sticker or a green and gold stripe job.
Regards
BC

Have you done any testing?

eg https://youtu.be/VcbTopj5u7A

Aussie made sticker is a great idea

Good video Bob. I can say with out even testing it that the force it applies by hand is massive. You wouldnt break it in million years bashing a piece of steel held by it but I have to admit putting a 6 foot bar onto the already long handle and leaning on it like that would strip the thread I think.

EDIT: Actually it wouldnt strip the thread, the shear pins holding the outer bush onto the 1" acme threaded rod would break first

Unfortunately there's no nut n bolt specialist around these parts and if you ask the local supply shops for acme thread you will get a dumb founded look and possibly a roadrunner meep meep
So far looking online seems to lead nowhere except to exuberantly priced CNC parts. I'll have to wait until I go to Adelaide next time(never hopefully...)

If you want to see a HD vice the guy in the video above is currently building one thats over a 1000lb's