Thread: Milling vice accuracy ?

Hi

I bought a 4" milling vice from OZMEstore some time ago . I was initially impressed with its accuracy but lately it has not been behaving well .

As the jaws clamp onto the work, the work piece it pushed out of alignment , sideways and upwards . I have resorted to using a depth micrometer in order to get the work level in the vice - I use top face of the jaw as a reference for the mic.

Maybe something has worn , but I haven't used it that much . It is Asian of course .

One thing I have noticed is the base is not flat , the vice rocks about .003" from front to back - I checked this on my surface plate and it does this rocking on the 45 mill table as well .

Mike

Hi Mike,
Do you use parallels and a deadblow hammer/lump of lead/copper hammer etc to make sure the part is seated properly as you tighten up the vice?
For doing small work i reckon the screwless vices are the way to go. 63mm 2 5" QKG Quick Action Precision Toolmakers' Vise Free Postage | eBay

I must say that my Glacern vice (ex GQ's) makes the Chinese vices look like rubbish. They are not cheap though.

Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

I must say that my Glacern vice (ex GQ's) makes the Chinese vices look like rubbish. They are not cheap though.

Ew

Ewan, did you know that your Glacern is actually a Vertex? Glacern gets the vices from Vertex and finished them. I saw some similarities with my Vertex and went hunting for information. I am trying to convince myself that I need a Kurt..

Mike, I assume your vice is an anglock - designed to not lift as it clamps? Design aside if I clamp hard enough in my Vertex anglock the part lifts. If it won't seat properly with a tap, I tend to rotate the part. Usually ends up seating for me.

Hi Mike,

How well do the jaws line up without anything in them.

If the part you are clamping isn't parallel you need to set up a half round block. Plus what Ewan said about parallels and soft face hammer to seat the part.

Just tap as you tighten up the vise so that the parallels don't move. ( can't be pulled out by hand. )

Ray

Originally Posted by variant22

Ewan, did you know that your Glacern is actually a Vertex? Glacern gets the vices from Vertex and finished them. I saw some similarities with my Vertex and went hunting for information. I am trying to convince myself that I need a Kurt..

Mike, I assume your vice is an anglock - designed to not lift as it clamps? Design aside if I clamp hard enough in my Vertex anglock the part lifts. If it won't seat properly with a tap, I tend to rotate the part. Usually ends up seating for me.

Sort of correct, but Glacern quality is a cut above Vertex, and Vertex is pretty good. Glacern get their castings from Taiwan, but all the grinding and precision stuff is done in the US.

I've got Vertex, but I'm looking for second hand Kurt or Glacern. Matched pair would be nice

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Sort of correct, but Glacern quality is a cut above Vertex, and Vertex is pretty good. Glacern get their castings from Taiwan, but all the grinding and precision stuff is done in the US.

I've got Vertex, but I'm looking for second hand Kurt or Glacern. Matched pair would be nice

Ray

Why not emulate Karl with a trio of Rohms?


2.jpg

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Why not emulate Karl with a trio of Rohms?


2.jpg

now that looks expensive.......but nice

Originally Posted by eskimo

now that looks expensive.......but nice

A close up of nice for you Richard.

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Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

A close up of nice for you Richard.

i cant see it for some reason...

Originally Posted by eskimo

i cant see it for some reason...

?? look here if you are interested. Window to my workshop 47 « From the Workshop

Hi BT,
Beautiful set of vice, I really like the adjustable jack feet on the hold down clamps. Looks like a doable mod on some of mine.
Bob

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi Mike,
Do you use parallels and a deadblow hammer/lump of lead/copper hammer etc to make sure the part is seated properly as you tighten up the vice?
For doing small work i reckon the screwless vices are the way to go. 63mm 2 5" QKG Quick Action Precision Toolmakers' Vise Free Postage | eBay

I must say that my Glacern vice (ex GQ's) makes the Chinese vices look like rubbish. They are not cheap though.

Ew

I have that 63mm vise from Ozmestore and it is a very nice little vise, but I seem to remember paying about $45 for it, that has gone up quite a bit.

Originally Posted by krisfarm

Hi BT,
Beautiful set of vice, I really like the adjustable jack feet on the hold down clamps. Looks like a doable mod on some of mine.
Bob

Yes I noticed those as well, seems very easy to use. Had a browse through some of the posts on that blog, wow what a workshop and what quality of work on display.

Thanks for showing that BT

Hi Mike,
I have had the 125mm version of the Ozme vice for about 3 years now, just ran a dial indicator over it, and it's still dead nuts level in both planes, but I do find I need to nip up the jib strip bolts every six months or so or work starts to climb up when tightening it.
Regards,
Martin

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

?? look here if you are interested. Window to my workshop 47 « From the Workshop

very very nice work..... I cant afford one...geez...I certainly wish I could

I can only aspire to be able to do work like that one day

Originally Posted by toolman49

Hi Mike,
but I do find I need to nip up the jib strip bolts every six months or so or work starts to climb up when tightening it.
Regards,
Martin

That might be my problem , I will have a look and see if it needs adjusting .

I have a set of the CDCO parallels , they are a nice set .

Thank for the ideas and help......... Mike