Material for Toolmakers Vise?

For economy I would go with hot rolled mild steel - for the learning - case harden critical surfaces. Regards. Ken.

A good thought, and one we had discussed, but he wants to go with toolsteel if possible. This is the rare student who, when given an assignment, I can expect it to be done properly and in a timely fashion.

Thanks for your thought!

Errol Groff

I would advise O1. It is the easiest to machine out of the three choices. The whole thing can be heat treated and then tempered. If you have the stuff to do case hardening then a real deep case on hot rolled would also be good. But even .015 case is not enough if that's all you can achieve. I have some hard jaws with a thin case and even though hard the still dent easily when clamping some thing small and hard and minute cracks form around the dent. Just my opinions and worth what ya paid. Cheers, Eric R Snow, E T Precision Machine

I made one of those out of a casting. It actually takes a remarkable amount of time to get something like that finished. The real issue is how to guide the moveable jaw accurately with very little play such that it doesn't lift when the vice is tightened.

You may want to look into making a screwless version. I will be making one as a second year project for my apprenticeship. They're nice for several reasons. The method of clamping ensures that the movable jaw will pull the work down. Also, when you have it all the way open, you don't have a screw hanging out the back end.

Just a thought..

Regards,

Robin

OK, "I gots t'know". What is a toolmakers vise used for? Bob

Use A-2 Were are you located at and when does he need it Ray Mueller Mueller Machine & Tool Co.

replace were with where

Try using puncuation marks; It make things much easier to read.

Wha ts thene xt th ing togo Pro perspa cing

RichMc Cart yMcC arty

I have some odd surplus pieces that might be suitable: