Vice Advice

[Rikk]

I've not had my mill long but have already found one of my early purchases to be totally pants which is this :-

I've only used it once and trying to level it is a nightmare so it's out...

I also have this which I use a lot and find it really good but with the things I'm doing a little restrictive and I'd like to get something better suited.


What I'd like is a rotary table with a vice on top to allow me to work with angled cuts and do chamfers easier. This is something I did one the first vice.


This is the rotary table I've all but settled on :-

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Soba_Rotary_Tables_and_accessories.html#a110242S

But the vice I'm dithering on.

I rather like the idea of a self centring one like this to go with it:-

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Other_Milling_Vices_109.html#a110086

But also this could be used on it's rotating base, or moved to the rotary table when more precision or several angle are needed.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Vertex_Milling_Vices_103.html#aCG6

Or this one, but I'm not sure this can be taken off it's base so for the stuff I'm doing purhaps this would be good enough on it's own.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_TWV_Swivel_Milling_Vices_104.html#a110012

This is my mill, although mine has the longer table.

http://www.optimum-machines.com/products/milling-machines/bf-20-vario/index.html

All these are 100mm, I rarely need anything larger. Any comments on my list or any other suggestions?

Thanks

                 ..................Rikk

[kwackers]

The vertex vice you link to can be removed from it's rotating base and used without.
Unless you need the precision I'd dump the rotab and use that (and even then a few jigs could be used to help you set up the vice at the right angle).

I'd think to hold a 100mm vice properly you're going to need a fair sized rotary table.

[trevoratxtal]

Hello Rikk
The rotary table you are looking at is good value for money I have one!
The vice you think not a lot off can be corrected using your mill  maybe saving some cash.
The must have is an electronic angle gauge.
http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/index.php?target=categories&category_id=13
measures to 0.1 deg fine for most work.
I wish you pleasure in your new equipment
Trev

 

[Lew_Merrick_PE]

Rikk,

1) If you really need to pivot your vise in the YZ-plane, get (or make) a tilting table.  The one I use is 6 inches wide and acts as a 5 inch sine plate for setting the angle.  I made it back in the 60's when I was an apprentice.  I can work up drawings and post them if anyone is interested.

2) An "angle-lock" type vise will save you a massive amount of grief.  The Indian and Chinese copies have gotten to be quite good over the past three decades.  A 3 inch or 4 inch vise can do quite a bit.  I have never found the rotational base for them to be of value, but that's a personal choice.

3) I have a 4 inch rotary table I made as an apprentice.  It gets pulled out of its box every couple of years for show-and-tell, but the tables that get used are my 8 inch and 14 inch rotary tables.  My general recommendation is to get the largest size that will fit under your quill for indexing to zero.  The thing nobody tells you about rotary tables is that you will need several adapter plates that index to the t-slots to clamp your parts.  Also, a set of RH-cut, LH-spiral cutters provide a "down force" cutting action when you are milling the OD of your part on the table.

Good luck!

[Rikk]

Thanks for the pointers guys, think I'll go for the vertex vice for now and a the rotab with a 3 jaw chuck (already have a 4 jaw) as I'll also be needing to do beadlock rings like this and the rotab seemed the easiest way.:-

[jim]

i've got a K4 vertex one, quite a good bit of kit!

[Bogstandard]

Actually, if your are going to be making rings as you have shown, it will be a real PITA doing it all on a RT.

Most of the work should first be done on the lathe, and only finish off certain areas on the RT.


John

[Rikk]

It did occur to me after that most of that work is much easier on the lathe, and the markings on the K4 should be more than good enough for the bolt hole pattern.
I just ordered the K4 for now and see how I get on with that.