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Author Topic: Bowling ball engraving vise  (Read 42285 times)

Offline Powder Keg

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Bowling ball engraving vise
« on: October 10, 2011, 08:30:30 PM »
I decided it's time to build me an engraving vise. This had to be done on the cheep! I looked around my shop and came up with a blue bowling ball and a Harbor freight vise. I spent a good part of my free time today trying to come up with a easy way to cut off a slice of this ball on my bandsaw.

I ended up just strapping it to a board with a ratchet strap.



It worked perfect!!! I cut off what looked like the right amount.



Bolted on a cheep drill press vise I had lying around and presto-chango!!!



I have a fancy engraving vise. I still need to find a bigger doughnut for it to sit on. But I think it will work out great!!!

Thanks for watching,

~Wes~

 :wave:
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Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline fixerup

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2011, 09:16:51 PM »
Great re-use project!
That ball will provide a nice pivot point and will be heavy  enough for stability. I started looking for a bowling ball  :beer:
Phil
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Offline PTsideshow

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2011, 09:26:54 PM »
Here is a simpler version lighter duty if you will

It is one of the Harbor freight swivel vise with the suction or clamp base. I also have an aluminum natural finish one from our US aldi's version.


I just enlarged the one hole to slip press fit the vise shaft.
You can put the inner tube in the tire and adjust the air pressure to make it easier to move the tire.
That is also one of the HF wheel/tire 10" size with the wheel removed.
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Offline Pete49

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2011, 09:44:31 PM »
Mr Powder you never cease to surprise with your cheap and 'out of left field' ideas.  :smart: Don't stop as many of us like that method and helps us to think 'outside of the square' as it were. :doh:
Pete
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oops..........oh no.........blast now I need to redo it

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2011, 02:25:13 AM »
Great thinking Wes!  :clap: :clap: :thumbup:

I've never seen such a simple/ sensible/ logical, handworking set up before.......  :bow:

David D
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David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2011, 07:01:26 PM »
Thanks for the compliments. It's nothing that hasn't been done before. I just showed how I made mine. I found pictures on the internet and went for it. I'm making some pin jaws so I can hold irregular stuff as well. Pictures when they are done.

~Wes~
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Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2011, 05:40:53 PM »
I finally got back out into my shop! We had our sewer line quit working on us and I couldn't afford to have it fixed. So I ended up doing it myself, with the help of some good friends. What a job!!!

I made some pin jaws and pins for my crappy vise. I also turned up a base out of a scrap piece of tube.



Here it is all done. I'm happy with my results:o)



Later,

~Wes~

 :wave:
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Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Henning

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Re: Bowling ball engraving vise
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2011, 05:07:03 PM »
That is a fantastic recycling project!

Well done!  :headbang:
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Henning

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