New VISE ? I think I may . . .

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sdemars

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May 17, 2008
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Location
Louisiana, USA.
I think I may have found a decent self-centering vise.

Does anyone have experience with this vise?


Steve
 

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Similar to the PSI model I have, but a few things that are different. I LOVE my PSI model, and for the money I am very glad I got it. If I even have issues with drilling its because I haven't lined things up right and never the vise.
 
It does not work as well as the PSI vise. The best one out there is Paul Huffman's vice, but I have been waiting for a year and he just announced that it will be awhile before he makes more.
 
I have that one - from Lee Valley.
<snip>

I had a lot of problems with the clamps racking on the LV vise until I used red Loctite on the connecting nuts and tightened very firmly. Not a Paul Huffman vise by any measure but works pretty well IME after the Loctite. I use the drill press and vise only for milling -- all my blank drilling is done on the lathe.
 
I don't know how you feel about drilling on your lathe but I just got one of these: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/CSCPENCHK.html
I really like it. No marking and dead center every time. Even on "not so square stock". It's a quick set up too. I'm not compensated by PSI in any way, I just really like this chuck.


I was under the impression that if your blank was warped,( like so may are ) that it would drill off center or not sqaure up straight when using the pen mill with it.

So if it still does it straight then,I'd be interested in it.

Also,it looks like they are drilling like a 5 inch blank with it.Are there longer bits that are made to do this? Mine are not long enough,I think.I always have to cut them in half first.

Thanks for any feedback

Steve
 
I can only tell you I've had my PH designs vise for going on 4 years, drilled probably a couple of thousand blanks without a mishap caused by the vise. Doubt any other vise could last that long and for sure wouldn't be nowhere that accurate.
 
You probably could drill thru a full size blank if you had a long enough bit. My bits are not long enough either so I still cut my blanks down to about a 1/2" over the tube size. That way I can final trim to size. I have not drilled any severely warped blanks but the chuck works on the same principle as a vise, grabbing two opposing corners. So I guess I don't see how a vise would be any different in drilling warped blanks.
 
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