shop made pen vise

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LEAP

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I did not like the pen vise I had bought from woodcraft and wanted something adjustable so came up with this. The track and clamp are from Rockler, the aluminum angle was something I had already. The cam clamp allows me to adjust the length one handed. I may take it all apart and use some nicer looking wood now that I have used it for a while and like how it works.

200722015334_penvise.jpg
 
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Phil,

You should patent and market this one. The design is excellent and beats the fool out of anything I have seen on the commercial market.

GREAT job!
 
Joe you are more than welcome to borrow all you want, a little more info: the plastic piece in the angle is a furniture leg insert, the bolt under the cam clamp is to keep the angle aligned. The pusher clamp comes with a rubber tip so I found a bolt the right size cut off the head, then tapped a small piece of aluminum round stock and put a piece of cork on the end. Be sure to add a bunch of extra screws to hold the track in place. I was amazed at how much leverage the cam clamp has.
 
Nice job, I like the cam clamp too! You will find that once it is mounted ont he wall it is even better. I am planning a rebuild of mine and when I do I am going to add a small shelf to A) catch a pen if it slips and B) give me a place to set parts other than my nice drill press table! and C) it will keep me from dropping the anvil if I am not holding it properly when I pull the pin out. I plan to lay cork in the bottom of the tray, but it will only be about 8" wide and maybe 4" deep It will be the same width of the new press. I will probably keep the same design though.
 
Originally posted by LEAP
<br />.....The pusher clamp comes with a rubber tip so I found a bolt the right size cut off the head, then tapped a small piece of aluminum round stock and put a piece of cork on the end.....
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Phil: Nice design and execution; but I do have a question. Why not just use a hex head bolt in the pusher and glue the cork(?) to it? It seems like a lot less trouble than what you did.

And a comment.....I suspect the cork is much too soft to use on your "pusher." Especially when pressing slimline transmissions with their sharp ends. I would think some more substantial would be required for longterm durability.

I built a pen press similar to yours using the same DeStaCo clamp. I used a nylon hex head bolt I found at the local hardware store for about 75¢.
 
FYI, I found one of the best materials is Corian. With the nylon, the sharp edges will get chewed up a bit and it can lead to damage to the finish when pressing right to the wood side.
 
Randy,
The bolt did not have a smooth flat head it was a little convex I thought the pen parts might slip. I used the cork because I had it on hand, small round stickers I had left over from some other project. If this does not hold up I may switch to something more substantial. I kind of like the idea of a little cushioning on the parts.
 
I built mine and used a elevator bolt with a piece of corian epoxied in place. The bolt has a head about an inch wide. I bought it at the big blue box for about a dollar.

Andy
 
Originally posted by LEAP
<br />Randy,
The bolt did not have a smooth flat head it was a little convex I thought the pen parts might slip. I used the cork because I had it on hand, small round stickers I had left over from some other project. If this does not hold up I may switch to something more substantial. I kind of like the idea of a little cushioning on the parts.
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Phil: I understand about using what you have on hand!! If the cork doesn't hold up, you could probably use another furniture leg insert on the pusher??
 
Originally posted by Randy_
<br />Lee: I'm not sure I understand exactly what you are saying. Could be I need another cup of coffee; but some additional explanation might help, too. Thanks.
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Sorry about that, I did wander a bit. What I was saying is that he is using a metal pusher, alot use nylon.. Corian seems to hold up the best for rams and blocks.
 
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