In the ME world I have come to realise that nothing is ever new and it has always been done by someone else some other time and probably better with a plethora of internet links to back this up. The result is many of us feel inhibited in making contributions to forums fearing we open ourselves to criticisms, NIH responses and other such belittlements …. but here goes.

Using CAD/CAM it is relatively easy to create soft jaws to hold complex shapes while undertaking machining operations. Normally this is done by creating mirror image cavities in aluminium soft jaws mounted in place of the standard jaws in the machine vice.

Where the need is just for a simple work holding to deck off side two stock I have had a great success using 3D printed soft jaws. They are quick and easy to design in Fusion using the Project function. They can be 3D printed as a background operation rather than loading the mill with the need to machine aluminium versions.

It is not a panacea for the need to use complex high accuracy metal soft jaws but for simple decking operations it is very useful technique.

So accepting that someone somewhere is probably already doing it, think of this as a reminder of an option to put in your armoury. There are a couple of examples here of clock related parts I have run using this technique.