Milling vice advice

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

I am soon to purchase my first milling machine a Siege sx2.7 mill. I assume a 4inch precision vice would be about the right size for it ?

I am swamped with the Chinese options when I look at look into what to buy. Much advice says they are a cheap but acceptable option and the precision is ok for model engineering. Would you agree or can anyone suggest a better choice at a reasonable price ?

Regards

Steve

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

90mm is a common size in the precision style vices and would be about right on the SX2.7, the “precision” tends to refer to the type rather than being built to a higher spec than other similarly priced vices.

Although I have a 90mm precision one I seldom use it and tend to opt for an 80mm versatile one which is easier to operate and I find it also grips tighter than the precision which at certain openings can end up with more force pulling the moving jaw down rather than horizontally against the work. You can also configure the versatile type to hold larger work provided you don’t take too big a cut.

Couple of photos of the 90 & 80 on the table so you can see how they compare.

The 100mm versatile ones are a bit large and overhang the handwheel making it hard to read and can although they will hold larger work can limit the actual amount of that work you can get a cutter to as the fixe djaw sits quite  away back behind the spindle unles syou have too mucj of teh vice hanging over th efront of the table.

100 & 80mm together.

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

+1 for Jason’s advice. I’ve a Warco 16B mill, similar size to the SX2.7 and the 80mm versatile vice suits my model making needs just fine. I’ve fitted tenons to the base to engage the T-slots so basic alignment is almost instant. The rotary base is normally left in the cupboard but it can be useful at times.

I do have a 4″ Abwood, lifting this is good physical training but I can’t really remember when I last used it in anger.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I’m not sure if they all come with tenons but that is the one from ARC in the photo and it is supplied with the tennons & screws as well as having the slots for them already machined. Makes for quick set-up.

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

Thanks both. Your Instant advice has already given me food for thought and currently I am impressed with the 80 mm versatile you show. The 100 mm looks huge !!! The 150 mm version must be a monster !!!  I guess the 80 mm also gives a bit more room under the spindle as well.
Did you have any thoughts on the accuracy straight out of the box and does it live up to the manufacturers claims ? I note from some of the reviews I have watched that a certain amount of demurring etc makes a quite a difference. But how good is it when clocked on the mill table ? And do you advise anything needs dealing with ?  I do not know yet whether my abilities will match my desire as far as how accurate I can be. I will probably start a Stuart engine as my first project and shadow others who have machined one.  Thanks

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

I have a 150mm Abwood milling vice that came with my used mill and I slide it to the right hand end of the table then move the table to the right. I then use a 250kg WLL ratchet chain puller to lift it off the table rather than muscle power. Once raised I move the table to the left and lower the vice down onto the workbench. You can lift the vice but the weight and the leaning forward to reach it makes a bad back a big possibility along with trapped fingers and the risk of dropping it. Fitting back on the mill is the reverse procedure. So unless you really need something that big I would discourage spending money on one.

Martin C

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The one I have is from ARC Eurotrade and they don’t quote any accuracy figures so can’t really say that it lives up to something that is not specified. But I have not found it wanting as far as accuracy is conserned, bottom of the opening is parallel to the base and vertical face of jaws as square as I can measure to that. There are cheaper sources that can be a bit pot luck with what you might get but at least with a known supplier you can get any queries dealt with an dif anything ever needed to be returned it is easier than sending back to China.

I did do a comparison some time ago to compare jaw lift between the different vices I have, the 0.0001″ or 2.5microns lift is not worth worrying about for model engines and you can always tap a critical part down in the vice if needed (I seldom do)

This is a video of how true the vice can be set up using the tenons provided, Not set up for the video just clocked from when I had been using it earlier in the week to take some heavy cuts with an indexable shell mill. Good enough unless you want to make something to go to the moon. I’ve an old post somewhere about fitting the tenons, if I can’t find it I will post it again in the next few days.

If you look through my other videos all the engines made in the last few years have had some parts held in the 80mm vice and the majority of the CNC videos use it. It will be fine for Stuart steam engines.

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

Jason I am grateful for your advice and knowledge. I think the 80 mm arceuro option is now my firm favourite. I have subscribed to your YouTube channel and look forward to diving in. I appreciate the time that contributors to the forum give to help others. I am learning a lot from a very low base. It’s a shame I cannot find a meeting somewhere near where I live on Exmoor.Regards. Steve

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Bear in mind that it is not a legal obligation to fit the absolute biggest vice you possibly can.  If you make small bits a 2in vice is enough. It is also sometimes said that it is a good idea to get two identical vices to space out and hold eg each end of a loco frame piece.

WRT meeting other modellers. We get people from time to time professing to be on the north coast and there are rumours of a gathering around Barnstaple so must be a few around if you can only find them. One option is to find the Men’s Shed up there (Bideford?)  as it probably has engineers as well as carpenters. Okehampton Shed certainly does and Exeter ME club and Tiverton track site are within reasonable range. Combined with a shopping trip it’s not so far. Also the L&B railway probably includes engineers and likewise 16mm or G1 local groups.

[billlane76Participant @billlane76]

I think there is a lot of good vices out there even the Chinese ones standard have improved over the year there is also some Indian vices on the market included the Amadeal Precision Swivel Milling Vice which is a fantastic bit of kit. I would consider taking a look at it if your mind is not set already.

 

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What sort of accuracy and lift have you measured on that vice Bill, and what size would suit the SX2.7? 50mm seems a bit small and 100 starts to give the same problems I found with a 100mm versatile on that size mill. Do you have any photos of it in action on your mill.

I can’t  easily see any slots for tenons on their website does it have these?

[billlane76Participant @billlane76]

I agree with you on the 2″ being to small i actually have a 3″ which i would of recommended but after checking on there site it seems actually to be out of stock so maybe my answer was not so helpful.

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