Hello-
I’ve been working on setting up a workspace at home. I would like to
get recommendations on a vise that clamps onto my work table. I’ve
seen the smaller ones that attach to the GRS mount for working on
jewelry and wonder if that’s the way to go for small work and then
have a bigger one for holding larger items like a ring mandrel etc. I
don’t want to just go out and buy one with out getting some
first.
Suggestions anyone?
Thanks,
Ashley
seen the smaller ones that attach to the GRS mount for working on jewelry and wonder if that's the way to go for small work and then have a bigger one for holding larger items like a ring mandrel etc.
I have been happy with my GRS vise for many years. I do have a
mounting block on the other side of my bench where I use it on
things where I either want to stand or am doing something that I do
not want the waste in my bench tray. In general it has proven large
enough for most every jewelry application. I do have much larger
vises at home if I truly need a large vise.
Mark Chapman
The vise that has turned out to be my favorite is a cheapo from Home
Depot! I believe it is made by Wilton, but it’s also marked Cotton &
Brinks. It revolves in all directions and is very versatile. And it
was only about $20! This particular one has a vacuum base, but
screwing it down works much better.
Allan
www.silvermason.com
Allan,
I purchased an articulated vise with a vacuum base, and it will not
hold. I would love to screw it down, and wonder how. I asked about
drilling holes through the metal and them bolting it onto a block of
wood, which then could be c-clamped to a table top.
There is no way that I can do this on my own. How are you planning
to screw it down?
Hugs,
Terrie
A Panavise, is a great investment- some clamp on some vacuum onto the
bench…and the GRS vise is almost equal in versatility but limited
I think by the way it attaches to the system ( for large work - which
is rare…)…I would however bore a hole for the mandrel or buy a
mandrel holder or make one out of angle iron instead of clamping it
in a vise…and if you have the GRS benchmate it holds rings being
worked on well so the mandrel stuck in a bore for truing it up seems
enough of a solution - a paddle bit/forstner bit will make the hole
into the bench easily then work on it in the ring clamp of the
benchmate, or solder rings on a ceramicring stand that stores away
when not in use ( the carbon ones are too consumable- have to be
replaced too often ).I have ( looking around the studio…) 4 vises I
use for different things in different stations…but I am a tool
junkie…that being said- the panavise is lightweight, portable, has
360 degree rotation, is fairly inexpensive ( as low as 29 and up to
75 bucks depending on where you get it and what model), and I like
the vacuum for stabilising it when I use a small bending brake in
it…otherwise, a vise with an avil is a good tool…the small clamp
on ones have an opening of only 2 1/2 inches so be aware of that if
you have a thick benchtop…rer
Hi Folks…
The vise that has turned out to be my favorite is a cheapo from Home Depot! I believe it is made by Wilton, but it's also marked Cotton & Brinks. It revolves in all directions and is very versatile. And it was only about $20! This particular one has a vacuum base, but screwing it down works much better.
I have one of these too…And Allan is right about the suction
base…It only works sorta… On mine I hadda shoot holes in the
base to screw down…
Cotton & Brinks/Brink & Cotton is Wilton’s import line… Their
C-Clamps are decent, too…
Mind ya, ya can’t hammer forge on the thing…if for no other reason
the ball and socket swivel…
Gary W. Bourbonais
L’Hermite Aromatique
A.J.P. (GIA)
Wilton/C&B makes the Panavise I spoke of in the thread…it is
available with a clamp on base or vacuum lever…
Terrie
A Vise is very useful. Should be sturdy & versatile.
Cost price ranges from $5.00 to 180.00.
Yes a good Jewellers Vise from Bergeon goes for more than that. You
will be surprised to see a 2 1/2" or 60mm vise for Bergeon. This is
milled from block of steel with covered Lead Screw etc.
Drilling on the suction base of a counter top base is critical as it
is usually aluminum die cast with very little meat.
If you need just to hold while drilling or grinding and filing on
the job then you can get away with a multifunction Vise like Proxxon.
Proxxon makes this vise P28608 this can be bolt down or clamped.
Comes with a pair of soft rubber jaws and it costs less than $50.00.
Regards Kenneth
Wilton/C&B makes the Panavise I spoke of in the thread..it is available with a clamp on base or vacuum lever..
This is interesting, because I replaced my Panavise with the
Wilton/Brink&Cotton one from Home Depot, and liked it sigificantly
better, but I can’t remember why exactly- it’s been awhile.
Allan
www.silvermason.com
allan
as i recall the Wilton was a bit heavier and the u joint had some
kind of graphite looking coating- whereas the panavise requires a
blast of air to remove any metal dust that collects there to prevent
its full rotation when needed- and the panavise’s rubber base does
occassionally slip if the surface its vacuumed onto isn’t
non-porous…otherwise, I like the panavise’s portability- when I
teach I take that one with me if necessary…dragging around a
benchmate system or cast metal vise isn’t ideal!..rer
Cost price ranges from $5.00 to 180.00.
Another one I’ve enjoyed reading, but have kept out of - “Get a vise
that suits your needs.”, as many have said. And there are vises in
the world that cost a lot more than the above, which is actually
beside the point…
I will pitch in on what others have already said - to say “vacuum
mounted vise” is to say lead balloon, military intellegence, Wall
Street Financial Expert, whichever oxymoron you prefer. Don’t buy
one, they suck, if you have one you like you are the only one,
maybe. They need something like glass to hold to well or for long -
even then they are easily dislodged, usually at the worst
time…I have the big vise mounted on the bench, a couple of
screw ons for this and that, and various hand vises and, well, even
more than that, but I learned about vacuum vices long, long ago…
Another one I've enjoyed reading, but have kept out of - "Get a vise that suits your needs.", as many have said. And there are vises in the world that cost a lot more than the above, which is actually beside the point.....
Ill have to chime in and say get a vise that EXCEEDS your needs. I
have witnessed many jeweler friends that totally abuse their vises in
ways im sure we can all relate (Im guilty of this too). My personal
vise is a Kurt machinist vise that is mounted to a steel frame,
securely bolted to the floor. It has to be one of the most used tools
in the shop, and that is no joke. Probably not the average vise in
most individuals shop due to the price.
The other vise I use is the GRS magnablock, its great for delicate
holding and work positioning for engraving and setting stones…each
one has their purpose, and each one serves that purpose well.