From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 1/21/2026 11:56 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   > On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   >> My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.  As a result I have   
   >> modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work   
   >> envelope.  3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the   
   >> software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws   
   >> machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch   
   >> was an "okay compromise for X.  In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises   
   >> modified to match would give the most working envelope.  I only have   
   >> one five inch screwless vise.  I've been using six inch on the other   
   >> two machines.   
   >>   
   >> Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.   
   >> In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide   
   >> wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in   
   >> mold plates.  I think this time I'll do it differently.  Machine a   
   >> grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.  Z height   
   >> is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively   
   >> machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to   
   >> raise the work piece a little.  If I do have to work on somethign   
   >> outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking   
   >> down the default setup is not a big deal.   
   >>   
   >> I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a   
   >> while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and   
   >> even some bigger options.  A while back I found some from Tormach of   
   >> all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified   
   >> for free basic shipping.  I didn't want to spend the time, and I   
   >> forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the   
   >> Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a   
   >> great price, and still free shipping.  I figured I better get them   
   >> while they were still available.   
   >>   
   >> Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking   
   >> about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.   
   >>   
   >> Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about   
   >> them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-   
   >> vise- screwless-33111.html   
   >>   
   >> Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them   
   >> to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.   
   >>   
   >>   
   >   
   > I've also been thinking about making a ground straight 1x3 or 1x4 bar   
   > for aligning two vises together.  Not sure exactly how to manage heat   
   > since my grinder doesn't run coolant, but I do have a couple cheap   
   > import mist sprayers around... somewhere.   
   >   
      
   Dag-Nag-It, Jim!  I was perfectly happy with the setups I have until you   
   reminded me I haven't used my surface grinder in a long time.   
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)