From: djb@invalid.com   
      
   On 21/01/2026 18:50, 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.   
      
   How are you going to machine it, the link says they're hardened steel   
   and HRC 58-62, while not impossible to machine it makes it interesting.   
   I accidentally touched the top of one of the jaws on my Gerardi vice   
   which is similar hardness and it just polished it slightly although IIRC   
   that was an HSS cutter.   
      
      
   >   
   > 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.   
   >   
   >   
      
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