Tilting Vises (Milling? or Drilling?) ?

[lynnl]

From time to time I see machining articles showing pictures of milling operations being performed on work held in a tilting vise. These vises tilt around a horizontal pin located underneath the fixed jaw, and have approximately triangular slotted brackets or braces on each side, with bolts to lock the vise at the chosen angle. (...not the kind where the vise rotates in a semicircular cradle that has degree marks to indicate the angular setting.) However all such vises I've seen in catalogs or on ebay are described as 'Drill Press' vises, and on at least one occasion the description specifically stated '...not for milling..'. Are there really two different class of these vises, one substantially sturdier than the other? Or is that drill press vise actually ok for milling?

[Herb W]

I have that type of drill press vise in a couple of sizes. They really aren't sturdy/rigid/accurate enough for milling ops.
I have used them on the mill - with some extra clamping, and even at that, with anything but the lightest of cuts, there was a whole lotta shakin goin on.

They're ok for drilling and I find them handy for bench work at times.



[This message has been edited by Herb W (edited 03-18-2003).]

[Thrud]

Lynn
Are you sure you are not thinking of a sine vise? These have a two rolls 5" on center to use with gauge blocks to get an exact angle (an oxymoron). They are usually a ground finish all over the vise.

[JCHannum]

It does sound as if you are describing a sine vise. These are intended for grinding, where forces are less. The typical Palmgren type tilting drill press vise, as mentioned is not sturdy enough for milling operations.
If you are contemplating purchase of a tilting vise for milling operations, try to find one specifically for that purpose.
If you want to use one you already own for the occasional angle milling encountered in the home shop, go ahead, just take light cuts.
The vise squad will not come after you if you do.

[Ragarsed Raglan]

Lynnl,

Are you meaning a vice similar to the one shown on page 2355, # 5271A21 of the McMaster-Carr catalogue? If so this is definetly not a milling vice!

RR

[lynnl]

Unfortunately I don't have a Mcmstr Carr cat.
No, what I'm trying to describe is NOT a sine vise. Or at least I've seen no rolls underneath for putting gage bloks under for accurate Ht adjstmts. A few days ago there were some on ebay, but I don't find any now. The only time I've ever seen one firsthand was on a Rong Fu mill drill at the local machinery store. I assumed it was std equip for that machine.

[Ragarsed Raglan]

Lynnl,

Neither do I! but fortunately try this:-

http://www.mcmaster.com/

then search for "vise" which will bring up page 2353, click forward 2 pages and 3/4 of the way down you'll see what I'm aiming at. Right click on the image and you can 'supersize' (Hell, It's just like McDonalds!!!)

RR

[This message has been edited by Ragarsed Raglan (edited 03-20-2003).]

[lynnl]

My God, it's magic!
Yep, that's what I was referring to. Thanks RR.

[JCHannum]

That is your basic Palmgren type vise. (With an s) The holding devices are kind of whimpy for milling, but will work if light cuts are taken.

[Spin Doctor]

The so called angle milling vises are pretty whimpy too. Maybe ok for a home shop but I wouldn't use one for a boat anchor. I you are not doing compound angles probably the best thing to use is an Angle Table. Or make yourself some matched angle blocks of various degrees out of ground flat stock and just clamp the work up your regular vise