An old trick to help out the newbees

[G.A. Ewen]

Parallels in the milling vise don't always co-operate (especially the ultra tin ones). Keeping an assortment of matched pairs of springs with your parallel set makes things a lot easier. The photo below should make the use of the springs clear.

[dp]

That's a keeper!

[radish1us]

Instead of those springs in there, why not get a 6 inch long piece of metal banding/strapping that is used for strapping bits to pallets and so on. Bend it into a " W " shape, shove it in between the parallels, then the parallels can then be held apart as well as virtually come together, when you close the vise.

No wasted space, not like you have with those springs in there.

Wider job in the vise, cut a longer bit and bend it like the first one.

regards radish

[G.A. Ewen]

No wasted space, not like you have with those springs in there.

Not sure where the wasted space is considering that the work rests on top of the parallels,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, but,,, you are correct that there are many ways to keep parallels in place. Whatever method works is up to individual preferences. This is just one suggestion.

[mojojerry]

thanks either one of those suggestions beats what I was trying to do the other day. I ended up with not enough fingers on one hand and way to many on the other. thanks jerry

[macona]

If I am doing aluminum or plastic, or any other non-ferrous material I use a couple tiny rare earth magnets at the edges to hold the parallels in place. Or use a stack of them if I need the parallel angled.

[dp]

I've been using gravity, and it sucks. Banding looks like a good solution, too. So many ways to skin a cat and only one cat.

[radish1us]

I've been using gravity, and it sucks. Banding looks like a good solution, too. So many ways to skin a cat and only one cat.

Yep, soooo simple and it's real CHEAP too.

regards radish

[torker]

I use Juicy Fruit gum. you gotta make sure you get all the chips out before you chew it again tho...you ever had a curled up chip stuck in your tongue?

[mochinist]

I've been using rubber bands for years, get the nice big fat ones. A box of them last me and the other machinist well over a year. Metal bands, magnets, foam, and springs are all a pain in the arse if you ask me.