My vise needs some new jaws so I thought I would make them from copper. I've never machined copper so any suggestions would be appreciated. Will need to square up the stock, size, drill and countersink the mounting holes.
John
Junior Member
machining copper
My vise needs some new jaws so I thought I would make them from copper. I've never machined copper so any suggestions would be appreciated. Will need to square up the stock, size, drill and countersink the mounting holes.
John
Senior Member
Is that a bench vise or a mill vise?
It's only ink and paper
Senior Member
I hate machining copper; it is very gummy. I'd consider using something else that is cheaper and easier to deal with. How about brass?
If you are dead set on copper, I'm sure someone here can help you. My limited experience with it has not been pleasent, though.
Senior Member
This forum's search function returns 12 threads (including this one) about machining copper when using "machining copper" as the search criteria.
Btw, not trying to be a smart ass or anything but just wanted to point out the search function does work well if you use the correct criteria. Google too.
Old machinist books recommend milk ...
Best of luck
Last edited by RKW; 01-14-2011 at 02:55 PM.
Contributing Editor
Just yesterday I machined a couple of copper details for a resistance welding fixture. Took no special precautions, milling, drilling or tapping. Used ordinary cutting oil for tapping 1/4-20 threads. The metal is indeed gummy, but I had no problems.
Weston Bye - Practitioner of the Electromechanical Arts - Author of The Mechatronist Column, Digital Machinist magazine
Senior Member
Hi John:
I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit.
I'd choose a different material for the jaws personally.
Mike
If you buy crap, be prepared to re-design and fix it.
Junior Member
vise is 4" wilton machinist. It has beat up serrated steel jaws on it and I find that I prefer a little softer jaw.
john
Senior Member
"I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit."
Is that regular, 2% low fat, 1% low fat or skim?
David
David Kaiser
Montezuma, IA
Senior Member
I assume (but don't know) that you would want to use whole milk with the butterfat in it.
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Senior Member
Originally Posted by 38_Cal
"I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit."
Is that regular, 2% low fat, 1% low fat or skim?
David
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