Stumbled on a parallel seperator..

[torker]

Lots of ways to keep the parallels apart in the vise. I was using some big "O" rings but they didn't seem to last all that long before they got weak. Plus they didn't work great on the taller ones as they only contact the bottom.
The other day I remembered I had a huge bucket full of clutch (and other) coil springs from snowmobiles.
A couple minutes to sort them out and I had a handfull of springs to use as seperators. They work great. You can put two end to end on each side if need be.
You can twist one inside the other if you need a certain length.
Unlike the "O" rings...you can use air to blow out the bottom of the vise and the springs don't blow away.
I'm sold (er is that old ? )
Russ

[A.K. Boomer]

I use bent feeler gauge material, (.015") bent to a V and different sizes.

[John Stevenson]

Same as Russ, been using springs for years.

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[heavy metal machine]

i have used the strap banding (the stuff companies use to band down items to pallets) bent in the shape of a "V". stick it between the parallels and there you go. the 3/4" wide banding has more spring to it than the 1/2" stuff and you are some what limited to how wide you can open your vise based off of how big your "V" is but it works and most of all it is free.

[Larry Jaquay]

scrap use

I have used banding from dumpser for years,also for thin parallel's

Larry



K.I.S.S. (bend & cut to size as needed)

[gld]

I been using scraps of foam rubber.

[daryl bane]

Bent up scrap bandsaw blades work well.

[John Stevenson]

Bent up scrap bandsaw blades work well.

Bugger that for a game of soldiers, they fly all over the place.
Ask King Harold, he nearly had his eye out with one

If you want to know the reference to King Harold try Tiffiepedia.

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[Uncle O]

Have used rubberbands, springs, strapping.....
Finally broke down and bought one of these.
It works great except for when you are using short paralles.

http://www.kurtworkholding.com/accessories/parallel_keeper.php