AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Shop Made Tools => Topic started by: J Shingler on March 02, 2009, 05:48:33 AM
-
Here is a new Engraving Vice station that I made up yesterday. Using my standard vice gunsmithing vice for engraving with an optiviser just killed my back right between the shoulder blades. I am hoping by raising the work up to where I can stand up straight it will relieve the back tension. I started with a couple square tubes from the scrap yard that fit inside each other with a 5/8" thick disc welded on top. A couple tabs to lag to a heavy assembly table made it plenty stable. With the two 1/2 jamb bolts It can be as low as table top or as high as chin high on me, and I am 6'5. For the little bit of time I played with it it is very comfortable. I added a Fox vice from Grizzly to finish it off. It was a nice choice for this, as the jaws are flat and it can spin a full 360 deg. Not as smooth as a engravers ball but about $650 cheaper than the one I looked at! I also have the tilt adapter if I choose to use that. Hooked to that assembly table I can get to 270 deg of access. Now if I just had the skills to go along with it! ;D
(https://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/Beaureguard/ML%20Stuff/DSCN0386.jpg)
(https://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/Beaureguard/ML%20Stuff/DSCN0387.jpg)
(https://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/Beaureguard/ML%20Stuff/DSCN0385.jpg)
-
I like that setup, I was looking for a way to raise the height of the vise for different projects.
I made this swivel that would fit nicely on that mount you made.
(https://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/MELZDAD/VISE/00024048.jpg)
-
Wow that would be a great addition. I really like the ability to raise the vise. I have a tilt adapter I can use but not near as handy or as versatile as your ball. Grat idea!
Jeff
-
Wow, both items are nice and are just what I'd like to do. Great job guys.
Gary
-
That would be a sweet combination. How did you make the ball & socket setup or did you have to buy that?
Thanks
-
That would be a sweet combination. How did you make the ball & socket setup or did you have to buy that?
Thanks
I made the ball & socket at work.
-
This is the rig I use. It cost about $100 to make and can be taken down and put away in 5 minutes. The marble is glued to a wood disk which sits on top of a pipe. The pipe has a closed end with a screw inserted in the end cap that rotates on a block of oak and can be locked in place by a screw. The vise is a simple Panavisa with a suction base that clamps on to the marble and can be positioned as desired. My set up works pretty well but as I do more engraving, I am appreciating an engraver's ball all the more.
dave
(https://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u344/david_person/engravingsetup1.jpg)
(https://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u344/david_person/engravingsetup2.jpg)
(https://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u344/david_person/engravingsetup4.jpg)
(https://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u344/david_person/engravingsetup3.jpg)
-
That is a nice rig. And I like your workbench with all the drawers! Thats something I'm going to have to do this year. My workshop is getting way too cluttered.
Gary
-
Dave,
That looks like a really nice engraving setup. I can see you are doing much better work than I am capable of doing right now. Is that one of those Lindsay gravers I see laying there? I first saw those at Dixons last year! Sweet!
How do you like the Panavise? I was always afraid those were light duty? I have found I use my set up for light duty detail filing as well. Like trigger guards and thimbles. I really like the adjustable height.
-
Are those Rubber jaws on that panavise?
-
Hi Everyone,
I like the drawers too. I don't have much space so I have to try and keep organized. I spend a lot of time cleaning up clutter as I move from one job to the next. The Panavise is OK. A nice machined set up like melsdad showed would be better. The Panavise is strong enough but the ball is not machined perfectly round so it sticks a little when I try to cock it at different angles. The table however turns very smoothly for scroll work and by moving the vise on the marble top I can always keep my work centered. I keep the ball greased for smoother action. I show rubber inserts on the vise which has steel jaws. I use a Lindsay airgraver. I cannot say enough good things about it. It is fabulous compared to my old hammer and chisel. I also use Steve Lindsay's sharpening system, which it fantastic as well. In my opinion Steve Lindsay is a genius. I spent my dole on the graver, which is why I went cheap on the vise set up.
Take care,
dave
-
I made some of these vises for a group of woodcarvers..... carousel horses. No reason why you couldn't take the ball hitch plate and mount a vise on it.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Favorite%20tools/DSC_9138.jpg)
Melsdad, your version of the swivel is very tidy. I am jealous. Even tho' Mine is less nifty, it needs no wrench to lock/unlock.
-
Dang! You guys are ingenious! Acer, if I understand your rig correctly the level moves the one end in and out thus applying or releiving pressure on the hitch ball - so you can move it or lock it as you wish? Clever.
-
I have one of the gimbel basis that Melsdad makes, works very well! just a 1/4 turn on one of the outside collar screws and it free to move, is very handy when doing pistols!