Pattern Maker's Vice Modification

[Robert Wolfe]

I got a pattern makers vice on sale a few months ago and really like it but my version has a handle that sticks out on the crank that would poke me when I came in for close work. It was annoying enough that I cut off the offending handle which solved that problem. However, I found I missed the ability to quickly crank the vice open and closed. I solved this by making a removable handle that stores in the vice. It is not necessary for minor adjustments of the jaws but is nice when you have to make larger adjustments. I think the pictures are pretty self-explanatory. Not a life-changer but perhaps someone else will find this modification useful.

[J. Talbert]

I’ve had the same problem.  I may give your idea a try.

Thanks
Jeff

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Mine snags my shirt when I try and walk away.

Good idea.

Cory Joe

[Craig Wilcox]

I have seen some with a wheel instead of the crank handle.  And that crank handle hurts after you pick up something from the floor and try to tighten the vise with your head.  If I find a nice, round wheel handle.....

[Hutch]

I have seen some with a wheel instead of the crank handle.  And that crank handle hurts after you pick up something from the floor and try to tighten the vise with your head.  If I find a nice, round wheel handle.....

We had a big valve at when I worked at the power plant that someone had replaced the little crappy handle with a steering wheel from some Oldsmobile, made it real nice to turn.  I bet with all the ingenuity here someone could come up with something like that.

[Craig Wilcox]

Well, DANG!  I should have thought of the steering wheel from a car made before we acquired power steering!  Actually, my last race car (Lola T-394 if anyone cares) had a 12" diameter steering wheel.  Even had a soft foam under a sewed-on leather cover.  Great for banging your head against, without all the bruising.

Saw some nice wheel handles for dressing up a small lathe, they might work, but the company (Micro-mark???) didn't want to sell just two wheels. more like the whole package.

I have two of the pattern-makers vise, as two of my workbenches are across the room from each other.  i ought to design and build a couple of those wheels, even though they need a lathe to make them.

[Robert Wolfe]

Craig, Stewmac (guitar repair supplies) sells a version of the vice with a wheel. Their vices are generally more expensive than you can find elsewhere without the wheel. But perhaps they will sell you a wheel as a replacement part?

[dstock]

You can buy those wheels from Grainger and MSC or any industrial supply. But you will need to do some fitting.
God bless
Doug B

[alacran]

My problem with the vise was that it would loosen when I bumped it. Then whatever was in it would crash into the rails.  I cut all but 3/4 inch from the handle. More than enough there to turn it and I don't bump into it. However I keep a thick piece of leather over the rails just in case.

[deepcreekdale]

Not a bad idea. A few months ago there was a similar discussion and I posted a few pictures of a similar modification I made. What I did different was make the handle pivot on a pin so it dropped down straight and could be lifted out like the original when tightening. On these vises ( I have 3 of them) I zip tie some high density foam to the rails so if anything ever slips or drops on them it doesn't leave a mark. I also fold up an old surgical towel and lay across the rails if I am feeling especially timid.

[deepcreekdale]

Here is a picture of my modification if anyone is interested. Lets me get in a closer to the work without jabbing my gut.

[Robert Wolfe]

Nice! A much more elegant solution than mine.

[Frozen Run]

I really appreciate this sort of thinking, tools aren't sacred, they work for you and not the other way around. I was helping one of my instructors mount some new vices in the classroom not too long ago. Brand new and shiny vices out of the box, I had just got done meticulously measuring and double checking and mounting them so I took a step back to admire my work thinking I was done and the first thing he did was walk around with a file and knock off all the sharp corners and edges. It was a very valuable learning experience.

[Tim Crosby]

 That stock looks really wide. What are you working on?

   Thanks, Tim

[Terry Reynolds]

Whacked mine off about 2 year ago!

[Fly Navy]

I don't a problem with mine, however my wife is always bumping it when she walks by.