Engraving vise

[DFHicks]

Has anyone ever used the PanaVise as an engraving vise?  The jaws open to 2 1/2" and it is supposed to tilt and turn.  From the picture on the company webpage it looks like it might work.  However it is rather small.  It costs around $50.00 plus shipping.

[g rummell]

I've used it to engrave some of the smaller items, it doesn't work to bad.
I still like to do most of my engraving right on the gun.

[Blacksmoke]

DFHicks:   Yes I bought the "PanaVise" many yrs. ago, thinking that it would work for a lot of things including engraving -  the only thing it was good for was:  more stuff for the dump!   It is not heavy enough for engraving - you need a vise that has some weight to it - 20 lbs or more.  When you tap that graver for cutting metal - your work should not move - not even a little bit,  that is if you want a good cut. Most of the engraving that one sees today except that done by a professional needs help.   My advise - save your money and invest in a heavy versatile vise.   Hugh Toenjes

[Ed Wenger]

Listen to Hugh.  I know the engraving vises are a little salty, but their worth the price.  I found mine on Ebay at a very good price.  If you decide on an engraving vise, also check some of the engraving forums, there's stuff for sale on them as well.


              Ed

[bama]

The best vise for engraving is an engravers ball vise. They are pricy but if you are going to do a lot of engraving they are worth it.

If you are going to stand to engrave then most can get by with a regular machinist type of vise that can be rotated on it's base 360 degrees.

Doing H & C work you want a vice that is solid and does not bounce, any movement while you are chasing a line will cause you grief.

What is also important is how you hold what you are engraving in the vise. I use 1x4 oak formed into a "T" shape. The leg of the "T" is held in the vise and the flat of "T" is used to mount the item to be engraved on. The item can be attached to the "T" in various ways, I use Therm-o-lock. Therm-o-lock can be used directly in the jaws of the vise also for smaller items.

[Acer Saccharum]

Lots of weight is best. Ball vise is really nice, if you can afford one. An old lathe chuck or heavy bench vise will work, too.

Tom

[kutter]

Most European engravers work standing at nothing more than a bench/machinists vice. Walking around the work while cutting as opposed to constantly turning the work in a ball vise while sitting.
Sitting while engraving does have it's advantages though!
The tilting action of a ball vise is very nice and hard to give up one you've gotten used to it.

Most ball vises were made for the jewelry trade (hand pushed graver work) till the Magna Block came on the market. There are others around now. I had a MagnaBlock and found even it lacking in weight for hammer work but used it for a long time. Ended up making up my own that weighs in at just under 50#.

Heavy, steady, no vibration are the keys and it's amazing how those tiny hammer taps can vibrate a large piece. How and where it's mounted has as much to do with the weight of the vise.

The use of thick sheet lead 'jaws' to hold parts in the (bench) vise was common practice. Probably not PC anymore.

[DFHicks]

Thanks for all the replies and advice.  Without your feedback I would have probably bought one because it looked like it might work.  I actually have a machinist vice that will rotate on the base.  It's CMC but heavy enough to get me started.