A Simple Little Trick: Holding Small Parts in a Vise

[rgsparber]

Not much to this trick... unless you don't know it.

http://rick.sparber.org/SLT.pdf

I hope that this short article will encourage others to submit their favorite shop trick. Don't assume that "everyone knows it" because they certainly don't.

Rick

[DIYer]

Good tip, and yes didn't know that. Thanks! But wouldn't be as convenient when using, say, a bench vise.

[rgsparber]

If the part is steel, you can stick a magnet to a parallel and do the same trick without turning the bench vise up side down.

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi Rick,
Simple is beautiful, as usual !
However, this is true because you use your probably homemade good quality vise, which has the top surface always parallel to the bottom surface.
Sadly, all my poorly made drill press vises have a badly adjusted mobile jaw, and when you tighten them they start tilting ...
Another trick maybe could be to use a magnet, half positioned on the top of the fixed jaws, and half positioned on the piece, if magnetic... then you tighten the jaws ...

Thanks for the trick Rick !
Christophe

[rgsparber]

Christophe,

There is a type of vise that is machined square on 4 sides. I have two store bought ones plus the home made one you saw in the article. They are very handy.

I suggested putting the magnet on a parallel because I wanted a flat surface plus a length able to span the jaws. Too bad I can't buy a magnet that attracts aluminum ;-)

[kbalch]

Nice one, Rick. I've occasionally accomplished the same thing by supporting a workpiece from beneath while pressing it up against a straightedge laid across the vise jaws. No need to turn it upside down, though a third hand can be useful to tighten the vise!

Ken