Copper Soft Jaws for Bench Vise

[Paul Jones]

Ever since seeing on YouTube the copper vise jaws used in Tom Lipton’s shop, I have wanted to make a pair for myself. The soft copper jaws replace the original serrated steel jaws installed on my 4” Wilton bench vise. I used a ½” thick by 8” by 4” solid copper bar that I bought on eBay using Buy-It-Now. I rough cut the jaws using a horizontal metal bandsaw and finish milled the parts on my modified Unimat lathe and milling head. I duplicated the counterbored holes using the dimensions of the steel jaws. The copper jaws prevent marring parts held in the bench vise and also provides a great heat sink when silver soldering parts.