Irwin Vise Rework

[rgsparber]

I bought a low-cost Irwin bench vise with a 240 Degree swivel base. It was reasonably tight but had an annoying defect: when I applied torque to objects held in the jaws, the vise would pivot.

After some thought and material removal, the problem has been solved.

If you are interested, please, click here


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

[ductape]

One way to fix the vise body to a mill for flattening the bottom surface is to clamp a piece of square stock to the table, invert the vise, then tighten the jaws on the stock. A jack or two under the overhang may help prevent chatter.

[Frank S]

Your vice is almost exactly the same as the red one in my post I had thoughts about machining a new base from scratch by trepanning a slot for the locking bolt and adding the second bold as you did this would be nearly the same as the mounting of a compound on a lathe but for no more than that vice is worth, I can't justify the time expenditure I will probably settle for a fix like you did at least I should still have a few degrees swivel

[rgsparber]

This approach did cross my mind but did not thiink of using jacks for added support. Good idea!

Rick

[Altair]

Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Swivel Vise Modification to our Vises category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Swivel Vise Modification by rgsparber

tags: vise

[tlnixon]

Good job. I have a Craftsman one on my bench in the basement that I use most and it has the same problem. I'm going to check into it as well.