Multipurpose mini-vise

[morsa]

Your http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/m...ng-table-27312 makes me think: what about constructing a vise like this in aluminum?

[mklotz]

Your http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/m...ng-table-27312 makes me think: what about constructing a vise like this in aluminum?

Yes, easily done. If you regard it as sacrificial, as I do, then drilling and tapping for unique clamping requirements makes it even more flexible.

[PJs]

Thanks Morsa, I love the idea of this small work station with all the possibilities. I've got a couple of small carving projects in the wings and was thinking of using my Panavise 396 but being able to hold the piece flat with pins or clamps is great.

Thanks for all the great ideas, guys! ~PJ

[morsa]

Thanks, PJs.
Besides carving with hand tools, it would be useful for small "power carvings", this is, by using milling tips in the Dremel.
We hope to see your version of a work station.

[Paul Jones]

Morsa and PJs,

The PanaVise Wide Opening Head with the soft rubber jaws has been one of favorite vises for over forty years when it comes to holding small and hard to hold delicate parts even though the jaws are designed for larger work like printed circuit boards (also excellent way to hold PCB when using a vacuum de-soldering tool).

Paul

[PJs]

Morsa and PJs,

The PanaVise Wide Opening Head with the soft rubber jaws has been one of favorite vises for over forty years when it comes to holding small and hard to hold delicate parts even though the jaws are designed for larger work like printed circuit boards (also excellent way to hold PCB when using a vacuum de-soldering tool).

Paul

Roger that Paul. For PWA work they are a must have in my book too. I've only had mine for about 2 decades but it is my go to for small stuff, including small detail & Dremel/fret saw work. The best thing for mine is the Heavy base I have. I have the #308 weighted base and makes it stable as heck and still portable. My neoprene jaws finally died a couple of years ago and got replacements from Amazon.

~PJ

[morsa]

Thanks, PJs and Paul Jones.
That PanaVise looks great, but since I don't have one I'll keep using this mini-vise.
By the way, sometime ago I was tempted to buy the Dremel multi-vise (DREMEL® Multi-Vise (2500)), which is cheaper. Any opinion about this vise?

[Paul Jones]

Morsa,
I have no experience or general knowledge of the Dremel multi-vise or how it is made. The PanaVise Wide Opening Head is very well made with all metal construction (except for the rubber jaws) and can take a lot of abuse without breaking (mine is more than 40 years old and no problems).
Paul

[mklotz]

The negative reviews on Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-2500-0...owViewpoints=0

seem to indicate that it is made mostly of easily-broken plastic.

I have both models of the Panavise as well as the universal ball base...

https://www.amazon.com/Panavise-0081...words=panavise

and table clamp...

https://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-Benc...se+table+clamp

All this Panavise equipment is made completely of metal and is very sturdy.

My advice is get the Panavise and forget the Dremel vise.

[morsa]

Thanks, Paul Jones and mklotz for your meaningful advice. It's a clear example that cheap goes expensive, and how useful is feedback. The Dremel multi-vise is completely discarded, and I'll try to get a PanaVise or PanaVise "junior" miniature vise.
Thanks, again.