Small parts vise - build along

[bjansen]

I use this small part vise all the time in the shop when I am working on guards. I clamp this small parts vise in my larger bench vise and it is very secure and easy to use with the pool cue handle. I used to use a small machinists parallel clamps for this job, but ever since I made this vise it is the only thing I use. I made a couple more recently and took a bunch of pictures along the way in case anyone wants to make one. A detailed drawing is attached at the end.


Starting with a 9” long piece of 1” round steel

Cut the bar down the middle and cut out a 6” section. Alternatively, if you do not want to use a 1” round bar, I would suggest using 5/8” thick by ¾” wide flat stock. The round bar is nice, as you can rotate it in the vise in any direction, but flat stock would be totally fine as well.

Drilling the ¼” hole

Using the drilled hole, to mark the spot for the ¼”-20 tapped hole

Enlarging the ¼” hole to provide a recess for the bolt head

 

[bjansen]

Next drill the 5/16” hole – note after I drill the 5/16” hole, I will enlarge the top and bottom such that the 5/16” bolt can rock in the hole when the jaws open and close.

 

[bjansen]

Then mark the hole, drill and tap 5/16”-18

Take a piece of ½” wide, .060-.070 thick, 3.25” piece of 15n20 and drill a 9/32 hole for the ¼” screw to go through. I then form in an arc.

 

[bjansen]

In this photo you can see the arc

Heat treat the spring

After hardening (oil quenching), I just tempered with a torch and quenched in water once an appropriate blue temper was obtained

 

[bjansen]

Bolt the entire unit together solid and grind in the jaws to your liking

 

[bjansen]

Making the pool cue ball handle

Epoxy the threaded rod in

The final parts

I added leather jaws

 

[bjansen]

The original

Plans

 

[tmerkl]

Saw your reference to this post on Insta. Well done and thanks for posting!

 

[M.McAlevy]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing

 

[LCoop]

NICE

 

[Ken H>]

Very well done - good project. I think I might need to make one. AND, as usual you do such a good job with very detailed steps making it easy to follow along. Thanks for the post.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Nice work!

 

[timos-]

always love your posts

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

In my vise collection ( I don't know how many I have, it is a sickness) I have a couple small parts clamps similar to yours, but they have wooden handles. But, the best one is a tiny 1" jaw post vise. Really cool little tool.