How to Mount a Machinist Vise
A properly mounted machinist's vise holds parts in place, allowing you to work with both hands free. When mounting a vise, you need to choose a location that allows you to access the vise from all angles without impeding the walkway around the vise and the structural integrity of the mounting location. Ignoring either situation could cause injury to you or others using the vise. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Permanent marker
- Tape measure
- Drill bit set
- Variable speed drill motor
- Four mounting bolts
- Eight fender washers
- Four lock washers
- Four hex nuts
- Adjustable wrench
- Socket set
- Ratchet handle
Instructions
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1
Set a machinist vise onto the mounting surface, making sure the vise does not protrude into the walkway around the mounting surface. Mark the location of each vise-mounting hole on the surface with a permanent marker. Remove the vise from the marked area.
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2
Measure the diameter of the vise-mounting holes with a tape measure.
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3
Drill each marked hole with a drill bit matching the diameter of the mounting holes from a drill-bit set secured in the chuck of a variable speed drill motor.
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4
Set the vise over the drilled holes. Align the mounting holes with the drilled holes.
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5
Slide a washer onto a mounting bolt 1/32 inch smaller than the diameter of the vise-mounting holes. Push the bolt through one mounting hole in the vise base. Hold the head of the bolt in place. Slide a washer and then a lock washer onto the bottom of the bolt. Thread a hex nut on the end of the bolt. Repeat the process until you have four bolts running through the vise and mounting surface.
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6
Hold the head of a mounting bolt with an adjustable wrench. Tighten the hex nut of the mounting bolt with a socket matched to the size of the nut attached to a ratchet handle.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses when drilling mounting holes.
