• I Bought Six Vises Brand New Full Price

    From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Wed Jan 21 11:50:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes. As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope. 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the software.
    I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws machined back or
    other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch was an "okay
    compromise for X. In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises modified to match
    would give the most working envelope. I only have one five inch
    screwless vise. I've been using six inch on the other two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening. In
    the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide wide
    opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in mold
    plates. I think this time I'll do it differently. Machine a grove on
    the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw. Z height is limited
    on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining
    plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to raise the work
    piece a little. If I do have to work on somethign outside my normal
    scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking down the default
    setup is not a big deal.

    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a while,
    but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and even some
    bigger options. A while back I found some from Tormach of all places.
    I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified for free basic shipping. I didn't want to spend the time, and I forgot about them.
    Yesterday I was looking up something else on the Tormach website and saw
    they were still in my shopping cart, still a great price, and still free shipping. I figured I better get them while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about them
    if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-vise-screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Wed Jan 21 11:56:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the software.
    I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch was an "okay
    compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have one five inch
    screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.-a In
    the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a grove on
    the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height is limited
    on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining
    plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to raise the work piece a little.-a If I do have to work on somethign outside my normal
    scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking down the default
    setup is not a big deal.

    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a while,
    but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and even some
    bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about them
    if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-vise- screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.



    I've also been thinking about making a ground straight 1x3 or 1x4 bar
    for aligning two vises together. Not sure exactly how to manage heat
    since my grinder doesn't run coolant, but I do have a couple cheap
    import mist sprayers around... somewhere.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Wed Jan 21 12:03:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/21/2026 11:56 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises
    modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have
    one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other
    two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.
    In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide
    wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in
    mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a
    grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height
    is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively
    machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to
    raise the work piece a little.-a If I do have to work on somethign
    outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking
    down the default setup is not a big deal.

    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of
    all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified
    for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I
    forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the
    Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a
    great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them
    while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-
    vise- screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.



    I've also been thinking about making a ground straight 1x3 or 1x4 bar
    for aligning two vises together.-a Not sure exactly how to manage heat
    since my grinder doesn't run coolant, but I do have a couple cheap
    import mist sprayers around... somewhere.


    Dag-Nag-It, Jim! I was perfectly happy with the setups I have until you reminded me I haven't used my surface grinder in a long time.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Wed Jan 21 20:50:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10kr7ut$14vjj$1@dont-email.me...

    Dag-Nag-It, Jim! I was perfectly happy with the setups I have until you reminded me I haven't used my surface grinder in a long time.
    Bob La Londe
    ---------------------------
    I use mine all the time. The base is the backrest for the stool for tending the wood stove and the table is a shelf for papers etc to be sorted.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 09:21:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/21/2026 6:50 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10kr7ut$14vjj$1@dont-email.me...

    Dag-Nag-It, Jim!-a I was perfectly happy with the setups I have until you reminded me I haven't used my surface grinder in a long time.
    Bob La Londe
    ---------------------------
    I use mine all the time. The base is the backrest for the stool for
    tending the wood stove and the table is a shelf for papers etc to be
    sorted.

    FRACK JIM!!! HSD IS CONTAGIOUS! There is a perfectly good horizontal
    surface on the top of the mag chuck that is now as we speak... er type
    being infected by your rhetoric.

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, but not I have this urge to
    place a foot stool right in front of the surface grinder.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 09:47:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the software.
    I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch was an "okay
    compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have one five inch
    screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.-a In
    the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a grove on
    the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height is limited
    on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining
    plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to raise the work piece a little.-a If I do have to work on somethign outside my normal
    scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking down the default
    setup is not a big deal.

    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a while,
    but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and even some
    bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about them
    if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-vise- screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.



    I received shipping notices on the 6 new vises this morning. 6 separate shipping notices. They only weigh 32 lbs each, so there is no reason
    they couldn't have condensed that into 3 under 75 pound packages and
    saved some shipping, or maybe 2 "heavy" packages. Since they are
    willing to eat six shipping charges it tells me they are just happy to
    get rid of a product that wasn't moving for them. It also tells me that
    once they are gone they probably won't be coming back. $121 +tax with
    free shipping (atleast for six of them anyway) is insanely cheap. Even
    if they turn out to be average quality Chinese screwless vises that's
    still cheap.

    Just so you know, I have been looking for something this size for a
    while, and they seem to generally no longer be available, except from
    Suburban Tool, and while quality from Suburban is exceptional their
    price is the opposite. Everything from Suburban Tool is expensive.

    This size (5 inch nominal wide) used to be about as common as other
    sizes. I think a 5 inch screwless/grinder vise cheap enough you don't
    mind modifying it might be about the best compromise for small machines.
    I know a mill vise can have the jaws swapped around, but they are much heavier and take up a lot more space for their nominal work envelope.

    I also have some one inch and two inch vises in this style to make
    moving a small part from one machine to another easier and maintain orientation. I call them insert vises, although I don't know if that is
    their correct name or not. They are just small and pretty darn square.

    If these check out okay, I just might order a dozen more. (If they
    aren't gone, by then.)***

    *** I am letting you guys know so you have a chance to snatch one up if
    it would be useful for you. Years ago, in the hardware business I ran
    across a listing for a CVA 12ga shotgun in our hardware catalog (TrueValue/CoterCo) for $25. The next cheapest regular 12ga at the time
    was costing us around 50-60 dollars and we sold them in the hardware
    store for 89.95. 79.95 for five at a time to the farms for pet
    management and depredation management. At the time CVA was known for
    their black powder gun kits. As far as we knew that was all they sold.
    I ordered one through the hardware store for myself to check it out, and
    it was decent. It had one very minor flaw. They pin that locked the
    forend in place just went onto a hole in the wood forend. I drilled
    mine out, and pressed in a piece of rigid copper tube. Problem solved.
    We decided it was good enough for the farms, and my dad decided to every
    one they had in stock. They were all gone.

    There are either of two options about a deal that seams to good to be
    true.
    1. It probably is.
    2. It will be gone before you get a second chance.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 09:55:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/22/2026 9:47 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises
    modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have
    one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other
    two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.
    In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide
    wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in
    mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a
    grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height
    is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively
    machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to
    raise the work piece a little.-a If I do have to work on somethign
    outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking
    down the default setup is not a big deal.

    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of
    all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified
    for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I
    forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the
    Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a
    great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them
    while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-
    vise- screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.




    *** I am letting you guys know so you have a chance to snatch one up if
    it would be useful for you.-a Years ago, in the hardware business I ran across a listing for a CVA 12ga shotgun in our hardware catalog (TrueValue/CoterCo) for $25.-a The next cheapest regular 12ga at the time was costing us around 50-60 dollars and we sold them in the hardware
    store for 89.95.-a 79.95 for five at a time to the farms for pet
    management and depredation management.

    PEST management. LOL.

    To be fair we used to have a wild dog problem back then too. It was
    hard to manage because domestic pets would occasionally run with the
    wild packs. The worst of the "wild" dogs were solo hunters, and often
    those turned out to be wild pets. I once spent two days (not like full
    time tracking him. LOL) hunting down an owner to ask permission to kill
    his dog because it was breaking in and killing chickens. I could have
    just sat on the coop and waited with out permission, but it was easier, faster, and safer to just track down the dog and shoot it in open country.

    At the time CVA was known for
    their black powder gun kits.-a As far as we knew that was all they sold.
    I ordered one through the hardware store for myself to check it out, and
    it was decent.-a It had one very minor flaw.-a They pin that locked the forend in place just went onto a hole in the wood forend.-a I drilled
    mine out, and pressed in a piece of rigid copper tube.-a Problem solved.
    We decided it was good enough for the farms, and my dad decided to every
    one they had in stock.-a They were all gone.

    There are either of two options about a deal that seams to good to be true. 1.-a It probably is.
    2.-a It will be gone before you get a second chance.

    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 09:56:57 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/22/2026 9:47 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    I received shipping notices on the 6 new vises this morning.-a 6 separate shipping notices.

    I just looked at the tracking. They got them labeled and shipped the
    same day. Probably so I wouldn't have time to change my mind. LOL.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From David Billington@djb@invalid.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 17:49:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 21/01/2026 18:50, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have
    one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other
    two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.-a
    In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide
    wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in
    mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a
    grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height
    is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to
    raise the work piece a little. If I do have to work on somethign
    outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking
    down the default setup is not a big deal.

    How are you going to machine it, the link says they're hardened steel
    and HRC 58-62, while not impossible to machine it makes it interesting.
    I accidentally touched the top of one of the jaws on my Gerardi vice
    which is similar hardness and it just polished it slightly although IIRC
    that was an HSS cutter.



    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of
    all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified
    for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I
    forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the
    Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a
    great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them
    while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-vise-screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.



    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 11:32:15 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/22/2026 10:49 AM, David Billington wrote:
    On 21/01/2026 18:50, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises
    modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have
    one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other
    two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening. In
    the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide wide
    opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in mold
    plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a grove on
    the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height is limited
    on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining
    plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to raise the
    work piece a little. If I do have to work on somethign outside my
    normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking down the
    default setup is not a big deal.

    How are you going to machine it, the link says they're hardened steel
    and HRC 58-62, while not impossible to machine it makes it interesting.
    I accidentally touched the top of one of the jaws on my Gerardi vice
    which is similar hardness and it just polished it slightly although IIRC that was an HSS cutter.



    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of
    all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified
    for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, and I
    forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else on the
    Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart, still a
    great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better get them
    while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-
    vise-screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them
    to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.




    I've had no insurmountable issue cutting similar vises with TiAln coated carbide or even AlTiN coated carbide with steel cutting geometry. I
    suppose theoretically it could be through hardened, but I think its
    unlikely. Even if it was quenched and tempered instead of case hardened
    I think the hard layer will be relatively thin just due to the mass. If
    I have to dress down a grinding wheel to break the surface I will, but I
    don't thing I'll have to.

    FYI: Two of my current vises I stepped the cut back jaws with 1/4 inch
    AlTiN coated cutters at crazy high RPM on my high speed spindle
    machines. Machined in place. I don't recall off hand, but the lowest I typically run those spindles is 8K, and they don't start developing real
    power until about 12K. Cutting in place turned out to be a waste of
    time. I wound up taking them off the machine, and slitting them for a
    relief cut in the step on the knee mill in the back.

    Anyway, they were hardish, but it was not like hard milling, and if
    theses new ones turn out to be hard milling I'll just follow some of the recipes worked up ages ago by NYC CNC for the Tormach. Its not like I
    have to do it everyday. I do it once (well maybe six times) and never
    do it again... or atleast not for several years.

    I've struggled more with "softer" 4140HT (28-32HRC). The machinists
    groups on Facebook sneer at my struggles, but I've found the stuff very
    tough and experienced very short tool life. I spent weeks replacing
    cutters and recutting parts when I made some 4140HT embossing and
    compacting press dies with the stuff for tea cakes (cakes of tea, not
    cakes to be eaten with tea).
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From David Billington@djb@invalid.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 19:26:42 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 22/01/2026 18:32, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/22/2026 10:49 AM, David Billington wrote:
    On 21/01/2026 18:50, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises
    modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have
    one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other
    two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.
    In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide
    wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in
    mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a
    grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height
    is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost
    exclusively machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be
    an issue to raise the work piece a little. If I do have to work on
    somethign outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway,
    so taking down the default setup is not a big deal.

    How are you going to machine it, the link says they're hardened steel
    and HRC 58-62, while not impossible to machine it makes it
    interesting. I accidentally touched the top of one of the jaws on my
    Gerardi vice which is similar hardness and it just polished it
    slightly although IIRC that was an HSS cutter.



    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of
    all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I
    qualified for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time,
    and I forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else
    on the Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart,
    still a great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better
    get them while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-
    vise-screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for
    them to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.




    I've had no insurmountable issue cutting similar vises with TiAln
    coated carbide or even AlTiN coated carbide with steel cutting
    geometry.-a I suppose theoretically it could be through hardened, but I think its unlikely.-a Even if it was quenched and tempered instead of
    case hardened I think the hard layer will be relatively thin just due
    to the mass.-a If I have to dress down a grinding wheel to break the
    surface I will, but I don't thing I'll have to.

    FYI:-a Two of my current vises I stepped the cut back jaws with 1/4
    inch AlTiN coated cutters at crazy high RPM on my high speed spindle machines.-a Machined in place.-a I don't recall off hand, but the lowest
    I typically run those spindles is 8K, and they don't start developing
    real power until about 12K.-a Cutting in place turned out to be a waste
    of time.-a I wound up taking them off the machine, and slitting them
    for a relief cut in the step on the knee mill in the back.

    Anyway, they were hardish, but it was not like hard milling, and if
    theses new ones turn out to be hard milling I'll just follow some of
    the recipes worked up ages ago by NYC CNC for the Tormach.-a Its not
    like I have to do it everyday.-a I do it once (well maybe six times)
    and never do it again... or atleast not for several years.

    I've struggled more with "softer" 4140HT (28-32HRC).-a The machinists
    groups on Facebook sneer at my struggles, but I've found the stuff
    very tough and experienced very short tool life. I spent weeks
    replacing cutters and recutting parts when I made some 4140HT
    embossing and compacting press dies with the stuff for tea cakes
    (cakes of tea, not cakes to be eaten with tea).


    OK, thanks for the reply, I expect you'll report back on how you get on
    with them after they arrive, maybe even post some pics of the results.

    Tea cakes like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_tea ?

    Here in the UK EN24T is a common alloy steel equivalent to 4340 and
    supplied hardened and tempered to T condition which seems to be the same
    as the 4140HT. Never really had an issue with it but I don't machine
    lots of it and certainly slow the SFM down compared to easier to machine steels.



    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 13:05:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/22/2026 12:26 PM, David Billington wrote:
    On 22/01/2026 18:32, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/22/2026 10:49 AM, David Billington wrote:
    On 21/01/2026 18:50, Bob La Londe wrote:
    My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.-a As a result I have
    modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work
    envelope.-a 3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the
    software. I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws
    machined back or other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch
    was an "okay compromise for X.-a In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises
    modified to match would give the most working envelope.-a I only have >>>> one five inch screwless vise.-a I've been using six inch on the other >>>> two machines.

    Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.
    In the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide
    wide opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in
    mold plates.-a I think this time I'll do it differently.-a Machine a
    grove on the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.-a Z height >>>> is limited on the smaller machines, but since I am almost
    exclusively machining plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be
    an issue to raise the work piece a little. If I do have to work on
    somethign outside my normal scope I am charging extra for it anyway,
    so taking down the default setup is not a big deal.

    How are you going to machine it, the link says they're hardened steel
    and HRC 58-62, while not impossible to machine it makes it
    interesting. I accidentally touched the top of one of the jaws on my
    Gerardi vice which is similar hardness and it just polished it
    slightly although IIRC that was an HSS cutter.



    I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a
    while, but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and
    even some bigger options.-a A while back I found some from Tormach of >>>> all places. I put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I
    qualified for free basic shipping.-a I didn't want to spend the time, >>>> and I forgot about them. Yesterday I was looking up something else
    on the Tormach website and saw they were still in my shopping cart,
    still a great price, and still free shipping.-a I figured I better
    get them while they were still available.

    Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking
    about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.

    Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about
    them if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-
    vise-screwless-33111.html

    Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for
    them to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.




    I've had no insurmountable issue cutting similar vises with TiAln
    coated carbide or even AlTiN coated carbide with steel cutting
    geometry.-a I suppose theoretically it could be through hardened, but I
    think its unlikely.-a Even if it was quenched and tempered instead of
    case hardened I think the hard layer will be relatively thin just due
    to the mass.-a If I have to dress down a grinding wheel to break the
    surface I will, but I don't thing I'll have to.

    FYI:-a Two of my current vises I stepped the cut back jaws with 1/4
    inch AlTiN coated cutters at crazy high RPM on my high speed spindle
    machines.-a Machined in place.-a I don't recall off hand, but the lowest
    I typically run those spindles is 8K, and they don't start developing
    real power until about 12K.-a Cutting in place turned out to be a waste
    of time.-a I wound up taking them off the machine, and slitting them
    for a relief cut in the step on the knee mill in the back.

    Anyway, they were hardish, but it was not like hard milling, and if
    theses new ones turn out to be hard milling I'll just follow some of
    the recipes worked up ages ago by NYC CNC for the Tormach.-a Its not
    like I have to do it everyday.-a I do it once (well maybe six times)
    and never do it again... or atleast not for several years.

    I've struggled more with "softer" 4140HT (28-32HRC).-a The machinists
    groups on Facebook sneer at my struggles, but I've found the stuff
    very tough and experienced very short tool life. I spent weeks
    replacing cutters and recutting parts when I made some 4140HT
    embossing and compacting press dies with the stuff for tea cakes
    (cakes of tea, not cakes to be eaten with tea).


    OK, thanks for the reply, I expect you'll report back on how you get on
    with them after they arrive, maybe even post some pics of the results.

    You are encouraging me to share my shame? Ha. We shall see how it
    goes. Like many not absolutely necessary upgrades it will likely not
    get done right away. I just wanted to snatch up the vises while they
    were available.

    Tea cakes like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_tea ?

    Yes, something like the picture Tea brick, on Display... Simpler design though.


    Here in the UK EN24T is a common alloy steel equivalent to 4340 and
    supplied hardened and tempered to T condition which seems to be the same
    as the 4140HT. Never really had an issue with it but I don't machine
    lots of it and certainly slow the SFM down compared to easier to machine steels.

    4340 is also available here in the states. I don't recall the
    operational differences never having worked with it, but it does have
    the same carbon content.





    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Thu Jan 22 15:59:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    On 1/21/2026 6:50 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10kr7ut$14vjj$1@dont-email.me...

    Dag-Nag-It, Jim! I was perfectly happy with the setups I have until you reminded me I haven't used my surface grinder in a long time.
    Bob La Londe
    ---------------------------
    I use mine all the time. The base is the backrest for the stool for
    tending the wood stove and the table is a shelf for papers etc to be
    sorted.

    FRACK JIM!!! HSD IS CONTAGIOUS! There is a perfectly good horizontal
    surface on the top of the mag chuck that is now as we speak... er type
    being infected by your rhetoric.

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, but not I have this urge to
    place a foot stool right in front of the surface grinder.
    Bob La Londe
    ----------------------------

    The stove is the only thing in the basement shop safe to be downstream of
    the grinder.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 08:06:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, ...

    ----------------------

    The outdoor temperature here in the warmer southern edge of the state is +2F
    / -16C in the 'sun'. An unheated shop would be unpleasant at the least, as I know from car problems and Army winter field exercises. Ungloved fingers
    very rapidly go numb, thin work gloves aren't much better.

    Now it's +3, I'll go out and move firewood.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 10:38:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/24/2026 6:06 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, ...

    ----------------------

    The outdoor temperature here in the warmer southern edge of the state is
    +2F / -16C in the 'sun'. An unheated shop would be unpleasant at the
    least, as I know from car problems and Army winter field exercises.
    Ungloved fingers very rapidly go numb, thin work gloves aren't much better.

    Now it's +3, I'll go out and move firewood.


    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket might
    be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at 60+mph.
    Such a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was initiated.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 12:56:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10l301r$1059s$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket might
    be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at 60+mph.
    Such a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was initiated.
    Bob La Londe

    -----------------------------

    You're lucky. Those due east of you are getting the snow/ice storm we will suffer tomorrow. https://www.fox4news.com/news/dallas-weather-forecast-january-24


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Leon Fisk@lfiskgr@gmail.invalid to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 15:28:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:56:13 -0500
    "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
    "Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10l301r$1059s$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket might
    be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at 60+mph.
    Such a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was initiated.
    Bob La Londe

    -----------------------------

    You're lucky. Those due east of you are getting the snow/ice storm we will >suffer tomorrow. >https://www.fox4news.com/news/dallas-weather-forecast-january-24
    It was -15 degF when I got up at 4:00am. Had come up to -11 by the time
    I left for the store 6:15am. A balmy 13 deg just now at 2:00pm.
    Yesterday I never saw it warmer that 4 degF when I got up at 4:30am. It
    was a few degrees below zero till noonishEfN|
    Thankfully no freezing rain in our forecast nor much snow...
    --
    Leon Fisk
    Grand Rapids MI
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Snag@Snag_one@msn.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 14:15:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/24/2026 7:06 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, ...

    ----------------------

    The outdoor temperature here in the warmer southern edge of the state is
    +2F / -16C in the 'sun'. An unheated shop would be unpleasant at the
    least, as I know from car problems and Army winter field exercises.
    Ungloved fingers very rapidly go numb, thin work gloves aren't much better.

    Now it's +3, I'll go out and move firewood.


    It's 13-# here , 6+ inches on the ground and still snowing . I played around a bit moving snow with the JD yard tractor , decided not to fire
    up the "big" tractor . Last I looked I'm the only one to sully the
    pristine covering of Cold White Shit out on the road .
    --
    Snag
    I appreciated foreign cultures more
    when they stayed foreign ...
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Snag@Snag_one@msn.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 14:17:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/24/2026 11:38 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/24/2026 6:06 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, ...

    ----------------------

    The outdoor temperature here in the warmer southern edge of the state
    is +2F / -16C in the 'sun'. An unheated shop would be unpleasant at
    the least, as I know from car problems and Army winter field
    exercises. Ungloved fingers very rapidly go numb, thin work gloves
    aren't much better.

    Now it's +3, I'll go out and move firewood.


    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket might
    be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at 60+mph.
    -aSuch a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was initiated.



    You realize we will remember this taunting next August when you're sweltering in 114-# heat ?
    --
    Snag
    I appreciated foreign cultures more
    when they stayed foreign ...
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 15:57:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10l36g8$12695$1@dont-email.me...

    It was -15 degF when I got up at 4:00am. Had come up to -11 by the time
    I left for the store 6:15am. A balmy 13 deg just now at 2:00pm.

    Yesterday I never saw it warmer that 4 degF when I got up at 4:30am. It
    was a few degrees below zero till noonishEfN|

    Thankfully no freezing rain in our forecast nor much snow...
    --
    Leon Fisk
    Grand Rapids MI

    -----------------------------

    I understand you get both hotter and colder weather than we do in New
    England, it has worn out some getting here. That's only a slight
    consolation.

    I've been to Detroit and Flint, neither tempted me to stay.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Leon Fisk@lfiskgr@gmail.invalid to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 17:18:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:57:16 -0500
    "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
    <snip>
    I've been to Detroit and Flint, neither tempted me to stay.
    Suspect Detroit has improved a lot since then, not so much Flint...
    I'm pretty much where I started, it's the devil I knowEfye
    --
    Leon Fisk
    Grand Rapids MI
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jim Wilkins@muratlanne@gmail.com to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 17:23:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    "Leon Fisk" wrote in message news:10l3cvg$14a1c$1@dont-email.me...

    On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:57:16 -0500
    "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:

    <snip>
    I've been to Detroit and Flint, neither tempted me to stay.

    Suspect Detroit has improved a lot since then, not so much Flint...

    I'm pretty much where I started, it's the devil I knowEfye
    --
    Leon Fisk
    Grand Rapids MI
    -----------------------------------

    I did like the beer out there and in Milwaukee. Draft (not bottled) Andeker was as good as Oktoberfest.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 16:07:42 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/24/2026 10:56 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10l301r$1059s$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket might
    be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at 60+mph.
    -aSuch a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was initiated.
    Bob La Londe

    -----------------------------

    You're lucky. Those due east of you are getting the snow/ice storm we
    will suffer tomorrow. https://www.fox4news.com/news/dallas-weather-forecast-january-24




    Yeah I saw somebody saying Texas was under a state of emergency due to
    ice storms. I asked them if that wasn't just every other Tuesday in the panhandle though.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob La Londe@none@none.com99 to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sat Jan 24 16:08:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On 1/24/2026 1:17 PM, Snag wrote:
    On 1/24/2026 11:38 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
    On 1/24/2026 6:06 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10ktiqu$192bh$1@dont-email.me...

    I don't run heat or AC in the main shop, ...

    ----------------------

    The outdoor temperature here in the warmer southern edge of the state
    is +2F / -16C in the 'sun'. An unheated shop would be unpleasant at
    the least, as I know from car problems and Army winter field
    exercises. Ungloved fingers very rapidly go numb, thin work gloves
    aren't much better.

    Now it's +3, I'll go out and move firewood.


    I don't know the temperature outside right now, but a light jacket
    might be nice if inactive, or blasting up the river in an open boat at
    60+mph. -a-aSuch a light jacket would be quickly shed once activity was
    initiated.



    -a You realize we will remember this taunting next August when you're sweltering in 114-# heat ?


    I was ducking and running before I finished typing.
    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Leon Fisk@lfiskgr@gmail.invalid to rec.crafts.metalworking on Sun Jan 25 08:39:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

    On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:23:46 -0500
    "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
    I did like the beer out there and in Milwaukee. Draft (not bottled) Andeker >was as good as Oktoberfest.
    Atwater Brewing in Detroit has a good Vanilla Java Porter nowadays that
    is in my mix of yummy beersEfaiN+A https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15280/33336/
    GR has the self proclaimed name "Beer City USA". I'm far from
    lacking in the number of GOOD beer to be hadEfyiN+A
    --
    Leon Fisk
    Grand Rapids MI
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2