Vise size for Manual SX3?

[jon003]

I've just fired off an order for a G0619, which I'll be running in manual mode for a while.

I'm looking at Kurt vises, and I'm not sure which size would be appropriate for a 6x21 mill @ ~400 lbs.

I'm leaning towards a 4".

[wwendorf]

I bought a 6" kurt clone. It works, but it's BIG and almost a bit too tall for me to work with effectively. I wish I had bought a 4" instead. Everything works on it fine, unless you start getting into using over .25" drills. That, combined with the jacobs chuck make it a little hard to clear your workpiece sometimes. I've wound up on the VERY highest point in the Z axis and barely had enough clearance to get to my workpiece. I am on a CNC SX3, but I thought the info was relevant.

Wade

[jon003]

Definitely relevant. Thanks!

[Crevice Reamer]

What's the largest object you need to HOLD in the vise? The Kurt 4 inch (Angle) vise opens to almost 4 inches and weighs 32 LB. The 6 inch opens to 7.5 inches and weighs 78 LBs. The 8 inch vise opens to almost 9 inches and, at 159 LBs exceeds the table limit.

The SX3 table can hold a maximum of 150 LBs, so it's a trade off if you also intend to mount a rotary table.

Those vises are REALLY expensive. If you don't really NEED the last nth of precision--there are lots of viable, almost as precise, less expensive vises.

CR.

[tauntdesigns]

I got a 5" vise for my X3. Here's a couple of pics with it setting on the end of the mill.