5/8 Clamping kit, Vice & Parallel Recommendations ?

[twocik]

Finally order my brand new Tormach deluxe package today !!!



Now I'm looking at purchasing a clamping kit, vise, parallel bars. Can anyone confirm that Grizzly clamping kit will work ? I know they're 5/8, but on my previous mill I had a problem with some t-nuts that didn't fit right.


http://www.grizzly.com/products/52-p...olt-Size/G1076


Or how's this one

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...67&category=11



I'm also in the market for a nice vice and parallel bars?



What do you think about this, cheap junk or ok ?

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...1755&category=


http://littlemachineshop.com/product...3487&category=

[Don Clement]

The TE-CO 5/8" clamping kit has worked well for me.

http://www.te-co.com/Default.aspx?Ca...5&ItemID=20404

Also the Kurt D688 vise with D50-33a keys. I never have to tram the vise because the center slot on the Tormach is precision ground parallel with the X-axis. I also use the D50-33a keys with all of my fixtures so I don't have to tram those either.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/kurtvise.jpg

http://www.kurtworkholding.com/manua...1205-l-en.html

http://www.kurtworkholding.com/keys-...-965-l-en.html

Don Clement

[RTP_Burnsville]

I'll second the Kurt D688 vise....

For a clamping kit I believe mine came from Enco for about $30.00 and has worked well.

For parallel bars I have a set of the import thin bars that have been fine. Not sure where they came from.

The under $10 dial indicators from HF have also worked well.

[MichaelHenry]

I like the Tormach 5" vise, though I can see why others prefer the Kurt 6".

Mike

[300sniper]

congratulations on ordering your tormach.

i bought a few sets of the import clamping sets from enco when they are on sale. it looks like they are on sale for $30 right now: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...AKA=SZ505-6544 it is not something that needs to be of the highest quality in my opinion so i went cheap. and yes, you want the 5/8" set.

i am pretty sure this is the parallel set i got and it's on sale for $30: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMPI

the tormach vise has been working just fine for me. i don't have any issues with it.

[twocik]

Thank you guys for all of the help and links. Hope you don't if I pick your brains later down the road..


sniper wow I almost bought those a week ago and glad I waited. Plus I got a 20% email coupon.



Any opinions on this companies vise ?


http://www.glacern.com/gsv_690

[R.DesJardin]

I too bought the Tormach vise, it's well made and is a made in the US product. It's just a mini version of the Kurt I already had.
Enjoy the Tormach.

[Don Clement]

The thing about the Kurt D688 vise is that it does fit the Tormach 1100 with only an inch lost in Y axis travel. http://www.kbctools.com/usa/main.cfm The D688 is on sale at KBC for $469 on page 38 of their sale flyer. I am also thinking of ordering the Kurt Magnetic Jaw Plate and Parallel Set for $94 from KBC on the same sale flyer page. It includes the same groove lock jaw plate that comes with the D688 but with powerful magnets that hold parallels in place. BTW I really like Kurt’s WSRL46 & WSRLE46 groove lock work stops. http://www.kurtworkholding.com/downl...ccessories.pdf

Don

[300sniper]

that 1" loss of y travel would be a no-go for me.

i think the tormach vise is a perfect fit for the machine.

[wvines]

Originally Posted by twocik ... Any opinions on this companies vise ? http://www.glacern.com/gsv_690

Yes, I've been using that vise for a few months and I recommend it highly. The large jaw opening is very useful.

It's similar to the Kurt D688 but slightly longer. The jaws are compatible with Kurt accessories, including the Groove Lock work stops, which I use often.

I have a couple of other smaller vises but I haven't used them much since I got the Glacern.

[Don Clement]

Originally Posted by wvines Yes, I've been using that vise for a few months and I recommend it highly. The large jaw opening is very useful. It's similar to the Kurt D688 but slightly longer. The jaws are compatible with Kurt accessories, including the Groove Lock work stops, which I use often. I have a couple of other smaller vises but I haven't used them much since I got the Glacern.

The real issue is how does the Glacern work with the Tormach 1100. The Kurt D688 just fits on the Tormach using Kurt vise keys in the center slot with 1" of overhang on the rear Yaxis. The hex shaft fits though the front spash shield if one cuts a U hole. See: http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/kurtvise.jpg The D688 has worked extremely well for me and the 1" loss in Y-axis travel has never been an issue for me. The 8.8" opening without reversing jaws on the D688 has also worked well for me as I have some parts that just fit in that opening. YMMV

Don

[RTP_Burnsville]

I don't use the locating keys on the D688 so no loss of Y axis. I seldom remove the vise so the use of keying is not all that important. After using several smaller vises with much frustration I would never recommend something smaller in size. Like most things, selection depends on what you make with your machine.