Cutting side flanges off of Kurt-type vise?

[InspirationTool]

I want to mount a 4" vise on my XJ-45 mini-mill. It has a wider table than the X2, so I think it will handle it fine. I'm looking at the Kurt D40 or similar imports.

However, so that I don't lose Y travel, I need to mount it with the vise screw aligned with the X axis. I would use hold down clamps on the end flanges. The side flanges will be sticking out, and I would like to cut them off.

Is it possible to cut those side flanges off? It would shave down the weight some. Would it warp the vise?

My other option would be an 4" aluminum double lock vise like the Carvlock, Chick, or Leave.

I can't afford a new Kurt or Chick, but they do come up used sometimes. I've got an e-mail in on the Leave.

Thanks!

-Jeff

[Geof]

I think it is unlikely that cutting the side flanges of will cause any warping. These vises are ductile cast iron which is heat treated after casting and is very unlikely to have any internal stresses that would be relieved by machining off the flanges.

However, it might not be a good idea, not because the vise is weakened but because the bolts clamping on the side flange add to the stiffness of the vise when it is closed. Because the jaws exert a force above the vise base when it is closed the tendency is for the vise to arch its back. I have never tried it but I think if you tightly closed an un-mounted vise you would be able to measure the bending on the bottom surface.

With your proposed clamping at each end you might even find the vise distorts enough to lift the middle portion clear of the table. This would tend to turn the vise into a kind of drumhead and I would expect to get significant vibration when taking heavy cuts.

You should try and get more information on the Leave vise to see if it has holes for hold-down bolts located under the center jaw. I have the Kurt double-lock vises and these do have holes in the base that allow them to be bolted down at the center when side clamping is not possible. I do not know if Kurt makes a small version of the double-lock.

[InspirationTool]

I hadn't thought of that.... Thanks Geof!

Let's hope I can get a good deal on a double vise

-Jeff

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Geof I think it is unlikely that cutting the side flanges of will cause any warping. These vises are ductile cast iron which is heat treated after casting and is very unlikely to have any internal stresses that would be relieved by machining off the flanges. However, it might not be a good idea, not because the vise is weakened but because the bolts clamping on the side flange add to the stiffness of the vise when it is closed. Because the jaws exert a force above the vise base when it is closed the tendency is for the vise to arch its back. I have never tried it but I think if you tightly closed an un-mounted vise you would be able to measure the bending on the bottom surface. With your proposed clamping at each end you might even find the vise distorts enough to lift the middle portion clear of the table. This would tend to turn the vise into a kind of drumhead and I would expect to get significant vibration when taking heavy cuts. You should try and get more information on the Leave vise to see if it has holes for hold-down bolts located under the center jaw. I have the Kurt double-lock vises and these do have holes in the base that allow them to be bolted down at the center when side clamping is not possible. I do not know if Kurt makes a small version of the double-lock.

Kurt does make a Small Double Lock Vise. I'm with Geof on the Vise Bending if you cut the side flanges off.

http://www.kurt.com/

[InspirationTool]

FYI, the Leave vise (very similar to Chick) is supposed to be available in 4 weeks for $675.

I plan on keeping an eye on eBay.

I think I would be better off with not hacking apart the vise

Thanks guys!

-Jeff

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by InspirationTool FYI, the Leave vise (very similar to Chick) is supposed to be available in 4 weeks for $675. I plan on keeping an eye on eBay. I think I would be better off with not hacking apart the vise Thanks guys! -Jeff

YW

[InspirationTool]

I also figured out that if I remove the jaws on my 3" vise, it opens up to 4".

I am thinking about making some aluminum 4" vise pallets for my parts.

-Jeff

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by InspirationTool I also figured out that if I remove the jaws on my 3" vise, it opens up to 4". I am thinking about making some aluminum 4" vise pallets for my parts. -Jeff

That will open a lot of possibilities. If you get a 4th Axis you can Index Parts to have them come off a machine Complete with one Main Program and a few Sub Programs.

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Kurt used to make a very accurate vise that has no flanges. I believe they called them CNC vises? They were made to be close together on machine tables of VMC's. This comes from memory of the 1960's/70's. We used to put 6 of them together on a 40" Cintimatic.