We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Machine Vise?

By Lori Kilchermann
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,088
Share

A machine vise is a clamping device that is used on a drill press or milling machine. Manufactured with a flat bottom designed to fit firmly against the machine's bed, the machine vise has provisions to be bolted securely in place on the bed of either machine. Offered in variations from a simple, single jaw flat vice used to hold one piece of material to be drilled or machined, to multi-jawed, multi-adjustable machine vise designs, the vices are likened to an additional pair of hands by many machinists. Vices that are capable of holding the work at various angles allow the machinist to make machining corrections as the machine is operated. This allows the machinist to perform a wide array of drilling and machining tasks.

Unlike a traditional bench vise, the machine vise is used on the drill press or milling machine to hold a part that is being machined. The typical machine work bed contains various holes and slots that the machine vise can be bolted to, allowing the vice to be mounted in a wide array of positions. Instead of a large handle to tighten the vice jaws, as used on a bench vice, the machine vise uses small cranks that are geared to apply maximum clamping force without turning the handle excessively. This is due primarily to the close proximity of the vice to the work bed of the machine.

Due in part to the many different metals that are machined for any given purpose, the machine vise is commonly equipped with interchangeable jaws to allow most metals to be clamped into the vice without leaving damaging marks on the finish of the parts. Brass, aluminum and copper jaw inserts are available for most models of machine vise. These typically will not scratch or mar the finish of delicate metals or finished surfaces of steel components.

Many machinists will have a variety of vices at their disposal to allow for a wide array of clamping positions and arrangements. Often, a large part will require the use of two or more vices set up in a series to hold the part and prevent unnecessary movement while it is being drilled or machined. Some versions of the machine vise are magnetized to aid in holding the workpiece while the vice is being adjusted. Some also have magnetized bases to hold the vice to the work bed without the aid of bolts.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-machine-vise.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.