Vices

Vices

Introduction

Most of the manual operations such as Filing, Sawing, Chipping, Hand Tapping, Die Passing etc. and Machine Operations such as Shaping, Milling, Drilling, Grinding, etc. require rigid clamping of the work piece.

Vice is the most commonly used work holding device for such operations.

Types of Vices

   i.        Bench Vice

Fig 1.1 Bench Vice

As the Name Suggests it is fixed on the bench and most of the manual operations are done on this vice. There are two types of Bench Vices.

·         Back jaw Movable: These are Vices used for precision work such as filing, tapping etc.

·         Front jaw Movable: These are used for rough operations such as Chipping, Hammering etc.

Parts of a Bench Vice

·         Fixed Jaw: Made of Cast Iron

·         Moving Jaw: Made of Cast Iron. Moves on the body of Fixed Jaw

·         Base: It is Cast Along with the Body of the fixed Jaw. This is the part which is fixed to the Bench.

·         Spindle: It is made of Medium Carbon Steel and has Square or Acme Threads.

·         Box Nut: It is made of Phosphor Bronze Ore Grey Cast Iron. In a Vice, the rotary motion of the spindle in the Box Nut is converted into Linear Motion of the Moving Jaw.

·         Jaw Plates: The work is held between the jaw plates. They are made out of High Carbon Tool Steel and Hardened. They are serrated with Better Grip.

Handle: it is used for rotating the spindle. It is made out of Mild Steel. 

 ii.        Leg vice (Blacksmiths Vice)

This is a Big Vice used by Blacksmiths in foundry shops for Heavy Chipping and Hammering usually for removing Projections from Castings, The Jaws of this Vice Movie in an Arc and not in a Straight Line.

iii. Pipe Vice

This vice is mainly used by plumbers for Clamping Pipes, for the Purpose of Thread Cutting, Sawing, and Removal of Joints. Its Jaws are V-Shaped for Better Grip because the pipe is gripped at 4 Points instead of 2 points, like in a Normal Vice.

   iv. Hand Vice

This is a small Vice, Which is held in Hand while working. It is used for Small and Delicate while Work like Filing Keys etc. The Jaws of this Vice Move in an Arc like Leg Vice.

v. Machine Vice

These are Precision Vices there are fixed to the Tables of Milling, Shaping, and Drilling Machines with T-Bolts and Nuts for Holding of Pieces.

vi. Swivel Vice

This vice has the advantages that the job after mounting in the jaws can be adjusted to any angle horizontally or vertically, because this is made with a Swiveling Head.

vii. Carpenters Vice

This vice is only used by Carpenters Only. The Opening of the Vice is Very Large Compared to Jaw Width.

viii. Tool Makers Vice

This is a Small Precision Vice commonly Used by Tool Makers for Holding Small Accurate Jobs. The Vice is held in hand or in a Bench Vice or Clamped to a Table While Working.

ix. Shapers Vice

This is one of the strongest types of Vices and Holds Jobs very strongly. It is used on Shaping Machines only in this vice usually Both Jaws are Movable Jaws.

x.Pin Vice

This is a Small vice Held in Hand while Working. The jaws are provided with V-Grooves for Holding Small Diameter Pins.

Size of a Vice

The size of a vice is usually determined by the length of jaws.

 For Example: 4” Vice (100 mm vice), 6” Vice (150 mm vice)

Specification

A Vice is specified by the Following

·         Commonly Used Name

·         Nominal Size

For Example: Bench vice 100 mm

                        Leg vice 125 mm etc.

Care and Maintenance of Vices

1.      .       Keep the Vice Clean and Free of Chips and Dust.
   2.       Grease the Spindle Threads and Nut and Guide ways occasionally.
   3.       Never Tighten a Work piece by Hammering on the Handle.
   4.       Use Soft Jaws for Holding the finished jobs and Soft Pieces.
   5.       Use Soft Jaws for Holding the finished Jobs and Soft Pieces.
   6.       Leave a Small Gap between the Jaws when the Vice is Not in Use.