How do I secure this type of vice?

[laurentg]

New to milling here.
There is a vice like this for sale close to my place, i'm wondering how this installs on a milling table (I just got a new-to-me RF-25 clone, it's got a pretty beat up 3in, looking to install a 4in).
I asked the guy for a pic of the under-side just in case i get an ah-ha moment... but would love to get some insights.

 

[Fly_Cut]

Step clamps or toe clamps is all I suggest without seeing the underside.

 

[Chicken lights]

220v arc welder should do the trick....

 

[Fly_Cut]

Maybe drill and tap the bottom of the vise and make an adapter plate.

 

[Susquatch]

It looks like a old hand held grinding vise. I don't see any slots for step clamps. So I think it's meant to be hand held for holding small parts in a grinding setup.

In any event, I'd recommend passing on it. You should be able to find a better milling vise.

 

[DavidR8]

I use a vise like that on my drill press. It not a milling vise.

 

[laurentg]

Thanks, I was afraid i was missing something... i think i'll pass on this guy.

 

[DavidR8]

It is however an excellent drill press vise.

 

[historicalarms]

As Fly-cut suggests...youve got a mill, its made to make that vise work for you if its priced right...cut a toe hold slot in both sides of the base & your in business.

 

[laurentg]

As Fly-cut suggests...youve got a mill, its made to make that vise work for you if its priced right...cut a toe hold slot in both sides of the base & your in business.

well now you're changing my mind about this - it's back ON 🙂

 

[Fly_Cut]

well now you're changing my mind about this - it's back ON 🙂

It's all about what your needs are.
I'm not sure what the deal is on this one but I'm almost certain a proper milling vise will run you 4 of 5 times as much.

 

[Susquatch]

well now you're changing my mind about this - it's back ON 🙂

I'd still be saving my coin for a proper milling vise. That one will never work as well as a proper milling vise.

 

[DavidR8]

It's an excellent drill press vise probably a so-so milling vise. Personally I wouldn't invest time and effort into making it work as a milling vise. You'd be better served by a proper milling vise from Busy Bee.

 

[skippyelwell]

I have this little drill press vise that is very similar to yours, someone along the way brazed on these ears so it can be used on a mill. That is always a possibility.

 

[Fly_Cut]

It all depends on what you intend to do.
If you going to drill and tap or mill plastic and aluminum with a 1/4" endmill then do what works. If you want to take a 0.100" cut with a 2" face mill probably won't work.

 

[MrWhoopee]

Fine for a drill press, not for milling machine.

 

[Mcgyver]

It's a drill press vise, 99% of the time I let it float. For safety, I clamp short length of large angle iron to the table so it can't spin.

 

[Susquatch]

It's a drill press vise, 99% of the time I let it float. For safety, I clamp short length of large angle iron to the table so it can't spin.

Thats what I used to do too. But many years ago, I installed an x/y table to facilitate light milling and now I rarely hold my vise freehand. I don't even remember the past time.