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Wanted: parallels 0.1", 0.2" 0.25"
- Thread starter slow-poke
- Start date
Believe it or not, home depot has 1/4" parallel sets.
trlvn
Ultra Member
I've been working on some small parts recently and thinking that I should get a set of thin parallels. Multiple vendors seem to offer an import set of 10 pairs in 1/8" thickness. Accusize $69 CAN, for example:
Are there any issues with a set like this? I'm used to the thicker parallels that stand up by themselves. Would wavy parallels be a better investment?
Craig
Are there any issues with a set like this? I'm used to the thicker parallels that stand up by themselves. Would wavy parallels be a better investment?
Craig
ChazzC
Ultra Member
While I have a set of 1/2" thick x 6" parallels, I got these for use when milling on the table. For use in my vise (3"I typically use 1/8" x 3", but also use 1/32" (readily available on Amazon & eBay 6" long, so I cut mine down to 3") and sometimes Sherline 1/16" x 2-1/2". There are a number of ways to keep thinner parallels in place in the vise, either short compression springs from the hardware store or this homemade style:
I don't think so Craig. Kind of defeats the purpose of a thin parallel in my mind. I have 1/4 and 1/8 - never wanted more. Those few times I needed something, I made something or figured out another way. Wavy is prolly cheaper than 1/2 though.
When using thin parallels (I have a 1/32-inch thick and 1/32 width increment set from Accusize) the easiest way to keep them separated and upright is a suitable sized lump of closed cell foam. Keep the packing material from stuff! Cut the foam so that it is a bit shorter than the parallels are high and perhaps 1/4-inch wider than the distance between the parallels. Zero cost, works great with no chance of damaging your cutters/drills. And no springs bouncing around the room!
ChazzC
Ultra Member
I got the 1/16” after seeing Quinn use them on narrow parts (too wide to use a single 1/8” and pulling it out after tapping down): makes it a lot easier to miss them when drilling.
Ensuring a miss when drilling is my main use of thin (1/32-inch thick) parallels.
LMS has a variety of thin ones in regular length, you can get them anywhere. But sourcing short ones was a bit slimmer pickens. They are also proportionately a bit thinner. I use them in my smaller 1-3" vises because a typical 6" length overhangs too much. Or alternately I can spread them apart on my 5" mill vise so there is a gap in the middle, say... for a drill to protrude through. They all come from China so I'm sure you can find them on Ali or Bangood under their true metric dimensions.
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ChazzC
Ultra Member
Just saw that I said “1/16” when should have been “1/32”. I cut 6” long 1/32” parallels in half making a custom 3” set.
I do have a Sherline set of 1/16” x ~2-1/2” parallels (#7506, currently out of stock):
Megar arc 5040dd
Super User
What did you use to cut them in half? I have never checked but always assumed parallels we quite hard.
ChazzC
Ultra Member
The 1/32” ones are “hard,” but not hardened. The first couple I used an abrasive disk in a Dremel; then I tried a hacksaw which didn’t have any problems so I did the rest on my bandsaw, deburring the cuts with my Scotch-Brite-ish wheel.