Removing the swivel base on a milling vise?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

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Aug 13, 2002
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I read in another thread about doing this and thought why not, I don't use the swivel function anyway. Plus for some reason I also have an aluminum plate between the vise and the table (no idea why I put that there) I would remove at the same time. All this in the quest for more rigidity which is something I don't have that much to start with, this being a round column mini mill.

milling_vise_base1.jpg


You guys think it is worth a try?
 
Yep, Looks just like the swivel bases I've seen where it just has a pivot pin in the middle and curved t-slots to bolt into. Pretty safe bet your vise is flat on the back and will bolt directly to the table just fine.
 
Yeah, it's unlikely that current setup is very rigid or flat. I'd get rid of all that crap under the vise if you don't need it for something.
 
I would also recommend you remove the aluminum fixed jaw and indicate off the vise itself when re-installing. Those jaws don't look very precise and if you milled that step with your current setup, it's probably going to be off.

Bob
 
only reason i have my swivel base on my mini mill is hand clearance for the one hand wheel. other then that i think i have used th swivel 1 time in the last 10 years
 
I would get rid of all the items under the actual vise and check to see if there are "Keys" under the vise to to help locate the vise to the table slots. The Keys actually help to set the vise somewhat square but still need to indicate to the spindle.

Mike
 
Thanks guys :thumbup:, I'll give it try then and also go back to the stock steel jaws with parallels instead.
 
A little update.

mill_vise_nobase1.jpg


Following your advice I removed the swivel base and the aluminum plate underneath and replaced the stock steel jaws. Cleaned the ways and then, while I had it off, took the vise apart. Cleaned everything and stoned the flat parts to get rid of burrs and try and improve the general crappy machining. Put everything back together and on the mill and I am happy to report that I got it to within maybe half a thou which is better than it was before and great considering that I am nowhere near what you would call a machinist, even a hack one at that. :o
I also lowered the head since I only use collets, can't use a drill chuck without having to move the head. Biggest drawback of the round column. A knee mill would be ideal but that ain't happening anytime soon. :(

Can't wait to see if the increased rigidity improves cutting but I am pretty sure it will.

Thanks again for your help. :thumbup:
 
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