Aligning milling vice to drill platform

[Noods]

Hi All..

Sorry if this is a stupid question but...
I've a decent milling vice which adjusts via 2 axis.. The base can turn 360 degrees and the vice sits on slots in my pillar bench table... I'm doing small milling tasks absolutely well enough for my current requirements, everything is level and stable..

My question though is ..
Anyway of aligning the milling vice up in a way so when I mill it does so in a straight line.. Obv just 1 degree out and 10cms later your aomg way off line..
The only thing I can think of.. Which is prob crazy is to put a pencil or sriber in the chuck and do a dummy run to see if the pencil line runs off the target line..

A good engineer or tool maker will probably be able to answer this.. I hope.. And yes I would like a milling machine but really not got the room or tasks to warrant one..

Many thanks

NOODS

 

[Bladevane]

Your method is not so daft. A more accurate method would to use a Dial Test Indicator (DTI) held in the chuck with the tip running on the fixed vice jaw or on, say, a 1" square longer block held in the vice.

 

[AndyStobbs]

I've got one of those vices, thinking of using as a boat anchor.

 

[Noods]

I've got one of those vices, thinking of using as a boat anchor.

You not happy with yours?
I must admit it took me a lot of adj to get mine nice and tight..

 

[Noods]

Your method is not so daft. A more accurate method would to use a Dial Test Indicator (DTI) held in the chuck with the tip running on the fixed vice jaw or on, say, a 1" square longer block held in the vice.

Do you mean one of these..

Sorry for my ignorance but how would I fit this?

 

[Rocketman]

Wrong type it needs side action to run on the vice jaw.

This is how it works -

http://www.instructables.com/id/Squaring-a-Vise-on-a-Mill-Machine-Like-a-Pro/

 

[GrahamGKD]

Yes, that is the tool Bladevane is referring to - you would need to make or source a simple bracket to hold the DTI in the chuck.

 

[Rocketman]

You don't want a plunge you need a lever type.

 

[GrahamGKD]

.... I have a couple of the adapters pictured which would allow you to fix the DTI in the chuck with a simple bolt or length of studding? Not sure what the adapter is called though?

 

[Bladevane]

Plunge type is fine. You just need to be a bit of a lateral thinker to mount it so you can read it. That's why I suggest using some square or flat bar in the vice. It's easier to run the clock against and gives you a longer run so therefore accuracy is increased - if that is what you want.

 

[Rocketman]

Why would you buy a plunge type if the lever type is the correct one for the job? Fine if you had one hanging about but the guy needs to buy one so he might as well get the correct item.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Why would you buy a plunge type if the lever type is the correct one for the job? Fine if you had one hanging about but the guy needs to buy one so he might as well get the correct item.

....I was going on nothing more than the (possibly flawed) assumption that the plunge type are more commonly available based on me having acquired three of the plunge type over the years but none of the lever type? Anyway, the OP now has the information to consider the options for himself.

 

[Rocketman]

Well In my life I have never seen anyone clock up a vice with a plunge type only the lever type and I have been working with toolmakers for a long time.

 

[Digger6135]

Using a drill press as a milling machine, is not the best of ideas, they are not designed for sideward cutting forces, the morse taper when subjected to vibration can loosen, the cutter will then spoil the work.

Digger6135

 

[lchris21]

used both, never had a problem..................not as if he's clocking up a vice to machine the main landing gear of an A380

Knowing our far eastern suppliers there's more than 1deg of error in that vice.........

 

[roofman]

you can use a plunge dial iff its fixed to round stock and mounted in the chuck then have the gauge sitting 90 degree face up to the round with the plunger running along the back of the vice...looking at that type of vice though you wont be working in thou thats for sure. Putting rough slots or facing off then it will get you by

 

[ukracer]

I've got one of those vices, thinking of using as a boat anchor.

I have had one for 30 years and I agree its a great boat anchor if you wish to use it as a milling vice.......... but for the use I have put it to its been awesome.

 

[Noods]

Thank you all.. Can anyone name a good vice please for me to look for? Thank you..

 

[roofman]

Thank you all.. Can anyone name a good vice please for me to look for? Thank you..

just type in light milling vices bud..on the bay of pigs

 

[roofman]

thinking about it you would be better getting a x-y axis table then any small vice would be better than your current set-up