09-19-2012, 02:34 PM
Holding small anything can be a nuisance at the best of times. Holding small diameter bars just to cross drill can be even worse.
So to help I made some small V blocks just normal mild steel.
The first part shows NOT the best way to hold a small piece of round bar in a vise.
There is a parallel under the work piece, and the work is held down on to the parallel whilst tightening the vice.
This is not the best way to hold round bar (by a long way).
[attachment=2999]
This is a little better as it is held the full length of the vice jaws. But still not what I would call good.
[attachment=3000]
Here you can see the parallel under the work piece not only giving a little support but also helping to keep it level
[attachment=3001]
Still not particularly good because this can happen, - whooops
[attachment=3002]
So it can be held and drilled like in the above photos however one needs to be careful and mindful of the force applied to the wok piece.
Perhaps a better way is to use some small V blocks.
Now even this set up using a small V block, still isnt a good way to do it. Yep you can really tighten the vice up, but it aint doing your vice much good.
[attachment=3003]
Locate it in the middle of the vice jaws. Much nicer for your vice.
[attachment=3004]
Now this is also a better way, but wouldnt you just know, the work piece is 10mm dia and that is the only 10mm bar left in the whole wide world, no problem use a 10mm drill. (The shank part!)
[attachment=3005]
If it is a long piece fine
[attachment=3006]
Here is the smallest one (of a pair) I have. The same ones as used in the above photos.
It has a cut out that locates on the top side of the vice jaws. Aids to keep everything level and quick to set up.
[attachment=3007]
Here are some photos showing the V blocks in more detail.
[attachment=3008]
[attachment=3009]
[attachment=3010]
Comments are always welcome, good or bad
DaveH
So to help I made some small V blocks just normal mild steel.
The first part shows NOT the best way to hold a small piece of round bar in a vise.
There is a parallel under the work piece, and the work is held down on to the parallel whilst tightening the vice.
This is not the best way to hold round bar (by a long way).
[attachment=2999]
This is a little better as it is held the full length of the vice jaws. But still not what I would call good.
[attachment=3000]
Here you can see the parallel under the work piece not only giving a little support but also helping to keep it level
[attachment=3001]
Still not particularly good because this can happen, - whooops
[attachment=3002]
So it can be held and drilled like in the above photos however one needs to be careful and mindful of the force applied to the wok piece.
Perhaps a better way is to use some small V blocks.
Now even this set up using a small V block, still isnt a good way to do it. Yep you can really tighten the vice up, but it aint doing your vice much good.
[attachment=3003]
Locate it in the middle of the vice jaws. Much nicer for your vice.
[attachment=3004]
Now this is also a better way, but wouldnt you just know, the work piece is 10mm dia and that is the only 10mm bar left in the whole wide world, no problem use a 10mm drill. (The shank part!)
[attachment=3005]
If it is a long piece fine
[attachment=3006]
Here is the smallest one (of a pair) I have. The same ones as used in the above photos.
It has a cut out that locates on the top side of the vice jaws. Aids to keep everything level and quick to set up.
[attachment=3007]
Here are some photos showing the V blocks in more detail.
[attachment=3008]
[attachment=3009]
[attachment=3010]
Comments are always welcome, good or bad
DaveH