Types of vice
Which machine vice is suitable for which project?
Machine vices are used to clamp workpieces securely on the worktable of drilling or milling machines. However, the following questions often arise:
- "Which jaw width is suitable for the workpiece?"
- "Which vice size should I use?"
- "Do I need a rotating vice for my milling work?"
Our guide will help you with these questions and give you an overview of the different types of machine vice.
Types of machine vice
In addition to the jaw width and clamping width, vices also differ in other functions. For example, there are vices that can be rotated and swivelled in order to carry out precise drilling/milling work. Other variants are particularly suitable for high cutting speeds, as they clamp the workpiece particularly tightly using a special mechanism.
In our range you will find the following types of vice, which can be used to clamp workpieces on drilling/milling machines:
Drilling machine vice
Drilling machine vices are suitable for vertical force applications - lateral loads should be avoided. As the force is applied to the workpiece from above when drilling a hole etc., these vices are mainly used when working with stationary drills (Fig. 1).
Instead of clamping the drilling machine vice on the work table of the drilling machine, it is usually held by hand for drills with a diameter of up to 8 mm so that the workpiece can be positioned under the drill afterwards. For drill bits with a diameter greater than 10 mm, the vice should be attached to the table.
Drill press vices with additional support surfaces can also be attached to the side of the table, thus enabling a wide range of applications (Fig. 2).
Ground machine vices
This type of vice is characterised by its precision due to grinding as the final production step. The squareness and parallelism of the surfaces to each other are very accurate (0.005 mm), as is the flatness of the surfaces. This leads to extremely precise results when machining workpieces. The vices are fastened with the aid of clamping claws.
Rotating machine vices
Rotatable" means that the vice can be rotated on the base plate by 360°, for example. The machining angle can be set and read off using the angle scale on the turntable. The set angle position is fixed using two nuts. This allows angle milling to be carried out easily and conveniently.
Swivelling machine vices
The term "swivelling", on the other hand, indicates the ability to adjust the vice vertically.
The corresponding angles can be set and read off using the attached scales when turning and swivelling the vice.
Swivelling vices make it possible to change the machining angle without having to adjust the milling head. This is advantageous, for example, if the milling head of the machine cannot be swivelled.
The set angle position of the vice can be fixed using the corresponding nuts.
Pull-down vice
Pull-down vices are used to prevent the workpiece from lifting off the base when clamping, which can lead to errors during drilling and milling.
Thanks to the pull-down guide (Fig. 2) of the movable clamping jaw, neither the jaw itself nor the clamped workpiece can tilt during tightening. The workpieces are thus held parallel to the machine table and simultaneously pressed downwards by the pull-down mechanism. As a result, workpieces remain securely anchored even under high forces.
Advantages of the vice types at a glance
Drilling machine vice
✓ Suitable for drilling holes (vertical application of force)
Machine vice, ground
✓ Suitable for extremely precise results
Machine vice, rotatable
✓ Can be rotated on the base plate to adjust the machining angle
Machine vice, swivelling
✓ Can be swivelled vertically to adjust the machining angle + Milling head does not need to be adjusted
Pull-down vice
✓ Workpiece remains securely clamped even when high force is applied
What should you consider when choosing?
Before you buy a vice, consider the following parameters, as they influence the choice of vice:
- Size of the workpiece
- Weight of the workpiece
- Area of application
| Parameters | Effect on |
| Size of the workpiece | Jaw width, clamping width |
| Weight of the workpiece | ➤ Size/type of vice |
| Area of application | Type of vice (ground, rotatable, etc.) |
Tips and tricks for working with machine vices
- Make sure that the jaw width and height match the size of the workpiece. Otherwise, a workpiece that is too large cannot be clamped sufficiently and securely if the jaw width is too small (Fig. 1) and vibrations will occur during machining.
- Use machine vices with a quick-clamping mechanism for series processing, as this makes it easier to change between workpieces of different sizes.
- If desired and possible, use machine vices with removable hand cranks to prevent collisions when machining the workpiece.
- If necessary, use aids such as parallel supports to clamp the workpiece securely between the jaws (Fig. 2 & 3).
Align the machine vice correctly
- Attach the dial gauge to the machine using a stand.
- Align the dial gauge with the fixed jaw of the vice and set it to 0.
- Move the X-axis along the jaw length.
- Observe the dial gauge in the meantime and read off the deviation if necessary.
- If the dial gauge pointer deflects extremely into the positive or negative range, loosen the nuts slightly and align the vice in the corresponding direction, e.g. by lightly tapping it with a soft-face mallet. The following applies here: the deviating value should be reduced by half the value of the total deviation by aligning the vice.
- Then set the dial gauge back to 0. Trace the jaw length again via the X-axis and check whether the vice is now aligned parallel to the machine. This is the case if the dial gauge pointer remains continuously at 0 when the jaw length is travelled (slight deviations are possible).
Tip
Tools for working with machine vices
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