Machine Shop Basics: Setting up a Vise on a Milling Machine

A simple procedure to set up a vise so that it is square with the table on a milling machine using a Starrett Last Word Indicator.
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Joel Hunger
2014-11-27

[@kellyklaask7su990]

I am waiting for the arrival of a mill vice for my mini-mill. I will use your method of alignment when it arrives. Thanks for this great video!

[@VintageMachinery]

+Kelly Klaas With a bit of practice, it takes not time to dial in a vise. The first few times are "learning experiences"....

[@freddiemercurious]

Thank you, sir! I just got a lathe and mill from Sherline. I'm an amateur watchmaker and hobbyist. This is good, basic stuff.

[@IJustLoveFootball7]

Thank you for your time and perfect explanation Mr. Keith

[@VintageMachinery]

+I Just Love Football Thanks for watching!

[@kenzpenz]

Again another great video. More videos, more videos I think I have watched all of the videos you have posted. Makes for great entertainment and I have learned a lot from watching. It's guys like you that make this country so great....thanks Ken, Marina CA.... da old guy

[@VintageMachinery]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@Paiadakine]

Sound is perfect on my devices. Thanks for sharing this video. Learning to mill and this video helps.

[@VintageMachinery]

Thank you!

[@kk2ak14]

Thanks for your time, good explanation.

[@sandisangel]

Sound is good must be theirs, also good tip on just adjusting one end makes a lot of sense I like starlet dial indicators too. Well done!

[@hendrikhanso]

thanks for this video..i just bought a manual milling machine and start learning.

[@edgarcontreras9549]

very good indeed, informative thank you

[@lestergrenz5002]

Great video. You make it simple.

[@VintageMachinery]

Thank you!

[@chevyvictor]

great video well narrated. hi from NZ

[@gregorynorth80]

Love this

[@roeng1368]

Good video as always.

[@VintageMachinery]

The indicator I used is what is commonly called a "Test Indicator" and various types of these were made by many different companies. The specific indicator I used was a Starrett No. 711 "Last Word" indicator. They are pretty common and can be picked up either new or used pretty easily.

[@GlennMartinez]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to place a parallel bar in vise? Set it up 1/2 high and let the indicator slide on a precision surface? Otherwise you could be a marred bump or hole at the end of your travel. I am really enjoying you videos....I am re-skilling after a 20 year break......

[@shootgp]

+Glenn Martinez While I see this is an old comment, that is exactly how I do it. My parallel bars are so much cleaner and much more smooth. The only reason I watched this video was to see if he did it the same way... The other reason I use a parallel is because I don't have the most expensive of vices... I want to see it parallel to the table when the jaws are closed - as if I had work being held.

[@theinqwest]

couple of things if you start off tighten the vice down where you start clocking from and call that your datum and second reclock after tightening down to make sure it hasnt moved with tightening otherwise regards

[@lilbitmighty]

Thanks...new to this and needed the help

[@pkcyrus]

Thanks for this :)

[@NeonGreenPage]

Sounds great through my computer!

[@k5at]

Great video, Thanks for sharing!

[@VintageMachinery]

Mike, I am not sure what to tell you. I have plenty of volume on my computer when I am playing it back. I know that I have had some issues with background noise with machines running (which I am working on trying to fix), but I thought this video sounded pretty good. Do you have problems with other videos (besides mine)? Can you wear earbuds or plug in speakers? Anybody else having trouble hearing my videos (background noise excluded)?

[@robertchauval2492]

Nice simple procedure thanks.. but you should always double check AFTER youve tightened up.....

[@axolpolly3366]

thanks keith,big help.cheers

[@jcs6347]

Thanks Keith!

[@VintageMachinery]

+JC S My pleasure!

[@tom87pate]

Thanks for the video sir.

[@VintageMachinery]

Thomas Pate Thank you!

[@VintageMachinery]

Thanks!

[@joeshmoe5935]

does needle on starret need to be parallel to body or will it also work at say a 30 degree angle?

[@lightmanfilms]

Very nice video. I also have a question. Is there a specific name for that indicator? Or is it just called simply indicator? I am searching to buy one.

[@NateScottPDX]

Do you know who made that vise? I have a very similar one with no name on it. Great video as always Keith!

[@loudam5630]

Cool Video

[@marty3553]

Thanks bud

[@shadowdog500]

Where did you tap the vise? Down by the hold down bolts? Thanks!

[@autcad-td876]

Great video Keith Rucker! One question though - when zeroing the second end of the vice, shouldn't you adjust the vice to half the total indicator run out then reset the indicator to zero at the first end?

[@autcad-td876]

OK I see! I would like if you could do a video on how to set up the coolant pump on the milling machine. I have a Birmingham BPS 1649 vertical mill but there is no coolant pump on it. I have to get the coolant in bottles and spray it on during any milling operation. Thanks in advance

[@tonycstech]

Thats just X and Y. What about Z or the nod ?

[@rufusleers]

I do mine with a .0001 indicator.

[@hdoug5]

good video, very informative. sound is awesome on my laptop but I have cheaters lol (headset) :)

[@polakis1975]

Very nice video! You are the reason i am searching to buy this exact indicator. I loved it and despite the fact it has a short travel, it must be very precise. I found one on ebay, 711 Last Word but the dial says .001" this means it is less accurate than yours right? If you know where to find one in good shape, please inform me. Thanks and congrats again.

[@VintageMachinery]

Most of them are advertised as 0.001, but they have marks at the half thousandths as well (0.0005).

[@sandisangel]

Auto spell changed it from Starrett. Sorry. ;-)