Building a Wilton Baby Bullet Vise 25 Q&A

[@nicolasj.hendrichs1654]

Dear Tom, I am relatively new to the KZbin Machining Community, so I had not seen this series. It is a MasterClass on how to chisel something beautiful and useful out of a raw block; not by shear will, but through knowledge and love to the trade. Thank you.

[@bcbloc02]

I appreciate all that you do and really enjoy your videos and dedication to the craft of machining, it isn't just a job for you, it is a passion.

[@billlee5307]

Hi Tom: As you patiently discussed your choices as to the techniques used while making the Baby Bullet I was reminded of the many accounts I have listened to over the years made by people who were trained in the “classical European” style. Comments like, “For the first year all I was allowed to use were files!” I am not suggesting that hand working is the only or best way to learn any trade or craft, but it a very valuable skill set. At least one more time I want to thank you and everyone else who was part of this build. IMO what is especially great about this endeavor is that it has been focused on education, collaboration and lots of fun from start to finish.

[@johnbazaar8440]

Tom I agree with Mr Lee completely. The vise build was a great exercise. Thanks, John

[@oxtoolco]

+William Lee Hi William, Thanks for the comment. I had a lot of fun filing. Cheers, Tom

[@terrycannon570]

I really enjoyed all the videos. I watched all of them from the start to the finish. I made sure and liked all of them. My question is who in the world kept checking the not liked button. it seems that almost all of them were not liked 12 times. This last one was not liked 14 times. What is to not like about this project. I especially like the fact that you did not hide your mistakes and was man enuff to point them out to us. It would have been really easy to edit the mistakes out of the videos . This is real live and I just love it. Thanks a million for your time and the time of all those who participated in this project.

[@DFSshop]

Hey Tom, I work as a Millwright repairing/rebuilding mills, lathes, press brakes and band saws among others, including CNCs. Being the youngest tech, I get the BIG jobs (and lots of them!). This week was an overhaul on the entire X-Y axis’s of a 20yo HAAS CNC milling machine following an X-axis bearing failure, which damaged other supporting components. One component I was forced to make was a face spinner driven round split nut to set lead screw bearing preload, a proud shoulder to contact the inner race, which I made by hand other than OD & ID on our lathe. I was classically trained, worked under men with more experience than my age and learned the value of a strong file game from Day-1. The owner, a man in his 60’s, was floored when he saw the end results. My work didn’t blow him away, but what one can do with often overlooked/substituted tools is easily forgotten. Moral: Your hand work on the B.B. 2.0 made that vise as perfect as it was. Wilton better amend certain aspects of their B.B. after seeing yours. Cheers to a true master of the craft

[@KenToonz]

Tom, I saw the Baby Bullet in person at the NYC CNC open house. Wow! Just Wow! It's even more beautiful in person. Thanks for taking the time to show us all the steps and for donating the funds it will raise to an underfunded vocational program. The world needs more people like you.

[@oxtoolco]

+KenToonz Hi Ken, Glad you got to see her in person. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@JohnRysdyk]

My theme is always that great artists see something in common materials. A guy named Mike saw a statue in a rock. He created David. We see things in steel, and bring them out. I said we, but theres no way I could ever measure up to your artistry. You are the Michealangelo of the metal arts. Thanks for another great series. Now out to my shop to extract another broken pilot drill!

[@wbfinley]

Tom, I just just finished the 25 video build series on your baby Wilton and I am just awed in amazement. I am not a machinist but I love researching and watching videos the metal working community. I mentioned in another video that I came across your channel via the AvE channel and I have to say that I now understand why he references you as the master. Your work is simply remarkable. I appreciate the time and effort you put in your videos to help the laymen like myself see how this level of work is done. So thank you, sir!

[@oxtoolco]

Hi William, Thanks for another nice comment. There are over 450 video in my catalog. Not all are oscar winners but there is literally a ton of information buried in them. All the best, Tom

[@PhilGoldblum]

Tom - You rendition of the Baby Bullet is a piece of Art. Many thanks for all the great videos.

[@wb8ujb]

Tom 100% agree with your methods on this build. Hand tooling is far more accurate than grinders or other power tools. If a person can master the hand files and other hand tools, a true craftsman appears. Only then should the craftsman use the power tools to compliment his skills. What a great project Tom. Hat's off to you and your effort.

[@MikeDittmanmachining]

I remember getting into it with my dad once about how to do something and he said something along the lines of "I did it they way wanted it's not the fastest it's not the easiest but it's my way. If you want to do it another way go for it." That kind of stuck with me and helped me to learn from the other ways people do something. Knowledge of multiple methods makes you a better machinists and gives you choices. Awesome work by the way!

[@iainfletcher6388]

100 hours, and worth every minute for a tool crafted with such results. Superb series Tom. Glad to see and hear that you had so much fun with it.

[@MattsMotorz]

I don't know why people made a fuss about the filing. I think it's god damn impressive and I agree that it is the way you can have most control. Love the series!

[@dougbourdo2589]

+MattsMotorz Ditto. I built a garage years ago with not a single power tool. Yes. Maybe foolish, but it is MY garage & it was a mission with a purpose. The end result is exactly what I wanted.

[@MattsMotorz]

Doug Bourdo That's awesome!

[@jeffreylehn8803]

I have seen the vise in person at NAMES , Tom you are a true craftsman .

[@oxtoolco]

+Jeffrey Lehn Hi Jeffrey, Glad you got to see it in person. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@arnodyck]

It's always marvelous to see high quality hand made things. Even better when it supports a worthy cause. Great series!

[@yosmith1]

The real value to this, is the view's of this series over the coming years and the ideas that people are inspired with by watching. No doubt Tom's time is of great value as well, and that includes any amount of funds that are directed to a well deserved trade school. If Wilton doesn't take notice of this effort, and make some recognition, I will be happy to grind the Wilton name off of my vise and attach and Oxtools emblem in it's place :) Thanks for a great build, Tom!

[@oxtoolco]

+Neil Smith Hi Neil, Better get your grinder ready. Wilton is asleep at the wheel or at least texting while driving. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@johnmcdonnell6109]

Sir, you are a true artisan! I true appreciate the level of effort you put into this work of art.

[@Barefoot3us]

Hello Tom, Another great teaching video this is about your Baby Bullet build. If you never have taught a vocational class you may have missed your calling. The way you explain your steps in the whole Baby Bullet build and admit to maybe doing a step or two differently is a testiment to your expertise and knowledge. I enjoy all your videos, but this Baby Bullet build has to stand out as one of your finest. I wish you all the best and thanks for your hard work in sharing and making your videos, Jeff Bernstein East Brady, Pa

[@JunkMikesWorld]

As a teacher I am constantly trying to instill in my students the merits of hand tools. It is often difficult to bridle youth, enthusiasm, and inpatients. And I must admit I too fell victim to the allure and speed of power tools as a student. I have a chisel that I forged as a student in college. I did not want to be bothered with the tedious work of filing the body before hardening it. In the corner of the shop was a big belt sander that smoothed the chisel body in a fraction of the time. I recall after having done this, my instructor, Mr. "Spike" Brewer telling me the form was incorrect. As an adult I now see what he meant. Oddly just this past week I used that chisel and while putting it away I recalled Spike telling me my work was incorrect. The chisel is hard and is an effective cutting tool but the surfaces are all curved, not flat as they should be. I could not see this at 19. Funny how time changes ones perspective. Thanks for sharing! All the best! Mike

[@393strokedcoupe]

This was my second time watching this series and I still come out blown away by the beautiful work done here. The "Baby Bullet That Should Have Been"! I would have loved to win it, but my wallet would have hated me. I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos Tom, you are a true craftsman! Thanks for the knowledge I've picked up from your awesome videos!

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

That was certainly a monumental build. Hope it gets some large price in the auction, it is certainly a "Stradivarius" of hand made vises.

[@deemstyle]

I just received your "Doing it Right" book for my birthday. This series was a major reason I wanted the book. Thanks for the awesome videos!

[@aaronkokesch3593]

Finally I got to finish this series and it was awesome!! Happy I got to see the vise in person at the Bar Z Bash and that I got to meet you as well. THANK YOU for giving your time and effort and helping out schools to become even better. I'm happy to say I have been able to increase what I do in my classroom by learning from you and others. My school shop will never become a machine shop since that was never it's purpose. However it's nice to see how much machining knowledge I have been able to use and implement into scenic construction. It's even better that I can introduce 1 more trade of many to my students. Keep up the great work and thanks again sir!! Your inspirational.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Aaron, Nice to meet you as well. This machining resource is really becoming something truly useful. Folks can get a virtual apprenticeship on line now. I would have killed for this kind of information when I was learning this stuff. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@mduvigneaud]

Tom, the vise is absolutely gorgeous! I really love that you did all the hand filing work. I think it really shows how accessible fabrication can be for someone who may not have the big expensive machines. :D

[@tombellus8986]

Thanks Tom, the vice is surly due a lot of accolades as it is not just a tool but a piece of art.As does the artist. What a great series that was, loved every minute especially the hand work.Its a magnificent thing you are doing to help some deserving students of the trade. thanks again.

[@roycechambers7098]

Words cannot begin to do this project justice.

[@marceltimmers1290]

Hi mate. Although you wanted them to be the same, yours if much nicer than the factory one. somehow you have been able to refine the curves of what was already a very nice vice to start with. My hat off to you sir.

[@se38005]

Thanks a lot Tom for this serie of videos. I've been watching them all, mostly with my mouth wideopen 8-), because of the effort and quality you put into this project.

[@Kvasir87]

Pferd is the German word for horse ;) And in my opinion the best files you can buy nowadays. I really enjoyed watching this series. I started watching back when you build the bottle lift. These projects are always fun to watch. Hope to see the etch press coming back, or an other project. Like seeing things progress,that's one of the reasons why I love this trade so much

[@oxtoolco]

+Kvasir87 Hi Kvasir, Thanks for hanging around and putting up with me. Cheers, Tom

[@raincoast2396]

The "Wilton Company" had best step up to the plate and be counted! Thank you Tom. Cheers.

[@Amritt_Poncho_Villa]

Hey Tom great series & project thank you very much. Your discussion of power tools vs hand tools reminded me of something... In a land far far away 'n long long ago as a newly assigned Seaman Apprentice I was tasked with improving my manual dexterity by removing the epoxy compound that covered the head deck. Sure enough the laws of physics applied themselves to my lack of experience and I learned about kickback. Stitches were not required, there was no permanent damage, to myself or grinder, the pants were another story. But I never did hear the end about dropping that grinder after it put a 3" gouge in my leg. ; -)

[@shadowdog500]

They say that a lathe is the only tool that can build itself. I've never seen or heard of anyone actually building a lathe with only a lathe. You are about the only one I've seen who could actually prove that a lathe can reproduce itself. That would be one heck of a long term project that I bet you could actually pull off. Chris

[@throngcleaver]

Actually, it goes like this: "A metal lathe with all the necessary attachments and tooling, along with a judicious amount of hand tools, including woodworking tools, files, punches, layout tools, and so forth, (that you'd find in a typical machine shop) is the only machine tool that can be used to replicate another like it."

[@emildekoven4872]

Your 'videos' are very informative and usually entertaining; still this viewer is happy that the "Wilton vise" bit has come to a close. Looking forward to NEW 'vistas' on your channel....!

[@juanrivero8]

Thanks for this Q and A. I enjoyed every second of the build, and especially the handwork. There is something very Zen about sitting there and filing carefully. I am trying to teach myself to file. Impatience is the enemy. Guy Lautard (look him up) has four books entitled "The Machinist's Bedside Reader." In one of them he tells a story of a guy in a machine shop. He was no machinist. He swept up the shop. He built two falling-block rifles and a one-shot Luger pistol with one hacksaw and 57 files. He would say "lookin' at it takes off no metal. Gotta get to work." and away he went. Oh, and ask say Michelangelo if he counted hours on the Sistine chapel ceiling. Art is art.

[@Abom79]

Great follow up to an epic build Tom! I enjoyed and look forward to seeing it myself in a few weeks. 👍👍

[@handcraftedworkshop]

+Abom79 Tom, I agree with Adam. I too look forward to seeing it in a couple of weeks. Gary

[@michaelfiller3452]

Great work, thanks for all the effort, the videos, and the education! I especially like the "why" parts, where explain the thought process, the reasons behind the decisions. A million kudos for the beautiful work, and the sharing!

[@catmshtr89]

I think you should make a mold of it. I would love to see it cast and finished.

[@spoojebob]

Tom, that little vise is a work of art. I really enjoyed the whole series. I am a retired electrical engineer in Thailand, and now devote my time to woodworking in the traditional Japanese way, using only vintage hand tools, both Japanese and Western. I can truly understand your feelings regarding the hand filing as opposed to mechanized. Detailed hand work opens you up to a kind of Zen state, does it not? It allows for a different kind of appreciation of your own work. I'm 2 years behind the publication of this series. Does that matter? Keep the Zen going

[@Bobbycat115]

Tom you hit the nail on the head when you said using a grinder and not knowing you chowder ed the other side where you are not looking I love my files and fine abrasives .

[@terrylarotonda784]

Thanks again for the series. Your dedication is impeccable. Great job.

[@LarryBlowers]

I enjoyed following along and watching this build! shop therapy is the best kind I really like it and the reasonings for it and the eventual outcome with an auction and donation to a trade school! while i couldn't ever afford the price of admission I'm sure it'll find a great shop to live in and provide years and years of reliable service not only to the winning bidder but to his successor if passed on or if sold as part of his estate!

[@Landrew0]

Most enjoyable series so far.

[@wyattoneable]

Ferd is German for "horse". Super video Tom. I hope you a great response in the auction. I loved the whole series.

[@001desertrat3]

Tom: Congratulations on an excellent job ! Thank You for sharing it with us.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Rat, Thanks for the nice comment. Cheers, Tom

[@Ed_Stoddard]

Totally unrelated, just noticed your Pershing emblem on the wall. I was in Lance missiles for 10 years in Aschaffenburg, Herzobenaurach (Nurenburg), and Fort Sill of course. 1982 - 1992. Redlegs rule. LOL

[@RoFFen10]

Pferd is german for horse, hence the horse icon. You have done a awesome job on this vice! Looking forward for your next project

[@oxtoolco]

+RoFFen Hi Roffen, Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@EnergyFabricator]

I really enjoyed this series :) Great stuff Tom!

[@genefultz5267]

Very good , a job well done and I am with you on hand working metal over machines it makes you feel better if done by hand !

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

an amazing piece of work tom

[@wickedwieselmachine2790]

glad seeing you and the vice at nyccnc open house

[@oxtoolco]

+James Neff Hi James, Glad you got to see it in person. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@billdlv]

I too was curious about how many hours it took to make. It really turned out great, I look forward to seeing it along with it's creator at the bash.

[@mattcurry29]

Hey Tom, Again thank you for a great video series on the Baby Wilton. you are a true craftsman. Wilton has defiantly dropped the ball. I would like to again say thank you for your hard work on the vise and to turn around and auction it off and donate the proceeds to a Machining Program is awesome. Matt C.

[@sanddan525]

Thanks for the follow up video showing the different files you used. Great series!

[@SierraLimaOscar]

I'm going to disagree with the critics and say that one of the best aspects of this project was the manual filling. It's becoming a lost art and it's slow and you shoulders hurt, but I doubt such an organic form could have been achieved with machines. I love that such complex shapes can be achieved with such a simple tool. FYI Pferd is German for horse (hence the little horsey).

[@duobob]

+SierraLimaOscar I agree. In fact, the entire project was a showcase of basic machinist and fabricator skills put to practical use. Instead of asking "how can I do this faster and easier?", I found myself saying "I need to spend more time developing those basic skills."

[@ClaytonwFirth]

Me too. The hand work was spectacular!

[@Crewsy]

I agree 100%. In grade 9 (1980-81) machine shop class (2 months long) our project was a hexagonal key tag. Starting with a very rough cut piece of hexagonal rod we had to bring it to consistent thickness and all radiused corners to match the “diameter” of the hex. All the work was completed using hand files because the shop teacher understood the value of handwork in the shop.

[@mrchuck2364]

WOW , I watched from beginning too , parts 1 through 24. You do some nice work, absolutely beautiful work is more like it. Been a machinist all my life ( job shop type ).made a lot of things by hand, but this beets all..

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Chuck, Thanks for the nice comment. Cheers, Tom

[@OUMagMan]

EXCELLENT series! Getting the old Class A ready and looking forward to meeting you, Adam, John and others @ SMW/Zanesville in a few weeks! Jim@MidOhio

[@jeffmoss26]

just amazing...you are a true craftsman Tom!

[@Mullicamanufactory]

I loved watching the whole series Tom, thank you and keep it up!

[@oxtoolco]

+Harry Mullica Hi Harry, Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@elmarqo_3448]

Thanks Tom for making this video series. The vice looks sweeet. I'm having fun recreating it in AutoCAD from your drawings and maybe in real life.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Elmarqo, You will have a lot of fun making your own. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@InverJaze]

Tough going build Tom. I even found at times I needed a coffee to say awake watching filling work.

[@lawrencelamb9601]

Awesome series. I have really enjoyed it. Thank you

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Lawrence, Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@lazaglider]

It raises an interesting point. Assume 100 hours at 50-100 dollars per hour. So a 5-10grand piece. Anyone who has watched the series wouldn't question it, of course. But for the material worth of the vice, the 'what's it worth as a functional item' is far less, considering equally functional vices can be found for far far less. I sincerely hope the auction leans towards the former than the latter. I have a sneaky feeling that it will. Thanks for a wonderful series Tom.

[@RandallMoore1955]

I will be sure to do my part to help a underfunded vocational education program.

[@jasonmeyer7749]

Love the craftsmanship. Question, I can't get my swivel to lock. Please help.

[@joebuilder7741]

First time viewing, I watched the whole process. I can appreciate your talent as I build custom homes...great job...I would have bought t

[@rchopp]

Fantastic work Tom.

[@petesnell5116]

Nice files Tom. Good to know I'm not the only fileophile in the world.

[@rcoray]

Quite a sharp looking piece

[@thelasthoplite1766]

Did the vice get auctioned off? If so how much? What a great vice!

[@Crewsy]

What was the final bid for this when it went up for auction.

[@shaunlionudakis8251]

Has the auction ended I want to bid if it has ended have you ever thought about doing another one for the rest of us to try and bid I would pay pretty decent money for this not just cause of what it is bit enjoyed binge watching videos and appreciate the time and work that goes into stuff like this amazing job and for the cause more people need to use their talents to give back and pay it forward thanks and again piece of functional art and seriously want one 👍🏻

[@yomama5785]

I'm curious, what did it sell for?

[@travisshrewsbury7169]

was a great series,lucky individual who wins

[@tombeams4116]

awesome Tom I think I will be able to see it in Ohio

[@alexanderhowa9707]

Tom u are amazing don't let anyone tell u to stop filling. Put the power tools down and have some fun and burn some calories. Thanks for all the videos.

[@danmetzger5583]

Love the project. Quick question: Is that anvil surface parallel with the base? In the vid it looks tilted up in the back. Hard too really tell on video.....can't wait to see it at the Bash.

[@biginchhemi]

Hey Tom, Wonderful series, I really enjoyed all of it. Wish I could offer anything near what that will bring! LOL Can't wait to see what project will be next. Cheers - Mark

[@pierresgarage2687]

A vise on tour for a good cause...!!! ;)

[@mericm1981]

It is beautiful, after watching 20+ videos.

[@verusmarcusaurelius3482]

Just for fun: The Company that produces those files is called “Pferd” which means Horse in German.

[@ELBigYuyo]

Great work tom!

[@josephwilson6651]

Your version has the feel of a Ferrari so sublime and sexy. It appears to want to be caressed & fondled, and NOT gronked upon or hammered on! The Supermodel of vises to be nurtured and stored in a beaver felt lined Waterford crystal case!!

[@cbeaulac]

very cool, I'd love to help or send stuff in, I have a full toolroom with very cool supervisors.

[@OscarFlores-gh2bs]

what color did you use for the base looks nice

[@David_Best]

Oh wow - I get the pet the Baby Bullet at John's place. Outstanding. Tom, are you coming out for his open house? Thank you for doing this series. The result is priceless as is the educational value of the series.

[@TheMinimized]

Hey Tom, thank you very much for letting us see all the work that went into this beauty of a vise! A short question regarding the crossing files: Which size are those? 5"? Cheers, Mike

[@oxtoolco]

+TheMinimized Hi Mike, I think the smaller ones are called 6 inch even though they don't measure six. Artco sells them online. Thanks for the comment, Cheers, Tom

[@thedge7]

Very nice. Saving time was not the goal people!It would be interesting to see how this could be done with CNC equipment.

[@Teunbaartman1]

Very, very impressive craftmenship. Very motivating also, to try at least, to build one myself. not anticipating that mine would be even close to this quality but it would be al learning experience.having only a MIG welder available, could that be a possible succesful effort?thanks again TomTeun (the Netherlands)

[@oxtoolco]

+Teunbaartman1 Hi Tom, Go with what you have. Its a great project to try out new skills and challenges. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@shade38211]

Can we have a little alone time with it?

[@Ryan-np4rb]

Who won the vise?

[@yanwo2359]

Hi, Tom. I enjoy all your videos very much. Thanks! This is my annual request that you switch to 1080p. Jon

[@oxtoolco]

+Yan Wo Next you will be asking for 4K, Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@yanwo2359]

+oxtoolco Well ... I was trying baby steps, but a jump to 4K would be fine! :)

[@mikedelam]

Great, ty for the Q&A!

[@shiro-r4m]

Hi Tom, Do you have some roots in Sicily? I've been noticing the red sticker with the three legs on the lids of one of your boxes. Greetings from Belgium!

[@sfuzzolo]

It seems more like the flag of Isle Of Man, the Sicilian region flag has a head on centre of the triskele.

[@shiro-r4m]

sfuzzolo Yep, my bad. I thought only Sicily had such a symbol. It is indeed closer to the one from the Isle of Man.

[@oxtoolco]

+𝖘 𝖍 𝖎 𝖗 𝖔 Hi Shiro, It is a sticker from the Isle of Man. I follow the motorcycle racing there. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@robertkutz]

tom great work.

[@antoniocruz-ortiz2026]

Je me posais une question.,? avant d'emballer le "petit étau".,est ce que tu la parfumė un peu.,? (Pour être dans le ton)..

[@youpattube1]

Tom - Before it's gone for good, why not make 3D scans of all the components, for possible future builds.

[@StuElliott1980]

what a brilliant series Tom, it surely is a work of art. I hope it goes to someone that will cherish it. Myself, id be too scared to use it for fear of damaging it!

[@krazziee2000]

very nice , great work ..

[@Dans-hobbies]

Tom, What's the "Quick, Reliable, Accurate" badge for?

[@rodeo11]

U.S. Army 56th Field Artillery Command unit crest.

[@chetvaldes]

Tom, do you have plans brewing for an open house at Ox Tool Co.? I see a trend forming here. It's probably a real hassle, but maybe you can get help; delegate the processes, and let others do the organizing (i.e. corporate sponsors, etc)?

[@oxtoolco]

+Chet Valdes Hi Chet, We held one here the last two years. I have plans to do another later this year. Stay tuned for updates. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom