Making Special Vise Jaws To Hold Odd Shaped Parts - Manual Machining

[@ChuckNorriz1122]

Snap Jaws needs to recognize the innovation you have brought to their product. What a great idea!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍 and Happy New Year to you and your family 😊

[@joeromanak8797]

Now that there’s just cooler than the other side of the pillow! A very effective solution to tricky work holding. I’m sure many of your viewers will employ a variation of this idea as a simple solution for complex problems. Thanks for sharing. 🥸👍👀👋✅

[@halfinchholes88]

Nice looking products. Back in the day, we had to fabricate many types of holding systems while moldmaking. These would have been handy. Keep up the great videos!

[@claygormish4884]

Your modification held on to the irregular part just great. With the heavy depth of cut you used I was cringing a little bit. Nice!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@claygormish4884 I was also, but wanted to test it properly.

[@bobqzzi]

Very cool solution to your work holding problem. Last time I tried to have a small part machined, I had to go to 10 machine shops before a nice guy took pity on me and made the part. Everyone else was very busy and they did 99% cnc production runs of things. I bring this up because I think you could do a decent business doing small jobs for people all across the country.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have been trying. Nobody wants to ship.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Nothing to add just an obligatory algorithm boost for the channel 👍👍

[@eyuptony]

Great idea those pins Josh. If you made some thick eccentric washers to slip over the pins you could accommodate tapers or uneven surfaces by rotating the washers till they touch the part, then tighten the vice. Just a thought as the part may not be parallel. Hope your work picks up in the new year.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Good idea.

[@ellieprice363]

Check out Mr. Pete’s #714 video “making swivel vise jaws part 3”.

[@shootgp]

Great video, this is the type of thing I watch for.

[@dhal22]

A cup of coffee and a new Topper video!!

[@RalfyCustoms]

Life's good

[@davidaarons2488]

I can see endless uses for those jaws, Thanks Josh

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks. Me too

[@petegraham1458]

Happy to see you smiling and yes pin jaws area handy bit of kit , watch repair folks use them all the time.

[@jimc4731]

I would have wanted those jaws with holes, hardened and ground tool steel. Good video. Keep the good work! JIM ❤

[@LennyConetsco]

Great way of showing what it takes to set up some of these jobs. It's not just making things flat or round. There's a lot of different shapes that need your shop to make a finished product.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

That's exactly right.

[@Mike.Lehmann]

I think I'm going to have to make me a pair of them jaws. What a great idea!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I should have done it years ago.

[@jamesbonnema1041]

You made my day when i saw you made a new video! Thank you josh, thats a great idea!

[@seldendaniel8819]

Snap jaws added to the list!

[@markat9576]

Nice work Josh

[@tomessary4099]

Magnificent idea and wonderful work! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[@oldadthomas]

Thanks for the video

[@jtarver8256]

Love to hear the snap from a perfect fit of pin to hole!

[@gusviera3905]

Nice mod, Josh. Never thought of that. Happy New Year to you and yours! Cheers.

[@mrricky3816]

Thanks!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Tha k you.

[@PhilG999]

Nice idea! As a Mechanical Engineer and a Machinist (though not as good as those who do it all day every day) I can see why you did what you did for these. The only thing *I* would have done differently is to slightly chamfer those holes, but it probably wouldn't be anything but an "aesthetic" touch...

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I think the chamfer would be good, it just wasn't a priority for me. That's one of the things I like about making things for my own shop.

[@toomdog]

Remember, chamfers are what separate us from the animals

[@PhilG999]

@@TopperMachineLLC I understand completely! BTW My Granddad was a Lockheed Machinist (then Bell Aircraft) and made instrument panels for B-29s in the '40s and '50s. When I went into MET at my local Community College our Machine shop instructor was this crusty old Navy Machinist. On the first day of class, he told all of us: "Two things; You won't make an A+ on anything unless you can do it better than *I* can! If you break a tool, you fail the class!" So, after the first couple of days with all the other guys fighting over the newer lathes in the front, I staked out the old LeBlond lathe in the very back. The instructor came over to me and asked: "Why did you pick THIS old machine?" I said: "Those guys don't use the same machine all the time. Nobody bothers with this one. The scrap barrel is right behind me and I'm closer to the tool room." So, all the way to the end, the last project was a ball-peen hammer. The last steps were to cross-drill the head and handle for a 1/8" roll-spring pin. I fucked up! I drilled through on the ancient six-gang drill press and ran the bit into the table and broke it. Sadly, I walked into his office and showed him what I'd done. "Guess I fail." He said: "Tell you what. I "might" make an exception in this case IF you can get that broken bit out and fix the part!" I did. And I got "As" on every project!

[@PhilG999]

@@toomdog He he! I follow Blondiehacks too! AND Keith Rucker, and Keith Fenner, and Abom79 (among others).

[@anthonyrivers8395]

@@toomdog😂😂

[@RalfyCustoms]

Hi Josh, wasn't expecting to see you during the holidays 🎉 hope ya'll keeping well buddy, here's to a prosperous new year ❤

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I had one more video for the emd of the year. Now I have nothing to start next year.

[@RalfyCustoms]

​@TopperMachineLLC Bless you mate

[@jacqueso8424]

I think something that may compliment those jawset with pins maybe a pallet plate with a series of threaded(right through) say eg 10 by 5 (50 holes) configured to your needs, as well 2 to 4 accompanying toe clamps. Just a suggestion. But those jaws and the pins are out of this world,absolutely fabulous. Configurations for pin placement should essentially be unlimited for the size of jobs it can hold

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I am not sure that a pallet plate is the right direction for me but I appreciate the idea.

[@BrucePierson]

Hope to see you doing really well in the New Year with lots of work coming in.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

So far it is not looking good.

[@edsmachine93]

Very good idea Josh. I think we have all had challenges clamping and fixturing. Nice work. Happy New Year. 👍🇺🇸👍

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Happy new year!

[@anthonyrivers8395]

Modification is a game changer😮. Thx for the last video of the year.😊 ❤the “POP” close-up. Maybe next year go live for a project from beginning to end😂. Have a great 🥳 HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎆🎊🎈

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It would take a lot of time to film an entire project and I don't have enough hours in the day!

[@BrucePierson]

That Bridgeport mill sure makes a really versatile and accurate drill press.

[@passenger6735]

Great timing Josh. I have a really weird shape to mill and this will be another weapon to my arsenal. I'll make a set next week.

[@waltercarpenter2439]

I like your thought process. I hope the work keeps coming in for your company.

[@huntncover]

Nice solution to irregular shaped parts . Have good day Josh . 🙂

[@mikep1085]

What a weird looking part! You said that you can't show the entire project, but it sounds like it might be something fun!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It really isn't. Just proprietary.

[@argee55]

Josh, Thanks for the video. That was a really good modification. Happy new year to you and yours.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Happy New Year to you as well.

[@paulmace7910]

Good work.

[@pdxRetired]

Looks like an easy solution to holding an odd shaped piece. Thanks for showing us!

[@frankerceg4349]

Thank you Josh!

[@TOONMAN200]

Nice solution to a common problem. I can't tell how many times a part moved on the vice and was ruined. I am going to make these for my self. Thanks for tip and video.

[@cougarhunter33]

Mornin JT!

[@kawazukisoddbits2717]

If I read the drawing correctly, you've milled the wrong side - the relief should have been on the underside? Or is the 'edge' view drawn upside down?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

You read it incorrectly. Part was fully assembled and installed at customer facility. Worked perfectly.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

You read it incorrectly. Part has been finished and fully installed at customer facility. Odd shapes can get confusing.

[@SuperJaXXas]

Love it, where there is a way there is a will.

[@ellieprice363]

A very good use of those removable soft jaws. I can see where the dowels would make them adaptable to many shapes. The only improvement I can think of would be small bleed holes from the side near the bottom of each dowel hole.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

That might help

[@mikedyson7330]

Great idea.THANKS

[@alanm3438]

What good ideal. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@GardenTractorBoy]

The pin jaws a re cool and would be great for some of our odd shape parts. Thanks for showing the process

[@erik_dk842]

Pin jaws would be very useful on a regular bench vice as well.

[@davidmosscrop2374]

Nice solution

[@StuartsShed]

I watched this yesterday from the fanboy reclining chair. But here is a positive comment and “like”. Nice fixture. I definitely want to make one.

[@mikebroom1866]

I just thinned out a bottle of anchor lube yesterday. Doesn't sling as bad either.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It seems to travel down the drill better too.

[@bat116]

Great idea. I may just modify a set of my jaws as well.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It would be a great modification.

[@ralphaverill2001]

Very good solution to a tricky problem. I hope the jaw manufacturer takes notice of your very practical upgrade to their product.

[@Edward-p4y7w]

With your knowledge and experience plus your great shop you should come up with an item or two and manufacture them. Become your own customer

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Definitely Snap Jaw manufacturer will take notice of this modification and even improve the jaws for this specific purpose. I would be surprised if they didn't.

[@le3045acp]

just curious why you did not power tap the holes with the mill while it was set up in the vise

[@billdoodson4232]

Nice modifications. Its given me an idea for my mill vices. I was looking at the drawings and the projections made it look like you'd milled the thinner end upside down. I looked a couple of times and its not obvious to me from the way the side elevation is presented.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The drawings were not 100% accurate.

[@billdoodson4232]

@TopperMachineLLC Ohhh God. Having tried to work from drawings that were "not quite right." I'd be as frustrated as hell.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@billdoodson4232 I'm glad i had an original sample to copy also.

[@jamesriordan3494]

Nice one. Ever since I saw it on “Hand Tool Rescue” a fractal vice has been on my unobtanium wish list

[@TopperMachineLLC]

While it would be nice, I can't justify the cost.

[@brian_2040]

Hello group, hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Y'all take it easy on me please, but what is the purpose of the reamer? Are they more accurate than the drill bit? Hello Mr Josh, is the Wisconsin winter taking it easy on you this far?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Readers are used to hold tight tolerance.

[@MWL4466]

I made a sub-plate for our mill vise at work. Tons of half-13 holes to tap. A set of those jaws would be much better ! Cheers Josh.

[@PenguinMotors]

GREAT IDEA

[@alandawson2813]

Yes another instalment for us to enjoy. Happy days from kiwi land.

[@lancekincaid5610]

I didn't know you put another video out, so now I'm mad !!! NOT at you, at Myself !!!! Thank you 😂😂😂😂😂

[@fricknjeep]

hi there interesting and well done , best to all john

[@rmorganii]

Great solution Josh...how about a top slot?...thanks for sharing!

[@ron827]

I hope SnapJaws provides you with some commission on your innovative idea. Would some drilled and reamed short sections of bar stock added to the pins provide a greater surface area to prevent marring of soft materials be of help?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The pins make almost no marks. These are only gorgeous the really hard to hold stuff.

[@ypaulbrown]

Best Wishes Josh…..nice up grade to the Snap Jaws….pb

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

[@Ekanselter]

I'd like to see some more of their products demonstrated by you Josh. Hello Snapjaw....

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have many of their jaws. More to come

[@johnscott8592]

Josh you should use this vice jaw mod as an income source! You could be manufacturing these with your adaption as way to supplement your income. You’ve been looking for more work for the shop recently

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I may just do that.

[@MrNeverseeme]

What material was the stock material? and how was it cut to shape? It seems that with the amount of material removed you would likely get some distortion.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

laser cut A36. Water jet would be way better, but we don't have a good source in our region.

[@dutchgray86]

I would give Snap Jaws a go but they don't seem to be available in the UK except for buying them from Ebay and paying ludicrous shipping charges from the US. Look like a great product though.

[@courtneykachur9487]

Can you debur those in the vibratory machine, or no?

[@timf6916]

Nice

[@redmorphius]

Did you get the base metal piece laser cut to shape before you machine what you did in this video?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Yes.

[@redmorphius]

It’s just so cost effective these days it’s hard not to justify the time savings. More so just curious as that’s the path I’d take as well.

[@JonesMetalCraft]

That's a great mod.

[@curtishatfield9629]

That was an awesome idea using the pins!! What did you thin the Anchor lube with?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Water. It's water based.

[@BrucePierson]

That was a great idea to put pins in the jaws and it worked well to hold that odd shaped part. I thought you might have de-burred the holes, but I guess the reamer did such a good job that you didn't need to?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

No need, but I will touch them very lightly after the job.

[@termlimit]

Great video. What did you use to thin your anchorlube? Thank you! NM, found another person that asked same question. Water, water based lube. Thanks!

[@chetboisen1187]

Another great video Josh. Are these jaws through hardened? If so they appeared to drill effortlessly. What's the RH on these, sorry just curious.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

These are just 1018. But will work fine.

[@missamo80]

Really cool modification. I get that the pressure build up is because the hole is intentionally nice and tight. Would drilling a little air escape hole at the bottom of the pin hole be useful? Or do you want that air pressure there for some reason?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The tightness also creates a vacuum to hold it in.

[@missamo80]

@@TopperMachineLLC ah! Cool, thanks for explaining.

[@user-oi8tg3dq7t]

Greetings Josh from the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches. Very nice modification that would be nice for my shop. Hope 2025 brings more jobs to your shop. Tomorrow I’m working on two projects to make tasks more efficient. Today I’m working job that will take most of the day.

[@stephenbridges2791]

Strange as it may seem, if it fits close enough to suck; it's usually a damn good fit. I could tell even before you moved the microphone it was close enough to compress the air. Nice job.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I had a 0.3755 reamer, but thought that would be a little too tight. 0.376 was perfect.

[@ddblairco]

nice

[@howardtoob]

Where did you get that hex wrench?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Came with the Snap Jaws

[@josefcotorreslopez8167]

Hello Very good solution. Even if they are only good for these parts it is cost effective. Problem (solution)= work done. Happy customer. Happy New Year 2025. Investigate transportation options to your business so you can advise customers from further away who know you from KZbin, internet. Might bring in some business. Maybe because they don't know and are not informed they don't consider you a possible option. Best regards👍

[@TopperMachineLLC]

These jaws will be used on many things, besides this one part. I have worked on shipping since day one. I own a commercial truck, have a LTL company near by with a great working relationship. It is always a no go.

[@jtarver8256]

Why not just mill some aluminum soft jaws?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Why waste the time and material for one or 2 parts when j can make something I will use over and over.

[@markmiller2361]

It might not work for this particular application, but there's a vise, called the Fractal Vise, designed specifically for holding irregularly shaped objects. It's an interesting tool.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I know of such vise, but can not afford to go that route.

[@ellieprice363]

Although that vise actually works it’s more of a novelty than a practical shop device. It would be very expensive to manufacture.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@ellieprice363 agreed. I can modify a lot of jaws for the proce of that vise.

[@markmiller2361]

@@TopperMachineLLC I'm sure one of those vises is insanely expensive. I'm mainly in awe of the design and effort that went into designing it.

[@OrtizJason-s5z]

You're doing a fantastic job! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have no clue.

[@GreeceUranusPutin]

.