Portable, Modular Vice

grabcad

When first thinking of a project to do for the redesign challenge I thought to myself, “what is something I would use more if I could improve it.” This is it. The redesigned features of this vice are sets of quick change jaws and an easily removable table clamp. Do you need a jaw for round stock or holding bolts? In seconds, you can change out the standard flat jaws for a set of grooved jaws to easily hold round objects. Don’t want to put holes in your table to mount a vice? You can snap in the clamp and have your vice secured to a tabletop in just a few seconds.I do a lot of 3D printing for my job and some customers require smooth, painted parts for display purposes. One way to smooth parts is to sand/file down surfaces then clear coat them for an even paint application. An annoyance in this process is physically holding the parts (which naturally files your fingernails for you,) or using a vice that may be way too bulky AND doesn’t have the right jaws for the job. This light duty vice solves these issues by being convenient, modular, compact, and cost effective for hobbyists. I choose hardware that is easily found in industrial supply catalogs (like ACME rod, screws, and a ball detent):ACME Rod https://www.mcmaster.com/98957a152Ball Detent https://www.mcmaster.com/8262a12