Opinions on Mill Vise

[StudioMachinist]

Tomorrow I unload my new PM-727V and in my accessory shopping list, a vise is top of the list.

PM recommends a 4" Vise and I like their "Homge Ultra High Precision" 4" model. This is the route I'll go for a traditional milling vise. But I was also thinking a toolmakers vise might be an good alternative. Shars has a 5x6" toolmaker which has larger capacity, lower profile, and supposedly more precisely ground surfaces than the PM.

For a smaller mill like the 727, how much am I sacrificing in rigidity going with a toolmakers vise? Does it matter if the hardest stock I'm machining 90% of the time is mild steel?

4 Inch Homge Ultra High Precision Milling Vise w/Swivel Base – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.

www.precisionmatthews.com

5" x 6" Precision Toolmakers Vise

www.shars.com

 

[jwmay]

It’ll be perfectly capable. You aren’t sacrificing anything.
Personally I’m not a fan of those. It’s a preference for speed in my case. I want to turn a handle and the vise clamp the part. These things are fiddly imo.

 

[jaek]

727V is a great mil, congratulations!

Toolmakers vise won't sacrifice rigidity, just convenience. I have this Shars vice which works great: https://www.shars.com/4-440v-cnc-milling-machine-vise-0-0004-1

 

[ChazzC]

727V is a great mil, congratulations!

Toolmakers vise won't sacrifice rigidity, just convenience. I have this Shars vice which works great: https://www.shars.com/4-440v-cnc-milling-machine-vise-0-0004-1

James (Clough42) has a matched pair of the Shars vices in the larger size on his knee mill and is very happy with them.

 

[nobog]

727V is a great mil, congratulations!

Toolmakers vise won't sacrifice rigidity, just convenience. I have this Shars vice which works great: https://www.shars.com/4-440v-cnc-milling-machine-vise-0-0004-1

+2 on this vise, I also have one, on my PM728.