Video: Making a vise handle

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There's a million ways to do this but this was fun and all.My friend has a vise he's trying to fix up and the handle is dramatically bent so he ordered some 1/2" 304L rod and 3/4" 304L ball bearings - check the video out!Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:niftyHarbor Freight Inverter 130 amp DC stick/tig (sold, really!)Lincoln Square Wave Tig 175 AC/DC stick/Tig
Reply:Not bad, how long did the whole thing take? I really want to learn how to use a metal lathe.Also wouldbt it have been easier to thread both ends instead of weld them?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleNot bad, how long did the whole thing take? I really want to learn how to use a metal lathe.Also wouldbt it have been easier to thread both ends instead of weld them?
Reply:That's not only really cool what you did -- it's also kind of beautiful to watch.  Are you shooting with a DSLR? As an aside, here's how a lazy man would do the same project.  Well, since I don't want to insult lazy men, it's how this lazy man did it.  I picked up a second-hand vise that had lost one of the balls on it handle.  I would have been okay with that, but it kept falling out and hitting my feet.So I took a nut, pounded it on, and then welded it into place.  A little time on the bench grinder took care of the underlying hex shape.  Here's the finished handle next to a twin of the sacrificial nut.Now, so long as you stand about ten feet away, it looks just fine.  My uneven work with the grinder helps to preserve the original patina.  But if I had a lathe, and some skill on that lathe, and the requisite patience involved... I definitely would have done it right.  So, speaking as someone who has none of that stuff, what you did is very impressive.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Cool video. It looks like it was sped up a bit... or your friend needs to lay off the coffee. I think I would have done a press or shrink fit. I thousand or two would have held this ball on no problem.  Another idea would be to thread it and screw it on. Welded is fine but a nice machined end makes everyone wonder how the handle was installed.
Reply:Jeez Jack, now you've gone and ruined your image of a perfect garage with the end on that vise.  .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Great video, poor choice of music.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenThat's not only really cool what you did -- it's also kind of beautiful to watch.  Are you shooting with a DSLR?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleNot bad, how long did the whole thing take? I really want to learn how to use a metal lathe.Also wouldbt it have been easier to thread both ends instead of weld them?
Reply:How hard would it have been to make the ball and shaft all out of one piece?What lathe?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by Jon KThreading would have worked too but threading comes undone too easily on handles like that (I have a drill press that unthreads all the time and drives me nuts).
Reply:Awesome machine work. I really like watching stuff like that. However since you were going to weld it, why take the time to machine bore and stud? Seems like a waste. Just curious  always trying to learn fabricators thought processes!
Reply:Originally Posted by skinny99Awesome machine work. I really like watching stuff like that. However since you were going to weld it, why take the time to machine bore and stud? Seems like a waste. Just curious  always trying to learn fabricators thought processes!
Reply:maybe this is a silly question, but i'll ask anyway is this something that could be friction welded?maybe the speed at which one would have to spin the two together is not reasonable to make it work, but would that be a good alternative to a tolerance fit?just asking ... i'm impressed by the skill.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mebordermaybe this is a silly question, but i'll ask anyway is this something that could be friction welded?maybe the speed at which one would have to spin the two together is not reasonable to make it work, but would that be a good alternative to a tolerance fit?just asking ... i'm impressed by the skill.
Reply:Thanks JON, I really enjoyed it, the music as well! SUNDOWN would be so proud  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I really enjoyed watching this, but I do think threading it and using some thread lock instead would have been wicked.I did have a question though: I've never used a lathe, but I do know that they usually have measurements on all the knobs and such so you can get pretty precise. In this video I see you stopping the machine a bunch and heading for the calipers to check...is there any reason why you couldn't just take measurements using the lathe so you'd know how far you need to go?
Reply:Jeez, don't even get to see the vice....Quality craftsmanship in the shop or in the field...
Reply:Originally Posted by gimpyrobbGreat video, poor choice of music.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleHow hard would it have been to make the ball and shaft all out of one piece?What lathe?
Reply:Originally Posted by ian1386I really enjoyed watching this, but I do think threading it and using some thread lock instead would have been wicked.I did have a question though: I've never used a lathe, but I do know that they usually have measurements on all the knobs and such so you can get pretty precise. In this video I see you stopping the machine a bunch and heading for the calipers to check...is there any reason why you couldn't just take measurements using the lathe so you'd know how far you need to go?
Reply:Yep - bigggest thing people don't realize is 0.010" off is actually 0.020" reduction in diameter.  That'll get ya!Also, compound feed indicator is only accurate/relatively accurate if feeding perpendicular or parallel because of trigonometry.  Having the compound at 29 deg and feeding in 0.005" is going to result in 0.004" of feed... just something to note.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoThe uninitiated don't know and novice lathe operators tend to forget that when you advance the cross slide to take a .001 cut you are cutting the radius and that translates into .002 off the diameter!   "What goes around comes around!"
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWDRO's are so much nicer! I need to pick up a small inexpensive one for my lathe. I really miss not having one.Originally Posted by gimpyrobbGreat video, poor choice of music.
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoThe uninitiated don't know and novice lathe operators tend to forget that when you advance the cross slide to take a .001 cut you are cutting the radius and that translates into .002 off the diameter!   "What goes around comes around!"
Reply:What is the point of drilling/boring the ball and turning the shaft and then welding it together?  I've seen folks slightly turn a cone into the end of the shaft so the ball is centered.  That's about all I'd do.  And that can be easily done with a drill and grinder."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Draw a  1/2" rod with a 3/4" ball on top and look at the geometry you're left with.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Finished her up and friend took it home!Vise Handle by Jon Kensy, on FlickrVise Handle by Jon Kensy, on FlickrNot bad all in allMiller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Originally Posted by Jon KDraw a  1/2" rod with a 3/4" ball on top and look at the geometry you're left with.
Reply:No no - you're missing the point.Of course a a 1" rod turned to a ball witha  1/2" shaft will work.Someone recommended simply welding a 3/4" ball to a 1/2" shaft.  The geometry doesn't work - you end up with a huge area to fill.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme