just finished these

[country gent]

Finished these 2 hand vises up today. 1 1/2"wide and will open to a little over 1 1/2" Brass jaws parallel movement the whole range. 3/16" allen wrench provides plenty of "bite" to hold small parts and has enough feel not to crush them

[georgerkahn]

I so laud your skill and craftsmanship! I soooo wanted a hand vise, I found one at MicroMark on-line and bought it. (https://www.micromark.com/Brass-Parallel-Hand-Vise) I have already used it a few times and my only regret was not having one earlier!
Again, my congrats -- kudos to your design!
geo

[Finster101]

I'm going to sound really ignorant, but what would be the main use for those?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Very nice, Country Gent.

Finster101--holding small objects for close up work. But also, compressing leaf springs.

DG

[country gent]

I use them for holding small cutter when I sharpen or reshape them. Small parts that "get lost" in my 4" or 5" bench vises. Less likely to mar or distort fine parts.

[Finster101]

Thanks. Kind of what I thought, but wasn't sure.

[deltaenterprizes]

Nice work!

[bedbugbilly]

Very nice work!

[elk hunter]

Very nice, even inspirational. I may have to make a similar one.

[georgerkahn]

I'm going to sound really ignorant, but what would be the main use for those?

My main use is the hand vise being that needed third hand. Of late -- one of the things which happen as birthday candle number increases on one's cake -- on sooo many fixes/mods/repairs I need hold a magnifying glass lens in one hand to see what I'm hoping to do.
geo

[WILCO]

Impressive!!

[country gent]

These could be made with basic hand tools and drill press but the drill press would need to be square and true.
I used 3/4 x 1 1/2 aluminum for the jaws roughly 3" long. I did them in my mill so hole position was easier.
Using the drill press I would start with 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3. a simple lay out and drill the holes ream and tap the one needed. then all the outside forms split and open up the one hole to clearance. cut and form the 3/8" shank on the one. This way the holes are dead on to each other. to make splitting easier lay out the center relief and drill a series of holes leaving a thin web to cut.
The bill of materials is:
1 1/2" square aluminum 3" long or 3/4"x 1 1/2" x 3"
1/8" x 1/2" x 3 1/2" brass for the jaws
2 each 1/4" x 3" dowel pins
1 1/4-20 x 3 1/2" cap head screw
4 8-32 x 7/16 flat head screws to mount the jaws
I also used a 10-24 x 3 1/2" cap head to hold the vise in the handle but it could be epoxied in
1 large file handle.

[Green Frog]

I have observed over the years that as one’s machining (and gunsmithing) skills grow, the need for certain tools becomes more obvious, but fortunately, with growing experience and skills comes the ability to discern which of these are best purchased or made for oneself (and this differential varies). Even with my limited skills I was able to make a great little arbor press (in class) and had a mill vise in progress when I ran out of steam. It’s amazing what we can do with a little skill, a few tools and the time to apply them. When these three factors are increased sufficiently, you become.. country gent! I would like to be like him if I ever grow up! Well done, my friend!
Froggie

[nicholst55]

My main use is the hand vise being that needed third hand. Of late -- one of the things which happen as birthday candle number increases on one's cake -- on sooo many fixes/mods/repairs I need hold a magnifying glass lens in one hand to see what I'm hoping to do.
geo

Sounds like you need an Opti-Visor.

https://www.amazon.com/Donegan-Optic...000EM98KM?th=1