How to Mount a Keyed Vise on a Milling Machine – Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow along with our expert Kurt as he demonstrates how to mount a vise on a milling machine for precise and efficient machining.

Check out more helpful articles and videos on our “Solutions” page:
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METHOD 1: SAFETY FIRST
Before starting the vise mounting process, it's crucial to ensure safety:
Remove cutting tools to avoid accidents.
Remove jewelry like watches, rings, and necklaces to prevent snags.
Wear Safety Glasses to protect your eyes from debris and sprays. For those with prescription glasses, consider OTMT Safety Glasses that fit over them.

METHOD 2: PREPARE THE TABLE
A clean and smooth table is essential for mounting the vise securely:
Clean off chips and debris: Use a T-Slot Cleaner, brush, and vacuum to clear any debris.
Stone the surface: Lightly stone the table with 320-grit (or finer) flat stone and light oil to remove burrs or irregularities. This ensures the vise sits flat.
Final check: Run your hand over the surface to ensure its smooth and clean.

METHOD 3: PREPARE THE MACHINE VISE
-Make sure the vise is free from dirt and burrs to ensure a perfect fit:
-Clean the vise: Brush off chips and use compressed air or a vacuum. Wipe with Clean Shop Rags to remove any residue.
-Stone the bottom of the vise: Lightly stone the base to remove burrs, just like with the table.
-Final hand check: Ensure the vise base is smooth and clean by running your hand over it.

METHOD 4: MOUNT THE VISE
-Follow these steps to securely mount the vise:
-Apply rust inhibitor: Spray a bit of rust inhibitor on the table and vise base to prevent corrosion.
-Position the vise: Slide the vise around on the table to avoid debris getting trapped underneath it.
-Secure the vise: Tighten the vise with Flange nuts, Flat washers, and T-Slot bolts to hold it firmly in place.

With these methods, you’ll have a solid and secure mounting for your milling machine vise!

ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND PRODUCTS FOR MOUNTING A VISE
To mount your vise properly, you’ll need the following tools:

Safety Glasses https://www.travers.com/category/safe... To protect your eyes during cleaning and mounting.
Vacuum https://www.travers.com/category/vacuums Keep your workspace free from chips and debris.
T-Slot Cleaners https://www.travers.com/category/t-sl... Efficiently clean the T-slots of the milling machine.
Dustpan Brushes https://www.travers.com/category/coun... For fine dust and chips removal.
Chip Brushes https://www.travers.com/category/chip... To clear away larger chips.
Dead Blow Mallet https://www.travers.com/category/dead... For gentle vise securing.
Rust Inhibitor https://www.travers.com/category/rust... To prevent corrosion.
Shop Rags https://www.travers.com/category/indu... For cleaning and wiping surfaces.
Sharpening Stone http://bit.ly/3Cm4Fs8: To smooth surfaces and remove burrs.
Machine Vises https://www.travers.com/category/mill... The key component for holding workpieces.
Vise Speed Handle http://bit.ly/3YDn0rZ For quick vise adjustments.
Indicator Spindle Mounts https://www.travers.com/category/mach... For precise alignment.
Magnetic Indicator Holder https://www.travers.com/category/rigi... To mount indicators on magnetic surfaces.
Vise T-Slot Keys https://www.travers.com/category/vise... For optimal vise stability.
T-Slot Bolts https://www.travers.com/category/t-sl... Essential for secure vise mounting.
Flange Nuts https://www.travers.com/category/flan... For tight and secure fastening.
Flat Washers https://www.travers.com/category/vari... To ensure even load distribution when securing.