Indicate the vise on a milling machine in just one pass

Time spent on machine set-up is time lost making chips. Here's a quick and simple method to indicate the vise in just one pass and in less than a minute.

[TomsTechniques]

These are the kind of time saving tips that you learn from experience, because in industry, time is money. Unfortunately most instructors never get enough practical experience to learn them so students get the traditional book version instead.

Glad you enjoyed the tip, I'll see if I can come up with a few more.

Tom

[jdaz]

Toms Techniques I watched about 4 other videos on squaring a vise, and this was by far the best - and most definitely the fastest method. Thanks!

[thefuture]

Sweet! Thanks for taking the time to share this. At work we don't have a power feed, we're not a machine shop, but at home I will certainly be employing this time saving method from now on.

[markparchert]

That is the first time I ever saw that method, and I WONT forget it. I love learnihg the little tricks of the trade but make a huge difference. Great job Mark

[harleyghost]

Wow, that must be magic. I got to try that next time I need to indicate my vice. What a great helpful tip, thank you!

[triggerguard]

Just in case no one caught what the real trick here was; you preloaded the vise 1 degree to ensure that as soon as your indicator touched the right side of the vise jaw, it was going to do nothing but climb further up the dial, also letting you know exactly what side to hit the vise on to get the needle to stop moving.
Damn good idea.  I'm pretty quick on this, but me thinks I'll be faster after this video.

A keyed vise, with a swivel base and this technique could certainly prove to be lightning fast on a quick dial in.

[ap]

I've been a machinist most of my adult life and have never seen this method. That's awesome

[Stefan_Boerjesson]

One minute ago I saw a smart set up, in 2 passes, but You beat that! Beautiful!

[SouthJerseySkids]

Wow. Tried today tramming in two vises and Ive gotta say I never thought I'd be able to indicate one that quickly.

[kirkm]

That was incredible. That's the fastest indicating I've ever seen.
Thanks for sharing.

[jeffwoolly]

Hi Tom, I have just purchased my first mill and can't wait to have a go..I find your videos very informative and with enough detail to teach us mugs out here some really good techniques .. A lot of others with tuition videos will go over something too many times making it very repetitive and boring . I like your straight to the point teaching method .thankyou very much for taking the time to produce a quality and informative video . I will be a very regular student .. Regards jeff

[TravisFabel]

Dude, its been 12 years since you did this but you still just sped up how fast I indicated my mill vice back.

[tomk]

all the small things like this are why an apprenticeship is so valuable... unfortunately i never found a program and i'm not even sure if they exist for this anymore, because this is the most fascinating trade of them all

[esenior]

Very clever - I will try it next time.  Perhaps it will cure me from avoiding moving my vise unless absolutely necessary.  Your videos are great, I really enjoy them.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[christopherlee]

Mind blown as well... I wish they would teach stuff like this in school. Just teach us how to do things the most efficient way. Thanks for this video.

[DaFlyinSkwirl]

This is a great tip. I always spend more time than I need squaring the vice to the table. Thanks Tom!

[RedlineRennsport]

Dang. Of course, I knew I was not the only one who hated moving my vice. Now, we are all saved! I even went so far as mounting it on the right side of my table so I could do other work on the left without disturbing the vice. The benefits of using the less used areas of the ways notwithstanding, I don't have to dread moving the vice anymore. As a noob grasping for the keys to wisdom, the word I keep coming up with when watching your vids is PRICELESS! Perhaps the only problem will be that I will get through them all faster than you can make them!!!! ;-)

[M]

Just made my life easy . used to go back and forth trying to do this no more Thanks

[TomsTechniques]

Yes, it is possible to be fooled by an indicator not in contact with the work (voice of experience). In this case though it moves quite a bit at the start and less as you tap on the vise, so you get verification that the indicator isn't fooling you. I'm glad you enjoyed the tip.

[TomsTechniques]

Thanks Fred.

I'm always looking for ways to save time. Even if it's only a minute here and there, they all add up.

Tom