How to Square and Indicate a Vise on Your CNC Mill – Haas Automation Tip of the Day

Have you ever spent way too much time trying to properly square a vise on your mill? In the latest episode of the Haas Tip of the Day series, Mark shows you a simple trick that will make squaring and indicating your vise quick and easy! He also shows you the proper type of stone to use to prep your table, and gives you some great tips on checking your vise for correct placement to avoid damaging your machine.


If you enjoyed this video, please hit the like button and share it with a friend who'll find it helpful . . . and thanks!

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[brytonpinkstaff]

As a new machinist just getting his first CNC experienced job, these tips of the day help me tremendously (And keep me from having to go to my boss looking like a fool lol). From just starting out I'd probably never think about having a vise that is too big, thank you Haas!

[delano]

One bolt in, and one out is something I never thought of.
Thanks for the tip. This has to make the process so much easier.

[sharg]

A couple of things to note.
1: Check for burrs first, if there are none no reason to stone. But don't forget there will always be a high-spot around a dent when it's created!
2a: Don't keep stoning just in the same position of the table, that will make the surface uneven in the long run.
2b: If possible, move the vise around to different positions (a vice with slots instead of fixed positions for the bolts are more flexible and you can use 4 bolts with less torque to get the same holding power = less wear and strain).
3: To reduce the amount of oil in the coolant (and your lungs), apply RP with a cloth, not spray.
And personally I really prefer diamond "stones", much less wear on them = less abrasives in the machine.
4: Before setting up, look at your drawings and planning of the job, how accurate do you need to be? (There is no exact, always a tolerance.)
Those hoses for cleaning the machine with coolant? I just love 'em!

[alexzdanowicz]

I am an apprentice on lunch watching this and it just saved my ass thank you haas

[ceejay]

This haas tip of the day has helped me out so much!!

[imranpathan]

One of the best vmc teaching channel Hass tip of the day

[CrawfordMethod]

I wrote a little code to sweep the X axis incremental back and forth 5”. You set your indicator on the back left jaw as shown in the video, then hit start on the program. You can watch the indicator and adjust your vise with both hands free, no jog wheel needed. It is one of those programs that just “lives” on the machine forever.

[spencerprescott]

I've been working at my first CNC job for a few months now and I wished I found these videos out sooner. Great job on the Video!

[eviltricster]

I'm a couple years into having learned to set up parts at the shop I work at. I've always just loaded up a vise and set up, never thinking of checking clearance because it was the vise I was told to use. I'd never have bothered to check before this video. I'll never need to where I'm at but I may need to in the future.

[tylert]

Feel like this guy almost explained it so well that as a beginner I just need some practice. Getting back into machine shop after only a year experience..years ago I’m kinda pissed nobody showed me while I was there how to setup. Seems simple in a way I’m sure still a lot to learn. But I loved operating

[phillhuddleston]

The other option for the tool room mill is to mount the vise sideways, not super easy to load and unload parts but it will work.

[dunn-ng]

Nice, I watched some videos about set up vice on the machine but with Mark's tip always is the best. waiting for next tip how to set up part and tools offset

[tkweldingmachining]

I would like to see more 4 axis as well. Could you also, do something covering the use of corner rounding and chamfers when manually programing.

[phranklyn]

You should be very specific that you need to dial in the FIXED jaw of the vice. The number of students I've seen try and dial in the moving jaw.

[BrilliantDesignOnline]

Good safety tips with fun tongue in cheek humor sales pitch (hopefully not needed) for Haas parts :-) Mark is an excellent presenter.

[cinematictheatre]

I absolutely love these tips of the day! Please keep going! Go more in detail of how you keep your machines so clean and not rusted. I live in Louisiana and our machines, tools, vices, chucks, bolts, basically anything metal is rusted to crap. We don’t have an ACed shop. Please cover what can help

[pwest]

Mark, as a suggestion, on smaller mills, where is no need to mount vises sideways.  We have 3 of the TECO PWS-6900 vises mounted on our new TM-1P, at normal orientation,  center of the table, with 1/2 bolts and t-nuts.  The closed clearance on the Z- way cover is 1/2" or more.  Cut about an inch of the hex off for door clearance and 3d printed handles to ride along as the machine is running.  No more messing around with and looking for the floppy metal handles.  Printed handles had to be designed to allow door clearance during operation and also to clear the vise as it is loosened or tightened.   The ABS is more than strong enough to handle the 200lb gorilla tightening the vise and again, the handle is always there.  And, maybe someday will make some metal handles, but for now, no need.

[SteveN-bhwv]

Another awesome, informative video. Quick question: what concoction do you use in your spray bottle for "RP" Rust Preventative?

[Pieh]

4:38 It works 60% of the time, ALL THE TIME!

[byforest]

Thanks for the advice on how to straighten the vice !