The Machine Tending Bible

Here is a resource help answer the most basic questions about this industry. Don’t see your question? No problem. Shoot us an email and we will respond in a timely manner. Check back for daily updates.

• What is a machinist vise used for?

  A machinist vise is used to hold a workpiece securely for machining operations, typically in a machine tool called a milling machine (or mill for short). These operations include but are not limited to milling, drilling, reaming, tapping, burnishing, etc. They are made to be very strong and to provide ample clearance to the workpiece.

• What is a machining vise?

  A machinist vise is a vise that is designed to hold a part very rigid with a lot of force and to have good repeatability and accuracy. It typically has ground sides to make it easy to line up square with the machine. It also usually has less space for chips to get stuck in from the machining operations. They are designed to provide as much clearance to the workpiece as possible for machining operations such as drilling, reaming, and milling.

• What is the common name for machinist vice?

  It is typically called a mill vise but could also be called a milling vise, bench vice, engineer's vice, or workshop vice.

• How do you indicate a vise on a mill?

  How to indicate in a vise:

  1. Clean the mill table and the vise to ensure nothing interferes with the setup.

  2. Mount the vise on the table slightly snug in the most helpful direction to your operation.

  3. Attach a dial indicator to your spindle so it can reach the vise jaw or a ground surface of the vise. This can be done with a magnetic base, by clamping the stem of the indicator into a tool holder, or with a mount specifically designed for this purpose, like an Indicol.

  4. Position the dial indicator tip against the vise jaw so that the needle on the indicator is in the center of its travel range. Ensure the indicator's tip is less than 45 degrees to the surface you have it pressed against.

  5. Zero the dial indicator by rotating the indicator's dial until it reads zero.

  6. Move the mill's axis parallel to the jaw so the indicator slides along the jaw's surface.

  7. You will see the indicators reading change. Loosen the vise bolts and tap the vise gently with a soft hammer until the indicator reads zero.

  8. Repeat the process so you can move the mill back and forth without the indicator changing at all.

  9. Tighten the vise bolts securely.

• What is a machinist also known as?

  Any other name starts to describe a slightly different job but other names could include machine operator, tool and die maker, CNC operator, or metalworker. A machine operator typically refers to someone who just loads and unloads parts in a machine after a machinist has set up the job to run reliably. A tool and die maker is a specific type of machinist who specializes in making tooling used in a machine to make other parts. A CNC operator is synonymous with a machine operator but specifically for a machine that is controlled by computer numerical control (CNC). A metal worker is a more broad term that includes machinists but could also refer to a blacksmith or a metal fabricator such as a welder.

• Is machinist a dying trade?

  Absolutely not. In fact, there is currently a shortage of machinists. The need for manual machinists is becoming less and less because of the wide adoption of computer numerical control (CNC) driven machines. That being said, manual machining skills are incredibly helpful for operating a CNC machine. As time moves on, machinists will need to learn more about new technology such as 3D printing, robotics, and computer software that helps program CNC machines.

• What is the highest paid machinist job?

  Typically, machinists who work in the aerospace industry are the highest paid because the parts are generally more complex and thus require more experience. These positions often involve working with advanced materials and require working with cutting-edge technology. The demand for skilled CNC machinists in the aerospace industry is high, which is why they get paid more. However, there are lots of highly paid machinists in other industries like too and die, automotive & semi-conductor.

• How hard is it to be a machinist?

  It is not something that happens quickly but anyone can learn to become a machinist. To become a machinist you can often find an employer who is willing to train you. You can also go to a vocational school or a community college to train to become an entry-level machinist. This makes it easier to get a job where you can learn to become a machinist. Hard-working people can even train themselves to be a machinist with the variety of online resources available today but this will take a lot of time and dedication.

• What is a pneumatic vice used for?

  A pneumatic vise is used in replacement of manual vise but rather than having to tighten the vise by hand, the vise uses compressed air to open and close the vise. They are particularly useful when you need the vise to open and close quickly or when the vise needs to open automatically like when you need to load the vise with a robot. They also allow for easy adjustment of the clamping pressure of the vise, reduce setup time, and increase productivity.

• What are the advantages of pneumatic vice?

  Pneumatic vises have an advantage over manual vises through consistency, quick operation, easy adjustment, fast setup, and reduced risk of injury from manual operation. They remove the need for hand tools to operate them and can be used in conjunction with automation.

• How does a machine vise work?

  A machining vise works, by squishing two jaws together against a workpiece to hold it in place. The jaws are typically forced together by a screw, pneumatics, or hydraulics. This prevents the workpieces from moving while a variety of operations are performed on the workpiece. The jaws of the vise can be easily changed out and come in a wide variety of shapes and materials to hold different workpieces. A machine vise provides a reliable and precise way to hold a part in a machine.

• How much pressure can a vice exert?

  Typically from 0 Lbf to 5,250 Lbf but this could be higher depending on the vise. Of course, this can vary widely depending on the make and model of the vise. Vises typically have a maximum clamping force specified by the manufacturer.

• What is the difference between a bench vise and a vice?

  A bench vise is a clamping mechanism used to hold a workpiece. A vice is a bad habit, a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhealthy habit. A bench vise is typically mounted to a workbench or table. A vise can also refer to various clamping mechanisms such as a vise grip which is a hand-held vise.

• What is the disadvantage of machine vice?

  One disadvantage of a machine vice is it is limited in the size and shape of the workpieces it can hold. They can also, typically, only hold a workpiece by two sides. They can also be quite cumbersome, heavy, and take up a lot of space. Machine vices can also distort a workpiece by applying a lot of force. Vises can also be very expensive.

• What is the difference between vice and vise?

  The terms "vice" and "vise" are often used interchangeably but have very different meanings. A "vice" refers to a moral or ethical flaw, a bad habit, or a negative character trait. A "vise" is a mechanical tool used for holding an object firmly in place. A vise typically consists of two parallel jaws which can be tightened together using a screw mechanism to provide a secure grip on a workpiece. Vises are commonly used in metalworking and woodworking to securely hold materials while cutting, drilling, or shaping.

• How do I choose a good vise?

  A good vise is very much dependent on the application. Generally, vises made out of materials with good dampening properties, like cast iron and steel, are best to prevent vibration. A vise can never be too accurate if cost is not a concern. A self-centering vise is often the best choice when clearance is important, like with 5-axis machining. When you need the vise to work for a wide variety of work then a vise with long travel is a good choice. If you need to hold a lot of parts, then a multi-station vise is a great option, as well as a table covered in pin-vises. Additionally, all vise types, make, and models come in various sizes, so you want to make sure you pick the one that works best for the size of work you will use it for.

• How does a hydraulic machine vise work?

  A hydraulic vise works, by squishing two jaws together against a workpiece to hold it in place using pressurized fluid. The jaws are forced together by hydraulic pressure. This prevents the workpieces from moving while various operations are performed on the workpiece. The jaws of the vise can be easily changed out and come in a wide variety of shapes and materials to hold different workpieces. A machine vise provides a reliable and precise way to hold a part in a machine.

• What is a mill vise?

  A mill vise is a vise that is designed to be used in a milling machine. A milling machine is a type of machine tool that is designed to remove material, typically metal, from a piece of stock very accurately. to hold a part very rigid with a lot of force, and to have good repeatability and accuracy. It typically has ground sides to make it easy to line up square with the machine. It also usually has less space for chips to get stuck in from the machining operations. They are designed to provide as much clearance to the workpiece as possible for machining operations such as drilling, reaming, and milling.