Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

AAA+++

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

I have been using this vise for about 3 years. When I first received it, I was more then pleased with it and it's performance. Then last week, it jammed on me. I could not turn the handle to close the jaws, so I backed it off a little and kept trying. But the vise would not close and eventually locked up. I disassembled the vise and found that the two gears were jammed against one another. After further investigation and finally getting the main gear off. I found that the shaft which the gear was on, was completely round. I expected to find a flat spot for the set screw to push against. I could tell that over time, the set screw was dragging over the surface of the shaft and finally had let go. I reassembled the vise and tightened the set screw. This only lasted a few turns before the gear moved again, jamming the two gears together. So, I will either disassemble the vise one more time and alter the shaft by using a grinder to create a flat area for the set screw to land on, or I will simply just go buy a different one.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

I use it to drill out pin blanks does a good job

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

This is a great vise, not just centering pen blanks, but also for small ornament blanks.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

Unit is ideal for center drilling pen blanks, however I wish it were made with a little more sturdy material. All in all a good buy.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

This is a good deal for the price. Nice weight makes it sturdy on the table. Clamping it to the table is recommended. Easy center set up by locking the press quill down and lightly clamping the vise on the bit, then clamping it to the table. The only "con" I notice so far is a slight flex to the alignment shafts when applying drilling pressure which could cause the bore to "elipse". I slide a couple pieces of cardstock between the jaws and the base to help support it. Other than that it is great for keeping blanks stable and maintaining a good center.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

The problem with this vise is that it flexes from the pressure of the drill. A centered entry hole will give you an off-center exit hole. The fix is to place a small wood block below your pen blank, so all the pressure is transferred to the base of the vice: I use the waste pieces I saw off the blanks. I also set the depth gauge so the bit drills about a quarter-inch into the block.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

I like that I just have to set it up once & can use it for drilling any size blank--whether I'm making pens or bottle stoppers--it always has my material centered under the drill. Unlike other reviewers, I have not had any issues with the knob coming loose.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

Works good most times. Has a tendency to bind, then the knob just spins off and you have to get some tools after it to get it back open. Minimal surface area to clamp this to a drill press table without clamps getting in the way of the jaws.

Comments about Pen Makers' Center Drilling Vise :

i use this to center drill pen blanks, how ever it has a lot of flexability in it when using the drill press, some times drilling off center