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Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Fixing, Modifying and Refurbishing your Lapidary Equipment => Topic started by: Grayco on January 22, 2017, 03:58:00 PM

Title: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Grayco on January 22, 2017, 03:58:00 PM
I'm cleaning up the vise on my 12" saw rebuild.  The wood that was on it looks like it may be cedar.  It's hard to tell though, so much oil for so long.

Can anyone suggest the preferred species of wood to use?

Thanks
Glen
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Ranger_Dave on January 22, 2017, 05:07:20 PM
I had an old oak plywood book shelf that I cut and used. It's working fine so far. It's about 1/2 inch thick.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Jhon P on January 22, 2017, 06:24:47 PM
I had I person I know tell me that he used hardy backing (for tile setting) I picked up a piece but haven't tried it yet. I have to dissemble the vice on the 18" saw to fix the half nut I will put it on then
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: jakesrocks on January 22, 2017, 07:14:42 PM
I use red oak, but am soon going to try 1/2" thick PVC as an experiment. I have also used 1/2" thick hard rubber with pretty good results.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Ryaly2dogs on January 22, 2017, 09:40:56 PM
Plywood (1/2") has done a good job for me; lasts about 1-2 years, before it gets refitted with more.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Slabbercabber on January 23, 2017, 04:14:40 AM
Generally the tougher the better.  Think maple and fruitwoods.  However, I managed to find a piece of neoprene a while back and have found it to be ideal.  Great grip and wears like iron.  I've tried other polymers in the past but found them either too slippery or too fragile.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Grayco on January 23, 2017, 05:05:40 AM
I really like the idea of Neoprene or hard rubber but How do you attach it to your jaw faces? It does not seem like a material that lends itself to adhesives.  Do you just screw it down like wood and let the edges do what they will?
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Grayco on January 23, 2017, 07:02:52 AM
I really like the idea of Neoprene or hard rubber but How do you attach it to your jaw faces? It does not seem like a material that lends itself to adhesives.  Do you just screw it down like wood and let the edges do what they will?

I was just thinking...  :icon_scratch: I have a couple old golf cart tires (scrap tires free from Les Schwab). I may try using a section of the tread on my vice jaws. HMMMMM... I'll have to test a piece in mineral oil and see if it stands up to the oil.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: nwbeachrocker on January 23, 2017, 08:28:35 AM
Quote
I had I person I know tell me that he used hardy backing (for tile setting) I picked up a piece but haven't tried it yet. 

Hardie backing tends to be a bit brittle, and gets more brittle with time.  Though the oil may lessen this effect, although it may not grip the stone as well as wood due to it's hardness.  I'd still be curious to hear how it works out.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: LJ48 on January 23, 2017, 08:21:02 PM
For what it's worth. Cigar Box Rocks in Bend, Oregon uses hickory on their restorations. It seems to work very well on my Highland Park B12 combo unit.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Rockoteer on January 23, 2017, 08:59:35 PM
I'm thinking Hickory or Maple....even oak would be good.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Slabbercabber on January 24, 2017, 08:33:15 AM
I really like the idea of Neoprene or hard rubber but How do you attach it to your jaw faces? It does not seem like a material that lends itself to adhesives.  Do you just screw it down like wood and let the edges do what they will?

I tried contact cement but it didn't hold up well to the oil and stress so I used countersunk screws.
Title: Re: Recomdations for vise wood
Post by: Grayco on January 25, 2017, 02:30:26 PM
I really like the idea of Neoprene or hard rubber but How do you attach it to your jaw faces? It does not seem like a material that lends itself to adhesives.  Do you just screw it down like wood and let the edges do what they will?

I tried contact cement but it didn't hold up well to the oil and stress so I used countersunk screws.

I have selected oak.  Its easy to get and at HD it is already the right width.   :cheesy: