I know "it's a vise" LOL but what I really want to find out is by what name or description for this type  is it commonly called.

OAL is 8-1/2', OAW is 7-1/2", jaw opens 3-1/2"

Pat. USA 4632374

See Pics Here      http://s1140.photobucket.com/albums/n563/ietech/Mill%20Vise/

The four flat faced cylinders rotate and will clamp virtually ANY shape securely -- I have used it on my drill press but it really wasn't designed for a press but a mill. With a press set up and accurate alignment is time consuming. On a mill it is a godsend.

I bought this in 1986 the same year of the patent. Since I got it I have never seen another one. I Googled for hours and looked at every vise on ebay --- nothing. Maybe a prototype and very few were made, just a guess. The patent is held by a guy from taiwan.

I recently sold this but am still interested to find out if anyone here has ever seen one.

Thanks for any info that will ease my curiosity.

Rich

http://www.google.com/patents/US4632374

Thank you ---- Yes, I did see that when I researched the patent .   " Vise with sliding moving clamp surface."

I'm interested in a common way of saying " hey go use that wierd vise" or sumpin" I'm sure the guys in the shop wouldn't say " Vise with sliding moving clamp surface."  Or Maybe they would. I can't think af another way to describe the dang thing

I am very interested to find out if anyone here has even seen or used one.

Thank You

Rich

if I owned it I would not have sold it.
it looks handy

X - Y axis  vise is what popped into my head, but I am not a machinist.
Google image search for that came up with "cross slide vise", that rolls off the tongue better also.

Brian L.

Quote from: fflintstone on February 04, 2012, 08:53:55 PM
if I owned it I would not have sold it.
it looks handy

Yeah You are right -- I'm kinda gettin' old and hurtin' for bucks so I started picking out some of my least used items and said bye to them. I did get a very good price for it tho

Rich

Quote from: RedVise on February 04, 2012, 09:10:45 PM
X - Y axis  vise is what popped into my head, but I am not a machinist.
Google image search for that came up with "cross slide vise", that rolls off the tongue better also.

Brian L.

LOL That sounds much better than what the inventor called it.

Rich

I've seen them called 'self-centering' vises. Handy for on-end round stock.
It's really not made for milling- the slots are for a drill press and it looks like it would have marginal clamping pressure. Also, I doubt the mounting surface is truly parallel to the fixed jaw or floor.

BTW- It is not a cross slide vise- those are set up like a milling table. Some folks try to use them with a drill press as an ersatz milling machine, whcich is a very bad idea- drill presses aren't built for milling side loads.

Quote from: Carl on February 06, 2012, 08:12:58 PM
I've seen them called 'self-centering' vises. Handy for on-end round stock.
It's really not made for milling- the slots are for a drill press and it looks like it would have marginal clamping pressure. Also, I doubt the mounting surface is truly parallel to the fixed jaw or floor.

BTW- It is not a cross slide vise- those are set up like a milling table. Some folks try to use them with a drill press as an ersatz milling machine, whcich is a very bad idea- drill presses aren't built for milling side loads.

Yes the slots are exactlly like others I have seen for a drill press. I just found that the patent mentioned milling processes. I also noticed that it was easy to use on the mill. No it's not heavy duty nor does the inventor make any claims as to the accuracy.

It was very handy for round stock as you mentioned.

Rich