Wilton Vise Parts: Steps On How To Make Wilton Pipe Jaws

The Wilton Tool Company has always provided durable and reliable vises throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Nowadays, hobbyists and home users have found ways to modify the Wilton Vise parts (like those mentioned in http://wiltonviseparts.net/). This article will show you how to fabricate your own Wilton's C0, C1, C2 and C3 pipe jaws.

1^st Step: Creating A Working Drawing

You can create a working drawing from detailed measurements which are taken from the original C0 and C1 jaws. The latest designs have a ring steel clip bolted to the back side of the jaws which clip to the pockets. They clip onto a bar which allows the pipe jaw to rotate and center on a pipe when clamped.

2^nd Step: Making The Initial Cuts

After you square the blocks and leave .010 for finish surface grinding, you can utilize a 3-D software program which roughs out the extra material found around the teeth. Then, use a carbide end mill for rough out the extra material and finish the radial notches at the top of the jaw and the center notch area between the teeth on both sides. The mill is the one that saves wear on the 45 degree cutter.

3^rd Step: Cutting The Teeth

Cut the teeth at 30 degrees by using a 45 degree cutter. To establish a locating base, you can build a special set of Kurt vise jaws in order to nest the pipe jaws at 30 degrees. Through this, each jaw will be clamped in a similar position.

4^th Step: Drilling The Hole

Drilling hole is for the C0 jaw only. The rest of the jaws (C1 through C3) already use setscrews, thus requiring no holes. Note that the C0 pipe jaw has a counter bore step.

5^th Step: Applying Heat Treatment

You can then heat treat your pipe jaws to 54-56 Rockwell. It is advisable to use A-2 tool steel as this is the best choice for the typical low-shock applications of clamping pipes and bars. This makes the teeth less brittle, but tough enough to tightly grip softer types of steel without either breaking or chipping the jaw itself. (Note: Hardening to 60 Rockwell can be done, yet not recommendable, as it would make the teeth very brittle and unstable).

6^th Step: Surface Grinding

It's a fact that A-2 tool steel becomes quite stable after heat treating, and the milled finish is also satisfactory. As for the final step, you can surface grind each jaw to guarantee squaring and finish sizing the blocks. This process makes your Wilton vise parts more professional looking, and eliminates stress areas as well.