Opinons on what self centering vise to get for my 4th axis.

Jaxian · May 20, 2020

I am looking for a self centering vise for my new Koma 4th axis and I must admit I am bit overwhelmed by the choices and was hoping for some opinions on what to get.

It's the Koma RWE-200R and it came with an 8" chuck but I have a number of possible jobs that would require a vise. Looks like I can fit a 10" faceplate on it so I think that means either a 4" or 5" width jaw vise? Max opening seem to be in the 4" - 6" range.

Looking at units from 5th Axis (V562), Raptor, Shunk, Kurt, etc. They all seem to fall in the $1250 - $1400 range which seems steep but I don't see any cheaper units to use short term until I can get jobs to pay for the more expensive ones. I am open to any weird alternatives that will work without being a nightmare for setup.

I did see Orange made one that is only $600 but that must be wrong to be that price. Says it isn't self centering but semi self centering.

I need it to be able to be used like a normal vise so avoiding "dovetail only" or TalonGrip only types.

Thanks for any recommendations.

gkoenig · May 20, 2020

The Orange is probably a good option for you.

The deal is that it is not self-centering and it works like a normal vise in many respects. The fixed jaw sits in serrated groves and gets adjusted to the desired opening. Both the jaws are pulled into the vise By a scaled-down version of Orange’s carrier system.

The only real downside is that it is slower to set up than a “real” self centering vise as you need to do some fiddling to get the fixed jaw into the right position so that the stock is centered. Once you do however, the Orange is just as fast to change parts. It is also way more rigid than any other self-centering vise and has absolutely zero float.

I was one of the beta testers and I liked my Orange Delta a bunch. Another big plus is the ease of fitting soft jaws and the low cost of consumables. Having said that, when I go to bang out prototypes with a lot of one-time ops, I still reach for my Lang vises as I want to avoid fiddling with jaw adjustment. For anything over 10 parts though, the Orange wins with its fixed jaw and Talon stop.

Mtndew · May 20, 2020

We've had out 5TH Axis vise for a few years now, zero complaints.

5 axis Fidia guy · May 20, 2020

I'm a Schunk fan, I have 3 of them that I use on a regular basis. Lang has a great product I almost purchased, but I was turned off by the open screw and the stamping option.

Rick Finsta · May 20, 2020

Lang is the gold standard but they are pricey. We put a zero point plate on the 4th and then another on a pallet on the table, so we could take one part from the table to the 4th and even over to the 5-axis without removing it from the vise, and it always repeated to zero with immeasurable deviation. We then built our specialty fixtures with the studs in them. Pretty slick setup. But not cheap.

I would tell you to avoid aluminum bodies.

gkoenig · May 20, 2020

Mtndew said:
We've had out 5TH Axis vise for a few years now, zero complaints.

I’ve never understood how 5th Axis and Lang vises are nearly the same price. You put the two next to each other and the Lang looks like a piece of advanced alien technology with every surface polished and not a single tool mark. A 5th Axis vise is nice, but it is obvious that Lang is playing in a totally different league.

TKassoc · May 20, 2020

I really like the Swiss DERO vises. They're Lang quality at a bit lower price point. I have an HRK-UKB on my Koma 5-axis table because it has reversible master jaws for more range and serrated grip jaws: HRK-UKB Precision Centering Vises - IndustryControlling Then on the Willemin a DERO 40PS because it's flanged with front mounting bolts making it easier to align perfectly.

dandrummerman21 · May 20, 2020

I've never used the other vises mentioned here, but can say I do love our 5th Axis vise (V75100X).

I ended up making several sets of soft dovetail jaws for it (60 degrees so I didn't have to buy a 45* dovetail cutter) which that allows me to dovetail a larger piece of stock that gets milled fully around and allows my tool and holder clearance for those weird jobs

empower · May 20, 2020

Jaxian said:
I am looking for a self centering vise for my new Koma 4th axis and I must admit I am bit overwhelmed by the choices and was hoping for some opinions on what to get.

It's the Koma RWE-200R and it came with an 8" chuck but I have a number of possible jobs that would require a vise. Looks like I can fit a 10" faceplate on it so I think that means either a 4" or 5" width jaw vise? Max opening seem to be in the 4" - 6" range.

Looking at units from 5th Axis (V562), Raptor, Shunk, Kurt, etc. They all seem to fall in the $1250 - $1400 range which seems steep but I don't see any cheaper units to use short term until I can get jobs to pay for the more expensive ones. I am open to any weird alternatives that will work without being a nightmare for setup.

I did see Orange made one that is only $600 but that must be wrong to be that price. Says it isn't self centering but semi self centering.

I need it to be able to be used like a normal vise so avoiding "dovetail only" or TalonGrip only types.

Thanks for any recommendations.

i got 3 of those orange vises and they are amazing! no complaints about them at all, especially for the price, cant beat em!

Rick Finsta · May 20, 2020

Jergens also makes a "low rent" Lang-compatible system with 52mm or 96mm zero point patterns. Not a *ton* cheaper, but cheaper. And they aren't Lang.

mhajicek · May 20, 2020

I've been using the Lang system for about five years, no complaints. I don't stamp, I dovetail hard stock and do nothing for soft stock (it will imprint when you close the vise.) Love being able to quickly swap vises and fixtures around without having to re-probe work offsets.

Jaxian · May 20, 2020

Looks like I need to take a hard look at those Orange vises. I am not doing production at this point so a little fiddling to set up a part isn't horrible. And at half the price it's the difference between me ordering it today or having to wait and I really want to try to move on these jobs.

Sounds like it's kind of like soft jaws on a lathe? You need to go through the hassle of cutting new ones to get started then you can swap parts? Only need to recenter when you change parts size?

empower · May 20, 2020

Jaxian said:
Looks like I need to take a hard look at those Orange vises. I am not doing production at this point so a little fiddling to set up a part isn't horrible. And at half the price it's the difference between me ordering it today or having to wait and I really want to try to move on these jobs.

Sounds like it's kind of like soft jaws on a lathe? You need to go through the hassle of cutting new ones to get started then you can swap parts? Only need to recenter when you change parts size?

you only need to recenter if you're using different width stock. they also make soft jaws for them, just an overall amazing product IMO.

Jaxian · May 20, 2020

Just talked to Eric at Orange Vise to ask some more questions about specifics and he helped me out with all the details. Looks like it will work great. Went ahead and ordered the Delta IV 4" x 7.5". Thanks for the input guys.

Search

Largest Manufacturing Technology Community on the Web

Search

Opinons on what self centering vise to get for my 4th axis.

Jaxian

Stainless

gkoenig

Titanium

Mtndew

Diamond

5 axis Fidia guy

Stainless

Rick Finsta

Stainless

gkoenig

Titanium

TKassoc

Hot Rolled

dandrummerman21

Stainless

empower

Titanium

Rick Finsta

Stainless

mhajicek

Diamond

Jaxian

Stainless

empower

Titanium

Jaxian

Stainless

Similar threads