Sherline Mill TSE Modular Vise - Model Workshop

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Overview

TS Engineering Modular Vise The tightening SHCS contacts a hardened ball on the movable jaw, ensuring the jaw is not damaged and does not take a set angle from the screw end. Pete Brown, June 10, 2005

In May 2005 I ordered a new modular vise from Derek Barger at High Tech Systems, LLC. Initially, I received a prototype version for evaluation and comment. I got back to Derek with several suggestions, all of which I'm happy to say are incorporated into this final version, which I received in early June 2005.

After our initial discussions, Rene Teo from TS Engineering became involved in the conversation, and completed the process. Rene (and therfore TS Engineering) has taken over the vise product line from Derek; in fact, it was Rene who designed the product. Both Derek and Rene were great to deal with. If you are interested in purchasing one, see the link at the end of this page.

Views

TS Engineering Modular Vise Here you see the vise bolted directly to the replacement Sherline table. I intend to mount the vise to the tooling plate instead. Pete Brown, June 10, 2005

TS Engineering Modular Vise The new smaller tightening knob fits inside the dovetail, making centering simple. For added torque, you can use a hex wrench to tighten the vise. Pete Brown, June 10, 2005

TS Engineering Modular Vise Fit and finish looks great, and the holding power is more than enough for what I need. In fact, I have to hold back to keep from smushing the wax. Pete Brown, June 10, 2005

You can't tell from the photos above, but the hold-down slots are countersunk on the underside as well, to allow mounting with T-nuts in a stock Sherline table. That was one feature I specifically requested. Another was the use of a knob that would fit within the dovetail. This allows you to center the work in your work envelope without having to remove and resquare the vise. For tables with limited travel, or with travel sweet spots (which is common on the screws used on the Sherline), this really helps out.

Vise Mounted on Tooling Plate

TS Engineering Modular Vise Here the vise is mounted on the High Tech Systems tooling plate. Pete Brown, June 10, 2005

Besides making for a nice modular setup, the added height of the tooling plate will also mitigate the height issue caused by my recent 8-direction upgrade (like the Sherline 2000 series mill) to my 5400 mill. You can just make out the upgrade in some of the photos above. The other option would be to go through the steps outlined in the Sherline installation manual, but those involve taking a hacksaw to the Z axis leadscrew.

If I want to get really clever, I can attach a squared stop-block to the table, and use that to ensure that the tooling plate is installed square each time I swap it in.

Parallel and Square

I have not checked this vise for parallel other than by eye. However, there is enough (very slight) play in the jaws to enable you to square it up when locking it down. For the majority if what I machine in wax, I only need to be close to square. In fact, I use red rubber gasket material (from the plumbing section at Home Depot) to ensure the wax does not slip, and that material has no real tolerance. It sure grips like crazy, though!

It is my opinion, however, that if square is important to you, you could get this vise square within very close tolerances. The design of the vise makes that pretty simple.

Conclusion

If you use a Taig or Sherline and need a vise with more capacity than the stock Sherline vise, you definitely can't go wrong by checking this guy out. If you CNC mill wax or other materials in a fashion similar to what I do, then this vise is an absolute must in your toolbox.

Contact Information

For more information, see the TS Engineering web site . Rene has some great information there regarding what exactly makes this vise a "modular" vise system. The information on holding multiple pieces is especially nice.