Svěrák

A small vise for clamping to a table top

Holding a small part between your fingers while drilling, filing or soldering it is the quickest way to hurt yourself or ruin the part. A vise solves that problem: it grips the part firmly and in position, so both hands stay free for the tool. Compared with a hand vise this type has the advantage of clamping directly to the table top, so it does not shift or slip during work and takes more pressure. The body is of aluminum alloy, which makes it light and non-corroding.

Use

• Clamp the vise to a top of the thickness stated by the manufacturer; on a thicker top the clamp will not reach.
• Tighten the jaws only as far as needed to hold the part; excessive force will crush plastic.
• Put a piece of card under soft or painted parts so that the jaws leave no mark.
• Clamp the part so that the area being worked is as close to the jaws as possible, otherwise it will chatter.
• Wipe the jaws after work; dried glue and paint will spoil how they seat.
• Release the vise after work; jaws kept permanently tightened lose their spring.

Who it is for

The vise suits modelers who drill, file, fold photo-etch or solder, and anyone who works with small parts. On its own it creates nothing, but it makes what you do with your other tools more precise and at the same time reduces the risk of injury. It is used only now and then, but when the moment comes nothing else will do.

Store the tool out of the reach of children. When drilling and sanding resin, work in a ventilated room and protect your airways.