I’ve built some fairly nice quartz and granite fly tying vise bases that I’ve trimmed out in oak and brazilian ipe, etc. I’ve donated a couple each year to our local TU chapter banquet as raffle prizes.
I’ve managed to acquire a few steel and brass collets for holding the vise stem from some local machinists, but I was wondering if anyone knew where I might buy these commercially?
Would be nice if I could find someone who knows where I can obtain the metal collets for these bases.
A lot of the granite bases I see for sale are also rough-looking chunks, but I can cut these to size with a good wet saw blade (really slow), Drill them out and then trim them in hardwood for a nice finished appearance.
Thx, I did find those earlier. But a little pricey. If I was making just one for myself, it’d be ok, but if making a bunch it would be too expensive. Cheers.
Haven’t a clue about the collet, but the stand is really cool!!
I’ve seen bases made with the granite but un-edged … just the raw rough broken edge, finished off with epoxy.
Dan, I had a ball cruising your “mscdirect” pages!
This might have some possibilities. Might be able to use a set screw coupling with a metal sleeve that’s anchored into the base and into the bottom of the coupling using epoxy. Thx
http://www.thegranitefly.com is where I saw the “Natural” bases. I love them, but there’s no way I can afford what he charges. He may give you a heads up as to where he gets his collets? Yes, that did end with a “?”, because I don’t know him, other than through his bases.
Credit where credit due … Modocdan was the one who provided the “mcdirect” site. I just fond it really fun to visit! Things like that absolutely fascinate me!
Brad, there’s a granite counter place not too far from here, but, I certainly haven’t a clue as to what to use. And, the cost of shipping would be crazy. Should give it a visit sometime. You should give klinkhamer a note! He’s got the granite and only needs the collet.
I typically visit Solid surface counter top businesses and ask if I can go dumpster diving for scraps. Sometimes they are willing to give me sample pieces, or if really exotic granite, I can buy precut samples.
I found some set screw collets and bronze bushings at local Ace Hardware store. I drilled out a test piece with a 7/16 bit and was able to fit the bushing in nicely. $12 for a new drill bit and ~$6 for the brass and bronze parts.
Thanks for all your ideas, folks!
I found brass set screw rod collars with 1/2" ID and brass flanges with 3/8" ID and drilled apped out a hole in flange and a 1/2" hole into the granite and quartz bases I have and epoxied the unit in there.
Here’s a sample.
Total cost ~$6 for parts for each set, plus $12 for a new 1/2" granite\masonry drill bit.
Years ago,we make some vise bases from a masonry product. For the stems we used aluminum tubes that we drilled and threaded for thumb screws… They were epoxied into the base and worked very well.
I have set screws that use either hex key or a small screwdriver. Not enough space for a regular knob, but you probably won’t be taking vise stem in\out that much anyway.
