Machinist's Speed Vise Handle

I liked the concept of https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3043641 but started over from scratch to do it my way: parametric, in OpenSCAD. The provided files are sized for the vise I have, but it is very parametric and should be easy to modify.

Threads use threadlib; follow the installation instructions there.

The parameters above the threadlib invocation are meant to be changed to fit. Note in particular the nominal measurement of the socket size for the vise; not all vises use the same size socket.

The parts are oriented to print without supports. I suggest that you consider printing with thin layers for the thread form to work well, or tap the hole after printing. I used 9 perimeters, 40% cubic infill, and 0.3mm layers in PLA.

The screw hole in the end of the support is for a countersunk screw. I used M8. Set screw_length to 1mm or so longer than the screw you actually have.

Update: As of December 2020 I've been using this as my primary vise handle, rarely using the regular metal handle, rarely even using the 6-point end socket. Most of the time I use only the 12-point middle socket and that is sufficient for almost all my milling work. There is no appreciable wear to even that 12-point socket yet. I had expected this to be a prototype for making one from aluminum, and expected it to break under use, but at this point I'm very satisfied with the printed version and have no plans to make a metal version.

As of December 2021, the original is still going strong. Even using the 12-point socket I can leave vise marks in aluminum. When I originally printed this, I printed two copies so I'd have a spare ready to use when the first broke, and that spare is still in the parts drawer, waiting to be needed. I'm merely a hobby machinist, so this is not heavy use, but it continues to exceed my expectations.

In March 2023, another user of my mill broke the original handle after more than three years in service, and I have redesigned it to be robust to the failure mode encountered.

Category: Machine Tools