Pin Vice recommendation
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Pin Vice recommendation
My set of pin vises has worn to the extent that the smaller ones will no longer hold anything smaller than 0.5 mm.
Any recommendations please. I don't want necessarily cheap, but a set that would last me out and down to 0.25 mm would be a good investment.
John
Any recommendations please. I don't want necessarily cheap, but a set that would last me out and down to 0.25 mm would be a good investment.
John
Slaving away still on GCR stuff ...
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Ive found the ones labelled "English pin vice" tend to be the better ones of the two types I've found.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133992087154
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133992087154
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
I too became fed up with this business. My ancient Eclipse would grip down to sub-0.3 even after 40 years use but then a drill dropped down the wrong hole and I broke the collet, which proves it was hard. Replacements, even Eclipse, have only gripped for a few months, some weeks. In the end, following a similar exchange on here, I coughed up for a super Swiss job - a Bergeon - from Cousins. It's a pleasure to own and it still grips down to zero, just like it says on the tin. Only surprise was that it isn't hollow so you have a lot of drill sticking out.
Similarly, on my machine tools I have a couple of chucks that go down to zero and I've bought something decent that has lasted and not become a pain to use. Some areas require precision and that usually costs.
DaveB
Similarly, on my machine tools I have a couple of chucks that go down to zero and I've bought something decent that has lasted and not become a pain to use. Some areas require precision and that usually costs.
DaveB
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
4-5 years ago I needed a second set to augment my ancient Eclipses.
I found there was a lot of rubbish around but the ones from Cromwell tools were and still are OK.
Many branches and mail order. Some stuff 10% off this January
I found there was a lot of rubbish around but the ones from Cromwell tools were and still are OK.
Many branches and mail order. Some stuff 10% off this January
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
I bought a Bergeon 30432 two years ago from Cousins for £14.95 + postage, and it still grips. I only use it down to 0.3, but expect it would go further. The bit also goes in as far as you like - not like Dave's.
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
A couple of years ago I invested in a set of Starrett pin vices (Set S162)in replacement of my 40+ year old Eclipses. And very good they are.
I was going to recommend them but see that they've gone the same way as Eclipse; no longer available.
Richard
I was going to recommend them but see that they've gone the same way as Eclipse; no longer available.
Richard
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Looks like your Bergeon was a better choice, David and almost half the price. Probably the safest bet. I'm still suspicious of the non-branded stuff and the cheapie branded ones too. Alternative is to buy drills with a larger shank of course!
DaveB
DaveB
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Daddyman wrote:I bought a Bergeon 30432 two years ago from Cousins for £14.95 + postage, and it still grips. I only use it down to 0.3, but expect it would go further. The bit also goes in as far as you like - not like Dave's.
Very unlikely to find that with a search as they are referred to as 'Pin Tongs' although they are in the same category as pin vices.
An amusing contrast of two similar-looking items
Pin Tongs (Sliding Grip), Bergeon £15.55 +VAT
Pin Tongs (Sliding Grip), India £2.95 +VAT
Ron
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Winander wrote:Daddyman wrote:I bought a Bergeon 30432 two years ago from Cousins for £14.95 + postage, and it still grips. I only use it down to 0.3, but expect it would go further. The bit also goes in as far as you like - not like Dave's.
Very unlikely to find that with a search as they are referred to as 'Pin Tongs' although they are in the same category as pin vices.
An amusing contrast of two similar-looking items
Pin Tongs (Sliding Grip), Bergeon £15.55 +VAT
Pin Tongs (Sliding Grip), India £2.95 +VAT
Ron
I googled "Bergeon 30432" and this is the first result:
https://www.hswalsh.com/product/pin-vic ... 32-hp30432
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
FCA wrote:A couple of years ago I invested in a set of Starrett pin vices (Set S162)in replacement of my 40+ year old Eclipses. And very good they are.
I was going to recommend them but see that they've gone the same way as Eclipse; no longer available.
Richard
The Starrett S162 set has been replaced by S162Z. I have no idea what the difference is as they look identical and are still made in the USA. https://www.starrett.com/metrology/prod ... ail//S162Z
I love my Starrett pin vices, but I am a little biased as they're just up the road from me.
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
I saw some Eclipse ones today at a tractor show! Well that was a surprise!
Tim V
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Some years back I bought a small archimedean pin chuck from Eileens which i found a lot easier and more comfortable to use than the traditional pin type and this served very well for the very small sizes - less than 0.5mm. It has now worn so it won't hold anything less than 0.5 so i shall need to get a replacment. Squires do a good range including the archimedean type but no idea of quality. I tend to keep one chuck just for the very small sizes which means it will last longer.
Terry Bendall
Terry Bendall
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
I was at the Southampton show today and noticed some Eclipse pin vices on the Squires stand, along with the other various ones they usually sell.
Philip
Philip
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
The point is, though, that the modern Eclipse offering is crap, or was a year ago! Same for all the other cheapies.
DaveB
DaveB
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
davebradwell wrote:The point is, though, that the modern Eclipse offering is crap, or was a year ago! Same for all the other cheapies.
DaveB
Too true although I found a cheapie that works.
My experience with the eclipse 121 is similar to yours. The internal coning of the chucking ring wore away suddenly. I guess once the case hardening had given up the ghost. I acquired it in 1972 and it had received some abuse down the years so no complaints about quality & longevity.
Duly ordered replacement, a genuine eclipse 121 as part of a set, sight unseen and was sorely disappointed when they arrived.
I found new style 121 pin vice was just too numb to use successfully with 0.3, 0.4 & 0.5 mm drills. 0.2 was a definite no, no.
I now use the chuck in the centre of the photo. Can't remember where I bought it from. I suspect Chinese manufacture. It comes with 3 collets and grips down to 0.2 and surprisingly holds drill bits true. The small diameter shank allows comparative high speed twiddling.
Original 121 is third from right and current eclipse 121 is fourth. The nearest in size to the original is fifth from right. It might be OK as wagon weights. As a pin vice it is useless as it doesn't hold bits centrally.
P
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
After struggling with the decision to spend money I am going for the Bergeon 30432 at £15.55
I will post success or otherwise here at some time later.
Thanks for all the inputs.
John
I will post success or otherwise here at some time later.
Thanks for all the inputs.
John
Slaving away still on GCR stuff ...
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
This one goes right down to the smallest drill bit and the rotating pad on the end stops you wearing a hole in your hand. Sadly, I cant remember where I got it but it was probably Eileens. It was a while before I discovered that the collet was reversible and I had only been using the bigger end until recently!
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
John Darch wrote
I have a similar one and you may find that if you unscrew the top off the opposite end there's a second reversible collet stored there! If so, then 4 for the price of 1 has to be a bargain.
Bryan
It was a while before I discovered that the collet was reversible and I had only been using the bigger end until recently!
I have a similar one and you may find that if you unscrew the top off the opposite end there's a second reversible collet stored there! If so, then 4 for the price of 1 has to be a bargain.
Bryan
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Talking to a neighbour today, he suggested Starrett pin vices. They are quality tools.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Starrett+pin+vice&_sacat=0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Starrett+pin+vice&_sacat=0
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
John and Bryan - I have one of these useful pin vices but can assure you it won't be long before a 0.35 drill will push straight through, just like most of the others.
Can't see how anyone can even think of comparing Starrett to Bergeon regarding quality. Starrett has always been and presumably will be bog standard stuff that has its uses.
DaveB
Can't see how anyone can even think of comparing Starrett to Bergeon regarding quality. Starrett has always been and presumably will be bog standard stuff that has its uses.
DaveB
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
Hi John,
That is exactly the same conclusion I have drawn and a couple of Bergeon 30432 are now getting acclimatised to my modelling bench.
Cheers,
Richard
John Bateson wrote:After struggling with the decision to spend money I am going for the Bergeon 30432 at £15.55
I will post success or otherwise here at some time later.
That is exactly the same conclusion I have drawn and a couple of Bergeon 30432 are now getting acclimatised to my modelling bench.
Cheers,
Richard
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Re: Pin Vice recommendation
My new shiny Bergeon Pin Vise has arrived and is a rather nice piece of toolery. It holds a 0.3 drill bit nice and tight and seems to go down almost zero. The drill slot for the slider is about 35mm long so no issue in that area.
Now I need to triage my box of vices/vises.
John
Now I need to triage my box of vices/vises.
John
Slaving away still on GCR stuff ...
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