Introduction: How to Make DIY Soft Jaws in 60 Seconds!
In this instructables, I show you how to make DIY aluminum soft jaws for your bench vice in 60 seconds!
Step 1: Watch the Video!
If you prefer watching videos to reading Instructables you can watch the step by step guide I made. If not just continue on with the Instructables.
I used aluminum angle for these jaws. It is 1/16in thick and the sides are both 1in long.
Step 2: Measure Your Vice Jaws
Measure how wide your vice jaws are. You should cut two pieces of the angle both 1in longer than your vice jaws. Because my jaws are 5in wide I cut my aluminum at 6in long.
Step 3: Cut the Tabs
Then measure 1/2in off of each side of the aluminum and mark little tabs on one of the faces. Cut these tabs out of the aluminum.
Step 4: Hammer Down the Tabs
Then put the short face of the aluminum into the vice and hammer the tabs down. This makes a friction fit which holds the jaws on the vice.
Step 5: Your Done!
Now enjoy using your new soft jaws!

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20 Comments
5 years ago
Love It. Good Presentation and great project. Definitely KIS, but nothing wrong with that at all. How
can I follow your future projects. Keep up the good work!!!!
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks, I tried to keep it as simple as possible. You can subscribe to my instructibles and or youtube channel to follow my future projects.
5 years ago
Real KISS project!
Very smart!
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks!
5 years ago
Great to see some one reinvent these. We used the same in the 70's. One tip, place both sides in the vice to bend the ends, then you don't damage the work faces.
Great, keep at it.
Reply 5 years ago
Yes- great presentation. I also made the 70s out of copper, quite a bit softer. Alum angle works too and cheaper. Good instructible Thanks!
Reply 4 years ago
I am glad you liked it. Copper might be better but I had aluminum. It is soft enough for most applications. It might be beneficial to make both types.
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks! I am glad you liked it. Also, thanks for the tip.
4 years ago
Neat & simple idea. Well explained.
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks!
5 years ago
I have many vices, and they are hard to measure, but I do have but one vise, and this project is a perfect fit. Thanks!
Reply 4 years ago
Your welcome!
5 years ago
Good thinking, thanks for the idea. You can improve on them a little by folding them a little long on the ends, and gluing on some magnets. This will help keep them from coming off as you open the vise.
Reply 4 years ago
That would probably help. I didn't have any magnets so I just made some friction fit ones instead.
Reply 5 years ago
Great Idea!!
5 years ago
Cheeper than buying them and just as good.
Thanks
Reply 4 years ago
I am glad you like it.
Tip 5 years ago on Introduction
its better to make these with the folded ends horizontal (folded round the ends of the jaws);that way they hold themselves in place as the jaws are opened;you can also rivet (or glue!) soft plastic or wooden jaws onto the metal 'slippers',so they dont mark soft materials,such as plastic.
5 years ago
Your end product has a really clean finish. I am impressed. I need to make some of these for my shop.
Reply 5 years ago
Thanks!