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!

Comments

[GlennS94]

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!!!!

[SethAltobelli]

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.

[keets]

Real KISS project!
Very smart!

[SethAltobelli]

Thanks!

[Monty124]

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.

[cspann560]

Yes- great presentation. I also made the 70s out of copper, quite a bit softer. Alum angle works too and cheaper. Good instructible Thanks!

[SethAltobelli]

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.

[SethAltobelli]

Thanks! I am glad you liked it. Also, thanks for the tip.

[cavalier19]

Neat & simple idea. Well explained.

[SethAltobelli]

Thanks!

[MartyK1]

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!

[SethAltobelli]

Your welcome!

[charliewinters]

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.

[SethAltobelli]

That would probably help. I didn't have any magnets so I just made some friction fit ones instead.

[GlennS94]

Great Idea!!

[PaulJ201]

Cheeper than buying them and just as good.
Thanks

[SethAltobelli]

I am glad you like it.

[hackinblack]

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.

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Your end product has a really clean finish. I am impressed. I need to make some of these for my shop.

[SethAltobelli]

Thanks!