Cam lock vice?

[DennisCA]

Looking at this and considering buying it, a Bison 6518 125mm vice. It's apparently a cam lock vice. I have never heard of this type of vice and was wondering if anyone here has experience with these vs a conventional screw based vice? How well does it hold for instance?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

That one above is still screw based. Just the jaws move down the top slide to save a lot of unwinding and give you more air between jaws

 

[Screwdriver]

It's a bit more of a fiddle for one off jobs and ideally used in production; clamping the same part over and over again - once the jaws are set.

But that doesn't look like a cam lock to me...

The moveable jaw locks into different positions (presumable with a cam) but I expect a "cam lock" vice to use a cam to apply the clamping pressure. I could be wrong but a cam lock typically has a horizontal lever operated cam which applies a set pressure to the part, then locks.

 

[hotponyshoes]

If its anything like my cam lock then the bit on the top (the cam shaped thing) should have a handle on it as well?

If you slackened the cam right off then it seems to grip just as well as any other vice.
If using the cam then vibration can work it loose.
As above, probably better for production when clamping the same thing each time.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Although mine does not look like that one.
That might be a completely different thing?

 

[DennisCA]

Hmm, I think the first post is right, it moves using a normal screw, but the movable jaw can be moved between the different "holes" and the cam lock refers to the locking system that holds the moving jaw in place.

http://www.bison-bial.com/vises/6517-m125

I can get it for 244 euros inc shipping which to me is a good price for a high capacity vice. Most vices in that price range have a much smaller jaw opening.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

The handle is from a different vice, judging by the colour , and it looks to have (minor) damage from milling machine use?

 

[Agroshield]

I can get it for 244 euros inc shipping which to me is a good price for a high capacity vice.

Bite his arm off for that price:

https://rdbarrett.co.uk/product/bis...MI1vf4x9CT7AIVk-R3Ch16wQL9EAQYAiABEgJ9sfD_BwE

https://www.wgm-maschinen.de/bison-...vises/bison-machine-vise-6518-m125-10887.html

 

[Munkul]

Bison stuff is nice

 

[skotl]

I've got a cheap copy of that vice and could never get along with it. The cam was a total pain and I really couldn't see the point.
Much happier with with a traditional screw machine vice.

Which reminds me - must put the cam one up for sale on here, and ask you all to disregard the above

 

[DennisCA]

I guess the point is higher capacity. This is a screw vice though, as was yours I assume.

 

[MattF]

The cam was a total pain and I really couldn't see the point.

Caters for variations in piece size quickly, so you're not having to wind/unwind as much when changing workpieces.

 

[skotl]

Caters for variations in piece size quickly, so you're not having to wind/unwind as much when changing workpieces.

Yeah - might have been a quality thing - definitely never worked well with the vice I have

 

[DennisCA]

I assume the screw movement is limited compared to a normal vise. What I wonder about is if there's anything about the construction that is weaker, or prone to jaw lift.

 

[MattF]

I assume the screw movement is limited compared to a normal vise. What I wonder about is if there's anything about the construction that is weaker, or prone to jaw lift.

Shouldn't lift. If you look at the design, it's similar to that of a buttress thread. The faces will likely be sligbtly concave, so that as you apply pressure on the rear jaw, the cones pull down & more tightly in.

 

[DennisCA]

Well I found a Rohm vise for cheaper and I jumped on that instead. So much for that.

 

[DennisCA]

If anyone is interested in the original vice it can be found here
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/maschinenschraubstock-bison-6518-125/

The seller speaks english was is willing to ship, so maybe someone here might have use for it.