How to Square and Indicate a Vise on Your CNC Mill - Haas Automation Tip of the Day 

As a new machinist just getting his first CNC experienced job, these tips of the day help me tremendously (And keep me from having to go to my boss looking like a fool lol). From just starting out I'd probably never think about having a vise that is too big, thank you Haas!

One bolt in, and one out is something I never thought of. Thanks for the tip. This has to make the process so much easier.

This haas tip of the day has helped me out so much!!

I am an apprentice on lunch watching this and it just saved my ass thank you haas

A couple of things to note. 1: Check for burrs first, if there are none no reason to stone. But don't forget there will always be a high-spot around a dent when it's created! 2a: Don't keep stoning just in the same position of the table, that will make the surface uneven in the long run. 2b: If possible, move the vise around to different positions (a vice with slots instead of fixed positions for the bolts are more flexible and you can use 4 bolts with less torque to get the same holding power = less wear and strain). 3: To reduce the amount of oil in the coolant (and your lungs), apply RP with a cloth, not spray. And personally I really prefer diamond "stones", much less wear on them = less abrasives in the machine. 4: Before setting up, look at your drawings and planning of the job, how accurate do you need to be? (There is no exact, always a tolerance.) Those hoses for cleaning the machine with coolant? I just love 'em!

Nice , I watched some videos about set up vice on the machine but with Mark's tip always is the best. waiting for next tip how to set up part and tools offset

I've been working at my first CNC job for a few months now and I wished I found these videos out sooner. Great job on the Video!

I'm a couple years into having learned to set up parts at the shop I work at. I've always just loaded up a vise and set up, never thinking of checking clearance because it was the vise I was told to use. I'd never have bothered to check before this video. I'll never need to where I'm at but I may need to in the future.

One of the best vmc teaching channel Hass tip of the day

Feel like this guy almost explained it so well that as a beginner I just need some practice. Getting back into machine shop after only a year experience..years ago I’m kinda pissed nobody showed me while I was there how to setup. Seems simple in a way I’m sure still a lot to learn. But I loved operating

Good safety tips with fun tongue in cheek humor sales pitch (hopefully not needed) for Haas parts :-) Mark is an excellent presenter.

I absolutely love these tips of the day! Please keep going! Go more in detail of how you keep your machines so clean and not rusted. I live in Louisiana and our machines, tools, vices, chucks, bolts, basically anything metal is rusted to crap. We don’t have an ACed shop. Please cover what can help

I wrote a little code to sweep the X axis incremental back and forth 5”. You set your indicator on the back left jaw as shown in the video, then hit start on the program. You can watch the indicator and adjust your vise with both hands free, no jog wheel needed. It is one of those programs that just “lives” on the machine forever.

Another awesome, informative video. Quick question: what concoction do you use in your spray bottle for "RP" Rust Preventative?

I may not own a haas, but I always appreciate the tips you guys publish. I was wondering if there might be a mathematical formula or rule of thumb for working out the vise adjustment. I usually just tap it close on the first sweep, then work with about 90%. So if it's 0.010" out on my DX6, I'll knock it 0.009" forward and expect the other side of the jaw to move that extra 0.001" Unless the pivot is directly below the jaw edge, I expect it will always require somewhat less than knocking the other side all the way to 0. Thoughts?

Thanks for the advice on how to straighten the vice !

I would like to see more 4 axis as well. Could you also, do something covering the use of corner rounding and chamfers when manually programing.

The other option for the tool room mill is to mount the vise sideways, not super easy to load and unload parts but it will work.

nice entry level tip, good for us to know, any tips on the 4th and 5th axis chucking systems and how they go on the table??

would like to see more 4-axis stuff. when is that coming?

Mark, as a suggestion, on smaller mills, where is no need to mount vises sideways. We have 3 of the TECO PWS-6900 vises mounted on our new TM-1P, at normal orientation, center of the table, with 1/2 bolts and t-nuts. The closed clearance on the Z- way cover is 1/2" or more. Cut about an inch of the hex off for door clearance and 3d printed handles to ride along as the machine is running. No more messing around with and looking for the floppy metal handles. Printed handles had to be designed to allow door clearance during operation and also to clear the vise as it is loosened or tightened. The ABS is more than strong enough to handle the 200lb gorilla tightening the vise and again, the handle is always there. And, maybe someday will make some metal handles, but for now, no need.

Love your videos! I usually use the stone with a little oil on the table after cleanup. This way, the table's surface get lots better and the stone gets clean at the same time;) Just make sure to whipe of the dirt frome the taple after time and after finishing up, clean of the oil from the stone to prevent damage. Give it a try👍

Great video series. We need more!

You should be very specific that you need to dial in the FIXED jaw of the vice. The number of students I've seen try and dial in the moving jaw.

MARK TEACHING STYLE IS OASAME

Great video! Thanks for the advice!

I am really happy for your awesome video. I am facing another problem. I am using mach3 for my CNC machine. But here in BD, we face load-shadding. Sometime I load a long time design but in the running time electricity cut off . I can not damage costly wood. Therefore, If I want to re-start the work from the same point where the machine stopped , What is the procedure for MAC3 system? Please could you help me? I will be grateful to you.

I was surprised that you didn't mention locating blocks on the bottom of Kurt vises. They same a lot of time if they are properly installed.

the best thing I've ever found to use on your stone to keep it clean and not load up with crap--Simple Green

Great video nice and simple for a beginner. Kurt vices are awesome we use larger ones at my shop without any protruding in the back when closed. A great way to unclog your stone is with varsol (mineral spirit ) and a piece of wood.

Thank you so much for these videos!

Awesome video! This was really informative. What kind of rust protectant do you use?

Lots of good tips, but the indicating part, I'm curious (For example) touch indicator on both sides making sure you get a reading on both, pick one to be zero, jog to other side, say it climbs .0800, subtract .0400 from the high, and you should be at zero already? Should you not?

I would be less concerned of the full Y-travel of the machine and the vise hitting, and only base the vise position on the part you're holding in the jaws. Thanks for the great videos. Michael

Excellent tip!

When we run a 8" vise in our smaller machines we put an m0 to open the door before there machine goes home so the vise doesn't hit the door

Good information, but I thought this was going to be about using probe to square up the vice like I've seen seen done before at HAAS open house demos. Could you do a video of that?

Great tip today and great job👍

Great video, great tip as always, I made it in 2 sweeps perfect and quick. Can you make a video about, how to Indicate and Calibrate the reninshaw probe. Thank you!

Buy or make keys for the vise. The vise drops on within a couple thou every time. Or eyeball the t slot and vise slots and you can get it pretty close. When I was working in Tool & Die shops I always had at least 1 matched set and would disassemble them and lock up some of the parts when I wasn't using them so my employer or co-workers could not f them up.

4:38 It works 60% of the time, ALL THE TIME!

In fact, a probe video in general would be awesome.

There is a more advanced way to ensure clearance and you'll need to get with your Haas tech to do it. You can limit the axis travels in the control. I haven't had to do this in quite some time, but if I recall, you basically limit the number of encoder pulses the axis will move away from the home position.

What do you use for rust prevention? What was in that spray bottle?

Love the series. As an amateur at CNC maching, these videos are a lifesaver at work. I have a question though, where do you guys buy your indicators and machinist stones? My work says they'll buy me them if I can find ones I want but so far, I have no idea where to look or what to look for because I just started to learn to set up a 3 axis machine. Many thanks for these videos!

sorry, I didn't understand. what did this clearance video have to do with Way covers?

Can you suggest some particular rust preventative?

Can you guys make a video about how to indicate 2 vices together, side by side. So they both read the same on indicator.

Nice Demo

What's curious to me is when I tighten my bolts, the rotation of the nut coming down onto the vise will move it. Then I have to indicate again, then tighten the bolts, then it moves, then I smack the vise with the hammer.... So how did you tighten those two bolts without that vise moving again?

20 minutes is my personal record to set three vices along the axis with tolerance 0.01 mm between all of them:)

The vise I was using today at work was 45 thou out of square across the face and I didn’t know until the end of the day. No wonder my parts were coming out all messed up

What camera do yall use for these videos?? so crisp

Unless you mount it sideways. ( on the smaller machine)

What are you thinking about a Hilma or a Allmatic vise?

It's a good idea to check the floor of the vise also.

What is the grit of the Aluminum Oxide Oil Stine's fine side?

What are the characteristics of aluminum oxide stone (smooth and rough side)?

I put keys on the bottom of my vise that fit into the table T Slots. I made them with about .002 slop so I can tap it in perfect. The main reason I do this is I am really hogging something the most that vise will ever get thrown out is about .002.

Hey Mark did you learn that from Chuck Miller?

As a tip from someone that... saw someone else do it. Check clearance with a handle left on the vice. Assume it's going to happen because it will.

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Tip: Use a properly adjusted speed square to line up the vise before tightening the firs bolt. Saves a lot of time.

Nice idea sir

Your initial tool choices gave me a couple good laughs, thanks!

4 axis . Specially about zero machine . If you can make video for us . That a good video by the way . Thanks

we need more machinist in America. good lesson

are there a recommended way cover upgrade for TM series mills?

Very good thanks

how about a video on setting up dual vises and getting them aligned?

Hello! May i know the name of the Rust Preventative Spray?

Never Ever took one bolt out and never ever have taken more than a view seconds to square a vice. As a matter of fact when I set the Vive I center the slots by "FEEL"

Do Haas CNC machines have soft stops (ie software defined limits) for the axes ? That would solve this issue if you didn’t need full travel.

Ottimo video...complimenti..

Can you turn that vice sideways in the machine and secure it? *mind blown!*

Thank's sir for your info. 👍

Is there a problem mounting the vise sideways?

Hello sir How to select fixture side which portion here and there

newbie tip of the day!

Has it possible to square depth on on work piece in vmc machine

Don't tap into dial indicator , vibrations can move your indicator. When setting up your vice , find a highspot and tap away from it.

Thanks

hi! i've 2 question... what's the hardness/n°grain of the stone? What do you use for rust prevention?

I demand a unedited version because this version looks to easy. All you new Machinist this is gonna ruin your mornings a couple of time but like all things you'll get better with time

nice to know, but what happens if the bolts won't go in the holes/ slots of the vice??

Thanks a lot! This material is only found in english

Is it possible to mount and install a different machine operating system on these haas mills?

Great

Thanks!

Where can I get one of the stones??

Thanks god bless

I hawe irritation on mu hands from the cooling....any tip of the day pleasee

Of course, it's more work - but you can run the vise lengthwise.

What rust preventative are you using?

On the TM1P turn the vice 90 degrees?

Sir how to set angle vise

You might need a 5” or a 4”. Sometimes there/s no way around it. I use a 4” on mine.

What is the best Rust Preventor to use?

can you do a video how to line up 2 vise together please

When you stone your table do you use oil?