I just bought a 5 inch ball vice from Vevor Australia expecting that I would have to put shims in the securing holes. I did not have too as the issues you have described seem to have been fixed.
Maybe they have produced a few batches and they have fix it after the first. Engraving tools don't sell very well- maybe I got one of those first produce (with this issue).. Anyway, beside this one thing, it's a great tool! cheap and decent!
I just bought one and it will need quite a bit of tuning. Having a metal lathe and milling machine with engineering skills and experience, tuning and upgrades are not a problem, but I suspect most people won't be able to do the required tweeks. My first mod will be removing the horrible little plastic rod that just squishes against the shaft of the upper jaw section. This is responsible for the failure of the locking screw locking rotation of the base to upper. This is clearly a cost cut, as the instructions show a spring and metal dowel, not a scrap of plastic. I will be matching a brass dowel to do the locking and suspect that will fix that issue. As for the pins, they are crap. I will be filing a negative rack on the clamp face of the pins to compensate for the loose tolerance in the jaws that cause the jaws to rack out of parallel when tightening. If you have the ability to tune this vise it is good value compared to the limited options that suit hobby or budget buyers.
Hey Nathan! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with this ball vise. I think all the mods you described would be a great content, if you would like to share the process step by step. From my perspective, the way how the ball vise hold the steel pates is enough, but I assume there might be much more issues with more complicated shape objects. As a first tool (for learning), I think it's ok. To start engraving you need to spend a lot of money. I've bought for my own money Vevor microscope, engraving machine, gravers and air compressor which costed me $700. GRS 5" Ball Vise cost more.
@@DBCraftWorld I'll try document my mods, but it will be low res as I don't have a decent camera nor decent phone. The equipment available these days may be lower quality, but it wasn't so long ago that there just wasn't a middle ground for getting into these types of skills. Irt was a case of buy the expensive gear new, find it 2nd hand at still high prices, or practice with manual and home made options.
@@NathanNostaw I agree with the quality of modern tools- they are cheaper,, but It always have a price in quality... Still, we cant ignore the fact, that poor quality tool is better than none :).
@@DBCraftWorld There is the old mentality of buying quality and being stung once rather than buying junk and being stung twice. I agree with this in most applications, but when getting into a new and expensive venture you don't know anything nor if it will be a long term pursuit. Cheapish equipment sure helps with this and can always be sold onto the next novice that is interested.
@@NathanNostaw Totally agree! I have always conflict in my head because "Only rich people afford to junk stuff", but on the other hand "it's better to have a shoes than walking barefoot".. most of the time I make my decisions strategic-I think it's the best way.
Thanks a lot Javier! In the next episodes I will show all set up. Depends on the respond I will keep the series alive or not.. thanks a lot for remembering about the channel- it means a lot to me:)!
@@DBCraftWorld no z tego co wiem to polska firma, nieważne ja mam wkrętarkę 12V a drugą Bosch 12V i ten Bosch o lepszych parametrach siada na łopatki przy Vevor
