Squaring up a Perfecto Shaper Vice

KellisRJ · May 25, 2020

Hello all. I have a 5" Perfecto shaper that someone got a lot of use out of, the screw is a bit worn in the middle and won't auto feed. Minor issue, I just work with it. My real problem is that I can't figure out a smart way to square the vice on the table. Only the jaws are machined, every other surface is rough casting. The vice fills up all but 5/8" on either side, I finally made some bars to put parallel to the vice to use as clamp stands. So anyone have any ideas? Since I got the shaper, I've obtained a Clausing 8511, factory Bridgeport M head, mill. I've considered milling the sides of the vice, but hate the idea of modifying a rare orginial item even if it would be an improvement. Anyway, TIA. Ron

Cogsy · May 25, 2020

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here but why don't you just used the machined face of the fixed jaw to square the vise? That's the only important piece that needs to be square (or set at a precise angle, etc).

Charles Lamont · May 26, 2020

Traverse a clock gauge attached to the toolholder over the vice jaw, or a parallel gripped in the vice.

KellisRJ · May 26, 2020

Cogsy said:
Maybe I'm missing something obvious here but why don't you just used the machined face of the fixed jaw to square the vise?

No, trouble has been the fitting a square in the gap between the vice and face then down to the jaw. Almost a gap free "Z" between the surfaces.

KellisRJ · May 26, 2020

Charles Lamont said:
Traverse a clock gauge attached to the toolholder over the vice jaw, or a parallel gripped in the vice.

Ah, thanks! LOL, is why I decided to ask for more experienced eyes to take a look. The silly parallels are sitting less than a foot away.

Thanks for your time and experience.

Cogsy · May 26, 2020

KellisRJ said:
No, trouble has been the fitting a square in the gap between the vice and face then down to the jaw. Almost a gap free "Z" between the surfaces.

Ah - I wasn't aware you were trying to use a square. I always clock my vise with a DTI and just assumed everyone did. Sorry.

KellisRJ · May 30, 2020

Was simply trying to figure out a balance between Good | Quick. I'm getting brain dead, honestly can't remember what I did to square it last time I did it.