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Fireball releases a giant vise - the Hardtail

Got some more time to try and finish up today. I like the handle but I have a feeling my boys will loose it for me. So I decided something non removeable was a good idea. Drilled a hole in some stainless and welded it to my nut, then cleaned it up on the lathe.
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powdercoated it black. Got some 3/4 stainless and some old ball bearings. The rubber out of a Chicago hose fitting made perfect bumper pads
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probably made it a little long but I like it. The other guys finished up today also. Never would have picked it but the purple looks killer in real life. It's Eastwood translucent grape if anyone is wondering.
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I finally had time to finish welding mine up this weekend. I think I got something slightly bent/misaligned so there is a tighter spot every rotation of the handle. I'm hoping it will wear in with use.
Now to find time to paint...

I had to take a picture with it next to the vise I've had since high school, that I currently use the most. It looks like a toy now! ~14" open vs, ~4.5"
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And I had to take a better one to show the scale: :lmao:
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Thanks again, ThePanzerFuhrer! :beer::beer:
This thing is awesome!
 
Yarz said:
I finally had time to finish welding mine up this weekend. I think I got something slightly bent/misaligned so there is a tighter spot every rotation of the handle. I'm hoping it will wear in with use.
Now to find time to paint...

I had to take a picture with it next to the vise I've had since high school, that I currently use the most. It looks like a toy now! ~14" open vs, ~4.5"
DSCF0556.JPG


And I had to take a better one to show the scale: :lmao:
DSCF0555.JPG


Thanks again, ThePanzerFuhrer! :beer::beer:
This thing is awesome!
Click to expand...
Looks good l. Finally starting to see some getting finished!!

Try loosening the jam nut that holds the bearings together just a touch. If this isn’t perfectly straight it will feel like this. The professional vises put a spring between the nut and bearing to fix this issue. I was gonna try a some light duty belville spring washer to see if it corrects this.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Looks good l. Finally starting to see some getting finished!!

Try loosening the jam nut that holds the bearings together just a touch. If this isn’t perfectly straight it will feel like this. The professional vises put a spring between the nut and bearing to fix this issue. I was gonna try a some light duty belville spring washer to see if it corrects this.
Click to expand...

My was tight at first due to applying to much pressure on the bearings. I may have a belleville washer that fits.

I've been using the shit out of the vise to hold things while working on the cnc mill.
 
I'm finally a ready to put mine together. I know I need the bolt, jaws and what else?
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Looks good l. Finally starting to see some getting finished!!

Try loosening the jam nut that holds the bearings together just a touch. If this isn’t perfectly straight it will feel like this. The professional vises put a spring between the nut and bearing to fix this issue. I was gonna try a some light duty belville spring washer to see if it corrects this.
Click to expand...

I'll give it a try when I reassemble it, thanks. It's currently taken apart so I can hopefully start getting paint on it soon.

ANGELO said:
I'm finally a ready to put mine together. I know I need the bolt, jaws and what else?
Click to expand...

My McMaster-Carr order contained these (part numbers are in the plans):
Nuts
Thrust bearing (heavy duty ball bearing)
Thrust bearing (lighter duty needle bearing)
Thrust washers
Handle
Allen head bolts
 
Lol was checking out fireballs website the other day. He has got some prices up for his new vise. $3800 for a made in USA version and $1800 for the made in Taiwan version. :eek:

He has there has been a steep learning curve how to cast and machine these guys in the us:lmao:.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Lol was checking out fireballs website the other day. He has got some prices up for his new vise. $3800 for a made in USA version and $1800 for the made in Taiwan version. :eek:

He has there has been a steep learning curve how to cast and machine these guys in the us:lmao:.
Click to expand...

At least he admitted it. I think most companies would have hidden that fact till the US machining was operational. The US has neglected the manufacturing base for years.

We wanted one at work bad but it wasnt going to make the Fiscal year date. We did buy a shit load of welding fixtures instead.



Still love my "fireball" vise. How many of the kits do you have left?
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Lol was checking out fireballs website the other day. He has got some prices up for his new vise. $3800 for a made in USA version and $1800 for the made in Taiwan version. :eek:

He has there has been a steep learning curve how to cast and machine these guys in the us:lmao:.
Click to expand...
Seeing some of his videos he's posting on IG lately; it looks like he is torture testing the Taiwanese cast Vise against a few existing USA made name brand units of "similar size". He is beating them with an 80 lb to 90 lb hammer that's being swing with a machine with a 6' or better arc to it. I'm interested to see the final produced video that he does.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Missed this post. I still have a few left. Just been stupid busy this fall. Will start back in this project for you guys after thanksgiving when shit slows down a bit again.
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I'm in!
And I don't need a swivel base if that makes any difference.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Missed this post. I still have a few left. Just been stupid busy this fall. Will start back in this project for you guys after thanksgiving when shit slows down a bit again.
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if you do another run of them i'd be in.


but the jet boat definitely should take priority. two buddies just started building them, and another is on his 2nd or 3rd build. it has me thinking i might want to build one too.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
Missed this post. I still have a few left. Just been stupid busy this fall. Will start back in this project for you guys after thanksgiving when shit slows down a bit again.
Click to expand...
I don’t feel like digging and I’m sure it has changed.



What does a kit cost? Is it in the first post in big red letters?
 
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