What is a "pin vise"?

TheIrishAvenger · Post by **TheIrishAvenger** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:42 pm

I've heard this term several times and I assume it's some kind of very useful tool, but so far I've been able to glean nothing as to what it really IS. Sooo....what IS a pin vise? What is it useful for? How much are they?

Thanks!

Chris

P.S. It suddenly occurred to me this may need to go in "Construction". Sorry mods, you can move it if necessary.

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:47 pm

A pin vise is bassically grip that holds small drill bits (0.1mm~3.5mm).
They are vary handy for drilling small holes and similar.

One word of advise make sure that yours comes with a swivel end otherwise it is blister time. Price ranges vary depending on maker and where you buy them.
Most good H/W or Model stores should carry them.

They look like this:
http://www.hlj.com/images/tam/tam74050.gif

HTH.

haywire · Post by **haywire** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:49 pm

Take a small screw driver and instead of a philips or flat head, its a drill bit. Usually a very small diameter drill bit.

It has a "vice" at the end so you can swap out the drill bits.

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:00 pm

I have several. My favorite one has a wooden ball end that rests in the palm of my hand. Much more comfortable than most. I've never used one to hold pins though...

TheIrishAvenger · Post by **TheIrishAvenger** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:08 pm

Ahhhh......so when I take the blade out of my X-acto knife and insert a small drill bit (the two-slot knife handle, with the slots making an X ) and tighten it down, I'm basically making a poor-man's pin vise, then, no?

I think my next modeling purchase will be a tool binge.

Thanks, guys,

Chris

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:23 pm

Kind of. But if the jaws that hold the blade in are hollow rather than solid, I think your drill bit will not be secure enough to be useful, the thinner ones are quite fragile and any uneveness in pressure will shear the bit. Most pin vises go for under $10.

Blappy · Post by **Blappy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:01 am

dirkpitt77 wrote:Ahhhh......so when I take the blade out of my X-acto knife and insert a small drill bit (the two-slot knife handle, with the slots making an X ) and tighten it down, I'm basically making a poor-man's pin vise, then, no?

I think my next modeling purchase will be a tool binge.

Thanks, guys,

Chris

You can never go wrong buying tools. Sure you can buy kits and stick them together but with with tools you can make models.

John P · Post by **John P** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:04 am

Go here:
http://www.micromark.com/

Put "pin vise" in the search box. You'll get a nice variety of choices like these:

http://www.micromark.com/prodimgs/21105.jpg

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:23 am

Blappy wrote:
dirkpitt77 wrote: You can never go wrong buying tools. Sure you can buy kits and stick them together but with with tools you can make models.

You aint lyin', I'm just about on a first name basis with the manager of Harbor Freight. Great deals on clamps right now, 90 degree corner clamps for 1.49, I got a couple of 36" bar clamps for 5.50 apiece.

Lonewolf · Post by **Lonewolf** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:13 am

I picked one up about two years ago, and it never leaves my workbench. I use it all the time.

Mine has the swivel end (no blisters!), and has an interchangable holder inside. I simply unscrew the end, pull out the little plastic flanged piece, and choose which end I want to use. It has the capacity for smaller and larger drill bits. Plus, if I use the larger end, I can use it as a handle for the needle file set I got last year at WF. It makes filiing down round areas a lot easier. For weapons mounts or enlarging holes for mounting pins, simply drill out the hole, then switch to a round file to clean things up.

Very useful tool, and an extremely wise investment.

Mark Yungblut · Post by **Mark Yungblut** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:38 pm

I have 8 or ten of them because I also use them to hold pieces as I paint them. This is really helpful when working on resin kits as you need to pin things anyway. I use the bras pin rod in the pin vise and hold it with the tool to paint.

A good pin vise will come with two chucks that have differing sizes at each end. Most of mine go from Flush (used fro tiny bits) to up to 3/ 16".

Blappy · Post by **Blappy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:49 pm

Mark Yungblut wrote:I have 8 or ten of them cause I aslo use them to hold peces as I paint them. This is really helpfull when working on resin kits as you need to pin things anyway. I use the bras pin rod in the pin vise and hold it with the tool to paint.

A good pin vise will come with two chucks that have differing sizes at each end. Most of mine go from Flush (used fro tiny bits) to up to 3?16".

Let the confusion unsue!

Mark Yungblut · Post by **Mark Yungblut** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:25 pm

Blappy wrote:
Mark Yungblut wrote:I have 8 or ten of them cause I aslo use them to hold peces as I paint them. This is really helpfull when working on resin kits as you need to pin things anyway. I use the bras pin rod in the pin vise and hold it with the tool to paint.

A good pin vise will come with two chucks that have differing sizes at each end. Most of mine go from Flush (used fro tiny bits) to up to 3?16".
Let the confusion unsue!

Not trying to confuse anyone...

Moslty used for drilling by had with tiny drill bits (like down to a #64) I was just pointing out other uses for this tool. ;-P

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:00 pm

I don't know if it's any help, but i found this on Ebay.
Bar.

Lonewolf · Post by **Lonewolf** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:39 pm

Bar wrote:I don't know if it's any help, but i found this on Ebay.
Bar.

That looks exactly like the one that I have at home.

Post by **TER-OR** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:18 pm

THis one belongs in construction.

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:16 am

Lonewolf wrote:That looks exactly like the one that I have at home.

Yes, me too, but it seemed a fairly reasonable price for it.

Bar.