How to secure work in vise

[Big-Un]

I saw on here somewhere that someone used hot glue to hold the piece to be engraved to the vise but can't seem to locate it. Any help on how to use hot glue and how to pry it loose when the work is complete?

[Ray Cover Jr]

I use hot glue for most knives. It does not work as well for large gun actions but for knives and smallish objects it works great.

First mask off your knife with tape. Then glue the piece to a small block of hardwood or metal ( I use small brass blocks). It helps to warm the metal piece. Sometimes it does not stick real well if the block is too cold.

WHen you are ready to take it off. pry up an edge of the glue and pour a little rubbing alcohol between the glue and metal. Then GENTLY lift/pry it all apart.

Make sure you dry any alcohol off metal parts and add a touch of oil if its carbon steel. The alcohol can rust the metal if you just leave it on there.

Ray

[Big-Un]

Thank you for the information. I couldn't remember what was used to remove it.

Bill

[ron p. nott]

i use super glue . i found that this stuff works very well, i even use it when i am milling cavities for inter frame knives that i make . i glue it to a piece of steel and when i am finished i just smack the back of the steel with a hammer and it pops right off then i soap it in acetone for a few minutes .. to clean off any glue that still is on it . i also glue small parts to steel that i have to engrave or gold inlay .. Ron

[Jinkers]

Another trick to the hot glue - for short term use, is to spray the piece you need to hold with wd40 - squirt out the hot glue and stick the piece in the glue - kinda letting it sink in just a bit - when you are done, the piece is lubricated so you get a corner started and it slides away from the glue. Not suggested for those week long projects tho

[Don Cowles]

GRS is selling some cool plastic stuff that you can soften in the microwave, and form to odd-shaped work pieces.

[BrianPowley]

The product from GRS is called Thermo-Loc.
It works very well and is re-usable over and over again.
When microwaved or heated with a heat gun, it is very pliable and molds to any shape.
When it cools down it is extremely hard and non-marring.

I use it in 2 pieces for a custom vise jaw that fits each side of the parts.
I put a piece of a Wal-Mart shopping bag on the part before setting it in the Thermo-Loc. The Thermo-Loc will not stick to the Wal-Mart plastic bag. After the Thermo-Loc sets up, I can open up the vise jaws and remove the part without having to heat it up. (Kinda like a release agent.)
Brian

[Ray Cover Jr]

Brilliant idea Brian!

I am going to have to try that.

Ray