MAINTENANCE CORNER
APRIL 2022
51
By Tony Gray, Member #3905
O
ne of the joys of working at Mark Morrissey’s Boxerworks over recent weeks has been the opportunity to pick up a few tips from the master. Even in the darkest of hours for Mark, he retains his openness to share his knowledge. This has earned him admiration around the world for his workshop videos and answers to forum questions. Here is a very simple tip that I have adopted for my bench vice. The coarse steel jaws on a vice are normally too severe for work we do on our bikes which are largely constructed from alloy. Accessory aluminium angle inserts secured to the steel jaws with magnets provide one option. These work OK but the magnets often get dislodged. Here is a DIY alternative. Cut a section of aluminium angle with about 20 mm overhang on both sides of the vice jaws then cut and fold the overhanging sections. You now have a well secured soft face to your bench vice.
Ed: Indeed steel vice jaws are too severe Tony. I like to use Don Johnson on one side and Philip Michael Thomas on the other. The layering of T-shirt under Armani jacket, randomly changed up to eight times per job while wearing sockless loafers is guaranteed not to damage anything. Especially your chances with the ladies who have just woken from a coma they entered in 1985.
