These are the kind of time saving tips that you learn from experience, because in industry, time is money. Unfortunately most instructors never get enough practical experience to learn them so students get the traditional book version instead. Glad you enjoyed the tip, I'll see if I can come up with a few more. Tom

Dude, its been 12 years since you did this but you still just sped up how fast I indicated my mill vice back.

Wow. Tried today tramming in two vises and Ive gotta say I never thought I'd be able to indicate one that quickly.

I've been a machinist most of my adult life and have never seen this method. That's awesome

One minute ago I saw a smart set up, in 2 passes, but You beat that! Beautiful!

Toms Techniques I watched about 4 other videos on squaring a vise, and this was by far the best - and most definitely the fastest method. Thanks!

Genius, and one handed! I thought Tom at Oxtool made tramming the vice look easy, but my goodness, you made it look even easier! Thank you, I'm off to my worship to give it a go.

Just in case no one caught what the real trick here was; you preloaded the vise 1 degree to ensure that as soon as your indicator touched the right side of the vise jaw, it was going to do nothing but climb further up the dial, also letting you know exactly what side to hit the vise on to get the needle to stop moving. Damn good idea. I'm pretty quick on this, but me thinks I'll be faster after this video. A keyed vise, with a swivel base and this technique could certainly prove to be lightning fast on a quick dial in.

Sweet! Thanks for taking the time to share this. At work we don't have a power feed, we're not a machine shop, but at home I will certainly be employing this time saving method from now on.

That was incredible. That's the fastest indicating I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, that must be magic. I got to try that next time I need to indicate my vice. What a great helpful tip, thank you!

That is the first time I ever saw that method, and I WONT forget it. I love learnihg the little tricks of the trade but make a huge difference. Great job Mark

From now on, this will be the way I do it too. Thanks a million! Daniel

If we were in the 1600's you my friend would be exceuted for witchcraft and sorcery. But since this is 2019 you are the best of KZfaq , congrats on your impeccable timing sir.

This is a great tip. I always spend more time than I need squaring the vice to the table. Thanks Tom!

Thanks. That's one of my favorite tips; simple, but it saves a lot of time. Tom

all the small things like this are why an apprenticeship is so valuable... unfortunately i never found a program and i'm not even sure if they exist for this anymore, because this is the most fascinating trade of them all

Fantastic! Got a milling grin out of that one. Simple and very effective. Thanks for sharing

Thanks, that's one of my favorite shortcuts.

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

Thanks Ray, glad you are enjoying them. Tom

Yup, works just like magic. Thanks, Tom

It does making indicating the vise less of a chore. Glad you liked it.

Just made my life easy . used to go back and forth trying to do this no more Thanks

Mind blown as well... I wish they would teach stuff like this in school. Just teach us how to do things the most efficient way. Thanks for this video.

Thanks, glad you liked the tip.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I'll be sure to check out your adapter. Tom

What a great timesaver! Thanks Tom..

Unbelievable talented gentleman you are.

i cant believe i never thought of that!, not that i do it everyday but when i do need to do it, this is now the way i will. Thanks!

Old Guys Rule! Thanks Mr, looking forward to new films. Cheers from Sweden.

Brilliant. So simple and yet so important.

Thanks, it's always fun saving time.

Wow! Can't believe I didnt think of that. Thanks for the tip, Tom.

A bit of caution is required when using this method. My rule is never to trust an indicator that doesn't move. However, for getting the vise close, I'd say this is the slickest method I've ever seen.

Thanks Fred. I'm always looking for ways to save time. Even if it's only a minute here and there, they all add up. Tom

Hi Tom , I have just purchased my first mill and can't wait to have a go..I find your videos very informative and with enough detail to teach us mugs out here some really good techniques .. A lot of others with tuition videos will go over something too many times making it very repetitive and boring . I like your straight to the point teaching method .thankyou very much for taking the time to produce a quality and informative video . I will be a very regular student .. Regards jeff

Are you some kind of a magician?

Very clever - I will try it next time. Perhaps it will cure me from avoiding moving my vise unless absolutely necessary. Your videos are great, I really enjoy them. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Glad you liked it.

Good job Tom!

nicely done, Tom, thanks, I've never seen it done quite this way, and I'll not forget it!

Yes, it is possible to be fooled by an indicator not in contact with the work (voice of experience). In this case though it moves quite a bit at the start and less as you tap on the vise, so you get verification that the indicator isn't fooling you. I'm glad you enjoyed the tip.

Thanks for a really straight forward method.

Dang. Of course, I knew I was not the only one who hated moving my vice. Now, we are all saved! I even went so far as mounting it on the right side of my table so I could do other work on the left without disturbing the vice. The benefits of using the less used areas of the ways notwithstanding, I don't have to dread moving the vice anymore. As a noob grasping for the keys to wisdom, the word I keep coming up with when watching your vids is PRICELESS! Perhaps the only problem will be that I will get through them all faster than you can make them!!!! ;-)

Thanks James, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The bar on the back of the vise is a work stop, You can get them from MSC for about $60. Tom

I would have gone from one end to the other as I'm sure others would have. This is very useful. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Brett.

Brilliant! Thank you so much for the tip.

Great video and time saver.

Good lord, what a cool tip. Thanks Tom!

I'm a mechanical designer and do all my own prototyping at home. I'm also an avid gunsmith and am currently building a single shot Steven's rifle from scratch. You can see the build thread in the gunsmithing section of Metalworking Fun.

Awesome tip!

Brilliant. Thanks Tom!

What can I say except - BRILLIANT!

superb tip

Super cool tip , thanks

Great video 👍🏼

OK... I had occasion to try this trick for the first time this morning. Well... the Last Word aint gonna be working up such a sweat anymore. Sakes alive that was dope slap simple. Took me longer to set up the indicator than to tram the vice. One of those things that you just don't understand why you didn't think of yourself. Then you remember you don't really know what you are doing... yet. Take the vice off the mill? No worries! Thanks for a slick tip, Tom!!

Great video!

Excellent video for a rookie like myself. Keep them coming!

Yeah Thanks, I got to see some of the same today. Won't take much to duplicate. Thanks for the reply.

Okay, I have to add my thought: That is just too freakin' COOL!

Awesome. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

Very great tip Tom. Thanks for sharing :-)

Mind=Blown Awesome! Thank you!!

Woooohoooooooo!!!!!! Thank you very much for the awesome tip, you are the man. Thanks & Best Regards, Jon

Thanks for the tips

All I can say is WOW awesome!!

Awesome technique i will reply after i try it

That was quick. Cool!

really good videos, they bring a smile every time,, great... ray

Great tip 👍

Thanks, simple is good.

Holy cow...what a great tip. Thanks so much...subscribed!

that was pretty smooth! thanks for the tip...

i love this so simple

Nice trick, and quick. Thanks.

Nice tip !

Very amazing man

That is just awesome!!!!!

That was slick--master machinest..

Wow that's a way good Technique... I am New to milling and this this is really very fast to indicate. Thanks for sharing.

Wow just goes to show you everything can be made right with a hammer. Great video.

Thanks!

Great video Thanks

Awesome thank you for your videos bud

I'm actually up to my elbows in a project now that is being posted over at Metalworking Fun. It's a single shot rifle that I'm building form scratch and documenting the entire process. There aren't any videos yet, but I am planning on making one on drilling and rifling the barrel. There is a lot of machining processes in that thread. If you are interested, go to the Metalworking Fun site and look in the Gunsmithing section for "Building the Steven's Favorite".

Thanks a lot 🙏

Excellent!😊

nice makes sense !!!!! i use interapid also but i always do the half and half

This video must every machinist see it❤❤

Thanks! thank! thanks! How cool! I just saw this valuable technique.

Brilliant!

Thank Tom , I will try at work

Simple and effective - like all the best tips. Thanks.

Now, that was cool! Thanks.

Awesome.