This was a really good Video Jessica , as a watch maker Ive been toying with using a ball vise but could never afford one , I dont think alot of the commentors under stand that lol .. what ive found over the years as a watchmaker is chinesw priducts like thisn are often very good deals with some Modifications, linking a video about mods insteadnof just bashing the vise was top notch.
I recently purchased the same ball vise and I do agree that most of the attachments are ....meh. But the over all vise works well and with some medium steel rods/rubber bushings I very quickly made pins that work much better. I think at in a pinch wooden dowel rods would work (with care) as well. It is big, and if you are working under a microscope that could be a real problem. I have some suede leather that I use with my bench vise, so I will be making some liners for the jaws as well. In summary: Cost vs. Use out of the box. Your call.
You are definitely right. I thought I was getting such a good deal on the 5” but I can’t use the attachments. It’s really annoying but I have found that I don’t actually need the attachments. I wonder if you purchase a separate set of attachments, if that would work. I’ve really had to rely on Thermo plastic for sure
Do not buy one of these…they are not fit for purpose without considerable modification I have the original GRS equivalent…the pin on the bottom looks longer than yours and is a good fit…. I know you’ve returned it now, but an easy fix would be to fit a thicker pin that’s a good fit in the hole… I was also thinking it would be a good idea to drill and tap the bottom to accept two more pins for parallel clamping, and they could be removed if angles were needed… These are much cheaper than the GRS and made of galvanised steel not stainless…but there is no excuse for poor workmanship…which seems to be the general standard for Chinese cheap clones.. If you’re going to copy something …at least make it fit for purpose..🙄 Basically you get what you pay for.. They’ve tried to copy the GRS, but failed miserably…do not buy one unless you’re good at engineering processes…
Here’s the link to some improvements for the ball vise. I’ve since put some copper shim in the holes. It works better now with the attachments but it’s still a bit wobbly. th-cam.com/video/MH1zZUkXxDg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bPdVyTFw3blKRhU9
Could you make some different pegs or buy some steel ones and/or dip them in liquid rubber tool coat? I can’t afford a GRS one and have been considering this one so your review was very helpful and hopefully there are ways to improve it.
My large vise is a Lindsay Goliath 6 inch block. My "micro" vise is a bit bigger than micro size. I'd call it a medium sized vise bl8ck. It was made by "Victor" is 4 inch diameter ball. Both have very tight pins & i can use them in either vise. They even tightly fit in the pin holder block. I was SO lucky to score this Victor! It was sold as used, but still had all original packaging, including plastic cover, I honestly dont think it has ever been out of the box other than the son showing it to me. His Dad was a "hobbiest jeweler" & he is selling all he can. Now I cant wait to see the stone collection! What i LOVE about the Victor is a pin to lock it from spinning. It has slotted pins too, also round grooved attachments for ring holding, rubber coated pins, judt SO MUCH I can do with it. I got it & a handgul of other various used items for 100 bucks. I scored a killer buy!
Every ball vise ive seen has one side that has 2 pins & one side single pinned. Ive never seen one I couldnt actually really crank down & have items pop out though! Seems the drilled holes arent tighr enough? Such a precision tool should be very snug. I was taught the reason why one side moves is in case your item is off square & i can see why that would help. But ya, tight pins are a MUST
Thanks for that. I didn’t realise what exactly the issue was with the Vevor when I made the clip. I now realise that it’s the size of the holes and the pins; the engineering is very poor. You get what you pay for!
I got this and it has a spot of resistance when turning. Someone said to take it apart but the part that holds the top on where the threaded part for the jaws connect does not come off or turn to be able to take it apart and geese it. It feels like it wasnt greased fully. I still havent figured out how to take it apart and you are right the puns all dont fit snug so they shift out when applying presure so all those attachments are pretty much useless unless there is a way to make them tighter in the holes.
Hi Jessica! Were you able to get a refund? I decided to trade my 5"ball vise to the 3"one, seems more usable since it does not have the wiggly pin support... Thank you for your video, it is really helpful!
@@jessicamarshall7507 Hi there! They sent me money back so I could repair the item locally. I ended up buyjng some polymorph on amazon and that resolved my issue. I just do not use the loose elements, just the ball itself! It has nice movement and a good grip, it was fine!
Idk if you're chewing gum or what but your mouth noises are so annoying
wow!
The video looks a lot better turned upside down
Thanks for the review.
This was a really good Video Jessica , as a watch maker Ive been toying with using a ball vise but could never afford one , I dont think alot of the commentors under stand that lol .. what ive found over the years as a watchmaker is chinesw priducts like thisn are often very good deals with some Modifications, linking a video about mods insteadnof just bashing the vise was top notch.
I recently purchased the same ball vise and I do agree that most of the attachments are ....meh. But the over all vise works well and with some medium steel rods/rubber bushings I very quickly made pins that work much better. I think at in a pinch wooden dowel rods would work (with care) as well. It is big, and if you are working under a microscope that could be a real problem. I have some suede leather that I use with my bench vise, so I will be making some liners for the jaws as well. In summary: Cost vs. Use out of the box. Your call.
You are definitely right. I thought I was getting such a good deal on the 5” but I can’t use the attachments. It’s really annoying but I have found that I don’t actually need the attachments. I wonder if you purchase a separate set of attachments, if that would work. I’ve really had to rely on Thermo plastic for sure
Do not buy one of these…they are not fit for purpose without considerable modification I have the original GRS equivalent…the pin on the bottom looks longer than yours and is a good fit…. I know you’ve returned it now, but an easy fix would be to fit a thicker pin that’s a good fit in the hole… I was also thinking it would be a good idea to drill and tap the bottom to accept two more pins for parallel clamping, and they could be removed if angles were needed… These are much cheaper than the GRS and made of galvanised steel not stainless…but there is no excuse for poor workmanship…which seems to be the general standard for Chinese cheap clones.. If you’re going to copy something …at least make it fit for purpose..🙄 Basically you get what you pay for.. They’ve tried to copy the GRS, but failed miserably…do not buy one unless you’re good at engineering processes…
Thank you was going to !
Here’s the link to some improvements for the ball vise. I’ve since put some copper shim in the holes. It works better now with the attachments but it’s still a bit wobbly. th-cam.com/video/MH1zZUkXxDg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bPdVyTFw3blKRhU9
My Engraving ball is italian made Chinetti, a very good quality/price
Could you make some different pegs or buy some steel ones and/or dip them in liquid rubber tool coat? I can’t afford a GRS one and have been considering this one so your review was very helpful and hopefully there are ways to improve it.
Yes! You can put some shims in the holes. There’s a video on TH-cam about it. I’ll put a link.
A ball vise sounds like a terrifying torture
My large vise is a Lindsay Goliath 6 inch block. My "micro" vise is a bit bigger than micro size. I'd call it a medium sized vise bl8ck. It was made by "Victor" is 4 inch diameter ball. Both have very tight pins & i can use them in either vise. They even tightly fit in the pin holder block. I was SO lucky to score this Victor! It was sold as used, but still had all original packaging, including plastic cover, I honestly dont think it has ever been out of the box other than the son showing it to me. His Dad was a "hobbiest jeweler" & he is selling all he can. Now I cant wait to see the stone collection! What i LOVE about the Victor is a pin to lock it from spinning. It has slotted pins too, also round grooved attachments for ring holding, rubber coated pins, judt SO MUCH I can do with it. I got it & a handgul of other various used items for 100 bucks. I scored a killer buy!
Every ball vise ive seen has one side that has 2 pins & one side single pinned. Ive never seen one I couldnt actually really crank down & have items pop out though! Seems the drilled holes arent tighr enough? Such a precision tool should be very snug. I was taught the reason why one side moves is in case your item is off square & i can see why that would help. But ya, tight pins are a MUST
Hi Jessica, GRS Standard has also 1 Pin Plate with 2 pins and 1 Pin Plate with 1 pin
Thanks for that. I didn’t realise what exactly the issue was with the Vevor when I made the clip. I now realise that it’s the size of the holes and the pins; the engineering is very poor. You get what you pay for!
i think im gonna make my own
Jessica - thank you for the video, you saved me from buying something that simply wouldn't work!
Glad I could help!
I got this and it has a spot of resistance when turning. Someone said to take it apart but the part that holds the top on where the threaded part for the jaws connect does not come off or turn to be able to take it apart and geese it. It feels like it wasnt greased fully. I still havent figured out how to take it apart and you are right the puns all dont fit snug so they shift out when applying presure so all those attachments are pretty much useless unless there is a way to make them tighter in the holes.
I used some copper shims in the holes which help to make the fit more snug. It does improve it but it’s no GRS!
Saya hobi mengukir metal tapi sampai saat ini belum mampu membeli vise.
Hi Jessica! Were you able to get a refund? I decided to trade my 5"ball vise to the 3"one, seems more usable since it does not have the wiggly pin support... Thank you for your video, it is really helpful!
No, I wasn't able to get a refund, unfortunately. How is the 3 inch ball vise? I think that one is a safer bet.
@@jessicamarshall7507 Hi there! They sent me money back so I could repair the item locally. I ended up buyjng some polymorph on amazon and that resolved my issue. I just do not use the loose elements, just the ball itself! It has nice movement and a good grip, it was fine!