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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    anyone else have an issue with the tormach 5" machinist vise? the bearing in mine seems to have gone bad, very rough when i turn it, ive tried wd 40 and usually do a good job at keeping coolant in my coolant system.

    anyone know where to get replacement bearings for it?

    thank guys

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Surely it is a standard, off-the-shelf ball bearing? Take it out, measure it, and go to McMaster.com, VXB.com, or any local bearing supplier, and buy a replacement.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    624

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Ask Tormach. I asked about a switch recently and they sent me the listing for both Mouser and Digikey. Probably could get one from them, too, but likely the commercial guys are cheaper, faster, and identical.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    1863

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    What kind of coolant are you using? Some coolants don't have rust inhibitors in them and that could happen.
    You can buy GOOD PARTS or you can buy CHEAP PARTS, but you can't buy GOOD CHEAP PARTS.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    402

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Are you sure it's the bearing?
    I had trouble with my vise too. It was turning really hard and stiff. Grinding and binding.
    As it turns out, the front retaining ring had come loose, and actually 'tightened' itself into the vise body.
    The 2 set screws that hold it in place were loose.
    I unscrewed the ring about 1/4 turn, and re-set the 2 set screws, TIGHTLY!.
    You might want to check the retaining ring.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1538

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Hi - I had trouble too so I turned up a good old fashioned bronze replacement - no problems since then.

    Keen

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1072

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    This might a little off the thrust of the thread, but for the 5" Tormach/Magnum "Mini Mag" vise a rebuild kit including the needle thrust bearing is available from Conquest Industries . At least it was several years ago when I refurbished mine...

    Randy

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    hey guy. thanks all for replies, but i finally took mine apart and there is no bearing, its just a washer.... it had some serious wear, maybe bad coolant to water ratio at some point, anyway i swapped the washer that goes on the outer side of the vise with the inner one and works like new now. funny how something so simple could cause such grief.... lol

    mine is the machinist vise not the cnc vise.

    again thanks all for the info.

    Carlos

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1072

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Carlos, I'd suggest looking at the vise again. There is supposed to be a needle bearing on the inner face of the frame. It does sit between two hardened washers, but they are not the same as the washer on the outside of the frame.

    http://www.conquestind.com/pdf/5-Inc...rts%20List.pdf has a cross-sectional drawing of the vise calling out the part numbers.

    My vise was likewise severely corroded from coolant accumulation after several years of use. The rebuid kit included the needle bearing, wiper seal, etc. and was well worth the cost.

    Randy

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    are you talking about the machinist vise or the cnc vise?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    i screwed the jaw all the way out(open position) and with the wire snap ring removed i could then push the jaw foward and it went with the rod exposing the whole area where said bearing should be. only thing there was the casting. the washer was stuck on the rod.

    i dont doubt you, i just didnt see anything there besides the machined casting. i will take it apart again and reinspect.

    all i did was put the exterior washer on the inside and the inside washer on the exterior and it feels like its working like new again.

    thanks for the info, thats exactly what i was looking for, a new bearing kit. how did u get the bearing out of there? where does it show the cost?

    thanks for thew info

    Carlos

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Quote Originally Posted by zephyr9900 View Post
    Carlos, I'd suggest looking at the vise again. There is supposed to be a needle bearing on the inner face of the frame. It does sit between two hardened washers, but they are not the same as the washer on the outside of the frame.

    http://www.conquestind.com/pdf/5-Inc...rts%20List.pdf has a cross-sectional drawing of the vise calling out the part numbers.

    My vise was likewise severely corroded from coolant accumulation after several years of use. The rebuid kit included the needle bearing, wiper seal, etc. and was well worth the cost.

    Randy
    thank you Randy for taking the time to educate me, YOU ARE 100% CORRECT.

    i found the needle bearing, it was so coroded it looked like part of the casting. the inner hardened washer actually broke when i removed it into 3 pieces, if i can figure out how to load pics i will in a minute.

    i spoke to the people from your link and i got 2 sets headed my way.

    again, thank you!

    Carlos

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    104

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    here they are, horrible.... lol

    Click image for larger version. 

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  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1072

    Re: tormach 5" vise BAD bearing

    Carlos, I'm glad you got it sorted out. Mine was about that bad too. I lubed the new bearing with nice Phil Wood high-end waterproof bicycle grease.

    Randy

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