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In various tech guides (such as for Manitou rear shock servicing), I've seen aluminium soft jaws being used to clamp smooth shafts (in a vise), so that something attached to them can be undone. The clamps grip the shaft perfectly - ie doesn't score or crush it. They're sized exactly to fit the shaft e.g. 10mm, 12mm etc.
I can't find anywhere that sells them, and I'm not even sure if they're known by another name in this country!
Can anyone help???
10/12mm drill bits, a block of wood and a saw is all you need.. well a drill might help too 😉
don't forget - you'll need a hole slightly smaller than the tube or it'll just spin.
Personally I'd go for a 'V' shape in each jaw rather than semi-circle as you can grip different sized tubes and also it'll automatically adjust to the correct size and hold it tight.
That's an idea! Going to have to use quite a dense wood though, to stop in deforming when clamped.
what will you be clamping?
I'd guess a lot of bike stuff will be damaged if you try and whack the vice up really tight anyway?
Somethign with a bit of 'give' in it will hold tighter for less force as well.
I just use a piece of 6mm rubber sheet between two bits of wood in the vice.
When I've seen similar shock servicing guides in MTB mags, the shaft is generally held in place with a strap wrench.
The wooden jaws on a B&D Workmate have a nice "V" shape.
And your unlikely to be applying tons of force with a workmate.
A big vice, even with soft jaws, can do a lot of damage very quickly. Trust me.
I want to clamp the shaft of an air shock (but the shaft <10mm> that is part of the oil piston assembly - which is inside the shock)
Blocks of wood is the way forwards, softer wood will be better as it'll deform slightly when you clamp the shaft and get a better grip
Either [url= http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5588960K ]these soft touch pliers[/url] or [url= http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5891400K ]aluminium jaws[/url] are available from Cromwell Tools
Other sizes of vice jaws available, also fibre and rubber faced
I make my own if they're not available, I wouldn't recommend metal v-block as soon as the shaft moves in the jaws it will get damaged.
Just remember to degrease all mating surfaces with contact cleaner or IPA before clamping them, some parts will also be joined with threadlock so a bit of heat on tight joints may aid removal.