Shop Tips
Magnetic vise-jaw pads prevent bite marks
Oct 01, 2014
I use a cast-iron machinist’s vise for a lot of woodworking projects. To keep the steel jaws from damaging my workpiece, I always used a couple of pieces of scrapwood between the jaws. But I often fumbled to keep them in place while I secured the work.
To solve the problem, I cut two pieces of plywood, drilled two shallow 1/2-in. holes into each one, and glued in rare-earth magnets. Now the protective pads are held securely in place on the jaws while I’m working with wood, and can be quickly removed when I’m working with metal.
Jim Richey
Bill Wells, Olympia, WA
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