Precision vice - Gerardi vs Indexa vs Tuscan - any experience with these?

[paul4523]

I have a 3040 style cnc and am getting tired of my cheap £10 drill press that raise the part up whenever I tighten it.

I dont have much Z clearance so I need a low profile vice and have narrowed it down to 3 contenders. all are 100mm Width and 100mm jaw opening. It looks like the cheaper ones copy the Gerardi, not sure if indexa and tuscan are just chinese knock offs. I know Gerardi is made in Italy.

Gerardi Standard Series 100 - £536 (Overall height approx 63mm)
https://www.cutwel.co.uk/workholding/machine-vices/gerardi-standard-series-machine-vice-accessories/gerardi-standard-series-machine-vices-with-pull-down-jaws/art1-standard-series-vice-with-pull-down-grooved-jaws-gerardi

OR

Indexa PVM100 - £430 (Overall height approx 65mm)
https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/hand-tools/vices-machine-and-toolmakers/pvm100-precision-modular-vice-100x100mm/p/ZT1011146X

OR

TUSCAN MV100 - £360 (overall height approx 65mm)
https://ymttooling.co.uk/workholding/tuscan-single-station-machine-vices-/tuscan-single-station-machine-vices/tuscan-mv100-precision-modular-vice

[johngoodrich]

to be honest, apart from the gerardi the other two are exactly the same, just different branding on them. we have some rohm vices and another brand(cant remember the name) and they all exactly the same. I would personally go for the Tuscan as its £70 cheaper.

[paul4523]

thanks John, yes that is what I was thinking, Tuscan and Indexa are pretty much identical. I guess the question is; is it worth paying the extra £180 for a Gerardi, or just get the cheapest. On a hobby cnc am I really going to notice the difference....

[JAZZCNC]

thanks John, yes that is what I was thinking, Tuscan and Indexa are pretty much identical. I guess the question is; is it worth paying the extra £180 for a Gerardi, or just get the cheapest. On a hobby cnc am I really going to notice the difference....

The clue is in the 3rd picture of the Gerardi where every last nut n bolt as a part number.?. . . . I doubt the other two will have part numbers for anything but the jaws.!

[the great waldo]

Hi Paul
I got one of these https://www.bk-faserverbundtechnik.at/shop/show_product.php?cPath=3_84&products_id=431&language=en&SESS=92f279sqet458dtdn1fc9dls67 with a height extension and find it quite useful. I'm only a hobbyist but it's quite solid and has a low profile (without the height extension) 28285 and the price wasn't too bad.
Cheers
Andrew

[m_c]

Personally, I wouldn't spend that much money on a vice for a 3040 machine.

Provided whatever stock you're using is thick enough, place a round bar between the moving jaw and the workpiece, then tap the work piece down.
If I remember in the morning, I'll try and dig out a book that has a couple diagrams.

[the great waldo]

There is a base version that is cheaper https://www.bk-faserverbundtechnik.at/shop/show_product.php?cPath=3_84&products_id=239&SESS=92f279sqet458dtdn1fc9dls67
which might be usable. it's 82euros + shipping

Cheers
Andrew

[paul4523]

Hi Paul
I got one of these https://www.bk-faserverbundtechnik.at/shop/show_product.php?cPath=3_84&products_id=431&language=en&SESS=92f279sqet458dtdn1fc9dls67 with a height extension and find it quite useful. I'm only a hobbyist but it's quite solid and has a low profile (without the height extension) 28285 and the price wasn't too bad.
Cheers
Andrew

thanks for the suggestion, i would prefer fixed jaw as it would be easier to find the work zero


Personally, I wouldn't spend that much money on a vice for a 3040 machine.

Provided whatever stock you're using is thick enough, place a round bar between the moving jaw and the workpiece, then tap the work piece down.
If I remember in the morning, I'll try and dig out a book that has a couple diagrams.

please do, it would be handy to see that.