Warming a low profile vise

[ronald scott]

I'm dealing with a finger contracture of the left hand and subsequent unsuccessful surgery that is hindering my ability to hold and turn the early model low profile vise. Cool to cold temperatures cause a hand cramp. Gloves are not going to work. An ideal solution would be a base that would warm the vise to a temp around 100 degrees F. I tried a wrap around knee warmer, which was not capable of warming a piece of steel the mass of the vise. Amy ideas would be welcome.

[Blood-Sucker]

Ron,
I have had similar surgery on both hands, the right hand twice, I literally feel your pain. I use a heat gun to warn my ball vise and turntable. Usually only takes a few minutes and I’m good for a few hours.

I hope this helps.

Brant Emery

[Roger S]

Could you use a small heater to keep the air warm on your hands? It would heat your ball vice also. I do that during the winter in my basement to keep my hands warm. Just a thought.

[MoldyJim]

Would a desktop coffee cup warmer fit the base? It might need some fiddling to keep things from getting too hot though.

The heat should rise through the base and transfer to the vise from contact.

[MoldyJim]

I have a magnetic engine block heater that I use to warm up my 160 lb PW anvil.
I stick it on the side of the anvil the night before I plan on doing any forging in cold weather. It helps a lot.

If you get yourself one of those it probably wouldn't take much time at all to heat up your engraving vise. Though you probably wouldn't be able to leave it on the vise for very long or it'll get too hot.

Another option might be a reptile heating mat for putting inside a lizard enclosure. They have a thermostat that would keep it at a steady temperature.