I owned this special vise to work on regulator for 30 years. It allows you to get a firm grip with marring the finish on the regulator. It has two aluminum attachments , 1 receiver jaws and 1 "V" jaw set. $125 plus shipping.
Here is a description of this vice from Scuba Tools, the company that made it.
The primary problem with any vise used to clamp delicate parts is "overtightening". The appropriate tension is critical to reducing the probability of damaging parts or scratching chrome plated surfaces. This vise gives the operator the maximum "touch" for controlling the clamping pressure. The actual security of the captured part is more relative to the shape of the jaws, and how they conform to the part, than the actual clamping force. If the part fits securely in the jaws, the clamping force can be reduced to a minimum. As a general rule, first stages come in two basic shapes. This configuration is primarily based on the position of the yoke (i.e. inline yoke and side yoke). The roundness of the body will depend on the fabricating process used to manufacture the part. Machined bodies will be perfectly round, and forged bodies may have irregularities in regard to parallel surfaces. The side mounted yoke first stage presents the least problem in regard to clamping. The "L" shape and orientation of the yoke nut allows this type of first stage to be securely captured in the vise with minimal clamping force. The inline yoke first stage is a bit more difficult to clamp because it will tend to rotate in the "V" jaw when force is applied to remove the yoke nut. The best procedure is to thread a First Stage Handle into one of the LP or HP ports to form a stiff leg that can rest against the horizontal "V" jaw. This restricts the rotational movement to the point where the First Stage Handle contacts the "V" jaw in both tightening and loosening directions.
"Specifically designed for the diving repair bench."
The "V" jaws can be installed or removed in a matter of seconds. A single dowel pin aligns each "V" jaw with the flat receiver jaw.
The vertical "V" jaw is used to capture basic round first stages.
The flat jaws can be used for a variety of clamping jobs.
Both the vertical and horizontal "V" jaws are used to clamp a side mounted yoke first stage.
The vise is a Heinrich Grip Master Vise that features a cam operated clamping device that was originally patented by Heinrich in 1946. This lever operated mechanism is time “tested tough” and produces an adjustable holding pressure of 400-1100 lbs. A simple push or pull on the center bar knob slides the movable jaw in position, and an easy press on the locking lever cams the jaw forward to securely hold the part. The total amount of clamping force is determined by the force applied to the locking lever. There are several reasons why this type of vise is the best for the diving repair bench. First, the clamping force is easy to control which helps to eliminate overtightening delicate parts. Second, the entire clamping and unclamping process is fast and accommodates a variety of different size parts quickly and conveniently. Third, the overall design of the vise is compatible to a variety of special soft jaws and fixtures that can be retro fitted in the vise for special clamping problems. The frame of the Grip Master Vise is made from fine grain cast iron and all bars and locking components are hardened and ground. The total weight of the vise is 20 lbs. and it is built for years of trouble free service. The soft jaw system included with this vise is a Scuba Tools Inc. exclusive. The jaws are designed to handle 90% of all clamping problems that cross the diving repair bench. They consist of two sets of jaws that work together. Both sets are made of alloy aluminum that have been vibratory finished to eliminate all sharp corners. The “receiver jaws” are bolted to the vise and function as flat jaws. They are used to clamp parts that have at least two parallel surfaces. The “V Jaws” are designed to be “quick change” and are pinned to the receiver jaws with a steel dowel pin. The “V Jaws” are used for clamping round or irregular objects such as first stages.
Here is a description of this vice from Scuba Tools, the company that made it.
The primary problem with any vise used to clamp delicate parts is "overtightening". The appropriate tension is critical to reducing the probability of damaging parts or scratching chrome plated surfaces. This vise gives the operator the maximum "touch" for controlling the clamping pressure. The actual security of the captured part is more relative to the shape of the jaws, and how they conform to the part, than the actual clamping force. If the part fits securely in the jaws, the clamping force can be reduced to a minimum. As a general rule, first stages come in two basic shapes. This configuration is primarily based on the position of the yoke (i.e. inline yoke and side yoke). The roundness of the body will depend on the fabricating process used to manufacture the part. Machined bodies will be perfectly round, and forged bodies may have irregularities in regard to parallel surfaces. The side mounted yoke first stage presents the least problem in regard to clamping. The "L" shape and orientation of the yoke nut allows this type of first stage to be securely captured in the vise with minimal clamping force. The inline yoke first stage is a bit more difficult to clamp because it will tend to rotate in the "V" jaw when force is applied to remove the yoke nut. The best procedure is to thread a First Stage Handle into one of the LP or HP ports to form a stiff leg that can rest against the horizontal "V" jaw. This restricts the rotational movement to the point where the First Stage Handle contacts the "V" jaw in both tightening and loosening directions.
"Specifically designed for the diving repair bench."
The "V" jaws can be installed or removed in a matter of seconds. A single dowel pin aligns each "V" jaw with the flat receiver jaw.
The vertical "V" jaw is used to capture basic round first stages.
The flat jaws can be used for a variety of clamping jobs.
Both the vertical and horizontal "V" jaws are used to clamp a side mounted yoke first stage.
The vise is a Heinrich Grip Master Vise that features a cam operated clamping device that was originally patented by Heinrich in 1946. This lever operated mechanism is time “tested tough” and produces an adjustable holding pressure of 400-1100 lbs. A simple push or pull on the center bar knob slides the movable jaw in position, and an easy press on the locking lever cams the jaw forward to securely hold the part. The total amount of clamping force is determined by the force applied to the locking lever. There are several reasons why this type of vise is the best for the diving repair bench. First, the clamping force is easy to control which helps to eliminate overtightening delicate parts. Second, the entire clamping and unclamping process is fast and accommodates a variety of different size parts quickly and conveniently. Third, the overall design of the vise is compatible to a variety of special soft jaws and fixtures that can be retro fitted in the vise for special clamping problems. The frame of the Grip Master Vise is made from fine grain cast iron and all bars and locking components are hardened and ground. The total weight of the vise is 20 lbs. and it is built for years of trouble free service. The soft jaw system included with this vise is a Scuba Tools Inc. exclusive. The jaws are designed to handle 90% of all clamping problems that cross the diving repair bench. They consist of two sets of jaws that work together. Both sets are made of alloy aluminum that have been vibratory finished to eliminate all sharp corners. The “receiver jaws” are bolted to the vise and function as flat jaws. They are used to clamp parts that have at least two parallel surfaces. The “V Jaws” are designed to be “quick change” and are pinned to the receiver jaws with a steel dowel pin. The “V Jaws” are used for clamping round or irregular objects such as first stages.
