Parallel Keepers Provide Unparalleled Grip for Workholding

Parallel keepers are a necessary machine shop tool, maybe in the top five as far as saving time on machining, reducing spoilage, and saving money – not to mention sanity. The current marketplace includes magnets, springs, turnbuckles and very complex and relatively expensive tools that range up $800 that do a decent job of holding parts, but some of these tools are weak and don’t last, others are expensive, and none of them are made to hold a 1/32 in parallel. Parallel Keepers (patent pending) from STA-PUT123 (New Ipswich, NH) do what the other tools do and more, offering easy installation with an unparalleled grip. Their secret is in the torsion bar: it takes a 1/32 in size, uses no springs that would eventually wear out, carries heavy loads and won’t move during part changes because it individually mounts to each jaw. It uses bolts behind each jaw that are hardened and ground flat and parallel to .0002 in.

To operate, insert the stainless heat-treated parallel into the jaw. Use the hex head bolt to set the torsion bar and hold the desired height of a 1/32 in size parallel. Hand screw tighten the plastic covered knobs that cover the stainless hex screws and the job is ready to mill, without any shifting and no worry of blowing off parts. Because the parallel is hardened steel, there is no risk of destroying parts. This may be especially attractive to shop owners with second and third shift operators. Parts as small as 1/8 in can be manufactured, as well as the largest part that will fit in a full open vice – all without any shifting or concern.

STA-PUT123, 44 Gibbs Avenue, New Ipswich, NH 03071, 774-253-9143, sta-put123.com.