Quick-Adjust Half-Nut Vise

This little hobby vise adjusts to any position quickly by lifting the screw up out of the half-nut and sliding the jaw into position. Lower the screw back down into the nut and tighten as with a regular vise. The secret, shown in the last photo, is the asymmetrical thread that forces the screw to seat into the nut (rather than push away) as you apply more pressure.

All parts are 3D printed (no fasteners) and print without supports in the orientations provided. I used PLA with a 0.2mm layer height and 0.4mm line width. When printing the screw, make sure you have your bed set at exactly the right height - an elephant's foot, or worse, lack of adhesion, will keep it from working smoothly. To assemble, place the ball-end of the screw in the back of the jaw, place the jaw in the center slot, and then slide the wedge piece into the bottom of the jaw. This wedge piece both secures the ball in the socket and secures the jaw to the base. Finally, push two of the replaceable jaw pads in place. The full-assembly STL file shows how everything goes together.

With the hundreds of 3D printed vise designs available, I have yet to run across another half-nut vise. Please let me know if you've run across another similar design.

UPDATE:
Check out the adjustable desk-clamp base for this vise.