Instead of cutting new shapes into a vise's soft jaws for repeat jobs, I drill and ream two 0.2505-in.-diameter holes (a snug slip fit) into each soft jaw and into the vise at 5.250-in. centers. I also stamp the soft jaws either "F" for fixed or "M" for movable. When I get repeat jobs, four 0.250-in.-diameter dowel pins locate the vise jaws exactly in the same position as when they were first cut.

Joseph Snyder
Jackson, N.J.