A very good way to hold pipe or rods that have a polished surface is to sprinkle dry plaster of Paris on heavy paper and roll the article to be held in the paper, taking care that there is plenty of the plaster between the paper and the pipe or rod. Place the roll between blocks of wood having a hollow face, and clam]) firmly in an ordinary bench vise. If upon removing the paper the plaster is found to adhere to the pipe in hard cakes, do not try to scrape it off, but wash the pipe in clean water, which will loosen the plaster and leave the surface in a perfect condition. Another method is to place the pipe between pieces of lead sprinkled with plaster, and use a pipe vise for a clamp.

Fig. 75 - Vise for polished pipe.