Need vice ideas for new bench

Birch · 04-13-2009, 09:19 AM

I am building a new bench for my dungeon. I'd like to put a nice woodworking type vice on one end. I have never mounted one and have never researched such a vice. Can I hear ideas and reccomendations from the assembled wise men?
It has to be cheap and designed to be installed by a mechanically challenged old guy.

Ralph Barker · 04-13-2009, 09:47 AM

Ah, vices. A person can go crazy with all the options. Cheap and easy to install, however, limit the choices.

Aside from the clamp-on small, portable vises, this style is probably the easiest to install:

Quick-Release Steel Bench Vises - Lee Valley Tools

Essentially, it just bolts to the underside of the bench, but you may need to add a block to get the top of the vise aligned with the top of the bench. I lean toward the larger versions for greater capacity. The larger ones also provide more space for wooden jaw "liners".

You can also get the screw assemblies, making your own jaws from hardwood:

Front Vises - Lee Valley Tools

These also attach to the underside of the bench, spacing depending on how large you make the wooden jaws. Note that you'll likely want jaws of around 6" height to provide some clamping space, and have them extend to one side for clamping boards in a vertical position.

**bobj3** · 04-13-2009, 10:01 AM

HI Birch

You know me why not just make your own,,it's easy,, the vise parts to a work bench can be a big part of the total over all cost..

=========

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birch

I am building a new bench for my dungeon. I'd like to put a nice woodworking type vice on one end. I have never mounted one and have never researched such a vice. Can I hear ideas and reccomendations from the assembled wise men?
It has to be cheap and designed to be installed by a mechanically challenged old guy.

curiousgeorge · 04-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Birch, here is a video from Fine Woodworking Magazine on-line...

Getting Started in Woodworking: More Woodworking Basics for Beginners

Just scroll down to the "Bench Top and Vise" video. This will show a relatively cheap vise and how to install it.

Birch · 04-14-2009, 07:40 AM

Thanks fellas. I think I have made a decision and will move forward with deliberate haste and perseverance. George, that video was VERY helpful. And Bob3, if I had better skills I would build a vice but alas: I am a mere chip maker. I still occasionally cut things too short or too long.

gregW · 04-14-2009, 08:26 AM

Bob,
That's too cool! Did you build your bench from plans or is it your own design?...the square bench dogs seem like a very practical idea to me.

It looks like Enco has 1-1/4"-5 acme threaded rod on sale for $30 for a 3 foot section...that seems like a decent price, would it work alright for this application?

Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobj3

HI Birch

You know me why not just make your own,,it's easy,, the vise parts to a work bench can be a big part of the total over all cost..

=========

**bobj3** · 04-14-2009, 09:00 AM

HI greg

Thanks, well most of it's off the top of my head, I saw a picture in a mag. and just used that for the base design ,the rod from Enco should work just fine and with one nut that you will need to cut in half that's about all you will need for hardware but you will need some washers and copper fitting but that's about it..
I did use all thread rod to keep the top together and used auto freeze plugs (cup type) to cover the rod ends..
The end vise is a little hard to make but it's all wood with 2 guides(runners/sides) so the vise pulls in nice and true...with one acme rod..I do now and then use that vise to pull chairs ( joints) apart and then press them back in place..without nailing the fine wood in the chairs..

=============

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregW

Bob,
That's too cool! Did you build your bench from plans or is it your own design?...the square bench dogs seem like a very practical idea to me.

It looks like Enco has 1-1/4"-5 acme threaded rod on sale for $30 for a 3 foot section...that seems like a decent price, would it work alright for this application?

Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

gregW · 04-15-2009, 07:50 AM

Thanks Bob...do you know of an easy way to cut the nut in half?

Enco also has the 3/8"-12 acme threaded rod for your ski setup on sale for $6 for 6' foot length and $4 for 3' foot length but the 6 foot length is backordered...
they have free UPS shipping for April if you use coupon code "WEBPA9" at checkout (for orders over $25).

xplorx4 · 04-15-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birch

I am building a new bench for my dungeon. I'd like to put a nice woodworking type vice on one end. I have never mounted one and have never researched such a vice. Can I hear ideas and reccomendations from the assembled wise men?
It has to be cheap and designed to be installed by a mechanically challenged old guy.

Thanks for asking, I bookmarked the video I will be needing one on my bench. Just have to figure where to put it in the island.

**bobj3** · 04-15-2009, 08:52 AM

Hi greg

No easy way to cut the nut that I know about, steel is steel,, I used a band saw, you can get Jam nuts or Flange nuts in that size but they are not cheap. buy one nut and get two after you cut it...I guess you could use a full size nut but it's a bit to thick the norm...
One more way that I do it from time to time,, screw the nut on the rod and put it in the chop saw and cut it..the 1 1/4 nut is about 2" OD so don't hold back when you use the metal chop saw, it will get hot if you hold back on the cut and jam the blade..if you are one of the lucky one that have a cold chop saw they work great for that type of job..

McMaster-Carr

By the way that's a great price for the acme rod

, thanks for the heads up...

====

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregW

Thanks Bob...do you know of an easy way to cut the nut in half?

Enco also has the 3/8"-12 acme threaded rod for your ski setup on sale for $6 for 6' foot length and $4 for 3' foot length but the 6 foot length is backordered...
they have free UPS shipping for April if you use coupon code "WEBPA9" at checkout (for orders over $25).

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