Clamps instead of bench vice..?

[rafezetter]

I'd like some advice on an idea I've been mulling over; as part of my bench top build (the sacrificial hinged bit some may have read about here: https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/unusual-hinge-problem-t77025.html) I want to have the ability to clamp longer bits of timber for planing - including taller things like table or bed rails, but mounting a pair of normal side vices won't work for what I want to do, so I've been wondering if some of these, laid through the bed of the top sacrificial layer so that one clamp face braces against one edge of the bench, then the clamping side is used against the bench side facing me to clamp.

That way I get a vice and clamps for the same price.

My question though is would the clamping faces be sufficient size, especially for taller items? - I'm thinking about either of these possible sets of clamps:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+parallel-jaw-clamps-50-capacity-pack-of-4+M_DKBC31

or

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+bar-clamps-with-heavy-duty-jaws-36-pack-of-6+M_DKWK1

 

[carlb40]

They may work. One thing to consider are the bars. At over 4ft long will they get in the way? Also with them just wedged in place, will they be secure enough for planing etc?

Bessey have an extra for clamping to a worktop.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-k-body-revo-cramps

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-tk6-table-clamp

 

[Jacob]

A single ordinary vice is ideal for long things in my opinion. The over-hang you prop up - but adjust carefully to avoid having under load - bending it up or letting it sag, or after you have planed it apparently straight it will have a bend.
Are you planning to hold them with cramps at each end? I don't think this is a good idea as you may be bending the workpiece.

 

[rafezetter]

They may work. One thing to consider are the bars. At over 4ft long will they get in the way? Also with them just wedged in place, will they be secure enough for planing etc?

Bessey have an extra for clamping to a worktop.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-k-body-revo-cramps

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-tk6-table-clamp

I was going to have them so that the extra bar length was on the far side with the clamping mechanism facing me, and I was going to make slots to fit pretty tight, but I can see what you mean about possible twisting forces, but if I bought a set of 4 I'd have slots set at distances so that at least 3 or 4 were clamping at once decreasing the possibility of racking forces (I hope).

 

[Mr T]

Hi

I've never felt the need for further clamping beyond a single vice. Pegs in the bench leg can support long pieces or a saw horse or such like strategically placed can provide support. I would agree with Jacob about the danger of flexing the board if you use clamps.

Chris

 

[wellywood]

Have to agree with Chris. It seems a lot of effort to achieve what can easily be done by pegs in the bench leg at the opposite end to the vice or a sliding deadman between the front legs.

 

[carlb40]

It also might help with further advice if we knew what style of bench you are building? Do you have a rough sketch/ outline drawing?

 

[AndyT]

For times when I have needed to clamp something on top of the bench, I have found that the most useful sort of cramp is the old style wooden handscrew. Because they are made of square section timber they lie stable on the bench, and can be cramped onto it if needed.

 

[rafezetter]

The bench I'm making is essentially 2 torsion boxes; a lower layer with an undermounted saw, and an upper layer which will be the general working surface, hinged along one edge so that the upper layer folds out to become the lower saw table layers outfeed. For this reason I can't really have it so bulky it would allow mounting a metal woodworkers vice - as I think they need about 100mm of clearance for the vice runners and screw thread which means the top box would end up maybe 150mm thick, and I'd rather not risk a hernia everytime I fold it out the lower layer is already built: 1540 x 700 not huge but as big as I think I could go for the space I have available when folded out, besides which it's not likely I'll need to use the vice setup for planing anything deeper than about 300mm.

 

[gmgmgm]

I don't have a vice and am getting by with clamps. (I'm sure a vice would be helpful, but I'm a beginner and don't have the space to install a vice yet).

Small scale, but this person uses Bessey lever clamps which seem to work well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lslKdWBnD_8

 

[Jacob]

Yes it's possible to get by without the gear - think of all those green woodworkers out in the wilderness, but a heavy bench with a heavy vice is a bloody good idea.