Work bench vice question..& more Q's

[Togalosh]

Hello Gents,

(It really is time to build my bench !)

Please could you tell me what you need the L shaped tail vice for ?

Also what is the other holding device by the face vice on some benches? It's to the left of the vice, right on the corner.. it looks like a huge lion's tooth.

I might've asked before but - where can I buy those big vice parts from in the UK ? ..as seen in such envy inducing books like Mr Swartz's. I've seen some at Axi's but not the really impressive stuff. I like the idea of clampmg to the left leg or else I'd just go for a metal jawed record 53 1/2".

Now I've got to thinking of making my own threaded pole/screw for the vice as I saw a tool to do this in a recent visit to the promised land/workshop.. are the threads really that strong? What wood would you recommend for this?

Thanks
Togs

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Tog,



The design of your bench is probably a result of the kind of work you intend to do. I've managed quite well without an 'L' shaped tail-vice, for a long, long time. But that isn't to say it wouldn't be a useful thing to have.

Have a look at this video. It explains many of your queries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9_Iv09HQkU

HTH

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hi Togs
Firstly, a tail vice does not need to be L-shaped. When they were made of all wood, the L-shape helped to prevent racking. Modern ones made of steel don't have that problem. Tail vices are an excellent way of holding boards to the bench top for planing or other work. You have a bench dog in one of a series of holes in the bench top, and another in the tail vice and your workpiece is held firmly between them. Personally I wouldn't build a bench without one, but many people manage quite happily without.
The lion's tooth thingy is a bench stop. It allows you to have a board flat on the bench for planing. The bench stop can be raised so that it prevents the board from being pushed off the bench or lowered out of the way.
Personally I'm very wary of leg vices. It seems to me that there is a very good reason why they went out of fashion and were replaced by more modern designs. But that is my opinion, others may well disagree.
There are a few vendors of tail vice hardware in the UK. Axminster's is probably the most affordable. But any Veritas stockist will be able to supply the Veritas one and there is also a guy who makes benches that does a Roubo-style one. I forget his name but I'm sure someone will put me right.
Both are excellent, I understand and correspondingly molto expensivo.
S

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've not seen the fascination of leg vices ,either. I think the guy with the nice benches that does the screws is on the same site as the firm that's marketing Richard's holdfasts. I'll let someone else find it.

 

[DTR]

But any Veritas stockist will be able to supply the Veritas one and there is also a guy who makes benches that does a Roubo-style one. I forget his name but I'm sure someone will put me right.

Richard Maguire?

I'm thinking about putting a leg vice on my next bench for two reasons; the extra depth, and so I can remove the whole thing quickly and easily. There's been times when my Record vice has gotten right in the way.

 

[Steve Maskery]

That's the chap.
Drool.
S

 

[Jacob]

But any Veritas stockist will be able to supply the Veritas one and there is also a guy who makes benches that does a Roubo-style one. I forget his name but I'm sure someone will put me right.

Richard Maguire?

I'm thinking about putting a leg vice on my next bench for two reasons; the extra depth, and so I can remove the whole thing quickly and easily. There's been times when my Record vice has gotten right in the way.

Easily fixed - just take out the split pin at the back.
Leg vices aren't as useful as steel ones. That's all there is to it. Though I expect there are some very particular jobs where a leg vice could be handy, but nothing springs to mind.

 

[DTR]

Easily fixed - just take out the split pin at the back.
Leg vices aren't as useful as steel ones.

Good idea, I never thought of that, I'll give it a go. Why isn't a leg vice as useful as a metal one?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I suppose you could replace the split pin with one of the "R" shaped ones, and have the best off both worlds - you could pull it out if you wished.

 

[Togalosh]

Thanks Gents,

I do plan to have an end vice as I can see it's usefulness.. just not the L shaped one - it's just to prevent racking?? seems a lot of faff just for that.

The leg vice too - I've often had issues with my record (52 ?) not holding a long board -end up- as well as if it'd been clamped lower down too.

Thanks for the advice & Richard Maguire link.... now where in the W.Mids can I get some Maple? I'll get Larch for the base from my local saw mill.

 

[Togalosh]

..oh hell I've just been on the Maguire site.. I'll put in for more overtime !!

 

[bugbear]

Thanks Gents,

I do plan to have an end vice as I can see it's usefulness.. just not the L shaped one - it's just to prevent racking?? seems a lot of faff just for that.

The leg vice too - I've often had issues with my record (52 ?) not holding a long board -end up- as well as if it'd been clamped lower down too.

I can propose three other solutions to that.

1) Twin screw vise, either home made (Like Derek Cohen's) or from Veritas ($$)/

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/shopmadeto ... lvise.html

2) Assuming you're wanting to DT the end of the said board, use an auxilliary shoulder vise:

http://www.wkfinetools.com/tMaking/art/ ... seJig1.asp

3) Twin Screw auxilliary vise (!!)
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTo ... lVise.html

These may or may not appeal to your design sense, bench size or manufacturing skills.

BugBear

 

[Togalosh]

Thanks bugbear

...I'm sure my skills are up to making a working vice.. but perhaps not as well made.

 

[Jacob]

...Why isn't a leg vice as useful as a metal one?

Steel ones cheaper, don't rack and are quick and easy to use - if they have a quick release that is. They are tough and last forever if not mistreated e.g. by metal working.
I doubt any working woodworker (not merely a tool enthusiast) would find a steel vice limiting compared to a leg vice. There aren't any obvious advantages in the leg vice after all except for being picturesque - a big 'fantasy woodwork' element involved!

 

[Benchwayze]

Tog,

If you have any reservations about your ability to make a decent leg-vice, and you really want one, there are ready-made jobs you can buy. I think LN make one. But the price!

Maybe you'd be best off buying a good Record or Paramo Q/R steel vice. The eBay is okay if you stick to items that are well illustrated.

Best of luck.

 

[vally bar]

I have worked in the industry for 40 years and own a very well equipped shop and have never seen a leg vice in a pro environment.

 

[Benchwayze]

I have worked in the industry for 40 years and own a very well equipped shop and have never seen a leg vice in a pro environment.

Quite so Val. But Pro-environments aren't 'fashionable' are they! :lol:

The last wooden vice I actually saw was in a workshop attached to a Victorian Villa, in 1962. 8)