Thread: A "make it up as you go" bench

Looking good

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Nice bench, nice vice. Where did you purchase it from please? Sick and tired of getting down the big Moxom, clamping it to the bench, using it, unclamping it, then putting it away

Lappa,

It's the small front vice screw from Timbecon. I just went to their web site to grab the link for you and guess what - after paying full price and waiting 8 weeks for the container to land they now have them on sale for $10 less than I paid. If I'd waited 8 weeks I would have had it in the same time for less money - story of my life really .

Anyhow, the link is below and both sizes are on sale. Let me know if you have any questions about dimensions etc for the small one, happy to help out.

https://www.timbecon.com.au/clamps-v...nt-vice-screws

Must say that once the container landed Timbecon did get it to me within a couple of days and did let me know what was happening, so am happy with their service.

Labr@

Brilliant! Thanks for the link. Vice ordered

So now just a bit more about installing the vice.

The jaw measures 270mm wide x 130mm high by 37mm thick.

It could easily be a bit wider or narrower - size to suit your own bench and positioning requirements. I had some restriction on how far it could be mounted from the end of the bench due to the mountings for the bench top.
I made it a bit higher than the 130 originally and planed it down to match the bench height after installation.
Could probably be a bit thinner if you use hardwood, just size the screws to suit.

To drill the holes I marked the location for the vice screw hole using measurements and then drilled it.
Then I removed the guide rods - the dome nuts came off quite easily - and slid the jaw over the screw so I could put a drill through the holes in the vice. Use a drill that is the same size as the hole through the vice (about 12mm - maybe 1/2") to drill a centred pilot hole. This does not need to go all the way through, although that may help control the direction if drilling by hand. Then remove the jaw and enlarge the hole in it to match the guide rod size (about 18mm).

Fasteners I used were
- M6 coach screws for the 4 main mounting points. As far as I can tell M6 is the largest screw that will go through the mounting holes.
- 14G x 50mm countersunk screws with internal hex drive for the 2 mounting holes covered by the vice guide rods. I tried the coach screws here but there is no clearance - you need a countersunk screw.
- 10G x 30mm countersunk screws to hold the jaw on. I think a 12G would go but since I had already bought the 10 I stuck with them.

Vice fasteners [1280x768].JPG

Can't remember what size drill I used for the M6 and 14G screws but I was aiming for a fairly tight fit as the bench top is only pine.

These pics show how the countersunk screws sit behind the guide rods.
Vice mount 1 [1280x768].JPG
The end of the rail tenon is right below one of the coach screws and I was only just able to use a socket on that one by having it at an angle.
Vice mount 2 [1280x768].JPG


Handle was 22mm diameter Tas Oak from the big green shed. I think the documentation says the vice takes a 1" handle but I don't reckon that diameter would go on mine - there is definitely less than 3mm clearance. Length between end caps is 320mm but I reckon you could get a way with 250. If doing it again I'd probably go for somewhere around 270 - 280.

As an afterthought I dug around to find some rubber sheet and then cut a couple of large rings out of it to cushion the impact when the handle slides down under gravity.

Rubber ring [1280x768].JPG

There's probably other stuff I've forgotten and maybe things I could have done better but I'm still really happy with it - it's so much better than the oldy.

Hey Peter that was a quick response to my last post - were you sitting there all afternoon waiting?

Originally Posted by labr@

Hey Peter that was a quick response to my last post - were you sitting there all afternoon waiting?

Yep, Inbetween putting a new top on my table saw cabinet, completing a new box joint jig and fixing a toy stove.
BTW, how thick is the top on your bench?

I knew I forgot something - benchtop is 65mm thick.

Labr@
Had some time today to fit the vice. Thanks for the measurements.

image.jpg

Thanks for the post Bob, it's been an education...and good motivation.
Art.

Peter, the hardwood jaw looks good but where did you get the invisible timber for the handle?

Art, glad you liked it and welcome to the forum. What part of the USA are you in?

Originally Posted by labr@

Peter, the hardwood jaw looks good but where did you get the invisible timber for the handle?

There's always a critic
Have the 22mm rod but don't have a lathe so off to the men's shed to turn the knobs for the rod Tuesday.

Hi Bob, I'm in So Florida, hot and humid, and pretty rainy these days. I've done a couple w/benches, super basic, one in particular seriously braced as I tend to use some older Stanley hand planes I acquired a number of years ago. Using a 22" Stanley jointer, a thing of beauty, is a joy, but that bench has to have serious anti-racking braces. Here furniture grade lumber is, well outside my price range, so like others I make do with what the Home Centers carry, chiefly SYP, Southern Yellow Pine, your basic construction lumber. There is also dressed pine, quite reasonable, workable but soft. Not hardwood.
I have some power tools, t/saw, planer, jointer, lathe, etc, but the proximity of neighbors place the kebash on their regular use.
Best regards to you all in Australia on the almost birthday of the USA, and thanks for your greetings.

Best, Art.

Do the wedges really hold or is it the type of timber you use. I am new at the game and need to build a new work bench and router table. I have quit a bit of access to recycled hardwood which I love using once denailed and dressed. I have not used wedges but used nuts and bolts. I find that nuts and bolts is asking for movement and thats why the interest in wedges. I think I can see the pro's and cons.