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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    30

    Default Cant fit a vice on a workbench? How to hold work steady

    So I am just getting into woodworking and built a bit of a dodgy workbench just to get myself a surface to work on. The problem I have is with a vice. I dont think the workbench is a) heavy enough to take one and b) it will protude too much that I wont be able to fit my car in the garage.

    I tried using a quick grip clamp on my work which holds it sturdy but as soon as you saw, or chisel the wood moves.

    Are they any other ways or ideas I can use to hold my work steady without it sliding around the place without a vice?

    Is it as simple as just getting some of that anti slip rubber matting and placing it under the wood?

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks everyone!

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    289

    Default

    Bench hook

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    se Melbourne
    Age
    62
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    2,567

    Default

    A few solutions.

    Fit wood working vice to end of bench rather than front.
    A vice that swivels mounted on the top.
    When using quick grip clamps, use a minimum of two.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Bundaberg
    Age
    54
    Posts
    3,402

    Default

    How thick is your benchtop; and is there an appreciable overhang on either the front and/or ends? Any chance of a photo?

    There are several ways to hold your workpieces down; no single way works the best but if we know what you've got to work with the brains trust will detail all available options. What are you going to be making on your bench?

    The bench hook suggestion is ideal for cutting work to length; very old school and so simple to make and use. Next step up from that is a shooting board; again old technology but simple to make and simple to use.

    Non-slip matting will certainly assist you in workholding; I often use it in conjunction with Quick-grips but as Handyjack says you should try to use a minimum of two.
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
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    12,006

    Default

    There's lots of work holding options that don't involve having a vice.

    My current favourite is two parallel jaw clamps -- one to hold the work, the other to clamp the holding clamp to the bench.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    30

    Default

    So I have attached a picture of my very basic, very amateur workbench :P - be kind lol - but if there is a vice around that would be suitable for this that would be great!

    Basically was knocked up with any cheap materials I could get my hands on - so the frame is 70x35 pine, with bracing within the frame at every 400mm

    Top is 18mm ply

    All just wacked together with wood screws and a complete lack of joinery :P - One day i'll build something better

    IMG_20170402_152117.jpg

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Lost in Space
    Age
    53
    Posts
    2,406

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Fergy1987 View Post
    So I have attached a picture of my very basic, very amateur workbench :P - be kind lol - but if there is a vice around that would be suitable for this that would be great!

    Basically was knocked up with any cheap materials I could get my hands on - so the frame is 70x35 pine, with bracing within the frame at every 400mm

    Top is 18mm ply

    All just wacked together with wood screws and a complete lack of joinery :P - One day i'll build something better

    IMG_20170402_152117.jpg
    Here ya go:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvhn-PAfEW4

    Regards Lou
    Just Do The Best You Can With What You HAve At The Time

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
    Posts
    12,006

    Default

    Thanks for posting that Lou

    As a worker, you should never be afraid to nail or screw battens to a bench so that you can hold what you're working on.
    Although clamps and dogs are always preferable, if your brench top is 18 mm ply, then screws are probably your best option.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Gosford nsw
    Posts
    14

    Default

    I have used a Black and Decker workmate for many projects. It has two heights. Folds flat for storage and has very good holding power . Holes for dogs. Can be used with two saw horses to support large panels for swing. Originally bought to use on our cruising yacht but have found it gets a lot of work.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    McBride BC Canada
    Posts
    3,543

    Default

    What is the "work?" I'm a carver. Maybe 9" to 65" and inbetween. They are all different, they are all lumpy dang things, like buttered watermelons.
    I've got a dozen different ways to hang onto carvings for mallet & gouge strikes or a day with PacNW elbow and D adzes.
    What's the "work?"

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