Thread: Best possible vice options for upcoming bench build?

Save yourself some money TN. I think you should stick with the Record quick release for the front. Clamping long pieces vertically(??) is not a problem for vice-screw/guide-rod alignment provided you always use an equivalent thickness spacer block on the opposite side of the screw to the work-piece. Avoids skewing the jaws. And I don't think those twin-screw Veritas jobs are quick release either, I'll be corrected soon if I'm wrong about that.

Keep a variety of labelled, common thicknesses strung on a length of nylon twine. A cup-hook on the inside face of the front leg will keep them out of the way and out of sight till needed.

If you want to be really pedantic about it you could have both metric and imperial sized spacers but, to be honest, I doubt that your vice will know the difference.

While we're on the subject, I recently bought a "quick action" Dawn woodworkers vice myself. Different to a "quick release" in that the screw is not disengaged by a sprung lever but by a 1/4 turn open movement which releases a half-cam I think it's called. Personally, I would have preferred the lever but they don't make them that way now.

I don't know if there's anything wrong with Dawn vices that I am unaware of, but I felt like copying my Dad and using Aussie brand stuff where possible. His is a lever action quick release on his self-built bench and he doesn't use it hardly at all these days, but I checked it out at Easter and all it needed was a dab of grease and away it went, smooth as silk.

Traditional Roubo's have a leg-vice at the front anyway. Sliding deadman or not? Your bench, your call. But it really comes back to whether or not it does what you need it to do for you

Tom

I like the idea of the Hovarter

here

Originally Posted by TimberNut

Planning on building new bench soon, looking for best vice options.
Current thoughts- Benchcrafted tail vice, and Veritas Twin Screw vice for the front. Are there any better options out there?

I know these 2 vices are going to cost a motza, so want to make sure there are no better options out there before I spend any money.

Bench will be Roubo style.

Are they they best I can get, or are there better ones out there?

TN

TN have a look at this post which shows a "moxon" vice holding a very wide board.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/t...6/#post1343762
normally these vises hang on a wall and are attached to teh bench with clamps ONLY when you need to work on a wide board.
"our" Derek Cohen has an article on his which cost $5 Back to Shop Made Tools

NOW were talking!!!! I was beginning to wonder if anyone would reply.

Mr Sawdust Maker - I looked up that Horvarter vice. I like it! It would appear to give all the same functions as the Vertias twin-screw, but with a quick release action (something I wasn't real keen on giving up after having used the #53 for so long).

It may well have just taken precendence over the veritas.

Is there anyone out there who's fitted a Vertias (or a Benchcrafted) (or indeed a Horvarter) that wants to share the experience? the good, the bad, and the ugly?

Or any other options out there worth a look?

TN.

I think that Dan (Boz in OZ) used a bench crafted vice and Groggy might have as well in their bench builds they would be the ones to ask.

Hey Ian,

My next big project will be a workbench aswell. I'm prety set on making it a traditional bench as well.

I was prety keen on the veritas twin screw vice at the start, but now i'm thinking of making a leg vice and maybe using one of these: Veritas Sliding Tail Vise | Popular Woodworking Videos on blip.tv

The choice of vice is prety important, because you can't really start building your bench unless you know what hardware your going to instal.

What timber are you thinking of making it out of?

Andy

Hey Andy, I have a cube of Swamp Oak sitting around that I don't feel like making into furniture (the grain is far too 'busy' for my liking). So I'm thinking of making that into a workbench. Just waiting on a moisture meter to arrive from the US so that I can tell if it's ready or not. It is scheduled for delivery on the 6th (2 days ago) but no show so far.

So for now we continue to plan and draw models in sketchup

The Minister for Finance and Domestic Affairs won't allow me to use any of the Jarrah I've got that used for the girls bunks. She says its far too nice to make into a work bench. I diagree. Nice looking, good, dense timber (just ask Groggy ;-) ) but if I use any of 'her' Jarrah she'll ummm.....errr...let's just say, I can't use the Jarrah

So I'm back to the Swamp Oak (assuming it's dry).

but like you I need to know what vices I'll be using before I can finalise the design.

I do like the look of those Horvarter ones though.

I've hunted around for folks whom have used one
'Even emailed Schwarz in the US - he hadn't installed his yet so had no first hand experience and was thus little help.
But he did put me on to another author who liked it. This chap has had it on a bench for about a year but did comment that he hasn't used it much as the bench was a bit tall for him. I've seen other users use one but no comment yet on what they think after a period of time.
I've bitten the bullet and ordered one. Unlikely to be on my bench for a few months as I'm still taking nails out of my about to be recycled bench timber. I'm going to use it as an end vice.

TNut,
What species is swamp oak? Do you mean Casuarina cunninghamiana (River She-oak)? Should look spectacular if so.

If you didn't want to spend too much on an end/tail vice it is perfectly feasible to use a standard woodwork vice (such as the one you have) and add dogs to the wooden jaw to act as tail vice as The Schwartz did on his Holtzapfell bench (see his post on his Popular Woodworking blog). I believe he had a quick release vice on the end but any kind would do including one made of a single bench screw. I might be able to sell you a vice screw if you want one to use as a tail vice as I bought one second hand for my bench and am now unlikely to use it as I plan to turn my own 2" wooden threads for the front vice now that I have a 2" thread tap to play with. If you look at Claw Hama's new improved vice you will see how easy his wide front vice was to make with two bench screws.

I ordered Chris Schwartz Roubo workbench books a little while ago
-Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use
-The Workbench Design Book - The Art & Philosophy of Building Better Benches

I highly recommend his books And they might help with the designing of your bench.

Andy

Mr Pampelmuse,

I got the timber off a fellow-forumite just on 12 months ago, when he was relocating from Newcastle to Vic (or was it Adelaide?) - I can't remember.

He said he'd cut it down about 6 months prior, and told me the species was 'Swamp Oak'. Personally, I've never heard of it, but the grain looks a lot like Sheoak to me.

I agree, the bench should be quite stunning. I was going to use this stuff for furniture, but 'the boss' and I agree, the grain is too 'busy' to be made into furniture. It would be a bit over the top. We tend to like the more subdued look of Jarrah, hence she's happy for me to use the Swamp Oak for the bench. Hopefully it'll be a real standout piece.

I've got a Wagner MC220 moisture meter coming, and I need to know the Specifiv Gravity of this timber to get an accurate moisture reading, but don't really know what to set it to for Swamp Oak. If anyone knows, please advise.....

Swamp Oak is Casuarina Glauca. Also called Grey or River Oak.

Mick

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I've hunted around for folks whom have used one
'Even emailed Schwarz in the US - he hadn't installed his yet so had no first hand experience and was thus little help.
But he did put me on to another author who liked it. This chap has had it on a bench for about a year but did comment that he hasn't used it much as the bench was a bit tall for him. I've seen other users use one but no comment yet on what they think after a period of time.
I've bitten the bullet and ordered one. Unlikely to be on my bench for a few months as I'm still taking nails out of my about to be recycled bench timber. I'm going to use it as an end vice.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost including postage?

I just got a quote for the benchcrafted leg and tail vice-$250 for postage plus $340 for each vice.

Ian: your bench sounds like it's going to be fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing your timber!

Andy

Andy, sounds like we should talk. Right now I'm thinking of the Hovarter face vice, and either the Hovater, or the benchcrafted, for the wagon vice.

Perhaps we can buy together and save on some shipping costs?
The only downside might be that it'd take the purchase over $1k, which will then incur Import Duty. Not sure how much that'd be, but maybe it'd be worth paying that, if we can save enough on postage.

I'll start a separate thread here in the work bench section to see if anyone else is interested in buying from either of these 2 sources.

TN.