How to attach the end cap ???
Jameel generally advises that one bolt the end cap to the bench. The vise must create some pressure as the screw is tightened.
My understanding is that bolts are necessary as this is all that holds the end cap to the bench for most users of his tail vise. Now I would rather not bolt on the end cap (it looks ugly), so I am wondering whether a combination of dovetails at each side of the end cap along with wooden pins through the end cap into the 1" x 1" tenon (see pictures in the first post) would be strong enough to withstand the forces involved?
Your opinion is needed here. (Is anybody watching this thread?)
I was asked the following question on another forum:
Not having built a wagon vise (or whatever you choose to call the Benchcrafted vise), why do you need an end cap in the first place?
In reply:
The end cap connects the vise screw to the bench. Without the end cap, the screw would just turn on itself. Connected to the bench it will move forward or back.
Here is the underside of the bench with the wagon vise under installation (flip the image 180 degrees in your mind to recognise the vise is on the rear left side of the bench). As the bench top is 3 1/2" thick and the the end cap is 4" high (to fit the wheel at the correct height), you will see a spacer under each steel runner (the spacers are each 1/4" high. A 4 " thick bench would recess the runner by 1/4").
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...tallation1.jpg
Here is a view into the vise. The area for the screw was routed out. The slot for the moving dog hole was built in.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...tallation2.jpg
The vise, end cap and side rails are loose at this point. They have been cut to exact size. The next step is to dovetail the sides to the end cap, and then glue and pin the end cap t the bench via the tenon (shown in the original post).
Regards from Perth
Derek