Thread: Alternative to end vise

Use a piece of chipboard.
Attach a cleat to one side that you clamp in your vice so you can hold the chipboard secure on the benchop.

Tack offcuts around the perimeter of your workpieces so with some small wedges they can't move. Wedges are fast and easy to clamp with

If the chipboard is beg enough you can have all the sides of your work pieces on the one sheet.

Have you seen Veritas wonder dogs? Sounds like they might be ideal for your needs. See them here:
http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...h=60_7800_7870
Cheers,
toddles

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...ht=fish+scaler

My fish scaler idea. A couple of them, with sliding back support. Best way I've ever gripped anything whilst keeping the top free for plane work.

I don't know. Maybe too involved for you.

Bobs idea sounds good, especially if all the pieces are the same size. wedge it all up on all sides.

Thanks Bob and Toddles for getting back to me.

Bob, I had thought about a sacrificial boards but would prefer to use existing bench. I literally have no room left for anymore boards and some of the pieces I would use it on would have to be 600 by 750. I am using wedges at the moment but because of the different sizes of pieces it would need a bit of set up time.

Toddles, I did see the wonder dogs, I think the metal bar would be too big for some of the thin material I use and would get in the way of the plane or router.

Tiger

You may struggle to find one jig or solution for both planes and routers. Rather look for a solution for each.

I can help with the plane. Just add an adjustable stop at the endof your bench. This can adjust to any height. An end vise is not necessary.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Apricot, came across your idea after I posted, only concern is the teeth marks. After routing a piece, I would not be crosscutting it, I'd be finishing it. Still a great idea.


Derek, I saw your post before and I experimented with an adjustable stop at the end of the bench. There was a little movement as I pushed against the block. Does your adjustable stop move when you push wood against it? You could well be right about having to use 2 methods for routing and planing. I had hoped that I could come up with a flexible system that would allow me to plane, rout, sand etc but after trying out router pads, wedges and other systems I find flaws in them that don't allow for greater versatility.

Anyway, the fish scaler and the end of bench adjustable stop are both great ideas.

Originally Posted by Tiger

Toddles, I did see the wonder dogs, I think the metal bar would be too big for some of the thin material I use and would get in the way of the plane or router.

Tiger,

I use Veritas brass bench dogs and wonder dogs. The metal bar is not a problem if you use a piece of 6 mm plywood or hardwood as a spacer between the wonder dog and the workpiece.

Rocker

Derek, I saw your post before and I experimented with an adjustable stop at the end of the bench. There was a little movement as I pushed against the block. Does your adjustable stop move when you push wood against it?

Tiger

The stop and the skirting are both thick, hard Jarrah. The two bolts that connects these are 1/2" steel. I do not get any movement or loosening at all.

Regards from Perth

Derek

A track system in the bench top? Did Lou do something along those lines? Try a search and it will come up
A vacuum system will also work.

Try searching for Newlous WOrkbEnch.
He seems to have come up with a new way to do everything

Cheers, Jack

You could probably use wedges on derek's bench there I'd imagine as well, if you want the work rigid, such that there's no fear it'll slide any direction.

In addition to that stop block(like off the end of Derek's bench), could have a peg and wooden block stop, (like he's got there sitting on his bench) placed on both sides and end of your work.....then between each stop and your work, hammer in a tapered wedge.

Then for the thinnest of stock...(you mentioned as thin as 6mm didn't you Tiger).....do Rockers idea with say 3mm ply or whatever to raise your work up clear of the side and end stops.

So, all you'd need is an array of bench dog holes all over your bench ? maybe.

You get me ? That be a pretty simple and cheap setup at least. Personally don't like those veritas wonder dogs.....they can spin, causing an accident , when push comes to shove. But each to there own.

For routing you used to be able to buy some special mat the you sat the work on that stopped it sliding around. I have used one at a school that I did some work for last year and it worked well. Not to sure where you could get it from though?

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

For routing you used to be able to buy some special mat the you sat the work on that stopped it sliding around. I have used one at a school that I did some work for last year and it worked well. Not to sure where you could get it from though?

Don't you find the work still moves about a bit on them though ? sorta wiggles about.

Probably did a bit but for what I was doing (making raised panels) it didn't affect anything.