Thread: Why have a front vice on the left?

Originally Posted by BlackAdder

G'Day all,

Just a simple (ha ha ha) question ... and it will probably elicit howls of anarchy and sarcasm, but why have your front vice on the left of the bench? Now I've read that that's best for holding your timber so you can plane it etc. etc. etc. but how do you cut it to length first? BlackAdder

A bench stop comes to mind for cross cutting and the vise would be in the way on some short benches if it were on the right hand end (for a right hander). If the bench is not against a wall and both long sides can be used it most probably makes little difference.

Hi Blackadda

Turn the timber round so your scrap off cut is still hanging out and you can if its not have it resting on something same if right hand side makes no difference.

Even for planing if it does give you he bench to lean against tho

I walk around to the other side of my bench and cut it from there.

Originally Posted by silentC

I walk around to the other side of my bench and cut it from there.

wheelin runs into wall if try that must have long arm SC or short narrow bench

I use a bench hook.

Originally Posted by Mini

A bench stop comes to mind for cross cutting and the vise would be in the way on some short benches if it were on the right hand end (for a right hander). If the bench is not against a wall and both long sides can be used it most probably makes little difference.

G'Day Mini,

A bench stop for cross cutting! In what way would that be better than a vice?

My bench is 1700 wide by 740 deep and as a part time hobyist, it's in the garage, against a brick wall.

How would a vice get in the way if it were on the right for a right hander? The cut line is kept to the left of the saw blade which is where your right eye is.

Confusion rules! Gotta cut it before you can plane it!


BlackAdder

I use dogs now... I dont know yet if I will actuall fit a vice to the bench as Ive done what young Derek did and fitted a vice to a peice with dogs on it just pick it up slot the dogs in the holes whallah! instant removable vice

Otherwise I just use clamps But I am still considering an end vice again ala Derek

Ive often wondered how you get on wheelin... must be a mess of dings and skid marks up those shed walls of yours!!

ahem sorry that was not PC of me was it? my bad eh


note all references to "Derek" refer directly to one Derek Cohen who has the most amazing capacity to create and find simpler ways of doing things... do a search and you will find many of Dereks posts in this regard

I am a acolite of THE DEREK! and he almost but not quite converted me to the dark side

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Hi Blackadda

Turn the timber round so your scrap off cut is still hanging out and you can if its not have it resting on something same if right hand side makes no difference.

Even for planing if it does give you he bench to lean against tho

G'Day Wheelinround,

I assume you're talking about a vice on the left, but I can only see that working if I mark a second "cutting" line forther out in the off cut area. Being right handed, I hold the saw in my right hand and line my saw up with this using my right eye, if I only have 100mm or so of off cut, I have nothing to hold onto with my left hand to stabalise my body while cutting which would cause a poorer cut.

Now I'm not saying it's wrong, but it does seem harder to do this way. Maybe the vice on the left stems from those carpenters who have access to Band Saws or Table Saws or similar and only needing their vice for finishing!


BlackAdder

Blackadder - this topic has come up before, and been tossed around. Where you like your vises is as personal as the vices you like, except that the sort of work you do at your bench may have a little bearing on the former.

There are two reasons I can think of for having the front vise on the left.
One is that it's convenient when holding long pieces for edge-planing, for e.g.. You can clamp one end in the vise and support the other on a peg in the RHS bench leg, or whatever method you choose.

The other reason is that it gets it out of the way of the tail vise, which only works conveniently on the right, if you're a right hander. The tail vise is my main clamping tool, and gets used in more than 90% of situations where a vise is called-for. The front vise is handy for a few jobs, but I agree that docking isn't one of them. A bench-hook, as someone else has suggested, is actually much more convenient for that chore, anyway.

So if you don't use or want a tail vise, & spend most of your time docking pieces of wood, put your front vise on the right, and to heck with convention!

Cheers,

Originally Posted by IanW

Where you like your vises is as personal as the vices you like, except that the sort of work you do at your bench may have a little bearing on the former.

There are two reasons I can think of for having the front vise on the left.
One is that it's convenient when holding long pieces for edge-planing, for e.g.. You can clamp one end in the vise and support the other on a peg in the RHS bench leg, or whatever method you choose.

The other reason is that it gets it out of the way of the tail vise, which only works conveniently on the right, if you're a right hander. The tail vise is my main clamping tool, and gets used in more than 90% of situations where a vise is called-for. The front vise is handy for a few jobs, but I agree that docking isn't one of them. A bench-hook, as someone else has suggested, is actually much more convenient for that chore, anyway.

So if you don't use or want a tail vise, & spend most of your time docking pieces of wood, put your front vise on the right, and to heck with convention!

Cheers,

Thanks for that IanW, I think your opening and closing stanzas hit the nail on the head...

Now that leads me further:

Clamp left, Peg right OR Clamp right, Peg left, what's the difference?

AND

You say you use your Tail Vice 90% of the time ... How, On what etc? What am I missing (or not doing) that requires a Tail Vice (or more to the point, makes a Tail Vice more practical).


BlackAdder

Originally Posted by BlackAdder

You say you use your Tail Vice 90% of the time ... How, On what etc? What am I missing (or not doing) that requires a Tail Vice (or more to the point, makes a Tail Vice more practical).
BlackAdder

I make furniture, mostly, and apart from edge-jointing, most operations (planing, chiselling, sawing M&T or dovetails, spokeshaving) are most conveniently done either on the bench, clamped between dogs, or in the jaws of the tail vise. It's a most versatile bit of kit - dunno how I lived the first 15 or so years of my (woodworking) life without one!

Cheers,

Originally Posted by IanW

- dunno how I lived the first 15 or so years of my (woodworking) life without one!

Thanks again IanW, it's those years of experience that you professionals have that I will probably never get that makes this site worth while.

I can see the merits and practicality for all of the applications you mentioned. Sort of like what I currently use of a couple of Veritas Bench Pups for.

Which takes me back to your original reply, "wherever bests suits the user and their required uses".

Again, thanks one and all.


BlackAdder

Blackadder - I'm not a 'professional' furniture maker, just a very keen and dedicated one. I did do it for a living for a short while, but circumstances drove me back to my 'real' profession. Which was ok, by the way, as there's nothing kills the passion more than HAVING to do something all day every day, like it or not!

Yep - while it's good to canvass opinions, in the end, it's your bench and your workstyle, so you should do it the way that suits your purpose and you feel works best for you. I always like to see how other blokes do things, though, sometimes I see a better way, sometimes not....

Avagooday,

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

I use dogs now

Ive often wondered how you get on wheelin... must be a mess of dings and skid marks up those shed walls of yours!!

ahem sorry that was not PC of me was it? my bad eh


note all references to "Derek" refer directly to one Derek Cohen who has the most amazing capacity to create and find simpler ways of doing things... do a search and you will find many of Dereks posts in this regard

I am a acolite of THE DEREK! and he almost but not quite converted me to the dark side

No wonder the misses took off to Asia. using dogs or is that what your calling her these days

How do I get on wheelin with me wheel ya flaimin galah what ya think

I occasoinly sit on me perch too a stool whistlin tunes n asking for me crackers n tea

there's pic references in forum somewheres.

Skid marks only where the sun dont shime like everyone else when shyte happens.

No offense taken Ding