Tail vice retrofit

**ryanarcher** · 22nd June 2005, 07:33 AM

Had some requests, and i'm glad, because i bet we'll have a good brainstorming session and come up with some better ideas than what i did.

The design was taken from Scott Landis's 'Workbench Book" from the traditional bench. Since my workbench originally didn't have a tail vice (it was just the multi-timber laminated top) I had to adjust the proportions to fit my bench.
The other two major changes i made were:

1: I had to cut off the front right table leg and put on a corbel type support that spans the lenth of the end vice travel so the vice support structure doesn't run into the leg. this has the added benefit of providing a support for the vice brace(?) to ride on.

2: I was still worried about racking, so I installed two heavy duty ball bearing drawer slides that attach the brace to the table top. one is rebated into the front of the table top, and the other one is mounted on the under side of the benchtop and attaches to the brace outrigger. I'm sure it would have worked without the drawer slides (the normal support structure is still there), i'm just neurotic and wanted the vice to glide effortlessly and be completly free of racking.

I used it as a opportunity for some joinery practice, and placed the joints where I thought they were most structurally appropriate.

what are your ideas?
-Ryan

**craigb** · 22nd June 2005, 10:17 AM

Ryan,

If that's the bench your neighbourhood kiddie drilled holes in, then I'm surprised he's still breathing. :eek:

Very nice work.

**MajorPanic** · 22nd June 2005, 10:42 AM

Hi ya Ryan,

The bench is looking good!!!

It was a wise move to fit a tail vice & you won't regret it!!

I don't know about the draw slides though, by the look of it the quality of construction renders them null.

**zenwood** · 22nd June 2005, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by ryanarcher

1: I had to cut off the front right table leg and put on a corbel type support

I'm a bit unclear why you need the corbel support. I'd have thought the screw, the drawer runners and the brace outrigger would be adequate.

The vice looks excellent, and the mitred joint is a change from the dovetails that seem to more common.

I have the veritas single screw tail vice fittings, and am wondering about the design for the installation. Is the outrigger structure a requirement or an added extra? I'd imagine the functional requirement would be met by the travelling dog-hole section. Do you use the outrigger structure for holding suff, or is it an anti-racking machanism.

I'm sure I've seen benches that just have the travelling dog-hole section. How are these installed?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm yet to make a proper top for my bench, and when I get around to it, I'd like to incorporate the tail screw, dog holes, etc. I get so sick of clamping battens to my current bench for planing.

Why the dark wood section at the first dog hole BTW? What are the timbers in the main laminated section of the bench-top? What do you think of your tool tray? Do you ever use the dogs? What do your dogs look like?

I'll stop now. Thanks for the post.

**outback** · 22nd June 2005, 11:27 AM

Nice bench/vice.

Where didya get the square bit to drill the dog holes?

**silentC** · 22nd June 2005, 11:43 AM

Silly Outback, you don't drill them. They come in a pack of 10. Just ask for square dogs holes.

**AlexS** · 22nd June 2005, 12:58 PM

Very nice vice, Ryan. Really must do something about my end vice - it racks & is a PITA.

**zenwood** · 22nd June 2005, 01:11 PM

Another question: what do you guys use to lubricate your screws?

**Wood Borer** · 22nd June 2005, 01:43 PM

Great job Ryan

**Termite** · 22nd June 2005, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by zenwood

Another question: what do you guys use to lubricate your screws?

Vaseline, K-Y, mutton fat. :eek:

**outback** · 22nd June 2005, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by silentC

Silly Outback, you don't drill them. They come in a pack of 10. Just ask for square dogs holes.

OK, I'll have to go to a specialist hardware shop. When I asked at my local store he looked at me silly and asked to see my square dog.

If you are careful in preparing the object to be screwed no lubrication should be needed.

**craigb** · 22nd June 2005, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Termite

mutton fat.

Mutton Fat ?! :eek: . Too much information Termite.

**ryanarcher** · 22nd June 2005, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by craigb

Ryan,

If that's the bench your neighbourhood kiddie drilled holes in, then I'm surprised he's still breathing. :eek:

Very nice work.

The same bench. :mad: I'm incrementally building my patience in preperation for the time when my own son might defile the bench. deep breath...

**ryanarcher** · 22nd June 2005, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by MajorPanic

Hi ya Ryan,

The bench is looking good!!!

It was a wise move to fit a tail vice & you won't regret it!!

I don't know about the draw slides though, by the look of it the quality of construction renders them null.

Thanks Maj. praise from you is always high praise indeed! the question i want answered is : workbench or dining set first??? that silver ash has got to be burning a hole in your timber racks by now :eek:

BTW, I'll give you two guesses what is in the bubble wrap in the tool tray

. I've got some gorgeous ebony picked out for a presentation box for them.

**ryanarcher** · 22nd June 2005, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by outback

Nice bench/vice.

Where didya get the square bit to drill the dog holes?

Thanks outback. i'm sure you're joking, but just incase: I riped the board in half routed the dog holes at a 2 degree angle then folded the other piece over and glued them together.

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