Thread: Mounting a Vise

The vice should be mounted to the face of the bench. Definitely NOT under (behind) it.

You show the mounting face as having an angled attaching face. This does not seem correct. Is it just the way that you have drawn it maybe?

ps Pre drill the 1/2' holes with 3mm and then 6mm bits. You will find the larger holes are then much easier to drill.

OK thanks Bob

I'm not sure we are on the same wavelength though. The vise isnt actually being "mounted" on teh vertical face of the bench. It's just resting against it. (in front or behind) The actuall "mounting" is done to the benchtop.


I started drilling the holes with small bits but then I got impatient and went all the way. Nasty kickback on the drill as a result. ouch!

Not suer how teh jaws are angles. I did intentionally draw them like that because thats how I thought they were. Maybe not?

Cheers

Adam

LineLefty

You may have to attack the bench with the oxy or an angle grinder because the top of the jaws need to be flush with the top of the bench or at least have the timber inserts flush with the top of the bench.

Although the back jaw could go on the inside of the steel angle and then just fix the back timber insert (wood jaw) to the steel face of the bench but make sure the top is flush with the timber top of the bench and then just fix the insert on the moving jaw in line with the fixed one.

If that is not clear I can post a pic.

I'd go with option 2. It will be easier to face the back jaw (albeit with a bit of 3mm steel in between) of the vice with a piece of timber which you could carry across the whole front face of the bench. You can then clamp long pieces and use either a G cramp down the other end and/or have a dowel or other support at the height of the lowest part of the vice.

I meant like this

Pic as I see it

LineLefty

The rear (inner) face of these vises is designed to fit inside the skirt of the bench. Same as the Record vises.

Of course, they are meant for woodworking and this means a wooden bench. The outer face gets a wooden sleeve and this is intended to close up against the bench skirt.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for the advice guys. Clearly there is some differeing opinions here.

I finally got it done. I thought about mounting it as in option 2 but the fact that I'd already drilled te holes dictated things a bit.

Just thought I'd finalise for people who stumble across this post also loking for the same infor I was after.

Mounting the vise on the outside face has given me a number of issues.

1 - There's the gap, illustrated in my pic. After testing the vise with a bit of planing it was clear that this will fill quickly so I'll have to plug it with a piece of wood for a nice smooth transition from bench to vise.

2 - Secondly the if back of the inner jaw is flush against the bench, theres no room for the jaw liner screws. Luckily mine is sloped (as the pic shows)

3 - Both methods require the vise to be completely removed in order to change the jaw liners.

I'm thinking of solving this problem by using velcro maybe?!?

Finally, I've now got to deal with the big igly hexbolt heads an washers sticking 10mm above my benchtop. (The pic is my plan, at the moment the benchtop is jsut 1 piece of 12mm MDF.

Hwo to ge a flat benchtop from this? My thoughts are to buy some 15mm MDF and drill ,say, 11m holes in it with spade bits. The bolt heads will the be recessed into the new benchtop.

The vise as at 9am this morning

Hi Line lefty
Looking at the finished drawing you would be much better off repositioning the vice as per Barry_White's drawing.

The gap you are left with is bad news if you ever need to put any real pressure on the front of the vice. it is also very nice to have a single surface across the front of the bench as per Mat's suggestion. I like your idea of using velcro for attaching the jaw liner (if you leave the vice as it is now) but this isn't needed if you use Mat's idea. Problem 3 does then not exist.

It is because I didn't understand exactly how your vice jaws were angled that I submitted the drawing with the (incorrectly) corrected rear face.

Have you thought of using some countersunk head bolts for fixing the vice. You also show the hex head bolts as having a washer of MDF. How about drilling right through this so that the bolt heads are actually on the steel angle?

LL

You will wind up becoming frustrated with your current set up. It is not designed to be used this way. I found out the hard way. I have two vises like these. The first time round I did as you did. It was very hard to work at the edge of the bench. So I finally bit the bullet and repositioned them correctly. Night and Day. This was several years ago.

Instead of velcro to hold a liner on the jaws you can use magnets. There are liners available with built in magnets.

Regards from Perth

Derek

OK Thanks, I think.

I might reposition it, depends how my state of mind is next time in in the shed

It will mean mounting the vise on the opposite corner of the bench because the holes in steel would be too close together.
Deary deary me, they are heavy things to lift into place! Even for a 6'3 25yr old!

Cheers

Adam
BTW Derek,
I'm in the process of begining to think about maybe starting to decide when I'm going to get a good first up hand plane.
MY 1st choice is the HNT Jack plane, do you think it's a good choice? The work will be (mainly) truing up decent recycled boards and making basic stuff (Shelves, wine rack, a BBQ cabinet etc etc).

Adam

I have heard good reports about the HNT Gordon Jack but have not used one. This sounds good.

There are many options when it comes to hand planes. You are welcome to come and look at my hoard if that helps make a decision. I'm in Rossmoyne.

If you do not have any planes to your name, and you are seeking an allrounder, an old Stanley #5 or 5 1/2 would be a good choice.

Regards

Derek

When I mounted my vice I used coach bolts and recessed the heads below the bench top. If you have enough room you could recess them deeper and put a wooden plug in the hole.

The square section under the head stops the bolts from turning while you are tightening them up.

Here is a tip to hold the vice while you are trying to bolt it in position.

http://www.woodworkingtips.com/woodtips/wstip05.html