Vices for work bench

**Siggykc** · 14th July 2020, 03:35 PM

Hey Biggus,

I bought the BC hardware because I'd seen it on Instagram, and had seen/heard all the glowing reviews of others with regards to the bench. It wasn't a random splurge.
I had thought about it for a few months, and saved the cash for quite a while. I had (perhaps my biggest fault) not used a Roubo before, and opted to divert from the "Ulmia" style bench (think Frank Klausz style, but without the shoulder vise) which I had used and learned upon as a child.
I'm just one of those guys who generally tries to try things out if there is a chance that they could be better. and my mindset was "I know that the bench I'm used to is good, but surely the Roubo must be better because of the hype it has been getting and the number of endorsements it has had in the US". I fully understand how some folks are saying "Siggy, you totally jumped on that bandwagon", because I did.

I used it for a couple of months and just never got used to the feel. The ergonomics, the leg vise, the lack of a tool tray, the overly wide surface (I'm a short guy of 165cm, and the bench is 65cm wide. I was used to working on a 40cm wide surface with a tray at the rear), the wagon vise vs the "L" vise i was used to etc etc. These seem so so so trivial for some, but it just bugs the living daylights out of me.

Let me stress, that the Roubo is a fantastic design. I am well aware that Derek loves his, and so many other people do. I believe Bern Chandley and perhaps (just off photos) Anton Gerner? utilize Roubo design benches.
The Bench Crafted hardware is machined to what I would basically consider MIL-Spec, with such a good and consistant finish with tolerances that have no equal in woodworking vises. The screw is so buttery smooth it operates with the confidence of something at the Boeing plant in Seattle and are similar in quality to those found on high end CNC machines. I am a mechanical engineer in my 9-5 job and this alone sold me on the purchase of the hardware.

The Roubo design was just not suited to my preferences. A bench is so so so personal to the user. Even though I hated admitting it at first, the workbench that I immediately feel at home upon is still that bench my old man built in the mid 70s.

Not sure if i mentioned somewhere in my posts, but my dad is a bit of a woodworking gun. He worked for the National Gallery of Vic for over a decade and a half as their framer, guilder, carver and conservator when he finished up at the NGV in the mid 90s he worked from his home workshop to help raise my sister and I through highschool. His bench was a recreation of the Ulmia benches that he trained and worked at in Germany during the 1960s and 70s. I was born in 87, and my first memories (including jamming my thumb in the vise or getting crap stuck on me from the vise screw) were of that bench. As a toddler he picked me up and helped me walk on it, at 5 years of age I built my first things using that bench standing on a stool. Later I built all manner of teenage woodworking projects on that bench and was taught how to use hand tools at that bench (By then my dad had built a newer bench for himself). So, after the bulk of my time spent on woodworking projects, that bench just became so familiar, like an old shoe. I am sure there is also a psychological element to it too (please confirm Derek).

The workbench that I am currently building is based on the dimensions of that old reliable familiar bench. Spotted gum legs (from some cheap recycled timber I got) and a top that's still TBD depending on what I can get my hands on at a good price.

Fortunately, all is not lost. I don't consider my Roubo workbench a waste of time and resources (heck most people spend that on drinks or smokes in 6 months, neither of which I partake in), as I learnt so much in techniques and hand tool work during the project. It was a great learning piece for me.
During Isolation we have had my missus' brother staying with us from the US and as he is tall it functions as his desk perfectly. Later it will be used as a table in the house.
I will eventually construct a small cupboard to go underneath it.

I chucked in a few pics of that workbench to give you a better idea of what it is. The first, is a clone that my old man made for himself at his NGV workshop to the same specs, the 2nd is the home bench that I basically learned all my woodworking skills upon, although that pic was taken several years before I was born (around 82?).

IMG-20200706-WA0024-01.jpeg 20200708_211137-01.jpg

All in all, dont do what I did and blindly jump on any workbench bandwagon just because some big name folks lend their names to it. I would experiment with a basic hardwood bench with a record vise. Use it as a test bed, make notes, ask other woodworkers to visit their garage workshops and pick their brains how they use their benches and try them out.
When you understand what YOU like, and not what other people are telling you that you should like, then go for it and make that dream bench

Far out, I hope i didn't bore anyone. I was itching to take a break from my regular work and typing this response up was my escape from engineering documents!

If anyone comments that I've hijacked this thread, I shall delete this post. I totally didnt mean to.

Cheers,
Siggy

Originally Posted by Biggus

What was the issue that failed to satisfy you with regard to the Benchcrafted vise? I'm weighing up vise choices for a bench I'll likely make in a couple of years and that one is on the list atm. All I've seen on youtube is glowing reviews but if you're not entirely happy with yours I'd be silly not to ask given the steep entry price.

**Biggus** · 14th July 2020, 04:09 PM

Thanks Siggy, really appreciate the detailed answer and not a bore at all. I've only just got into this whole 'Fine Woodworking' thing recently and built my first bench which is a whole lot better than nothing but already I'm finding things I can't do easily on it. When I was building it I figured on using it as a practice piece and making another in maybe a year but as my work evolves it seems I envision a different bench almost daily, so maybe a year is pushing it since the first bench is working OK for now. All I really think I know at this point is that I want the next bench to have dog holes in it.......I think. As Derek mentioned above you need to develop your woodworking approach before you know what you really need.

Eventually I'll figure out what I want and the first bench will be relegated to being an outfeed table for the table saw. I made a point of building it to that height from the outset, which handily is also almost a perfect height for a hand tool bench for me.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to give a really illuminating answer. That's what makes this such a bloody top forum.

**derekcohen** · 14th July 2020, 04:47 PM

Hi Biggus

Any time you find yourself in- or coming to Perth, give me a yell.

I built my current bench about 8 years ago. The previous one, as I mentioned, lasted nearly 20 years. Before then I used trestles and whatever.

The journey to build a bench is rich in experiences. I think that many (most) would like to start with a life time tool ... the best affordable ... and never need to upgrade. The truth is that this is most unlikely as our needs change as we grow. My previous bench was not one bench, but really a series of upgrades and modifications over the years. The new bench came to be because it was time.

I wrote about this aspect in the introduction to my bench build, which is at (go down this Index page to "fixtures": Shop Made Tools

This is part of the introduction ...

My existing bench is 18 years old, has been modified many times over the years to keep pace with my changing approach to woodwork, and is showing its years. It is small - about 4'10" long. It is too wide - about 26". The top has been planed down so many times that the dowels I used to orientate the boards all those years ago are now showing half their thickness. Although the legs are spindly, the bench is really rigid as it is bolted to the wall (the new bench will be placed about 2 ft from the wall). The Record 52 1/2 vises are now hopeless. The front vise racks and the tail vise does not open unless you hold down the release lever while you turn the handle. And it is too dark. The Karri top may look exotic in pictures, but it does not reflect light well.

The bench has been a good friend but I still find it amazing that I managed to do so much work on it. I procrastinated and avoided building another as I generally dislike building shop furniture. Or using good wood that would better be used on furniture for the home. But now it is time for a new bench, a better bench.

I like the simplicity of a Roubo. I thank Chris Schwarz for his research and the information he disseminated. It has been educational.

Since building a Moxon vise (for dovetailing) a year ago I have come to recognise that my face vise needs (for planing edges) would now be best met by a leg vise. I plan to build one with a wooden screw (a most kind gift of Wilbur Pan), while the tail vise is a Benchcrafted wagon vise.

The photo below was taken several months ago, after I had planed the top (part of maintenance) ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

**pedrogb** · 15th July 2020, 11:15 AM

Hi all
I have the Benchcrafted Classic Leg vice and the HNT Gordon Tail vice on on my new Roubo style split top bench. I love the Roubo design for its simplicity, I have read all (I think) of Christopher Schwarz's books and research, and (for me) can't see another design that would be as functional using these style of vices. I already had the tail vice ready to go (thanks again Derek) ,and the BC was a spur of the moment decision on finding out holidays were cancelled and we would all be locked in at home for a while.......excuse to start the bench build!
My old bench had a leg vice (with leather on inside of chop) with a simple Carbatec screw and a piece of tapered scrap on the floor instead of the parallel guide and pin. It worked but work holding was nowhere near as good as the Benchcrafted. It really does grab beautifully. I have only put the crubber on the chop so far. I'm sure it would have been better with a parallel guide.
My tail vice was a little record vice with a thick wooden jaw and a dog hole that lined up with a row along the bench top. It worked, but the vice racked terribly under tension, and so was a bit problematic. It could pull itself out of alignment with not too much pressure. The HNT Gordon Tail vice is very simple but again far out performs my previous set up.
I could have retrofit these vices on my old bench but it had been through a flood and was not worth the effort of repairing.
I do lots of different things on my bench, restoring old furniture, power tool work, hand tool work, and house restoration work.
Yesterday I used the planing stop, the leg and the tail vice alternatively to hold some short pieces of old champher board I was scraping the paint off, to close in an old box air con hole. All things considered a couple of old (or new replica) vices would have performed quite adequately for those jobs on this style of bench.
But the bench design is dictated by your requirements or needs.
Vices are what you can afford once you have decided how you will work. There are always second hand vices floating around on the internet.
Pedro

Thread: Vices for work bench

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Similar Threads

tighten vices & bench stop

Vices and work benches

My Boast - Bench-rusted Vices

Do bunnings sell wood work vices?

Bench concept: vices and dogs

Posting Permissions