Workbench Vises - all the different ones in the same thread - contributions please

[Berlin]

I have a Record 52 1/2 which doesn't get the pulse racing looks wise but it's reliable and easy to use.

There was an old Dawn out my Mum's that was harder than a coffin nail - stayed on an outdoor bench for my entire childhood and never saw any oil and just kept trucking... it disappeared while I was o/s or I would have rescued it.

I noticed a while ago that Dawn still make a range of bench vices in Oz (including a fancy pivoting face version for irregular shapes). I would have posted a link but I can't find it on their site at the moment.

Great thread Brett

[FenceFurniture]

Orraloon, Berlin, thanks for yor input.

My thoughts on the pin in the leg vise correspond with yours John. It looks like a bit of a PITA.

[Sawdust Maker]

What about a Pattern Makers vise?

link here

I know of a forum member who uses one

[FenceFurniture]

What about a Pattern Makers vise?

link here

I know of a forum member who uses one

Ah, good work Nick! I didn't include them because Lee Valley have discontinued theirs. It's an LV that AlexS has, and he swears by it.

There's still an outstanding question for you on the Hovarter in my post #26

[rustynail]

Sawdust Maker is right on the money here. The pattern makers vice would have to be one of the handiest, multi purpose vices going. Provided they are quality units made to tight tolerances.

A tiny bit of graphite dust on vice threads turns even a clunker into a working tool.

[Sawdust Maker]

Ah, good work Nick! I didn't include them because Lee Valley have discontinued theirs. It's an LV that AlexS has, and he swears by it.

There's still an outstanding question for you on the Hovarter in my post #26

I was ignoring you

from the instructions some sort of split pin. I'll have to have a look at the kit next time I'm in the shed (if I remember)

[FenceFurniture]

I was ignoring you

from the instructions some sort of split pin. I'll have to have a look at the kit next time I'm in the shed (if I remember)

If I can remember that rusty was a 5/8, then I reckon I might remember an unanswered question . No point in ignoring me.

[Sawdust Maker]

the split pin is not what I'd call a split pin (ie a cotter pin)

Blackwoods call it a spring pin (here)

anyway it's about 2 3/4" long and about 1/4" thick/round

re the hub and handle I merely asked for a price from Len without them as I thought I could make them out of some fancy Aussie timber - can't remember how much cheaper - not a lot

[DSEL74]

MCW AUMINIUM VISE
$550 + delivery from NSW

Saw this today at a Hand Tool Event in Melbourne, it was impressive and FYI he also does a Tail Vice with bench dogs.
100mm Travel $160
150mm Travel $195

[behai]

Good afternoon Ray,

Thank you for the info.

Would you be able to upload photo of the steel box please?

Thank you and best regards,

...behai.

======

PS: Please ignore my request.

I have found the photo of the steel box BenchCrafted.com - Crisscross

The retro comes with a steel "box" that you mortise into the chop or the leg at the top of the cross assembly. That box is screwed to the timber and contains the pin that the cross pivots on. The solo has no steel box, instead you drill a hole through the width of the chop and a long steel rod goes though one side of the chop, though the pivot hole and then through the other side of the chop.

Each version requires a groove for the arm of the cross to sit in and travel up and down as you wind the vice in or out, the retro simply has a wider "socket" at the top of the groove to accept the steel box. It's so you don't have to drill through a wide structure by hand as I am told the hole must be drilled very accurately for it to work properly.

I bought one but am still in the prep stage of my build. Haven't got all the timber yet......

[Ray153]

Good afternoon Ray,

Thank you for the info.

Would you be able to upload photo of the steel box please?

Thank you and best regards,

...behai.

======

PS: Please ignore my request.

I have found the photo of the steel box BenchCrafted.com - Crisscross

No, I have read my post and its not clear, but I bought the version that is not designed for retrofitting, ie, it has the long pin that goes from one side of the chop to the other, no steel box.

[artme]

Just my 2c.

I have a Zyliss and find it very versatile, but as it is not permanently attached
to anything it doesn't get used as often as it should and when I do use it I really
have to scratch the head to remember what to do!

I have a permanently mounted Dawn QR face vise. Unfortunately it is now well
worn (Bought it at Tony Carr's Junkyard 42 years ago ) and suffers from annoying
thread jumping. I have an idea for fixing this and will do so when the paw is in better nick.

[FenceFurniture]

I have an idea for fixing this and will do so when the paw is in better nick.

Love to hear about it Art:
A) now
and
B) when you do it

[artme]

OK FF here goes.

There is small metal plate that rides in the thread and is concerned with the
quick release function. From What i can see it is worn and probably needs
replacing ( with a home made version ) so that it rides right down in the
grooves of the thread.

I originally thought the thread was an Acme but now I'm not so sure.

Getting the vise out may prove to be a huge problem because of the way I built the bench.

[FenceFurniture]

I originally thought the thread was an Acme but now I'm not so sure.

No, you were right the first time - this ia an acme thread - it's for everyone.