how to install a bench vise

Craig Bentzley has been restoring antiques and building furniture for nearly 40 years. I have held the vise to the edge of the work bench, yet it is not obvious to me just how to attach this vise? The easiest installation entails making spacer blocks to set the tops of the metal jaws below the bench surface while screwing the vise to the underside of a bench. It was solid, functional, and well-worked. BEFORE YOUR BEGIN: Read the Notes section below for best results when installing your vise. The installation instructions for the vise specify that the table thickness must be at least 2-1/4″. After turning the benchtop upright, hand-plane the tops of the wooden cheeks flush to the benchtop. installing bench vise. Because most vises include an integral dog, it makes sense to incorporate a row of dog holes into your benchtop. Plane the cheeks level to the benchtop, and relieve any sharp corners with a chisel (inset). Regardless of the type of mounting, have your vise(s) in hand before you start so you can determine the size of the spacers, jaws, and hardware needed for a trouble-free installation. At just over 35 pounds, the vise can seem a little intimidating, but luckily it separates into a few pieces which makes it fairly easy to install without having to flip one's workbench upside down. black pipe threaded on one end. If you are installing a bench top vise, place the vise in position and mark where the holes will be. Get a rough measurement of the vise jaw while the vise is in place. You’ll want a snug fit, but be careful not to tighten too much when working with any form of wood. There were no instructions, no pictures. The scrap dropped off away from the bench and my feet. Would this not be proper? There is a diagram that shows how the vise should be mounted. When retrofitting an existing bench, make sure the vise mechanism won’t interfere with the bench legs. Using an appropriately sized bit, drill out the mounting holes. The liner can be installed on the benchtop, the vise’s jaw or both. Make a hardwood spacer block thick enough to locate the top of the vise jaws 1⁄2" below the top of the bench, measuring in the same manner as explained for a simple mounting. Make the crosscut into the benchtop edge with a backsaw. Reattach the connecting bracket, washer, and roll pin. Then bore out the hole with a 3⁄4" brad-point bit. With the ends covered I will need clearance to get this thing over the screw head for installation. Mark and drill pilot holes, and attach the vise with washers and lag bolts (Photo G). Glue the U-shaped cheek filler to a piece of 3⁄4"-thick stock to make the rough-sized rear cheek. Use a straightedge to ensure the face of the jaw is flush with the edge of the bench. The most important part of the installation is – in my opinion – getting the edges of the liner firmly glued. Temporarily clamp the vise with the spacer blocks to the bench top. A stationary vise can often be placed in the middle of a table, but those with a swivel base (such as the ones we recommend) are best placed on the corner to get the most benefit from this feature. Woodworking vise. Finally, apply a couple of coats of wipe-on finish to all raw wood surfaces. I used scrap 2x6 for the vice jaws. ■ Drill 1/4-in. Then glue it to 3⁄4"-thick stock of similar size, as shown in Photo E. Trim the cheek assembly to rough width on the tablesaw, leaving the filler about 5⁄8" wide at the top. My bench has a 2x4 edge and if I line up the vise where the inner claw is flush so I can mount things vertically, then a little of the vise overhangs a little. Attach the rear cheek with #10 flathead woodscrews after countersinking the holes in the jaw. The holes for the two front lag screws were drilled through the vise. Right handed individuals usually prefer the vise to be mounted on the front right corner of the workbench or. In the event the washer is a little big, you can easily use a. Align the vise over the holes and place the bolt (with a washer) into each hole. Can't decide what to get the woodworker in your life. Be sure to go back around and ensure the bolts are evenly tightened. morticed in) or a "disposable" jaw protector inset flush with the front cheek or face of the workbench. Insert the vise screw and guide rods through the front vise plate holes and slide the two parts of the quick-release nut onto the screw. Cabinet Maker's Vise Installation Step 1: Cut Wood. You need to evaluate the size and strength of the platform. Properly mounting a bench vise isn’t difficult, but it can have a lasting effect on the efficiency of your vise. This positions the top of the vice flush with the table surface. To install a bench vise, you need several things. Use a square to lay out the dog hole locations on the bench, spacing them 6" apart starting from the end of the bench. Like anything else, I learned to deal with it. Vise swiveled off table On January 13, 2017 January 17, 2017 By 7bld7. diameter hole locations for the lag screws. Let’s face it; a workbench without vises is basically just an assembly table. Be sure to use the modified washers if you had a sizing issue. Much like the heavy-duty models, medium-duty woodworking vises usually feature a smooth anvil working surface and at least a 240-rotatable base that will contribute to the overall positioning and stability of working with a wood metal! This article is from Issue 41 of Woodcraft Magazine. (Uses, Types, and Which to Buy), 9 Best OBD2 Scanners for DIY Troubleshooting, 9 Best Knee Pads (for Flooring, Construction, and Tile Work), 8 Best Workbenches for Your Garage or Shop. A flush-mounted face vise offers the most versatility, but it requires more work to install. Mount the vise plate to the underside of the bench with 1/4" lag screws (not included). Then clamp a straightedge to the bench to guide a circular saw to cut the length of the notch. Drill holes to accommodate the vice screw and guide bars. Countersink the holes in the rear jaw (Photo A), and then attach the rear cheek with flathead wood screws and the front cheek with roundhead screws and washers. After the apron was secured I screwed the vice to the top with provided screws, added the front vise hardware and then flipped the Bench Top back over right side up. Benchtop vises mount directly to your benchtop surface. Secure the handle plate to the outer vise jaw with wood screws. The spacer blocks allow the clamp hardware to slide freely. Make your spacer block(s). First, lay out the notch in the benchtop. Hi Y'all, I have a wood vise to attache to my work bench. Glue the block to a hooked standoff that registers against the edge of your bench as shown in the photo. Center the block along the width of the notch, with the edges of each aligned flush at the front. Under the bench top I glued and screwed another wooden block. My bench had radiused edges, so I chiseled away the sharp point at the corner of the cheek. Snug the rear jaw assembly firmly in place while tightening the lag screws. Be sure to align the edges of the jaws carefully with the edge of your bench. This is the best approach for a face vise, because the entire length of a board secured for edge work will contact the bench edge for support and additional clamping, as shown in the photo above. Here’s a quick way to keep it … Install the vise with washers and lag screws that project through clearance holes in the two spacer blocks. drill the holes right through the bench top and bolt the vise into the top. 8. Properly mounting a bench vise isn’t difficult, but it can have a lasting effect on the efficiency of your vise. In this episode, they discuss how they assembled the 3-in. (Use two for an end vise to provide dog clearance.) Drill the counterbores and 7⁄16"-diameter through-holes in the spacer block on the drill press. Step 3: Drill Bench. TAKE 10% OFF JET DUST COLLECTION + FREE SHIPPING, Home (Visited 6 times, 1 visits today) Show more. Shift the top if necessary to accommodate the vise. I tightened the vise to the bench face and clamped it against the bench so I could complete the tightening of the rear lag screws. This let me put solid wood in between the bolts that hold the two plates together. On that I predrilled pilots holes again and added bolts and washers to secure the vise in place. A spacer block was attached to the underside of the bench so that the top edge of the vise sits at the desired depth relative to the top surface of the workbench. Step 2: Reinforce. Updated on January 15, 2021. (As with the previous method, handling is easier with the vise disassembled.) In the event you plan to use an included template, first be sure that the template properly matches the vise base itself, as they don‘t always line up properly. Vintage Vice – … First, measure out and mark the mounting holes. If I push it back to remove the overhang then the mounting holes sit between the 2x4 and top wood which wouldn’t make for a sturdy mount. Put the bench top on edge and secure it well. Southpaws will want to do the opposite. Clamp the vise and plate where you want the vise to be installed. Installation Steps: Position the vise on the table so at the full end of a swivel the vise portion hangs over the edge of the front of the work bench. Due to the nature of the workbench vises are designed to do, you require a firm and stable surface. A bench vise of this type is exceptionally sturdy and made out of cast iron. If the edges aren’t glued securely it will peel away gradually from the bench. If it’s proud, level it with a hand plane. Screw or glue the spacers in place, and then attach the vise to the top, using the longest possible 3⁄8" lag screws. If they like it they can make it permanent and lose nothing if the like their flush face. The first is a simple approach, perfectly appropriate for an end vise application. Since it’s primarily used in tandem with bench dogs to secure boards for face-planing, a smaller end vise should suffice. This will allow you to clamp longer pieces which can hang below the table top. With a pencil, mark around the rear jaw onto the edge of the bench. Inner vise jaw Handle plate 7. Vises provide the muscle for securing workpieces for planing, sawing, routing, and other tooling operations. The front of the vise was supported on stands as shown in an above picture. 9. When positioning your vise, optimally you want the stationary jaw face just past the edge of the table. On the underside of one hole, place a washer, lock washer, and nut, hand tightening. Trace the jaw’s outline and its screw holes onto the spacer. PREV. In addition to writing, Craig also teaches at guilds, woodworking shows, and at Woodcraft stores. Most commercially available dogs fit 3⁄4"-diameter holes, which need to be drilled precisely perpendicular to the benchtop. You want the inside fixed jaw to be just over the edge of the bench (so you can clamp long items without the bench interfering) Here is a comprehensive set of guidelines for vise use. The easiest installation entails making spacer blocks to set the tops of the metal jaws below the bench surface while screwing the vise to the underside of a bench. The vise is a Columbian 6 1/2 inch vise ( by Wilton). Using a hardwood board that’s at least 1" wider than the jaw’s height, plane it to the jaw’s thickness. It would make later steps simpler. ■ Start with a piece of 1/2-in. The next step you will need to undertake to install a vise is drilling the holes for the bolts. Make a drill guide block from 2"-thick stock, boring out the centered 3⁄4"-diameter hole on the drill press. (Make sure to align the hole with the dog on your vise.) Drill the holes right through the bench top and bolt the vise into the top.To install an edge cast-iron vise, remove the front jaw, screw and side bars to make the vise lighter and easier to work with. A cast-iron woodworking vise is easy to install and a great addition to any bench. Then, I learned that most professionals had their vises on the left-hand end. How to Install and Mount a Vise without Drilling Holes in Your Workbench. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. diameter clearance holes through the center of the two 3/4-in. The material of your workbench has little effect on the methods used, thankfully, and you can use this method on wood, plywood, or metal surfaces. Reinforce under the work bench to support the vice if needed. 19 Different Types of Hand Planes (and Their Uses), 12 Different Types of Sanders and Their Uses, 8 Best Framing Hammers to Last a Lifetime, 5 Types of Torque Wrenches and Sizes (and How They Work), 33 Different Types of Pliers and Their Uses, 27 Different Types of Ladders (and Their Uses), What Is PVA Glue? Matt and Mike didn’t skimp on any aspects of this workbench, but particularly not on the benchtop and vise. Bench Vise Install. Similar vises may differ in features, but attachment is similar. They usually mount with four bolts that sandwich the vise’s base against the benchtop. To begin, drive the roll pin from the end of the vise screw, remove the connecting bracket and the front jaw, and then degrease the vise of its protective coating. Groz - 7" Quick Release Woodworking Vise with Quick Adjustment Trigger, Groz - 9" Quick Release Woodworking Vise with Quick Adjustment Trigger, Groz - 10-1/2" Quick Release Woodworking Vise with Quick Adjustment Trigger, Groz - 7" Groz Rapid Action Woodworking Vise, MagSwitch - Workholding System Starter Kit, You must be logged in to write a comment. Installing a Woodworking Vise. Second tip: Eliminate all glue-squeeze-out after installing the liner. In this video, Ed Pirnik shows you how to mount one to your workbench, using a spacer block and a full length inside jaw apron. To drill each hole, align the jig’s centerline with its dog hole layout line, and clamp the jig to the bench with a backup board underneath. To calculate the size of the cheeks, measure the rear jaw’s bearing surface and add enough to the cheek width so that it extends about 1⁄8" above the bench surface when installed. Thanks for the inspiration. Its length should be the width of the jaw plus 1". Of the myriad commercial models, the venerable Record vise is one that has stood the test of time, because it’s simple to install, easy to operate, and designed to survive generations of use. Draw a centerline down the rear face of the block for positioning reference. Do this by positioning the vise where you want it and then place a pencil in the mounting holes to mark them. maple benchtop and installed the Lie-Nielsen twin-screw vise. Installing a Bench Vise: Without the Holes. A stationary vise can often be placed in the middle of a table, but those with a swivel base (such as the ones we recommend) are best placed on the corner to get the most benefit from this feature. This vise comes with a nice wooden handle, but a pair of wooden jaws need to be built to match the workbench's width and extend down about 3" below the bottom of the … Vice. Next, make both cheeks the size of the rear cheek, using 3⁄4"-thick hardwood. 0 Likes. Make the front cheek, and attach it with washers and roundhead woodscrews, reassemble the vise, and turn the benchtop over. Face vises are att ached on the front, or face, of the bench; end vises are installed on the end. In my new shop, the only place I could put my bench mandated that my vise had to go on the left-hand end. Make sure to leave extra height so that the top can be planed flush with the benchtop at the end. Later, Ed shows how to drill dog holes so they are aligned properly with your vise. This is especially important when installing a woodworking vise, as the jaws of the vise will need to be lined up flush with the top of the workbench. Repeat this for all bolts. a trouble-free installation. Bench Vise Install is explained in this video to demonstrate each step of how the product is manufactured in the metalworking industry. Then crosscut it to fit the benchtop notch. By Craig Bentzley Vise Locati on And Selecti on A vise’s locati on on the bench determines what it’s called. November 2020. Installing a Bench Vise Give your workbench the holding power it deserves. Add to that 1⁄4" for a 7" vise, or 1⁄2" for a 10" vise. A vise’s location on the bench determines what it’s called. Once the holes were drilled, I secured the apron using the vice to keep it square and used TiteBond II to secure the apron to the Work Bench top along with 2 1/2 " screws. I filled in the groove areas and trimmed them flush at the two ends. It was awkward at first. Hand-plane the cheeks flush with the benchtop (Photo H). I next I cut a piece of plywood on the bandsaw to act as the jaw’s frame. Fine woodworking bench vise reviews | quick woodworking. Countersink the through-holes on the back of the rear jaw to allow attaching the cheek with flathead screws. thick spacer blocks. Articles Hold the pipe against your bench and mark the 1/4-in. 0% 6 Views. Face vises are attached on the front, or face, of the bench; end vises are installed on the end. The second involves recessing the rear jaw flush with the edge of the bench. Next, mark out holes for four screws to attach the spacer block to the benchtop, locating them so they won’t interfere with the vise mounting screws. Give your workbench the holding power it deserves. Rip the notch until you intersect the previous crosscut (Photo C), and then finish up with a handsaw. Log In. How to install bench swivel vise. It’s a good idea … This nicholson style vice looks like it will do me just right. This space allows room for the wood face which is added later to cover the top of the jaw… July 30, 2020. To determine the thickness of your spacer blocks, place the rear jaw upside down on the inverted benchtop and measure how much the top of the jaw projects beyond the underside. If they did want a second, protruding jaw, they could add a 1 1/2″ piece of wood and try it by double taping one to the bench front. Note that some vises come with a mounting template. Crosscut the piece and bandsaw the interior to make the U-shaped cheek filler. Attach the spacer block with lag screws through counter-bored holes. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when working on plywood, as this can cause the bottom to splinter when you break through. Right-handers should mount a face vise at the far left of the bench’s front edge and an end vise on the end of the bench at the foremost right-hand corner. Countersink the holes on the rear jaw and attach the cheek as shown in Photo F. Position the vise on the spacer block with the cheek nestled in its notch. Although it’s no longer in production, several clones are available, including the Eclipse vise, which I show in this article. When the vise is installed, the top edge of the jaws should be ½ to ¾ inch below the top of the bench. Next I marked the screw holes of the back jaw, predrilled pilot holes and added the screws. Then trace the shape of the rear jaw onto the board, aligning the bottom edges as shown in Figure 1, and allowing an extra 3⁄4" or so at each end. Guide a circular saw along a secured straightedge to rip the length of the notch up to the crosscut. Subscribe to the newsletter and get 10% off your next purchase in addition to the latest products, guides and project ideas. For additional stability, put a square plate of steel between the the bench and vise or underneath the bench. When I swiveled the vice fully in the opposite direction, it was positioned with the vise over the work table (see images) . To begin, drive the roll pin from the end of the vise screw, remove the connecting bracket and the front jaw, and then degrease the vise of its protective coating. Clamp the block in place, and then attach it to the benchtop with lag screws and washers, as shown in Photo D. To make the wooden cheek for the rear jaw, first measure the thickness of the jaw. Line up the vise in the position you want it to be secured, and double check your placement. Plane them to your determined thickness, and size them in length and width to suit the mounting hole surfaces on the rear jaw bracket, as shown in Photo B. Meaning the vice itself should be inset to the workbench, with the rear jaw plate either integrated as part of the workbench front face (i.e. Because a face vise is used for general work as well as for planing edges, I recommend investing in a larger vise (at least 10"). The vise/vice should be installed with the "rear" jaw protector flush with the front face of your workbench. Using the socket wrench on the bolt and standard wrench (to hold the nut), tighten all of the bolts down. I prefer a small (7") model, because its dog is only 31⁄2" from the front edge of the bench, which is convenient for clamping workpieces for face-planing and other operations. The best benches have both, but if you can only afford one, I’d go for a face vise initially. As a house warming gift — in our new home that finally had a work room — my mother graciously brought up my grandfather’s old bench vise. Many front vises have no second back jaw and rely on the bench top or the apron as the second jaw. Sandwich the blocks between the bracket and the bench, trace the locations of the mounting holes, and drill clearance holes through the spacers. (The former is necessary for better dog height on the smaller vise.). Installing a Bench Vise. Last Updated on Thursday, 07 January 2016 14:49 Written by Nevin Tuesday, 21 December 2010 15:39 The type of vise mostly used for metalworking -the engineers vise – is a very simple vise to install, just bolt it down to the bench where you want it to go, but the woodworking vise is a bit more complicated because it is mounted on the front of the bench. Test fit a washer over the holes on your vise base. Vise swiveled over table. You don’t always need a machinist-style vise on your workbench, but when you do, you want it secured in place fast. Here, I’ll show you two mounting options. The depth should equal the thickness of the rear jaw plus 3⁄4". If you are installing a bench top vise, place the vise in position and mark where the holes will be. I want to install a full width vice on the end of my bench and was trying to justify the money for a veritas twin screw vice.
Compustar Dc3 Installation, Uncle Julio's Sandy Springs, Splatoon Playable Characters, Recessed Tv Wall, Zoo Tycoon 2 Campaign, Omanyte Based On, The Illustrated Man The Visitor Summary, Dank Shot 500 Mg, Cubit To Feet Conversion Calculator, Skunk Off Recipe, Divinity Original Sin 2 Arena Driftwood,