I could use a little advise on setting up my quick release vise. I have a 7″ jet quick release front vise that I can not seem to get square to the bench. I do not have a power jointer, but I do have a stanley #7, #5 and smoothing plane #4. My bench is 1.5″ maple butcher block. I put a 6″ front apron on the bench so I could put dogs holes to support long pieces and built the bottom of the bench top with maple stock and added the vise to that. The block of wood that I added to the vise is 6/4 which I drilled holes for dogs as the top of the vise is about three inches from the top of the table now. I love my table but would love to be able to hold work securly in the vise. Do I keep planing the face and try to get it perfectly flat or should I try to angle the bottom of the vise so it leans into the bench Any suggestions would be appreciated
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Replies
Johnny,
I was with you right until the last paragraph. What face are you talking about? What isn't flat? Typically, the top of the vise jaw is canted inwards ever so slightly so that it closes first. Then, as the vise is tightened, the jaw straightens out and the jaw becomes parallel and makes full contact.
I'm with Chris on this. The
I'm with Chris on this. The edge and apron, if any, on the bench should be square to the surface. As a result, the fixed jaw of the vise, the part screwed to the edge of the bench, should also be square with the surface. If it's not, there may be a protrusion on the back side of the fixed jaw. The movable jaw, the guides for which are generally screwed to the underside of the bench, should be canted ever-so-slightly, so the top edge touches first. To accomplish that, you may need to shim the rail guides on the underside of the bench.
Ralph,
Another approach would be to plane a taper in the movable jaw. Most woodworking vices with cast iron faces have canted movable jaws already.
So, I have to ask, Chris - what kind of plane do you use on cast iron? ;-)
Easy - a cheap one.
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