I’m making a new workbench and I plan to use a Scandinavian Bench Screw a/k/a Should Vise on the side of one end. (I know I’ve seen the answer to my question somewhere in FW but can’t seem to find it on the Index search.) My question is whether the wood jaw which is attached to the foot or (swivel foot) of the screw simply has a moving tenon which rides in a dado slot along the extended portion of the “L” or whether it’s a loose fitting sliding dovetail. I think I’ve seen it as just the tenon and I speculate that the bottom of the “L” is thick enough to hold the jaw screw straight. I think a decent dovetail would bind, but the tenon just bothers me. Thanks for any thoughts or experience on this. Chairwright.
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Replies
No dovetail, the stepped portion of the jaw rides in a slot formed between the base and the top. You actually want the jaw to work in positions that aren't parallel to the front of the bench.
And sooner or later it may need to be replaced. Not an easy matter if you were to have it trapped by a dovetail! The jaw needs to be able to move and distribute clamping force. The bit riding in the slot is simply to stop the jaw spinning about when tightening or loosening the main screw.
Cheers,
Ian
For a really good description of this type of vise, check out Tage Frid's series of books from your local library. Plans for his bench, including details of this part, are included.
Jeff
It's in Frid's volume 3.
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