As in wood workers vice. Don’t need any advice about my vices for they are all highly refined and functioning effectively.
It’s time for me to buy a decent vice, one for all-around use. The articles I have read haven’t been much help about the pros and cons of each type. Nor do I understand what a tail or end vice is. The name implies the same thing to me.
If you were to only have one, which is the best place on the bench to put a vice, end or side? MY current one is on the end and it is often in the way. But seems like on the side can cause problems too.
Is it effective to just buy the hardware (screws and plates) without jaws? Or better to buy a complete set up?
Are they all prone to wracking? My current one is so distorted as to be almost useless.
I’m not looking to save money at the expense of practicality.
Replies
Mr Boat
I hate to drone......buy the Workbench Book (Tom Landis)
I just did, its wonderfull. I had no idea about the different sorts or the pro's and con's of each, and now I'm an expert. lol
Go with the Veratis twin screw. I havn't got one..... but I want one.
Ben
Ps. do you make boats? if yes what sort? or is that boats of the fishing type?
Fortunately not though I've worked for builders as an engineer. I'm a surveyor and writer of boat buyers guides.
About the book, well, I'd rather put the money in the vice. I've got too many books already. I presume you mean the chain drive Veritas?
Boatman,
Okay, here is my opinion. One vise on a workbench is like limiting yourself to using your TS on only one side of the blade...not an effective use of the resource.
I use the tail/end (I'm with you here, I don't know the difference) almost exclusively to hold long stock I'm about to plane on the flat side....it's a cheap pony and it works fine.
The vise in the front of my workbench is my main workhorse..its a Jorgenson quick release...the large threads in all these tend to cause a bit of racking. I extended the jaw boards an extra 3" on each side of the vise. This works ony kinda...the boards deflect even though they are 1.5". With the force I need to apply to hold a long board for jointing I have a tough time imagining wood only jaws provide enough support...again, opinion.
Beyond planing, I need a vice to hold stock for sawing and chopping (I cut dovetails on the vertical). I would think that the Veritas twin screw would hold the stock the best and would allow me to do carcas dovetails also....but I'm not sure that this is just wishful thinking.
Lastly, there is the issue of planning draw sides after assembly. I can jerry rig a solution with a large block of wood (equal to the depth of the draw) and my front vice. However, my druthers would be a design like the Scandinavian workbenches....with the hook arm of wood and single screw.
If I could only buy one vise I would look long at the pattern makers vise that Wade Garrett features and put it on the front. Also, I would pick up one of those Vertias clamps that drop in a dog hole and you can tighten to hold stock on the bench top.
Edit: so Kevin can go back to Sister Mary Elephant and brag
Edited 8/7/2003 11:55:18 AM ET by BG
I do all my flat side planing with a simple cleat screwed to a bench. That costs nothing and works better than messing around with a vice. I need a vice for:
Edge & end planing
Sawing mostly small stuff, odd tennons, etc.
Holding partially finished pieces,
Wracking causes the biggest trouble with small pieces. Therefore, I need a vice of moderately large size that also works well with small pieces.
I don't know... If you've got enough vices already you should buy a vise instead...
I have a record 53E and a few modern style Emmerts that I wouldn't give up for anything as well as a decent metal woking vise. You can still find the full size Emmerts on ebay and in the classifieds of FWW on occasion. A bit pricey sometimes but if you keep an eye out you can get one for a reasonable price. There's a guy in PA who deals with Emmerts a lot as well. Considering the import knockoff is priced at $219 and is based on the small emmert and the Veritas Tucker vise sells for $500 getting an Emmert for under $500 wouldn't be too bad. Personally I've never paid over $250 for one. Just what works for me as your needs might be different.
Boatman,
If you're looking for a quick-release vise, I think that the 9" India-made vise that Garrett-Wade sells is an extremely good deal for approx $100.
Ihave both it and the 9" Record that it is a clone of, and the Made-in-India clone is a better vise. It is smoother, heavier, and the finish on the casting is better.
Doesn't say much for the modern-day Record but you gotta call 'em like you see 'em.
Ed
Thanks Ed, and thanks to all. I decided to go with the Vertas double. Don't know if it's going to be too big and get in the way, or be awkward, but they guarantee that it doesn't wrack. Plus, I've been happy with everything else I've got from them and it looks like a good deal for $160.00.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled