Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | May 15, 2007 06:09pm | #1

   Can you post a few pictures?  Wood does a couple articles a year about how to build a bench.  You can probably add a tail vise, with out too much trouble, but a better idea of what your talking about will be helpful.   

1. 
   noviceneil | May 15, 2007 07:16pm | #2

   I will try to get a picture or two...currently my 6 month old camera is reading "lens error" and the manual is suggesting I return it to the dealer...now if I can just find that WalMart receipt...I never buy tools from them, should've looked elsewhere, but let's not get off on a WalMart tangent, I think that horse is near beat to death...my neighbor has a working camera and an ability to send pictures electronically...pleased stay tuned...

   Neil

2. 
   scottvelie | May 15, 2007 09:36pm | #3

   here are 2 good books on the subject:

    

   http://www.amazon.com/Workbench-Book-Craftsmans-Workbenches-Woodworking/dp/1561582700/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/103-4760927-5788636?ie=UTF8&qid=1179253853&sr=8-1

    

   Most tail vice hardware kits come with plans.

   Scott

   [email protected]

   View Image

3. 
   dherzig | May 15, 2007 10:56pm | #4

   Also "Google" for Christopher Schwartz, from Popular Woodworking magazine. He is in the process of writing a book based on extensive research in workbenches. Some has already appeared in the magazine, some in the companion magazine, Woodworking and some in the Popular Woodworking blog at their web site.

4. 
   Napie | May 15, 2007 11:10pm | #5

   Check out the one John Nyquist made in “The Workbench Book”.  I built one for my bench and it has 15 years of great service and more clamping options.  No special hardware either, just a standard bench screw and easy to build.

5. 
   Lataxe | May 16, 2007 12:28am | #6

   Neil,

   I know you asked about a tail vise but have you considered using a Veritas twin screw vise on the end of your bench?  You can make the vice up to any width with jaws of your choice and mount it on the end of an extant bench top using the four bed-bolts supplied with the vise kit.

   Because it is easily demountable (via the bed bolt attachment) you can also mount it on the other end of your bench - or anywhere in fact; it is a standalone item, requiring only the drilling for the bed-bolts into whatever it is to be mounted on.

   It may be heresy but I think the twin screw end vice has made tail vises (and many other vise types, excepting perhaps the pattern maker) redundant.  It can be used as a tail vise, a shoulder vise or any other type of "standard" vise.  You merely need to make the jaw-type required and drill them for dogs, clamps, or other vise-accoutrements.

   Lataxe

1. 
   noviceneil | May 16, 2007 12:59am | #7

   Lataxe,

   I did consider the Veritas vise and may still go with it but surely you of all people can appreciate the beauty and the fun involved in making those huge dovetails in a variety of woods that make up the tail vise...I've just learned to make hand cut dovetails and I can't seem to stop ...if the tail vise was just a couple pieces of machined steel I don't think I would be that keen to install one..

   Neil

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 16, 2007 04:15am | #8

   Neil,

   Extrapolate your penchant for dovetails into the Veritas Twin Screw as I have.  Now if I can manufacture an economical replacement for the York Bench Hook, I'll have it made.

   Lataxe's ingenious opposite end birds-mouth device mounted in the top dogholes completes the transition.

   Sir Lataxe, please enlighten us with pics to complete the puzzle.

   Regards, Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   noviceneil | May 18, 2007 08:15pm | #13

   Bob, I went back through the archives and reviewed the opinions and pictures of those who had taken your advised course...thanks for the suggestion..even though I'd like to see those dovetails on a tail vise, I cancelled my order and went with the Veritas Twin Screw vise..it does look more versatile and certainly easier to install...thanks to all for their learned opinions.

   Neil

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 18, 2007 10:06pm | #14

   Neil,Put the dovetails on the TS! Lon Schleining did, and me too.I just did the end apron to the front apron. They're a real bear to cut, just take your time. I used a large block clamped to the piece(s) to keep the saw straight for the cuts. Came out not all that bad, just a few shims and life is good.Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   noviceneil | May 19, 2007 03:46pm | #15

   Bob,

   I'm not sure I follow....are you able to post a picture  or two for a visual learner?

   Neil

2. 
   tinkerer2 | May 16, 2007 04:41am | #9

   Lataxe, where have you been?  We have missed you.  We have been worried.  Good to see you back.

1. 
   Lataxe | May 16, 2007 06:01pm | #10

   Tink,

   It's good to be back. :-)

   Bob,

   There are some pics in other threads of the Veritas twin screws as I have them set up on my bench, but.....

   For a tail vise, the top of one end of the twin screw outer jaw is given a dog hole, with a corresponding line of dogholes down the bench top

   For a shoulder vise, the twin screw in mounted along the side of the bench but one or both sides of its jaws are extended well outside the screws.  This allows you to mount anything in the outer edges of the jaws, with the opposite screw ensuring that there is no wracking when you tighten the jaw on the workpiece.

   Lataxe

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 16, 2007 07:35pm | #11

   Lataxe,

   I got my Twin Screw installed this weekend past.  Just have the cover to size down and install.  The jaws are birch with 4/4 cherry laminated on the insides of each.  I've wanted a TS from the first time I saw it and your past discussions regarding same really got me going.

   A friend is making a modified York Bench Hook similar to yours and yes, I'm going to make the over the side birdsmouth doghole thingamajig too!  I too did not want to bore dogholes in the apron.

   With this setup I feel it gets me the functionality of a Tail Vise with the added clamping capability for large pieces either between the screws or on the benchtop.

   Thanks for the inovation/inspiration,

    

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   tinkerer2 | May 17, 2007 04:14am | #12

   I built the top and mounted the TS a year and a half ago but still have it sitting on sawhorses.  Have used it very little as I have been busy building the shop and other projects.  The shop is all full of other junk that I need to dispose of before I get a planer and build the base.  The only fault, if I can call it that, is that it doesn't have a fast screw on it. 

    

   Edited 5/16/2007 9:16 pm ET by tinkerer2