Replies

1. 
   BG | Mar 31, 2006 01:21pm | #1

   ctsjr82,

   I bought the Jorgenson for the front and a cheap pony for the end vise; there's not a lot of options. I liked the Jorgenson for the quick release feature and the wood handle...which I like. The end vise(pony) is used with the dogs to hold stock on top of the bench...quick release is not needed. Between these vises and a few wood clamps just about all my needs are met.  

1. 
   ctsjr | Mar 31, 2006 03:03pm | #2

   Thanks.  I was planning to buy two identical vises, but your idea is a good one.  I've looked on ebay for the past few weeks, and the vises offered up there are going for too much, and by the time you add in twenty bucks for shipping, it's easier to go buy a new one, or go to Amazon and get free shipping.  I'll look at the Jorgenson.  Thanks again.  ctsjr82

2. 
   AdamCherubini | Mar 31, 2006 03:36pm | #3

   It depends on whether you want to work with hand tools or not.  If not, build any bench you want.  But if you see yourself planing boards by hand- especially giving up your power jointer for example, then you need to open the pandora's box of hand tool workbench design.  The iron vises front and end will probably at both times not be sufficient and will interfere with hand tool work.

   I tell people if they are unsure to go ahead and open the box and learn all they can about traditional benches and then stick with the earliest, simplest, cheapest, designs.  Invariably woodworkers try to "add functionality" to their benches and in the end remove it with their additions.  You can't outsmart your great great great grandfather who worked on these benches for money.

   If you have a shop full of power tools and you like using them you can skip all of this hooey!

   Cheers!

   Adam

1. 
   ctsjr | Mar 31, 2006 11:57pm | #4

   Thanks Adam.  I am learning to use hand tools, and plan to use a handplane finish on my work.  The bench design I am going to use is based on Mike Dunbar's bench in FWW a few years back.  If the cast iron vises prove to be in the way, I'll be able to replace them with a tradition front vise.  The tail vise may be a different story.  Tom

1. 
   BMilton | Apr 01, 2006 12:33am | #5

   It's been quite a while since I did mine, but you dould do wooden vises. You can buy a vise screw and a couple of steel rods (about 1" in diameter). Make the face from thick wood (I used maple, about 3" thick). The vise screw attaches to the face (and the corresponding nut [or whatever it is called] goes inside the side of the bench. The rods attach to the face near the two edges, and are attached to a block at the far end (far enough away that the vise screw doesn't hit the block).  Nowdays you could get a self contained unit (screw and rods in one piece) from someone like Woodcraft. Reasonably inexpensive, and I've never had any problem with using hand tools.

        Bob

    

1. 
   ctsjr | Apr 01, 2006 02:15am | #6

   Thanks, Bob.  I thought about that, and given that I am going to have to attach wooden faces to the cast iron vises, it would amount to the same amount of work or less.  Tom

3. 
   Troy | Apr 01, 2006 04:47am | #7

   I installed a large front vise and a shoulder vise both from lee valley I had to add the wood parts. I have been pleased with them. I know Lie Neilsen has simmilar but more expensive vises (probably nicer) I have seen other front vises like the lee valley ones but with quick releases.

   Good luck

   Troy