Face Vise Type Recommendation

Blackrock612 | Posted in General Discussion on January 21, 2021 05:00pm

Hi everyone. I’m new to woodworking and making a Moravian style bench. The video I’m following uses a wooden screw style face vise since the bench is a copy of a traditional/ historic bench. I like the idea of using a wooden vise and the look of it, but for the same amount of money it looks like I could get a good cast iron one. I haven’t really used either so I don’t have a good idea of pros and cons. Does anyone have any opinions on what would be a decent face vise for less than say $300? I was thinking about the Milwaukee Tools 10 inch one that is sold on the Lake Erie Toolworks page although I can’t find much info on it.

Replies

gulfstar | Jan 21, 2021 09:10pm | #1
I have the largest Record vise I could get 40 years ago with 15 inches stroke and quick release, never had any regrets and never will, get the largest money can buy.
user-7022764 | Jan 21, 2021 11:00pm | #2
At work I have about 20 of the quick release vises in large and small sizes from Lee Valley, they are made in Czech Republic and are of very good quality while not being too terribly expensive. I have 4 more of the small ones on order now for new benches and covid class spacing.

The Milwaukee Tools vises are nice, but a bit more pricey. I have a small one on my sons bench and it is nice. Good kids vise.
fishnduty | Jan 22, 2021 03:38pm | #3
I have a Record 53 and have not used a wooden face vise. That said, I sit in front of mine a lot doing detailed work and saw sharping. I prefer having leg room under an iron vise rather than a wooden model that goes to the floor. Now, a wooden Moxon style vice looks interesting.
nickbrak | Jan 22, 2021 06:39pm | #4
I use a wood face vise with an acme screw, love it. I don’t have to worry about hitting any metal with saws/planes/files. The Criss-cross from bench crafted looks good if you want to keep with wood. Just choose one and go with it. Both have advantages/disadvantages such as the metal ones usually don’t have as much clamp area to side of the vise as a single thread because of the alignment rods, and it usually is not as deep(tall) because of where all the metal rods/thread is compared to the wood one. While the wood ones will rack more because of the lack of alignment rods. As with anything in woodworking, it comes down to what you like to do. If you like small stuff, then the regular metal ones will probably work better, if you work with bigger stuff maybe the wood vise will work better.
muskokalayne | Jan 22, 2021 07:10pm | #5
I have the lee valley twin screw vice and the Czech vice that user 7022764 has and I love them both. Hope this helps
geedubbee | Jan 24, 2021 11:07am | #6
What is "best" for you depends so much on what you will be doing. Over the years I ended up abandoning the QR functions in favor of a twin screw at the face and at the end. Your use may call for something very different like fishnduty who spends a lot of time doing close work.

I use dogs to hold my work so the QR feature is not missed. If I did a lot of work where I held the work between the jaws and I had to move what I was holding frequently, I would want a smaller QR-type of vise. In this craft, trying to plan too far ahead can cost you money or time on things that just don't get used.
SplitsNWarps | Jan 24, 2021 12:57pm | #7
Good commentary here, thanks.

I’m mulling my vise decision too, and have a couple of related questions (bench will be Pop Wood’s 21st Century Hybrid bench):

A) I am right handed, so at which end should I install my face vise? I use only pull-saws (Japanese).
B) I have the Veritas twin screw tail vise and a large vintage pattern maker’s vise, where and what are the considerations for locating them? For instance, many folks like to use the tail vise as a face vise.
C) If the suggestion is to use the pattern maker’s vise as the face vise, then should I try to position it so that part of it overlaps the flush leg (that assumes such placement does not interfere with the swing functions)?