Hello,
I have a utility bench in my shop that is similar in construction to the one featured in ShopNotes #75 (the most recent issue) w/ the plank top and the slightly recessed 2×4 side members. I built it before I had any interest in woodworking (actually, it was Workbench 2.0; 1.0 was pretty scary!). Now I’m looking to possibly upgrade it w/ a basic woodworking style vise on the left end, but I’m not sure how to go about mounting the vise w/ the 2×4 side stretchers at the top. Most of the illustrations I’ve seen of mounting vises seem to assume the vise is hanging from the bottom of a solid slab top, and if it is going thru a side skirt, it is one that is not structural and forms one face of the vise. In this case, I’m going to need to have a separate face, I think, and I’m a little leary of hacking away too much of that stretcher…
Does anyone out there have a bench w/ this kind of construction, and
possibly have some photo’s of how they mounted a front vise to it?
Suggestions as to a particular one that might be particularly suited to the application? I’m not necessarily looking to go nuts w/ $$$ on the vice, but I’m looking for something a little nicer than the el-crappo one at HD. The Wilton at Lowes actually appears pretty solidly built.
Comments, suggestions?
TIA,
Monte
P.S. Here is a link to a picture on the magazines website so you have
some idea what kind of arrangement I’m talking about:
http://www.shopnotes.com/main/75-PlankTop-Workbench.html
Replies
milanuk, you can fill the 'Void' with proper 'Blocking'using hardwood blanks under the table and back behind the skirt
The blocking should be half as thick as the skirt drops below the underside of the table. You must cut a horizontal notch off the skirt's bottom to come out flush with the blocking material.
Lay out the vise by first clamping it in the closest space nearest to the table's leg for ridgidity. mark out the holes and drill UP with small pilot drill bits. Later counter bore for the heads of the carriage bolts needed with a spade bit (Irwin) or, a forstner bit
After recessing for the heads, drill through the pilot holes for the carriage bolts 3/8" 7/16" or if possible, 1/2"
If you don't like the heads showing, Counter bore deeper and glue in hardwood plugs and sand flush
If need be, to bring the vise jaws up level with the top, make and attach taller 'Jaws' G,luck, Stein
Edited 4/22/2004 8:07 pm ET by steinmetz
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