Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Nov 21, 2006 06:48pm | #1

   Is your question how to attach the top?

   If so, either screw top down, and bury the heads, or screw from underneath, or make sliding dovetails about 6" long, 4 of them near the ply edges and slide the ply in lengthwise.

   It's only poplar ply, there're a million ways to secure it.

    

2. 
   TWG | Nov 21, 2006 07:00pm | #2

   How about LV's "Tucker Vice".  Not cheap though.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31143&cat=1,41659

1. 
   DougSmith | Nov 22, 2006 02:28am | #3

   Thanks TWG. I had not found this one in my searching. However, $600 plus is a bit rich for a vise. I could spend up to $200. I have noticed the Jorgensen deep reach clamp:

   https://www.adjustableclamp.com/replacementparts/products3.asp?subcatID=95

   I could screw the 60 inch model to the front of the skirt that the benchtop attaches to. I could mount two of them, one with jaws up and the other with jaws out toward the woodworker.

   But this clamp is rather light duty. There may be other things out there. I'm looking for more suggestions.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 22, 2006 11:18pm | #5

   What is it you want to use the vises for?Here's the array of choices from Lee Valley:http://www.leevalley.com/home/Search.aspx?c=2&action=nAnd I too would highly recommend the Wonder Dogs (from LV); here's their selection of various bench clamping devices, including the Wonder Dog:http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=43847&cat=1,43838********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   DougSmith | Nov 23, 2006 10:09pm | #12

   Thank you nikkiwood. The Veritas Wonder Dog looks like a great idea. I was not aware of it. I can see that its screw would replace a primary bench screw, which my workbench lacks (it is just a table top with a big drawer unit below). And a Veritas Hold-Down would go in the same holes. I do have room under the bench top for the anchoring bar of these clamps.

   What I want to do is be able to hold pieces of wood on my bench so I can plane, saw, or pare on them. I have been considering mounting a deep reach bar clamp to the front edge of the bench. I have just been looking at the JET model 709836 . I cannot find a complete description of it, not even in the company's PDF file online.  I am also looking at the Jorgensen model mentioned above. Mounting these so as not to interfear with the sliding action is an interesting problem. But I believe it can be done with flat head machine screws. I might have to put an insert inside the C body clamp bar to keep from collapsing it with the mounting tension. That's what I need to know about the JET clamp. How strong is its bar construction.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 23, 2006 10:17pm | #13

   Before stuff like the wonder dogs came along, rigging a bar clamp for the purposes you mention was common for homemade work benches.The LV dogs are very versatile though; all you need are 3/4" holes in your bench. And, if you are working on an odd-ball piece that doesn't match up with your hole configuration, you can just drill more holes.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   DougSmith | Nov 24, 2006 02:57am | #15

   I think the Wonder Dogs are a great idea! Can you describe a hole pattern that you know to be an efficient use of bench top space?

   Thanks

3. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 24, 2006 04:53am | #16

   I have the holes drilled on a bench I made, and I recently did the same with an assembly table. Distance between holes is not critical, since you can always use spacers to fill up gaps if necessary. IIRC, I did mine about 6" on center. I came up with that number by taking one of the regular LV bench dogs, then cranking the wonder dog to its full extension, and 6" seemed to be about right.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   madinventor | Nov 23, 2006 09:15pm | #11

   Here's a chinese copy - probably literally - of emmert, for not far off $200:
   http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Pattern-Makers-Vice-21294.htm
   That's in the UK, but probably available worldwide. I don't know how good it is but axminster sell pretty good stuff.

1. 
   oldsid | Nov 25, 2006 02:36pm | #20

   I have used one of the Chinese vyces  for over 10 years , good gear , mine cost $130 au , also have a lathe from Taiwan , $300 n use it constantly , spindle turning  , one time a expansion pully fell to pieces , but only after many years of use .

   Saw the agent , and had the replcement unit the next day ,cheap $40 , I can do everythingI need on it . cheersoldsid

2. 
   Patto | Nov 23, 2006 05:27am | #8

   I bought a Record 52D in 1986 for my first bench. Over 20 years it has racked a bit, probably due to me putting stuff in vertically oon one side and over tightening and other bad habits from the great multitude of the untrained. The bench with that vice is still the mainstay of my shed (we dont call it a shop here)

   At the time this seemed the best available new vice in Australia. I rather suspect that a $600 vice is less than the same proportion of my current income (perhaps also represents and equivalent purchase with inflation also), and I certainly depend on the vice more than I do the $1000 table saw I don't own.

   Just a different perspective from a hobbyist with hand tools. PS - I have since learnt to use the bench surface to support planing and chopping activity.

   The tucker vice seems a fine piece of kit - Have you used one and how does it compare to a 2nd hand Emmert or the asian knock-offs at 1/2 the price?

   The reason for my question is that I have an offer of a new bench top (made from laminating 2*4 recycled australian hardwood) and It might be time to pass the old bench on. (my brother wants a bench that is sufficiently worn that he wont get critcised for they way he will use it. he has offerred to fund the matrials for new bench as a swap)

   Dave

1. 
   TWG | Nov 23, 2006 07:33pm | #10

   dougsmith,

   I agree the Tucker is expensive.  To expensive for me as well.  I also agree with others' suggestions of the LV Wonderdogs and Wonderpups.  I use them often.

   Patto, 

   I have not used, or even seen first hand, LV's version of the Tucker vise but I have used the Emmert.  It was awsome.  I have been told by an experienced source that the LV Tucker is just as good as the original with perhaps a slightly inferior finish. 

   Used Emmerts are few and far between here in the States.  I have seen good ones go for $1,000 U.S.

    

   Edited 11/23/2006 11:35 am ET by TWG

1. 
   Patto | Nov 28, 2006 12:32am | #21

   Thanks,

   Had a look on Friday over one of the chinese patternmakers vices that has seen about two years work. It feels very sloppy until tightened up on a piece of work. Even when tightened there is some nocticable slop in the top hinge and the pin that controls the angle setting. Gravity stops it moving for normal work, but it would push back if working on the end of a vertically clamped board that was protruding a bit.

3. 
   Napie | Nov 22, 2006 07:26pm | #4

   Try the Lee Valley bench clamping system with the "Wonder Dogs".  I have made up some pretty cool special jigs with them.

4. 
   ClarkCustoms | Nov 23, 2006 01:30am | #6

   I have several wilton woodworking vices.  I just might be convinced to part with at least one.

    There older heavier duty vices that came out of a school woodworking shop. All of them work great. I'd probably sell one for $100.00 and you pay the shipping if you don't live here in Michigan. It will be the last vice that you'll ever need to put on your bench......

   Sincerely,

    Jim Clark

1. 
   DougSmith | Nov 23, 2006 10:36pm | #14

   Jim,Wilton is a good brand. Can you point me to an online picture similar to the one you have? Or can you attach a photo here?

   Please explain this board's policy and method of email contact between members.

   Thanks

1. 
   ClarkCustoms | Nov 24, 2006 02:09pm | #18

   Doug,

    I'll get some pics as soon as I possibly can.

    By Saturday I'll drop you a line so you can check out the vices.

    Thanks

    

   Jim C

   Edited 11/24/2006 6:10 am ET by MrNoMeasure

1. 
   ptu | Nov 24, 2006 10:19pm | #19

   The old tail vise sounds to me what you are looking for, that along with some bench dogs is pretty versital. You can figure your hole spacing by the depth of opening of your vise. Space your holes to be just shy of the adjustment destance.

5. 
   Bolts | Nov 23, 2006 05:18am | #7

   Have a look at Highland Hardware's site the have the Indian  Record copies plus a pattern makers vice copied of the Emmet Pattern.

   Regards from Melbourne OZ

   You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof 

6. 
   rarebear | Nov 23, 2006 07:16am | #9

   ENCo has some pretty good vises for the money and if you join there mailing list they will send you a free shipping code every month for orders over $50 http://use-enco.com

   I would get two one for a front vise and one for a tail vise..

   Check out My Projects page at my website http://www.rexmill.com

   With two you can use you bench as clamp for glue-ups

1. 
   DougSmith | Nov 24, 2006 08:07am | #17

   I looked at your workbench at the rexmill site. Its a nice looking item. Please explain how you would use your end vise to clamp an assembly for glue up.

   Also, if you had a four foot long board and you wanted to smooth its edge with a hand plane, how would you hold it on the bench?

   Can you tell me the model number of the vise that is your final recommendation?

   Thanks. Your information was very helpful.