Replies

1. 
   Jfrostjr | May 19, 2007 04:28pm | #1

   I have been very satisfied with 10 years of hard use on my Jorgenson. I purchased their magnetic, felt covered jaw faces and have never marred any projects. The quick release is 'the real deal'.

   Frosty

2. 
   SolRegent | May 20, 2007 01:14am | #2

   Record 52 1/2E is what I have on my bench and it is great. I brought it second hand striped back to metal, primed and painted with Rustkill enamel and then baked in the oven for 2 hours at 80 C degrees. I find this way I get a very hard wearing gloss finish.

   
   

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   Edited 5/19/2007 6:16 pm ET by SOL Regent

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 21, 2007 02:09am | #3

   Eric,

   I would recommend checking out Lee Valley-Veritas.  If you're not a production shop their Large Front vise is a good value.  Easy to install and once done is very precise.

   I installed it with cherry jaw faces backed with birch and is a charm to use.

   Team it up with their Twin Scew on the end of your bench and you will have winners!  Strategically place dog holes in the bench.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

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

   
   

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   Edited 5/20/2007 7:12 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   Tony Z | May 21, 2007 03:04pm | #4

   Bob, this is the large "quick release" steel vise, correct?  How do you like the quick release function?

   I've been thinking about ordering one of these for months to replace a vise on my bench.

   T.Z.

    

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 21, 2007 03:58pm | #5

   Tony,I didn't mean to mislead you but I don't have the quick release, just the standard large front vise. I like it a lot and can't see the need for the quick release, but just being a hobbyist not in a big hurry. Just installed the Twin Screw and sure wish it had a quick release! Will be laying out the dog holes tonight.Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

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

2. 
   EricT | May 21, 2007 05:33pm | #6

   Thanks for the recommendations folks.

   I just ordered the Veritas standard size quick-release.  I'll wait until I add an end vise to get something bigger.

   What material would you suggest for the faces?  I was going to try and get 2" thick hard maple for the front, and add a 1" skirt to my bench for the back side.  I thought it would be a good idea for the back face of the vise to be flush with the front of the bench, in order to be able to use extra clamps for long boards.  Is this a good idea?

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 21, 2007 06:03pm | #7

   Eric,Using the front apron is definitely the way to go.I made my jaws from birch as that was the material the rest of the bench is made from. I noticed in several past discussions that real hardwood, i.e. maple, birch, etc caused some folks problems with marring surfaces of work pieces. So I faced the moving jaw w/cherry.On the Twin Screw both faces are lined with cherry.To get some real good info. should you be inclined to install a TS as an end vise, search the archives for discussions from Lataxe. He showed some pics of how he adapted his using a York Bench Hook (???) and a homemade that for lack of a better description is a birdsmouth attachment that uses the dogholes on the top of the bench so you don't have to bore holes in the apron.I'll try to find the discussion if I can. Found one http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=33822.137Regards,Bob @ Kidderville AcresA Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 5/21/2007 11:20 am ET by KiddervilleAcres