Replies

1. 
   danwolfram | Mar 08, 2003 11:55pm | #1

   I am not sure if this helps.  I have installed this same vice on my bench, I seem to remember something about the jaws not being parallel on purpose.  The top of the vice should close first.  Reason had to do with clamping pressure or something simular.  Dan in Connecticut

2. 
   BG | Mar 09, 2003 01:10am | #2

   Notrix,

   Dan is correct, the jaw is tilted in to grab the top first and put more pressure up there.

   Are you saying that when you clamp a small piece, the slope of the vise face is pulling the stock out of square with the workbench top (for instance) ?..so that if you were planing you would not have a 90 degree edge on the board?

1. 
   NOTRIX1 | Mar 09, 2003 02:28am | #3

   Oops I should have mentioned the out of paraellel is left to right not top to bottom.

   It's not even really out of parallel as much as just sloppy. If you torque a board to get it snug it can be as much as 1/8" out of parallel with the other jaw.

   thanks,

   N

1. 
   BG | Mar 09, 2003 03:27am | #4

   Notrix,

   Okay, my Jorgenson is just as sloppy..sigh!  I've been chopping dovetails in the front vise..if I dont clamp the 7" board left of center it can slip down.  I suspect it because of the large thread or maybe the quick release..really don't know for sure.  It may also be the reason why the cabinet maker benches use different designed vises...

2. 
   jackiechan | Mar 09, 2003 06:53am | #5

   Notrix,

   Your vice is "racking", meaning that after you've clamped a piece into one side of the vice the other side keeps going.  This is normal, and will happen to even the best vices.  (Over a long period of use, the racking will eventually damage the vice.)

   The easiest way to counter the racking is to place a piece of scrap into the opposite side of the vice .  The scrap should be as thick as work piece (or fractionally thinner for more clamping pressure), and as tall as the vice's faces (4" - 5").  Try gluing a small cross piece to the top of the scrap.  This will make it easier to just drop it into position and forget about it.

   Mark the thickness on your new "anti-racking device" - A.R.D.  :).  It's a good idea to keep a handful of different thicknesses on hand for different projects.

   Please feel free to send along any questions you may have.

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   whyknot | Mar 10, 2003 03:35am | #6

   In the Fine Woodworking, Winter 2002/2003 issue, Tools and Shops, on Page 122, Christian Becksvoort describes your problem to a Tee. In the article he advises to fabricate a series of five T blocks with two thicknesses per block ranging in size from 1/2 to 2 inches. When I installed two new vises on my new bench, I recalled the article and spent an hour or so making up the blocks. The blocks were easy to make and work well.

   George

1. 
   cutoffcollector | Mar 10, 2003 04:40pm | #7

   I just finished building my dream workbench several months ago (I had been carting the bench top around for over 30 years and three moves) and decided to install the Veritas twin screw vise on one end of the bench. The installation of the vise required more fussing and time, but I've got about 15 inches between the two screws and no guide rods to get in the way. I can clamp a vertical board between the screws and not have to contend with racking.

   I,m happy with the vise, however it does not have the quick release function that allows you to slide the jaw in and out. But I figure if the old time woodworkers could wind on the handle, I can too. It is something to consider if you are thinking of building a workbench. 

   Jon