Replies

1. 
   Midnight | Feb 21, 2006 11:24pm | #1

   I doubt you'll find the perfect vise (as in one model covers every permutation for holding a piece perfectly) hense he variety in designs.. Choosing which design is best suited to you is a matter for you to decide... only you know the applications you'll be putting it to...

   Just one other thought... Nelson vise...??

   Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

1. 
   HoustonHeights | Feb 21, 2006 11:56pm | #2

   Thanks for responding, Mike.  I understand that one vise does not suit all wood working needs.  Perhaps a better question is what kinds of shoulder vises do people have/prefer and why?  I gather from your previous posts that you are a dedicated hand tool user.  What clamping methods do you prefer?  What do you have on your workbench now? 

   Regarding the Nelson vise -- I take it you mean the long, single-screw tail-vise?  If so, that's exactly what I plan on using for the tail.  That's why I'm debating what to use for the shoulder.  I want to make sure that the shoulder vise complements (rather than duplicates) the clamping capacity and capability of the tail.  My goal is to cover most of my clamping needs between the two vises. 

1. 
   Midnight | Feb 22, 2006 12:15am | #3

   you're fitting 2 vises at the same end of your bench...?? canna say I've seen that done before... butttt..... shouldn't have much excuses with that set up...  ;)Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

1. 
   HoustonHeights | Feb 22, 2006 01:01am | #5

   Mike,

   No, I don't intend on putting two vises on the same end of the bench.  My design is very traditional (I think): a tail vise on the right end of the bench and a shoulder vise on the front-left side.

   I settled on this for a tail vise:

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=L-tail

   But, I'm debating between these for a shoulder vise:

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=Scandinavian

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=45114&cat=1,41637

   (note: I understand that the veritas twin-screw vise is advertised as a tail vise, but I think it would make a great shoulder vise).

   Thoughts, opinions?  Would you favor one option over the other?  Why?

1. 
   Midnight | Feb 22, 2006 01:32am | #6

   aahhh... using the twin screw as a face vise..... gotchya... sorry... I'm gettin easier to get kerfuffled in my auld age..

   as for which is better.. hard to say.. I tend to work more with sticks rather than leg shapes... traditional face vise was what I've opted for (single screw with twin offset guide bars).. I still need to get around to making a board jack for it...Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

2. 
   snapperhead | Feb 22, 2006 02:44am | #7

   I have and prefer the Scandinavian vice.  I use it to hand cut dovetails, hold large pieces while sanding. 

   I think the two screws will get in the way and not allow me to hold pieces well.  Meaning the holding surface area is not as great.

   On my workbench I used wooden screws for both the tail and shoulder vice.  They are much more traditional and faster to open/close.  I have had no issue with these.

3. 
   Midnight | Feb 22, 2006 02:57am | #8

   glad to hear its working out for you...Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

2. 
   Samson | Feb 22, 2006 12:47am | #4

   I've always been very happy with the Record type quick release vises - the 9 inch 52 1/2 or the slightly larger 53 if you have a large bench.  While Record vises are no more, the molds have been purchased by Anant.  I have both a Record and the Anant version and find the Anant to be just as good functionally.  I bought mine from Highland Hardware.