Replies

1. 
   Trees2dust | Oct 09, 2002 10:05pm | #1

   PNUTIII,

   I have been using the Veritas twin-screw vise for 10 months now, and I like it.  I have it installed as an end vise, with 28" wide jaws.  The front jaw is 2-1/2" thick and has rectangular dog holes cut into it.  The vise works well as a regular vise as well as an end vise with dogs.  Now for the complaints:

   - the older plastic chain cover is junk and I "installed" it in the plastics recycling bin; the newer aluminum ones may be ok

   - the wooden handles are mediocre- too small in diameter so they rattle around, and the end caps are too loose, so make your own handles

   - Install rub blocks for the screws, mounted under the bench, to keep the front jaw from sagging as you open the vise.  A sagging front jaw will make the screws hard to turn.  The instructions didn't cover this, but I had to remove the "T" castings for the handles by driving out the roll pins, so I could grease the moving parts.  Made a big difference in smoothness.

   It's still a very good vise overall.

   Rick

2. 
   Andrew | Oct 10, 2002 01:26am | #2

   Pnutlll, i built my own version of the veritas twin screw vise and i like it. i still find myself using my record quick action vise more often because of the speed i can open and close it with, but for big pieces i use my twin screw vise. i don't remember how much i spent on materials but it was somewhere around $50. mine can also open up to 24" deep and has heavier sprockets and roller chain, but if you don't have access to a metal lathe then it would be next to impossible to build. I would definitely recommend one as i find it more useful than a tailvise.

3. 
   pritcharded | Oct 10, 2002 10:08am | #3

   PNUTlll

   I use one as a tail vice on my bench and it's got its +'s and -'s. In the main I find I tend to use it with the twin screws decoupled. If I was doing it again I would consider using two steel vices (Record) both with quick release mechanisms and built-in 'pop-up' dogs - but it would depend on the relative costs. Either way if you're planning to use it as a tail vice and you've not used a bench fitted with a tail vice before, you'll find either alternative to be a very valuable addition to your shop!

   Ted