Jake Elkins
04-17-2011, 4:11 PM
Well, I've read all the workbench books over the past 4-5 years, and I have decided that it is probably now-or-never in terms of getting a workbench done. I have been milling wood for a 4in top (walnut, wood was nearly free), and I too really like the Roubo style. Overall dimensions will be approximately 8' x 28" and 35" high. Sure beats what I use now. I want the vises prior to completing the bench. I have used several, and I decided that I want either a wagon-vise or a twin-screw at the end position, and either a leg or twin-screw for the face position. In other words, traditional L-shaped end vises and shoulder vises are out.
Not wanting to build my vises for this bench, I decided a while ago that I would be purchasing. By depriving myself of a tool fund for a while, a nicer-than-average tax refund and a little bit of luck, I finally have the green light to buy the vises. Lets assume that I have a budget of 750$ (coincidentally the cost of the benchcrafted set). I was pretty near pulling the trigger on the benchcrafted set (wagon and leg), but I am intrigued enough by the Hovarter http://www.hovartercustomvise.com/ hardware to have some pause now. While I have heard/read absolutely nothing but wonderful things regarding the benchcrafted vises (wagon and leg), but I thought I would see if anyone has experience with both.
I am not sure how the poll feature works, but these are the options that I am considering:
1. Benchcrafted leg and wagon vise
2. Benchcrafted wagon and Hovarter twin-screw face vise
3. Benchcrafted wagon and Hovarter leg-vise
4. Hovarter twin screws at both end and face positions
These all work out to about the same price. I currently use a standard imported jorgenson face vise in the end position of my rudimentary bench. I clamp often between the dogs, but this vise does a poor job (lifts the boards up). I therefore hesitate a bit about putting anything but a wagon vice in the end-position, but I imagine that a stout bench and quality hardware could make all the difference. I am about 50-50 in terms of handtools vs power, but I see myself falling further down the slippery hand-tool slope. I enjoy joinery and cut quite a few dovetails. I am a little concerned about the twin-screws for such a thick bench top -- I really don't want to hog away at the bench but I don't want the thing to rack (will this be a problem??).
I appreciate the help. Thanks!
Not wanting to build my vises for this bench, I decided a while ago that I would be purchasing. By depriving myself of a tool fund for a while, a nicer-than-average tax refund and a little bit of luck, I finally have the green light to buy the vises. Lets assume that I have a budget of 750$ (coincidentally the cost of the benchcrafted set). I was pretty near pulling the trigger on the benchcrafted set (wagon and leg), but I am intrigued enough by the Hovarter http://www.hovartercustomvise.com/ hardware to have some pause now. While I have heard/read absolutely nothing but wonderful things regarding the benchcrafted vises (wagon and leg), but I thought I would see if anyone has experience with both.
I am not sure how the poll feature works, but these are the options that I am considering:
1. Benchcrafted leg and wagon vise
2. Benchcrafted wagon and Hovarter twin-screw face vise
3. Benchcrafted wagon and Hovarter leg-vise
4. Hovarter twin screws at both end and face positions
These all work out to about the same price. I currently use a standard imported jorgenson face vise in the end position of my rudimentary bench. I clamp often between the dogs, but this vise does a poor job (lifts the boards up). I therefore hesitate a bit about putting anything but a wagon vice in the end-position, but I imagine that a stout bench and quality hardware could make all the difference. I am about 50-50 in terms of handtools vs power, but I see myself falling further down the slippery hand-tool slope. I enjoy joinery and cut quite a few dovetails. I am a little concerned about the twin-screws for such a thick bench top -- I really don't want to hog away at the bench but I don't want the thing to rack (will this be a problem??).
I appreciate the help. Thanks!