Vise Screw Recomendations

[Clark Harbaugh]

I wanted to get some feedback on vise screws that you guys have used and what you like/dislike about them. I am starting a bench build that will have a wagon vise and a leg vise. The Lee Valley one is 21" long vs the Lie Nielsen at 13.5" and is cheaper. If money were no object, the Benchcrafted would be my choice. I really like the hand wheel vs traditional handle. Maybe I could take the handle off the Lee Valley and put on a hand wheel from Grizzly.

[Jim Ritter]

Hi Clark, I like the one from Lie-Nielsen but I'm disappointed that they shortened it. I don't remember what the length is at the moment but I only get about 6 1/2" worth of clamping distance. The screw length of a year and a half ago offered 11" of clamping distance. That may be ok but you never know. If that is enough it is a very good screw, well fitted with roller bearings at handle contact points. That is the only new screw I've used. I do like the wheel too.

[Christopher Charles]

Hello Clark,

I have one of these that's still waiting to go into a vise. Well made (German, or at least it was when I bought it)

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2000308/607/diameter-screw-114-32-mm.aspx

Good luck

[Ralph Boumenot]

Have you thought of using wooden screws? Lake Erie just came out with wooden wagon vise that they showed off at the Pasadena WIA.

[Curt Putnam]

I just ordered that screw. Note that they showed the same screw in wagon, shoulder and leg vise configurations.

[Steve Bates]

Never heard of Lake Erie. Do you have a link, Ralph?

Thanks

[Kenneth Speed]

I managed to get two of the screws that Christopher mentioned, "I have one of these that's still waiting to go into a vise. Well made (German, or at least it was when I bought it)

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200...114-32-mm.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2000308/607/diameter-screw-114-32-mm.aspx)" They were second hand and I paid peanuts for them a long time ago. I made an end vise for my bench with them and it has proven to be a real asset.

Ken

[Andrae Covington]

Have you thought of using wooden screws? Lake Erie just came out with wooden wagon vise that they showed off at the Pasadena WIA.


Never heard of Lake Erie. Do you have a link, Ralph?

Thanks

http://www.lakeerietoolworks.com/

There was a thread a couple months ago that suggested Big Wood Vise may no longer be in business. I bought my wooden vise screws from there a few years ago, when that was the only option (and they're very nice screws). I think Lake Erie has been around since 2009. The only other source for wood vise screws I'm aware of is a seller on ebay, Evans Toolworks.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

I've a Lake Erie screw in my leg vise, and been very happy with it so far. The lower thread count on these is great, as it makes the thing go in and out very quickly, and when clamping and unclamping boards of similar thickness, it's sometimes less than a quarter turn. It's actually probably quicker removing and reclamping than my quick-release Jorgensen. Not that I'm in a hurry.

[Tony Shea]

Lake Erie for sure! I recently have got a lake erie vise screw and have had it in use for a bit over a month and wouldn't reccomend anything else in that price range. I absolutely love mine.

At the moment I would steer you away from Big Wood Vise as there is a HUGE communication issue there. As far as I can tell he is not able to fulfill his order's due to some unknown issue but still accepts payment of the order. It takes weeks of unanswered emails to get any response or refund. I've talked with many who have had the same issue.

Bottom line, if ordering a wooden screw go Lake Erie.

[Joe A Faulkner]

Looks like Lake Erie has a 4 week waiting period. You might check with Matt Evans. He offers his wooden screws on eBay. You can google evans toolworks.
Here's a thread he posted a while back on how to make your own:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?163920-How-to-Thread-and-Tap-Large-wooden-Vise-Screws-and-Nuts

[Ralph Boumenot]

http://www.lakeerietoolworks.com/