Quick twin screw vise question

[Paul F Franklin]

I am fitting a Veritas Twin Screw vise to my new bench (as a tail vise. Have a record quick release for the front vise). Was planning to space the screws as far apart as the chain permits, which is about 17 inches. Bench width (depth) is 27 inches. But before I commit, is there any reason to consider moving them closer together?

[Timothy Thorpe Allen]

Clearance for the screws passing the legs of your bench might be a reason. I bought an extra foot of chain from McMaster, and set my Veritas Twin Screw vise up so that the screws pass *outside* my bench legs (my legs are inset like on a euro bench), giving me a full 18" + of clearance inside the screws. I had to mortise the back nuts into the back chop of the vise since my legs were flush to the end of my bench top.... (didn't really think all that far ahead on that!).

[glenn bradley]

I placed my front and end vice screws as far apart as I could.

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I have had no reason to question this choice ;-)

If the 16" OC (or so) positions do not leave you enough jaw to use the ends as gripping locations, I would think about moving them in a bit. I use the ends like so sometimes:

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Think about how you will use the vise and then choose you positions. Just because I do something, you may not do that something. Position things to serve your needs best.

[andrew whicker]

Is there a reason to get the 'front vise' style instead of the twin screws?

Let me know if this is too much of a thread jack. Just call me names and I'll remove it.

[Paul F Franklin]

OK, thanks All! I will go with original plan of spacing as far as possible. There are no clearance issues; the legs are flush at the front and rear but inset 16" from each end. Glen, I plan to have dog holes on the sides of the vise jaw (and the bench aprons) as well, just for the use you illustrated.