Leg vice screw updated

[James Pallas]

I had posted about this device a while back. I originally had a foot pedal on it but wasn’t happy with it. I changed it to lever operated and after a few months I’m very happy. Reach down a little pull up adjust the vise reach down push about an inch or so tighten the vise. I made it all with hand tools so anyone could make one. Some flat bar a few screws a piece of all thread hacksaw, drill, and a tap. A readily available and inexpensive vise screw was the only purchase. I do have machine tools available and could fabricate a fancier one but not everyone has that option. It works on the simple idea of a half nut.
Jim

[Jim Ritter]

Nice. Now to up the game have the same lever open a split nut on the main screw and you will have a rapid adjust vise.
Jim

[James Pallas]

Thanks Jim. I have thought about that. The timing between the screws will take some thought. It would be fairly easy to make it work like a twin screw but getting an adjustable lead would be tricky. I’m sure you’re aware of that with your product.
Jim

[Jim Ritter]

Actually the original patent from the 1880’s for the chain (yes even then they didn’t like bending down I guess) had a split nut with a lever very much like you built creating a quick release always parallel leg vise. I’ve paired it up with Hovarters leg vise mechanism (it’s not a screw) and it is awesome.
Jim

[James Pallas]

Jim your chain and a Hovarters would be a great combination. I do like the ability to give the vise jaw a little lead at times to trim veneer and such. Can you do that with the Hovarters and the chain?
Jim

[Jim Ritter]

Yes, very easy to dial in just the right amount of toe in on the jaws, just a turn on the nut at the end of the chain.
Jim