newbie vise question

[Bruce Irwin]

I have been researching vises and have narrowed it down to either the a Lee Valley quick release or a Wilton 21004 rapid action model. I plan to use it as an end vise along with a leg vise when I initially build my bench. I found a good deal on a leg vise and couldn't pass it up.

However, I think I would prefer a face vise similar to the one on the Hotlzapffel bench built by Chris Schwarz. I do not currently have a bench, but the prevailing theory seems to be to pick up the vise first so you can make sure you make enough room to properly mount the vise to the bench.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Bruce