Randy Klein
02-18-2008, 5:24 PM
A while ago I wrote (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69341&highlight=cast+iron+vise) about a leg vise I made by using a typical quick release cast iron vise on its side and bolting it to the bench leg. I've been experimenting with different bench configurations on this cheap solid core bench before I build a real bench.
If you look at the thread, you can see that it has a few advantages:
With no screw in the way, it can clamp straight to the floor. This is useful for long boards and panels.
The parallel support bar can be used to support long boards as you plane the edges.But there were also a few disadvantages:
Due to the offset screw, the vise wanted to rotate all funny like. I imagine if you put the pivot point bar through the leg it would prevent this. But I didn't do that.
Having to adjust the pivot point for different thicknesses, while easy and not required that often, was kind of annoying.So this weekend, I made a twin-screw vise to replace the leg vise. I haven't had a lot of time to test it out, but I can see these attributes:
Like the leg vise, you can clamp boards/panels less than 25 inches straight to the floor. But the leg vise clamps practically the entire board to the leg, where the twin-screw has only clamping power at the top.
Long boards are easily clamped above the screws, very securely.
Panels wider than 25" would have to be clamped outside the screws. There is ample clamping power there, but will still need a clamp on the panel's opposing side.
The twin-screw sticks out farther and consumes a much larger portion of the bench, than the leg vise. I think this will get in the way for planing, but I haven't decided on that yet. But this may be negated by a much longer bench.
Adjusting the screws, while holding the piece, will take some practice and I need to make some real handles first.I'm not sure which one is more preferred, I'll need more time. I may redo the leg vise with a typical face vise (still turned on its side) instead of the cast iron. And I'll probably try out a shoulder vise as well. Hopefully by then, I'll know what I want...
If you look at the thread, you can see that it has a few advantages:
With no screw in the way, it can clamp straight to the floor. This is useful for long boards and panels.
The parallel support bar can be used to support long boards as you plane the edges.But there were also a few disadvantages:
Due to the offset screw, the vise wanted to rotate all funny like. I imagine if you put the pivot point bar through the leg it would prevent this. But I didn't do that.
Having to adjust the pivot point for different thicknesses, while easy and not required that often, was kind of annoying.So this weekend, I made a twin-screw vise to replace the leg vise. I haven't had a lot of time to test it out, but I can see these attributes:
Like the leg vise, you can clamp boards/panels less than 25 inches straight to the floor. But the leg vise clamps practically the entire board to the leg, where the twin-screw has only clamping power at the top.
Long boards are easily clamped above the screws, very securely.
Panels wider than 25" would have to be clamped outside the screws. There is ample clamping power there, but will still need a clamp on the panel's opposing side.
The twin-screw sticks out farther and consumes a much larger portion of the bench, than the leg vise. I think this will get in the way for planing, but I haven't decided on that yet. But this may be negated by a much longer bench.
Adjusting the screws, while holding the piece, will take some practice and I need to make some real handles first.I'm not sure which one is more preferred, I'll need more time. I may redo the leg vise with a typical face vise (still turned on its side) instead of the cast iron. And I'll probably try out a shoulder vise as well. Hopefully by then, I'll know what I want...