[OP]
Contributor
Hello,
I have a Rob Cosman MDF tool bench, and I am wanting to add a face vise to it.
I have the Sjoberg tail vise he suggested but thought I would try to save a little $ and use something different for the face vise.
Would anyone have a suggestion for a good face vise for my workbench?
Photo of the Cosman bench (not mine but just like it)
Thanks
Cosman.jpg
Contributor
Trying to save money? Nope. I can't recommend anything. Pretty much all of the cheaper vises I've seen are just rebranded versions of the same Chinese models. You pay for the color of the paint, but you can tell just by looking at them that they're just about all made from the same castings. And, in my experience, they all eventually start to rack pretty bad and the threads in the cast iron eventually strip out. But on the plus side, they're cheap enough and easy enough to replace, so they're not a completely terrible option if you don't spend too much on a fancy brand/color or expect it to last more than a couple years. All of the good, modern day vises tend to cost a bit of money.
If you can find an old vise at a decent price, that would be the way to go. But I rarely find them for sale anymore, and when I do, they usually want a pretty penny for one that's pretty badly beaten up.
Another option is building your own. If you have the wood, then you can make a leg vise for pretty cheap. Or a Moxon style vise or shoulder vise. And, the leg vise doesn't actually have to attach to the leg. The cheap acme screws (i.e. not Hovarter or Benchcrafted) they sell for them probably won't hold up forever either, but they're a lot bigger than standard face vise screws, so they should last longer. And they're cheaper to replace than a complete face vise when they do eventually fail.
Contributor
If your looking looking for absolute bottom dollar, you can fit a pipe clamp into the front side by drilling the appropriate hole for the short black pipe, drilling and screwing the back part of the clamp to the back side of the skirt and drilling and screwing the front part of the clamp (the part that has the tightening mechanism) to a small piece of wood you want to call the front jaw. I can't possibly think of a less costly solution that would actually give you clamping pressure.
That said, a similar type vise as what you've installed on the end would also work.
Contributor
Gotta agree with Jimmy. I had cheap vises($40-50+/- from LV) and they leave a ton to be desired. To that end, i was also going to recommend what he said. I have an Emmertts vise and its incredible. I think it was in the $250-300 range, but ive seen them cheaper than that at auction or beat up versions on craigslist/marketplace. Emmerts and Olivers are probably the premium of used vintage vises and can be more than you want to spend, but there are other makers like yost etc. that could present a much better value for you.
With that said, isnt your tail vise a form of a face vise? Your setup is similar to mine, and i used that as a face vise for many years before getting the emmerts. Do you want another vise in the traditional location of a leg vise for clamping longer workpieces? I say all this because i would recommend 'getting along' with what you have for another year or two if it means saving up another $100-200 for a good vise.
[OP]
Contributor
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I am wanting to put the face vise in the front left corner (traditional location) for longer stock and to make it easier to edge plane, so I don't have to turn sideways on my tail vise.
I was thinking more than a Pipe clamp like John suggested, which would be bottom dollar, but not spending the approx. $400.00 for the Sjoberg like my tail vise. Might search for an older one around here.
Or
I have this old Columbian Cleveland vise that I am going to see what I can do with. Make some large jaws and see what I can make work.
Thanks for the suggestions
vise 1.jpgvise 2.jpg
Contributor
Mike, given that the bench is the most important tool in a workshop, along with it being used the most, cheaping out on the vises is foolish. Get something that is reliable. Used may be an option. Listen to Rob Cosman's advise as he has tested the vises he offers (having said that, they are not my cup of tea). If I were you, seeking to keep down costs (no issue with this), I would build a leg vise as a face vise and a wagon vise for the tail. These would make a great project.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Contributor
Mike,
What are you going to use the vise for?
That would determine what vise to get.
I do a lot of curved work that needs to be held so that I can plane it. The other use is holding doors in place for cutting hing gains and mortises. An Emmert Pattern Makers vice worked out, it spins sideways and clamps tapered stuff. Price:$50., included the bench. I had to get a casting repaired, $100.
Contributor
Mike, that vise you already have sitting in the back of that truck will work just fine.
Originally Posted by Mike Burke
Contributor
What John said. Looks like that Columbian vise is quick release, a nice feature. My Record vise has served well- the Eclipse clone seems to be a reasonable copy. https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/...benchvise.aspx If you can find a patternmaker's vise at an affordable price, jump on it.
Moderator
Not inexpensive, but I have half a mind to consider something like this as a future upgrade to the basic front vice I have on my main bench presently... https://www.heartwoodtools.com/hntgo...t-vise?rq=vice
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
On my 3rd or 4th bench I used a cheap vice and built it into the bench. I mortised the rear jaw into the apron. You don't want your rear jaw proud IMHO.
Vise-001.jpg
In the current bench I went with a large twin screw in the front and have never been sorry.
TNNW (73).jpg
As Derek points out; the in-use pain of cheaping-out lasts much longer than the price-pain of doing it right.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Contributor
How about the SJÖBERGS as the face vise and an HNT Gordon tail vise https://www.heartwoodtools.com/hntgordon/tail-vice.
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