Ben H Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I'm about to start my new bench this fall as my "winter project" for me. I have a pretty good idea on how it's gonna lay out, but I'm mixed about the vise(s) that will be used. I'm more of a power tool dude, with hopes of dusting off the old hand tools more in the future. Got any suggestions on quality vises? Don't want cheap, cause I don't wanna buy them again. I was leaning to the twin vise by Lee Valley, but I'm not sold just yet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 If you like the Veritas twin vice, look in the latest FWW issue. In the product review section is a new twin vice that has a more manageable single handle, covered chain, etc. The vice is from Lie-Nielsen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I'm about to start my new bench this fall as my "winter project" for me. I have a pretty good idea on how it's gonna lay out, but I'm mixed about the vise(s) that will be used. I'm more of a power tool dude, with hopes of dusting off the old hand tools more in the future. Got any suggestions on quality vises? Don't want cheap, cause I don't wanna buy them again. I was leaning to the twin vise by Lee Valley, but I'm not sold just yet... Well, I cant really answer you question, but I might be able to point you into the right direction. Fine Woodworking did a article that reviewd several bench vises. Unfortunately you will have to be a member or buy the article to view it. I can say that I just bought the Jorgensen 9" quick release bench vise. It is not installed yet but the little that I have played with it, it seems very nice. It was rated as one of the best. I too, like to but things only once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted August 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Well, I cant really answer you question, but I might be able to point you into the right direction. Fine Woodworking did a article that reviewd several bench vises. Unfortunately you will have to be a member or buy the article to view it. I can say that I just bought the Jorgensen 9" quick release bench vise. It is not installed yet but the little that I have played with it, it seems very nice. It was rated as one of the best. I too, like to but things only once. Hmmm...I might have to hold off on that 14 day trial and read that article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hopefully, my bench will be in the works soon, also. Because I'm a huge fan of Bud and his simplistic approach to things, I'm taking his advice and buying two of these. One for a leg vise and one for a wagon vise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have the Twin Screw from Veritas. It's a fine vise but I had to retro fit it to my bench. I had to saws-all part of the bench to get it to fit and I've never been 100% pleased with the way it came out. If you decide on it, it should work out a lot better for you if you build it into your plans from the get-go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have the Twin Screw from Veritas. It's a fine vise but I had to retro fit it to my bench. I had to saws-all part of the bench to get it to fit and I've never been 100% pleased with the way it came out. If you decide on it, it should work out a lot better for you if you build it into your plans from the get-go. So on the left side of the bench in the picture near the bottom, it looks like you have a hinged shelf down below. Is that for helping to support sheets or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I'm taking his advice and buying two of these. One for a leg vise and one for a wagon vise. I was looking for an alternative to the wooden screw that they used in the PW LVL Bench that I am building. I might get one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted August 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have the Twin Screw from Veritas. It's a fine vise but I had to retro fit it to my bench. I had to saws-all part of the bench to get it to fit and I've never been 100% pleased with the way it came out. If you decide on it, it should work out a lot better for you if you build it into your plans from the get-go. Hey Rick, do you get aggravated by the lack of a "quick slide" for roughly setting the jaws open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 So on the left side of the bench in the picture near the bottom, it looks like you have a hinged shelf down below. Is that for helping to support sheets or something? I built my bench taller than the norm to ease the stress on my back. There are times though when you need a lower bench. That shelf is to stand on. When you pick it up, two legs drop down to prop it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hey Rick, do you get aggravated by the lack of a "quick slide" for roughly setting the jaws open? Not really. That would be a nice feature but it opens and closes fairly quickly. You adjust and get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnB Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have the Twin Screw from Veritas. It's a fine vise but I had to retro fit it to my bench. I had to saws-all part of the bench to get it to fit and I've never been 100% pleased with the way it came out. If you decide on it, it should work out a lot better for you if you build it into your plans from the get-go. I don't have the name for the vise, but it was detailed in this plan that I've collected all the parts to build for the last 10 years. Also got one for the side on the other end. Everything I've always read says to buy your vise and bench dogs _before_ you construct your bench... to avoid having to retrofit anything. Good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnB Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hopefully, my bench will be in the works soon, also. Because I'm a huge fan of Bud and his simplistic approach to things, I'm taking his advice and buying two of these. One for a leg vise and one for a wagon vise. That could very well come in handy.... I'll have to put at least one of those on my list... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reepss Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 you may want to check out the link below it is for a new twin screw vice that is going to be coming out this fall. http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Video+New+Quickrelease+Twinscrew+Vise+Technology.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Sorry to open this can of worms, but the decision of which vise to use largely depends on the type of work holding you will need. You mentioned being more of a power tool guy so in my mind you will need to affix projects to the top for machining some some kind of tail vise or face vise with dog holes. Occasionally you will need a face vise to hold a board on edge for router work. Granted I am one of those hand tool freaks, but when I started out to build my bench I made lists of all the possible work holding I would need and then began to look at the various options. There is really no one perfect solution but you will find several that work really well for multiple and you can then customize the bench to meet your needs. In my opinion however, when it comes to quality of vise hardware there is no beating Benchcrafted when looking at a tail vise or leg vise. Finally, the bench construction itself should act as a vehicle for the vises. Legs flush to the top for example need only an F clamp to secure a board on edge. Without proper thought put into how the structure goes together no amount of vise technology will make for a steady workhorse of a bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I'm about to start my new bench this fall as my "winter project" for me. I have a pretty good idea on how it's gonna lay out, but I'm mixed about the vise(s) that will be used. I'm more of a power tool dude, with hopes of dusting off the old hand tools more in the future. Got any suggestions on quality vises? Don't want cheap, cause I don't wanna buy them again. I was leaning to the twin vise by Lee Valley, but I'm not sold just yet... I really like my English Record vises ... but I do not know if you can get them anymore. There is an Indian version of the Record vise that is under the name Anant. Still not cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateswoodworks Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 you may want to check out the link below it is for a new twin screw vice that is going to be coming out this fall. http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Video+New+Quickrelease+Twinscrew+Vise+Technology.aspx This is what I would be seriously looking at if I was in the market, pretty pricey but looks very slick. I have 2 pretty old quick release vices and shop jigs that keep me content for now, it really depends on what you are planning on using your bench for. Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpLev Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hopefully, my bench will be in the works soon, also. Because I'm a huge fan of Bud and his simplistic approach to things, I'm taking his advice and buying two of these. One for a leg vise and one for a wagon vise. This is exactly what I did - the very same vise screws, for the very same vice configuration. leg and wagon. As for the OP - I think it really depends on what those vises are going to be used for. certain applications call for certain vises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 This is exactly what I did - the very same vise screws, for the very same vice configuration. leg and wagon. As for the OP - I think it really depends on what those vises are going to be used for. certain applications call for certain vises. Sharon, I'm tired, so forgive the question....OP? What's that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 Sharon, I'm tired, so forgive the question....OP? What's that? Original Poster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 Sharon, I'm tired, so forgive the question....OP? What's that? OP is "Original Poster" refering to the person that first posted the topic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoncav Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 for me... woodcraft sells a really heavy duty jorgenson vise that I find to work exceptionally well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 LOL!!! Ok, now I know. Thx, Sharon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 for me... woodcraft sells a really heavy duty jorgenson vise that I find to work exceptionally well... That's the one I bought. I like it. The Indian imports needed a lot of time with a file to clean off the burs (like finger slicing burs) and I assumed if the outside was that bad... I also recently picked up a Jet quick-release vice. Looks as good as the Jorgenson, 'cept red. For $30 new, I couldn't turn it down Now, to find a place to install it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlloydparks Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 I am surprised these have not been mentioned yet. Chris Schwarz's book on workbenches contains an excellent section on vises and what each excels at for both handtool guys and power tools guys. Do a google search for for Workbenchs: From Design and Theory to Construction and Use and get a copy before building a bench. It will make a world of difference. I have two benches a Holtzapffle and Nicholson. The Nicholson just has a leg vise and I love it. Just bought a cheap Lee Valley screw for that. The Holtzapffle has a wooden twin screw vise with 24" between the screws. The screws came from Big Wood Vise, which isn't taking orders at the moment. Since that is the case I would highly recommend Lake Erie Vises, they look cool with the brass plates. I also have a wagon vise ala Benchcrafted style on the Holtzapffle. The marauding bands of Genghis Khan would have trouble pulling that bench and vise from my hands. Pictures of the benches below. I didn't have an accessible picture for the completed Holtzapffel, this one was taken just after I finished boring the dog holes. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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