Hovarter Wagon Vice

[Tommy Hall]

Help!

This is my first quest for info from Wood Talk.

Has anyone out there got a Hovarter vise and would be willing to give me feedback on it.

I have a limited size shop, 12x16, and need a tail vise that do not extent beyond the bench.

The wagon vice would be perfect.  Beyond that is there any feelings on the screwless design.

Tommy Hall

Amesbury, MA    l-thall@comcast.net

[Brendon_t]

Hey Tommy. Welcome to the forum. I don't have any info to share on that but would recommend you give a bit more information about your work area/style as to give other a better feel while considering what is relevant.

Some general questions would be

What type of wood work do you most often do? Smaller projects, Large furniture, carving?

Is the bench being built around the vise or is it already built?

 

[wdwerker]

Welcome !  Thanks for asking about the Hovarter Vice. Looks like a viable alternative to Benchcrafted especially if your on a budget. I wasn't aware they existed.

[Tom King]

They've been in business for some years now, and I've never seen a bad review on them.  I just don't know anyone who owns one.  I was tempted to buy their stuff, but know how reliable a screw is.

[Tpt life]

At least one failed operation (failed to release) on YT from 2015. From comments it seems that installation instructions may not have been followed to the letter. He also posted his fix as his model would clamp tight if “loosened” too far. Just an FYI. Guy is Gary Hugo and he has the guts open so you can see them. 

[wdwerker]

That makes me wonder what happens if it collects dust ?  Kinda Suprised Hovarter hasn't posted a cause or fix for the issue. 

[Tommy Hall]

2 hours ago, Brendon_t said:

Hey Tommy. Welcome to the forum. I don't have any info to share on that but would recommend you give a bit more information about your work area/style as to give other a better feel while considering what is relevant.

Some general questions would be

What type of wood work do you most often do? Smaller projects, Large furniture, carving?

Is the bench being built around the vise or is it already built?

 

Hi Steve,

Thanks for getting back to me.  As hard as a bio, born in 1945, worked my life in construction and land development, after retiring been during woodwork full time, presently working part time during interiors at a design build company Treehouse Design Rockport, MA,  always done wood work, you can see earlier work at www.tdhallassoc.com and my present work at www.thosrhall.com .  I do collect Stanley type #11 and have a static collection of molding planes with Georgian and Federal profiles, thought I might do restoration work upon retiring.

As far as the bench I want to make it will be my third or fourth, my last was to long for my shop and my daughter has it my present is T-Track style, I'm looking to make a Hard Maple five foot by two foot.  It also has to be movable, like everything in my shop.

Tommy Hall

Cold As Hell In Amesbury, MA

[Tmize]

I believe that is the same vise James Wright put on his new bench well one of he put two leg vises on it. He does an review an install video on them at. Woodbywright.com

[Tommy Hall]

Thanks for the input, I never saw his site.

Tommy Hall

[Stephen Prunier]

On 1/7/2018 at 8:17 AM, Tommy Hall said:

Thanks for the input, I never saw his site.

Tommy Hall

Hi Tom,

Small world. I'm also a member of the NBPT Art Ass.   

[Coreybden]

i have a wagon and the widest jaw separation bench vise from Hovarter.

Both are great. No need to worry about dust collection. Minimal upkeep is required.  You will have to follow the instructions carefully to install correctly but they are easy to use. I've had mine for 6 years now.

Corey

 

[Tommy Hall]

Thanks Corey for the input.  Is the "widest jaw ....." the scissor vice?  Any pic's of your bench?

Tommy Hall

Amesbury, MA

[mbbrogan]

I have the Hovarter leg vise and have no regrets. It is smooth, fast, high quality, and holds work excellent. I was also looking for more reviews and found it strange there were not more, but the ones I found were always good and purchased it. I think it is just a small company who could do a lot more public relations to promote their great product. Also a majority of woodworkers just aren't looking for public attention and don't post pictures and movies.