Ronn W Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 The work bench that I used at Marc Adams school last month had a tail vise. I had never used one before and, WOW, I loved it. Now I have a new item for my wish list. The challenge will be that I will have to add width to my work bench or remake one half of the bench top (I have a split top bench.) Got to admit that I don't even now how it goes together - will have to research that. I imagine that there are lots of mechanisms to choose from from different suppliers. Would hate to end up with a cheap one that does not clamp solidly. Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Haha. I've read in so many places (Fine Woodworking included) that tail vises are useless. I use my tail vise (Lie-Nielsen) 10 x as much as my front vise. It's the best thing about my bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 25 minutes ago, Mick S said: Haha. I've read in so many places (Fine Woodworking included) that tail vises are useless. I use my tail vise (Lie-Nielsen) 10 x as much as my front vise. It's the best thing about my bench. Agreed! Since finishing my bench, I almost have to remind myself to us to use the front vise, but I just instinctively use the end vise for all sorts of things. I had even considered not installing one after reading a lot of "experts"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 3 hours ago, Ronn W said: The challenge will be that I will have to add width to my work bench or remake one half of the bench top (I have a split top bench.) I installed this tail vise: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=65746&cat=1,41637,41659 It can be installed without remaking your top. I really like the quick release, and it is very well made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Agreed.. The LV tail vise listed by Bob doesn't require any major modifications! Also, HNT Gordon makes one that I like a bit better then the LV one that also doesn't require any major modifications. I've installed both and they work fine. I still prefer my BC one but, those two are certainly fine choices@. Both are pretty simple installs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Just to clarify, when you all say "tail vise" you mean a vice that has a narrow face and lines up on the front edge of the bench as opposed to an "end vice" with a face as wide as the workbench's side? So @Ronn W what wow'ed you with the tail vice as compared to an end vice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 3 hours ago, Mark J said: So @Ronn W what wow'ed you with the tail vice as compared to an end vice? It could be that I am just so frustrated with my wood river side and end vises racking and not holding well or It could be that it was the first time I ever used a tail vise. I was really impressed with how solid it was and that it would hold my work piece in any vertical orientation solidly. The piece would not slip when I was pairing, for example, dovetail shoulders. I was not the ability to hold a piece of woof flat from planing it was holding wood in other postions that impressed me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 4 hours ago, Mark J said: Just to clarify, when you all say "tail vise" you mean a vice that has a narrow face and lines up on the front edge of the bench as opposed to an "end vice" with a face as wide as the workbench's side? Yes, mounted along the front of the table - not an end vise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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