Protruding from the bench edge, this vise can be a bump hazard for your hips and legs. To do so, affix jaw liners through the holes provided in the face of each jaw. The other end of the piece is then butted to another dog inserted through the dog-hole nearest to it and quicker than you can say, Tighten her up, the tail vise transforms virtually the entire benchtop into a giant vise. (Many front vises also have a pop-up dog on the outer jaw to you hold stock flat on the table.). (However, you can build up some legs to make a leg vise work.). Woodworking vises differ from metalworking vises in that they attach to the bottom of the bench surface or are built into it, with (typically wood) jaws flush with the benchtop. Woodworking vises vary in price from about $30 to as much as $400. For convenience, vises are loosely categorized by the position on the woodworking bench they usually assume.
If you prefer rectangular dogholes, cut those notches in the boards before gluing them to the benchtop; round holes can be drilled before or after assembly. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Mounts to face of workbench for woodworking or assembly projects, Cast iron construction (30,000 PSI) with powder coated finish, Jaws are predrilled for custom jaw pads (not included). 
A popup stop on some face vises eliminates the need to drill a doghole in the movable jaw. For that reason, the tail vise, with its ability to hold work between bench dogs, is one of the hallmarks of a cabinetmakers bench. Retrofitting one to an existing bench typically requires adding material to the benchtop to stay outside the legs or base. Hybrid face vises combining wooden and metal elements are sold, and many woodworkers who elect to make their own benches fabricate matching vises, often using a mix of off-the-shelf metal drive elements with shop-made wooden jaws and attaching points such as blocking and guides. A workpiece to be shaped or cut is set along the front of the bench, flush to a bench dog set into the dog-hole in the vise. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Things to know: * These can be built two ways: With an inset leg [Photo G], you get more toe-kick space below. The tail vise slides back and forth along the guide rails, held in place by the screw assembly. You can adjust either screw should the vise jaws get out of parallel. A long mortise accepts the screw and threaded fixture, and the upper guide rail fits in the slot. Typically, the primary function of an end vise is to hold material flat on the surface of the bench, pinched between one or more "dogs" sticking up from the top surface of the vise's jaw and corresponding dogs fitted into holes in the bench surface. Generally, once you decide on a particular style of vise, the more you spend, the better the quality and effectiveness of that vise. The end vise, so named because it is installed at one end of the bench, is designed to hold material flat on the surface of the bench, secured between one or more "dogs" sticking up from the top of the vise's jaw and corresponding dogs fitted into holes in the bench surface. A shoulder vise gives you floor-to-ceiling clamping space between its jaws. A wagon vise can be retrofitted to an existing bench by cutting a notch for the wagon and screw, and attaching the mounting hardware. The longer the handle, the more leverage you can apply to the vise. Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. As the name implies, this vise installs into the bench leg, which sometimes serves as the fixed jaw. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}, Kreg Tool KHC6 Kreg Wood Project Clamp With Automaxx 6", Pen Vise Accessories by Peachtree Woodworking Pw7003 Fast Return, Stanley Hand STHT83179 Quick Vise Power Tool Replacement Part, Wood Double Mitre Picture Corner Miter Frame Clamp Woodworking Gluing Vise Tool. A condensed version of a tail vise, a wagon vise [Photos K and L] holds long stock securely, but with less capacity (because a tail vise opens beyond the bench's end). One of the most common and reliable choices for a front vise is the cast iron variety. The extra sturdy 12" on center guide rod placement and 13" opening capacity of the Rockler end vise mean that it will also perform "front vise tasks" admirably, giving you the best of both worlds. Custom Doors, Drawers & Glass Accessories, Learn Woodworking Tips & Tricks with Rockler, Rockler Heavy Duty Quick Release Front Vise, Video: Eight Tips for Making Sliding Doors, High-quality brands and products you can trust, Expert advice and free post-purchase support, Exclusive, innovative products that help you Create with Confidence, Detailed instructions, technical specs and guides to make the most of your purchases. The first typically costs more, but installs easier. Add shop-made accessories to your workbench.woodmagazine.com/workbenchupgradesFound traditionally on Scandinavian-style workbenches, a shoulder vise's greatest advantage is open space between the jaws, free of support rails or a screw. A threaded bushing mortised into the vise shoulder (unseen) keeps the screw on track. In truth, we suspect that most woodworkers need the type of clamping arrangement a front vise was designed for more often. For international returns, please click here. The whole mechanism is fastened to the benchtop from below. * These can be difficult to retrofit to an existing bench, depending on the leg style, size, and placement on your bench. The other common type of workbench vise, an end vise, is stationed at one end of the workbench. If you wish, you can make your own but, unlike your great-great ancestors, you dont have to. Typically, you use two rows of bench dogs to hold long or wide stock. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. However, you may wish to use a more durable hardwood liner. Most facevise jaws toe in slightly at the top, then go parallel under pressure. The front jaw probably has threaded holes designed to accommodate flathead machine screws; you will need to countersink the screwheads so that they are set slightly into the wood liner. There are two basic types of bench vise: the front vise and the end vise. And the engineers vise traditionally is set neither on the face nor on the tail of the bench, but actually on the benchtop. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The flush-mounted end vise uses the benchtop as the inside jaw, and the bench screw drives the movable jaw tight against it. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. The bottom line? Be sure to look for a vise that opens wide enough to accommodate the thickest piece of stock you can imagine yourself working on, and remember that you'll need to subtract the thickness of the of the wooden pads that you'll be installing on the cast-iron jaw faces. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The benchtop or apron serves as the fixed jaw, while the movable jaw travels on a single screw [Photo F]. You can buy the hardware to make a leg vise for about $100. In case you're just beginning to realize how central a bench vise is to woodworking, here's a little information to help you pick the one that makes the most sense for your shop. Today, its relatively rare, having been largely superseded by the woodworkers vise. The benchtop's edge or apron typically serves as the inner jaw. All Rights Reserved. Let Mother Nature be your co-designer as you build dazzling projects with wavy edges, bristly burrs, bark inclusions, and other flaws that give wood a look of unrefined beauty. We shadowed two experienced makers and installers of custom cabinetry to bring you simple tips and tricks that will keep your built-in projects (and your sanity) on the bubble.. The primary purpose of a machinists vise is to grab hold of things and to hold them steady in its rough jaws, freeing up both your hands so that you can bend, shape, hammer, cut, drill, or perform any number of other operations. Look for a vise that opens wide enough to accommodate the thickest piece of stock you can imagine yourself working on, and remember that you will need to subtract the thickness of the of the wooden pads that you'll be installing on the jaw faces. Unfinished garage becomes a woodworking haven. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the merchandise you ordered, just return it within 90 days to receive a refund in the manner of original payment for merchandise only. That doesnt mean it isnt a worthy tool; on the contrary, its a simple, strong device that is probably the easiest of vises to make from scratch. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. A front vise is great for holding a drawer side upright while you cut the tails of a dovetail joint, or holding a board edge-up horizontally for hand planing, or for any number of other tasks that require a solid hold on the workpiece and for both of you hands to be free. The size you need depends upon the size of the stock you will be likely to use for most of your projects. Each vise has some specialized advantages, but youll have to make the call. The timing chain on a twin-screw end vise syncs the screws. Woodworkers vises are designed to be attached to the underside of the front of a woodworking bench. Some models these days are sold with reversible jaws that are smooth on one side and serrated on the other. Metalworking vises usually mount to the top of a bench. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Heres how. Heres a rundown on the different types of vises, and which one or two would be best for your workbench. Some, including Rockler bench vises, have a quick release mechanism that makes it easy to switch among a variety of clamping widths. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. This antique vise was probably an American innovation. A quarter turn of the handle counter-clockwise releases the screw and allows that vise to be quickly positioned anywhere along its opening range. But the most useful type of end vise is arguably one that's set up like a front vise, with the same screw-and-two-rods design, like the Rockler Quick Release 12" End Vise End vises of this type are usually sold with just the screw and guide rod mechanism, which attaches to one end of the bench and is outfitted with a wooden jaw equal in width to the workbench. Custom Doors, Drawers & Glass Accessories, High-quality brands and products you can trust, Expert advice and free post-purchase support, Exclusive, innovative products that help you Create with Confidence, Detailed instructions, technical specs and guides to make the most of your purchases. Something went wrong. Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. Too much clamping force, however, can cause boards to bow up. All Rights Reserved. Because the outer jaw has a tongue that slides in a groove on the fixed arm, it has enough play to let you clamp uneven-shaped workpieces. Essentially a large face vise, this type usually spans most, if not all, of the benchtop's width [Photo J]. The outside jaw is the one that moves, and it is generally made ol large-dimension hardwood stock. Left-handed folks usually prefer a front vise mounted on the right corner. But the odd occasion does arise when more would come in handy. This heavy-duty device is mounted on the benchtop, bolted to its surface. Build the outer jaw from thick stock about three-quarters of the leg's length. Built into the end of a bench (almost always the right-hand end), the end or tail vise, as it is also called, can be used to clamp workpieces to the bench between its jaws. Bolt or screw this type of face vise onto an existing benchtop in less than an hour. But if you have to pick just one, keep in mind that it's awfully handy to be able to quickly and easily secure any of a variety of lengths of stock face-up on the bench. Big? Reposition the pin for the workpiece you're clamping. These come in two styles: one with steel or cast-iron jaws you can use as is or add auxiliary wooden jaws [Photos A and C], and the other with no jaws, requiring you to build wooden jaws [Photos B, D, and E]. Now let's take a look at the most common types of vises for woodworking. You might have to shim it to flush the jaws with the benchtop and notch the benchtop to align the inner jaw with the edge. Clockwise motion will tighten the screw mechanism, drawing the jaws together; a counterclockwise motion will open the jaws. You also can hold stock vertically between the movable jaw and the bench. And speaking of making, youre luckier than your ancestors only a century or so ago. Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. And high humidity could cause the parts to swell and bind. A common type of front vise has cast-iron jaws and a steel screw that tightens and loosens the jaws. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4 product ratings - Kreg Crosscut Station with Guide Rails - NEW IN BOX - KMA4100, 2 product ratings - KREG 3-inch Automaxx Clamp Vise #KBC3-VISE. The jaws of the vise usually have a machined face that can easily scar wood. Usually, the width of the jaws is used to describe the vise Rockler's 7" Quick Release Vise has 7" wide jaws, for example. Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. Blessed with an eye for potential, David Willett looked at his dark, unfinished 112-car garage built in 1956 and saw the bones of a workshop. You add the wooden jaw. The sturdy engineers vise is essential for anyone who works with metalwhich includes almost every woodworker, by the way, when it comes to sharpening, and dealing with all sorts of hardware and other components. You can intentionally make the jaws unparallel for clamping irregular-shape workpieces. You have to space the vise and dogholes around the bench legs and any facevise mounting hardware. Make sure the mounting plate and rails won't interfere with dogholes made to use with an end or tail vise [Photo E]. But don't get crazy here: Apply only enough force so a workpiece won't budge. When you're working with hand tools, holding the workpiece securely is a must and a solid bench vise is like an extra set of very strong hands. A leg vise moves via a single screw with a pinned sliding guide rail to maintain parallelism. Need Help? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. In both cases, keep the movable jaw 212 3" thick to avoid deflection. Occasionally, the bottom of the outside jaw is merely hinged to the bench leg, but this means that the jaws of the vise will not be parallel (except when closed), and the thicker the stock, the weaker the bite of the jaw. Face vises are designed specifically for holding wooden workpieces while such operations as drilling and sawing are performed. Three great finishes (that aren't polyurethane). Vises of a design suited for the right-hand end or tail of the bench are of a rather different shape from those typically found attached to the front or face of the bench. A quickrelease jaw lets you move the vise in or out without a lot of turns of the handle. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. You can get by reasonably well with an arrangement of handscrew clamps and c-clamps for a while.
If an end vise spans less than the full width of the benchtop, install it flush with one edge (rather than centering it) so you can easily handplane stock held with bench dogs. nA tail vise holds long stock securely without any springiness. You see, some of the vises attached to the front of workbenches arent truly face vises, like the leg vise and shoulder vise. You'll be glad you did. These vises are usually located over or near a leg (to avoid putting unnecessary force on the benchtop) and are fastened with lag screws or carriage bolts. We proudly stand behind all of our products. Magnet-lined wood jaw pads stay in place without screws. * With only a single screw, you can clamp boards vertically on either side of the screw. You also can remove the pivoting jaw for parallel-jaw clamping. We are proud of the quality of our products, and we stand behind them 100%. The Rockler Quick Release End Vise, along with a set of Rockler Bench Dogs, will let you do just that. Planing long boards held in the jaws can move the bench sideways. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Good end vises also employ the screw-and-rod design, and they usually are sold with just the screw and guide-rod mechanism. A 7/8" diameter screw and equally husky rods offer enough rigidity to keep the jaws from flexing outward at the top under any normal working condition. Even though many woodworkers would rate a bench vise as an indispensable tool, it's an easy one to put off buying. The traditional material is wood. * A low screw location decreases clamping force and increases deflection, so install the screw 89" below the benchtop. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. A woodworking vise, according to its dictionary definition, consists of two jaws for holding work and a mechanism, usually a screw device, that opens and closes those jaws. Instead, capture the workpiece with bench dogs to take advantage of the bench's full mass. Which hand planes should a power-tool woodworker buy first? Keep your favorite wines, stemware, and serving accessories handy in this stylish unit. The front vise, most often installed at the left corner of the long edge of the workbench, is great for holding a drawer side upright while you cut the tails of a dovetail joint or holding a board edge-up horizontally for hand planing. Many front vises, including the Rockler 7" and 9" vises, also have a pop-up dog on the outer jaw, which lets you hold a piece stock face up across the width of the table. By Bob Vila | Updated May 26, 2021 8:58 AM. Most also have steel rods to keep the jaws aligned and prevent flexing, and some have a quick-release mechanism that makes adjustment easy. A 13" opening capacity vise should have you covered for just about anything you run into. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The guide-rail pin rests against end-grain hard-maple pads that prevent compressing the softer alder leg of this bench. There are many kinds of vises in a myriad sizes on the market today. Low cost: Besides wood, you only need the screw assembly, selling for as little as $30. (A lower guide rail, not shown, mounts beneath the jaw.) For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Also, it's important to note that Rockler bench vises, and most other quality vises, use a toe in design, meaning that the outer jaw tilts inward slightly to account for outward flexing and to apply the greatest pressure at the top of the jaws where it is most needed. If you have frequent need of a metal vise and only occasional need for a wood vise, you may buy jaw liners. Thats a rather broad definition, but then vises are a rather diverse lot. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. We are proud of the quality of our products, and we stand behind them 100%. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. A solid bench vise is like an extra set of very strong hands, and having one can actually improve your work: As long as it's attached to a sturdy workbench, a bench vise will hold a workpiece in a still and relatively vibration free state and help you make smoother saw cuts, more steady plane strokes, or even get your sanding done faster. For both styles, mount the inner jaw flush with the benchtop surface and edge (or apron), so that you can secure long workpieces in the vise and also clamp the board's far end to the bench for added stability. * A leg vise excels at holding long stock on edge; you can also clamp the workpiece to the benchtop edge for added stability. You'll also almost always find the maximum opening capacity of the vise and the screw diameter also listed in the specifications. Modern variations of the wooden face vise are often called woodworkers vises. Yet, as is true with most tools with long histories, not all vises fit neatly into simple subdivisions. As the name implies, these mount to the front (long edge) of the bench, typically on a left-hand corner.
For international returns, please click here. This vise hardware requires a shop-made outer jaw of 1 123" thick hardwood with dogholes (if you so choose) for holding stock with bench dogs. * The pin and sliding guide rail keep the jaw parallel for even clamping force. A twinscrew vise has a large opening between the screws for holding wide stock or assembled drawers. With a flush-fitting vise, the leg itself serves as a full-length fixed jaw. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. Difficult? Consider one of these three other clear finishes for your next project. The fixed jaw is what you build it up to be (in this case, simply the bench's apron). It is distinguished from other vises in that a rectangular hole is cut into its top, and that hole is aligned with a series of other holes along the front of the benchtop. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? A traditional tail vise [Photos H and I] consists of a rectangular or L-shape block of wood (the jaw) fastened to a steel or cast-iron fixture that slides back and forth in a cutaway corner of the bench. Most also have two steel rods to keep the jaws aligned and help to prevent flexing inward of either side of the outer jaw when only one side of the vise is used. It weighs as much as an anvil and in fact, may even function as a hammering block now and again as many models have a flat surface behind the jaws designed for use as an anvil. A screwdrive, located above the midpoint of the vises length but below the area of the damping surface, adjusts the opening of the jaws. Many machinists vises also have pipe jaws located beneath the main, flattened jaws. Nah. Most woodworkers will find a face vise invaluable; almost as many would quickly learn to love the advantages of a tail vise if they dont already. The screw diameter and the diameter to the alignment rods make the most difference when it comes to keeping the vise's jaws parallel with one another when you tighten it down. With only basic woodworking skills, a tablesaw, and a few simple tools, you can make custom cabinets for your home or shop. A thick outer jaw distributes clamping force over a wide surface area. This vise does not easily retrofit to an existing bench. The end vise is a much more flexible tool than might at first appear. A wood face vise consists of a movable front jaw that is mounted to a broad, square beam that slides in and out of a matching channel. The liners should be of nominal one-by stock (actual thickness, three quarters of an inch). The base on many machinists vises swivels, accommodating a variety of workpieces presented at different angles. While the beam keeps the jaw steady and properly aligned, the jaw is driven by a wooden bench screw. Rout the recesses right to hold a lid upright. If you elect to buy a factory-made woodworkers vise, you will probably need to line the jaws in order to protect your workpieces from the mars and dents that unlined iron jaws will cause when clamping wooden workpieces. If you work exclusively with softwoods, pine liners will suffice. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. It can hold stock in a variety of positions, enabling you to make smoother saw cuts and more steady plane strokes. We carry several types and sizes of vises, including models that permanently attach to your bench and others that can be clamped on and then removed between uses. The bench's apron, or a builtup end of the benchtop, serves as the inner jaw. You can use wood screws driven from the face of the inner jaw into the face of the workbench. Yes.
* Scissor-type variations replace the sliding guide rail and maintain jaw parallelism, but cost about $100$200 and work best with a flush leg. Woodworkers vises come in almost any size, with jaws ranging from six inches wide to ten inches or more, with a maximum opening capacity ranging from roughly four to as many as fifteen or more inches. A cast iron front vise has two jaws made of you guessed it cast iron and a steel screw to move them closer together and further apart.