Bench vises

[pompon44]

Hi,

I'm contemplating the idea to build my own workbench. Well, actually, I'm currently drawing the plan for it...
I guess I'll go for a traditional bench with wooden vises (both tail and should or leg, don't know yet), because it looks cheaper and should be a good occasion to learn new skills (I'm an almost complete beginner, so could replace "new" by "some" ;-) ). And also because there are plans for such benches in Landis' and Sam Allen's books, too.

Now, trying to shop for the bench vises, I've came across those :

http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/1/prod ... -22374.htm
http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/2/prod ... -22373.htm

and

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... at=1,41659
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... at=1,41659

The prices are quite different for what seems to be comparable vises. I'm obviously missing something here. Are the qualities really different ? Any experience with any of those vises ?

Thanks,

 

[Scott]

Hi pompon44

Dieter Schmid do these too.

I'm afraid I've no experience of any of them so can't really comment but I would guess that it's another case of "you get what you pay for".

Cheers

 

[Mittlefehldt]

I can speak from experience and the Veritas twin screw vice is very versatile and useful. I mounted it across the end of my bench when I built it, which gives me 28 inches width, or roughly 68 CM. With that I can clamp boards of a metre or less and joint them I can sharpen saws in it and it holds all manner of wood. The price shown on the German site is much higher than what I paid, but then I am in the same country as Lee Valley.

I guess that type of vise makes it a joiner's bench rather than a cabinet makers bench but it works for me. You are right though building a bench teaches you a lot, it was one of the most enjoyable things I ever did.

James

 

[sean_in_limerick]

i have one of those from axminster - that is, it is sitting on my workshop floor (somewhere) - i decided against this type of vice eventually and went with the standard front vice (a fine heavy duty one fron dieter schmidt) - my next bench will have this type of vice! The vice-screw that i got from axminster looks substantial enough - but like others have said you generally do get what you paid for. What kind of bench are you building? (not really a hand tools thread this?)

Sean

 

[pompon44]

Mittlefehldt : do you say that you're next bench will have vise screws or again a front vise (sorry, but sometimes I don't clearly understand english...)

sean_in_limerick : as stated in my original post, I plan on a traditional bench, a la Frank Klauz. I plan to use it mainly for hand tools (and also to build it using hand tools ... er ... only, if possible), and that's why I posted here. If that's not the relevant forum, please tell me.

Regards,

 

[George_N]

Many would argue that the bench is ultimate hand tool (ie. non-powertool) in the workshop, so I would think this forum is just fine (it is for me anyway).

 

[Lord Nibbo]

This is what I'm bolting on the front of my new bench it cost me £10 (not started cutting yet, but a big stack of beech is sitting in the workshop waiting)

and the end vice was delivered today, it's the 3rd from the left in this pic

 

[Mittlefehldt]

Mittlefehldt : do you say that you're next bench will have vise screws or again a front vise (sorry, but sometimes I don't clearly understand english...)

sean_in_limerick : as stated in my original post, I plan on a traditional bench, a la Frank Klauz. I plan to use it mainly for hand tools (and also to build it using hand tools ... er ... only, if possible), and that's why I posted here. If that's not the relevant forum, please tell me.

Regards,

Sorry The vise I mentioined is across the end of the bench, the full width, on the front left corner I have a single screw vise with a maple jaw, the same as the second from the right in the picture in Lord Nibbo's post.

The end vise has two screws, the veritas twin screw vise, I chose not to build a traditional cabinet makers vise as it would have been beyond my skills at the time. If you would like a picture I could send you an email with an attachement, just send me a pm with your email address.

Sean I did all my bench with hand tools only getting some three inch White Ash planed for me to save time.


James

 

[Nick W]

I used both of the Axminster ones in my bench (based on the Klaus style bench from Landis' book), and have no problem in recommending them.

 

[lugo35]

im with nick, use an axminster one .second from left in pic around £11 i think

 

[pompon44]

Hi,

Thanks for the inputs. So I'd guess I'll proceed with Axminter's bench screws, as soon as I have finalized my bench plan...

Regards,