Make a Bench Vise for Woodworking
- What You Need. About 16 linear feet of one by six hardwood (actual measurements ¾” x 5½”). ...
- Front Jaw. Cut two 32” long pieces from the one by six board. ...
- Rear Jaw. The rear jaw is L-shaped. The short ‘lip’ is used to clamp the rear jaw to your workbench. ...
- Drill Holes for the Hex Bolts. Drill two ½” holes through the front jaw 3” from the short edge and 2 ¼” from the top edge. ...
- Make Handles. You could stop right here and use ½” hex bolts and washers to complete the vise and open/close it with a wrench.
- Use Your Bench Vise. I did not use any finish on the bench vise or handles. I plan to sand it down if it needs cleaning. ...
Full Answer
How do you mount a vise to a benchtop?
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. Your benchtop must clear the bench base or legs for mounting.
What is a bench vise used for?
Think of a bench vise as a tool that's as essential to your success as a hand plane, router, or tablesaw. Although clamps might substitute in some situations, they tend to get in the way, and a vise gives you freedom to do almost any type of work.
How do you use a twinscrew vise on a bench?
The bench's apron, or a builtup end of the benchtop, serves as the inner jaw. A twinscrew vise has a large opening between the screws for holding wide stock or assembled drawers. Planing long boards held in the jaws can move the bench sideways. Instead, capture the workpiece with bench dogs to take advantage of the bench's full mass.
Can You retrofit a vise to an existing bench?
And high humidity could cause the parts to swell and bind. This vise does not easily retrofit to an existing bench. As the name implies, this vise installs into the bench leg, which sometimes serves as the fixed jaw. Build the outer jaw from thick stock about three-quarters of the leg's length.
How do you make a bench wood vise?
0:306:39DIY Woodworking Bench Vise - Quick and Easy Shop Project - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's get. Started. Over at the table saw i cut a piece of 1 inch thick ash to 5 inches wide forMoreSo let's get. Started. Over at the table saw i cut a piece of 1 inch thick ash to 5 inches wide for the face of the vise.
How do you make a homemade wooden vise?
0:207:17How to make a Workbench Vise ( DIY MOXON VISE ) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn one side of the jaw. I need to round out a dado slab. This will need to be equal to the thicknessMoreOn one side of the jaw. I need to round out a dado slab. This will need to be equal to the thickness of the plywood that will be used for the base the prow what I'm using is a bit thinner than 3/4.
What kind of wood is used for bench vices?
You can use plywood, a good grade, or solid wood, even pine, if that's what you have, to line the jaws of your vise. In this case I've chosen sapele, an african hardwood with perfect hardness and compression for this work. I've used it before and it's one of the best.
How thick should wood be for vise?
I would recommend at least one inch of hardwood onm the outside face of the chop. The inside face need not be as thick since it will not be compressed during tightening, so about 1/2" should do it.
What can I use instead of a vise?
Cut out this bird's mouth shape using whatever you have: a back saw, jig saw, coping saw, band saw. Set up the long piece of wood as a stop against the end your worksurface. If you're right handed, that's the left side; if you're a leftie, then the right side. Clamp or screw it in place.
How do you make a wood screw vise?
10:4413:26How to Make a Leg Vise With A Wooden Screw All Hand ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd give it a nice clean look and feel I put in one screw. Into each hole. So there are two screwsMoreAnd give it a nice clean look and feel I put in one screw. Into each hole. So there are two screws in each plate. And can then go around the main screw of the vise.
How do you protect wood in a vise?
0:151:08How to Prevent a Workshop Vice from Damaging Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust put it in place crank. It down I matter how much pressure you put on this. You're going to haveMoreJust put it in place crank. It down I matter how much pressure you put on this. You're going to have those pads in place.
How do you make wood vise jaws?
0:215:35Making New Vice Jaws - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a hardwood. So it'll be nice and durable the jaws on my other vise they were just made fromMoreIt's a hardwood. So it'll be nice and durable the jaws on my other vise they were just made from some block board which is laminated pieces of pine with a veneer on both faces.
What is normal workbench height?
34″ – 36″34″ – 36″ (86cm – 91cm) tend to be the most common workbench height for woodworking. A height in between these two extremes tends to be the most popular, particular if you do a range of activities at your workbench.
How thick should wood be for bench?
Remember when you purchase wood add a minimum 3-5 inches to the length, 1/2-1 inch to the width and a minimum1/4-inch to the thickness. Should you decide on a bench that is longer than 36 inches, you will need to calculate how long your aprons should be.
Is Birch a good wood for a workbench?
These are heavy-duty, solid European Birch tops which are perfect for use in your shop or home. They can be the basis for making your own custom workbench or a butcher block counter on an island or a coffee table. Birch is a hard-wearing durable material for any top and gives a natural look to any project.
What size vise do I need for woodworking?
For general household DIY, a 4- to 5-inch vise is large enough to handle most tasks. (This measurement is the length of the jaws from end to end and is maximum amount of contact your vise has with the workpiece.)
How do I make a quick release vise?
0:3017:20Homemade Quick Release Vice - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I've just cut into lengths and I've cut them at 500 mil. So my next job is to cut three holesMoreAnd I've just cut into lengths and I've cut them at 500 mil. So my next job is to cut three holes one either side for my guide rails where I'm using this tubing here off an old trampoline.
How do you make a vice clamp?
1:107:296 homemade clamps and workbench vises - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThese are just a couple of strips with two bolts. I put the work pieces between the strips. AndMoreThese are just a couple of strips with two bolts. I put the work pieces between the strips. And there are a lot of holes all along both strips.
How do you make a Moxon Vise?
0:0815:06$40 Moxon Vise - Easy to build in an afternoon! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis kit comes with everything that you need to build a quality Moxon vise it also comes with a setMoreThis kit comes with everything that you need to build a quality Moxon vise it also comes with a set of instructions.
Step 1: The Plan
Back in April, I tried to build a vise, but it didn't really work out like what I wanted. You can see that vise here.
Step 3: Cut Wood to Size (& Glue for Making the Final Size)
Since this is made from reclaimed wood, I thought there would be no point in making two different steps, for cutting, and then gluing, to the final size. For example, if this was made from a 2X4, the base wouldn't have been made from two different parts. Makes sense? :)
Step 4: Drill Holes for the Front & Back Jaws
I aligned and clamped both of the 5 X 9 X 7cm pieces one on top of another. Make sure they are totally aligned before you drill, this is REALLY important!
Step 5: Chisel Holes for the Hex-nut
The nut is going to fit inside the back jaw, like my first homemade vise, I decided to chisel out the holes. This works really well!
Step 6: Glue the Rods
I mixed up some 2 part Epoxy, and glue the rods inside of the holes that were previously drilled in the first jaw.
Step 7: Glue the Front Jaw
Glue the front jaw to the base with some wood glue. If you want to turn this into a Bar-Clamp, you won't need to do this ;)
Step 8: Make the Handle
I started by drilling a 9mm hole in the tip of the 3.5 X 4.5 X 7cm piece, and when I made sure that the rod fit snuggly inside, I drilled a 2mm hole through the wood and the rod. This will help strengthen the bond.
How to fix a rod on a nut?
To fix the rod, we added a small hole through the T-piece and the rod and insert a small bolt. Now you can turn the rod by turning the T-piece.
How long is a 5/8 copper rod?
I use two 5/8" copper pipes to support the rod and to keep the jaw from rotating. They have a length of 50cm. You can adjust the length to your needs.
Does a threaded rod work?
The threaded rod works fine, but the slope of the thread is very low. So you need a lot of turns to open the vise. Maybe I would use a higher slope next time. But this is just a convenience thing
Do you need clearance for horizontal movement?
Well you need some clearance for the horizontal movement due to the slop of the thread. When move the jaw you’ll see that it’s slightly misaligned to the other. But that clearance is very small and is easily achieved by the holes where the pipes go into. I used the copper pipes because they were scrap material from an old project and were laying around in my shop. I guess you could easily use different kind of pipes, hollow or solid, of different materials. Take what suites you is the cheapest.
Is maple wood good for a work bench?
very nice. The only problem I have is you should have used hardwoods for maximum durability. Some maple would not have been too costly. Over time you will find these things matter in a work bench. It really gets beat up and a soft wood will not endure as much abuse.
What are the jaws of a vise made of?
The jaws of the vise are made with stacks of individual blocks, glued together. Here, the blocks have been cut to rough size:
How many holes are there in a vise?
Four holes are drilled and these will be used to bolt the vise down to the bench.
What is the donut on a moving jaw?
The plywood donut beside it (photo above) is the keeper that goes on the lead screw inside the moving jaw. I used 1/2″ plywood for that, and it’s the only part that is not solid wood: The handle is a loose fit in the hole that goes through the head. Later, caps will be added to keep the handle from sliding out.
What bit is used for a slot in a sandbox?
The slot in the base is made using a 5/8″ bit and removing the material between the holes:
What is a test fit?
A test fit. The jaws should be matched at this point – same width, same height and meet evenly when pushed together.
Can you glue a vertical jaw?
When the glue dried, I sanded the jaw smooth and to final shape. Where the vertical jaw meets the horizontal is the only significant cross-grain glue joint. Given how narrow the parts are and how well seasoned the wood is, I don’t think this will be a problem. Using plywood would avoid this altogether.
Where are the off cuts from cutting the arc shape in the jaw parts glued?
Mostly for decorative purposes, the off cuts from cutting the arc shape in the jaw parts are glued to the side and base.
Why is a shoulder vise used?
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. A shoulder vise gives you floor-to-ceiling clamping space between its jaws. A threaded bushing mortised into the vise shoulder (unseen) keeps the screw on track. Things to know:
What is a pivoting jaw vise?
The benchtop’s edge or apron typically serves as the inner jaw. A pivoting-jaw vise holds irregular-shape stock without racking the jaws. You also can remove the pivoting jaw for parallel-jaw clamping. Magnet-lined wood jaw pads stay in place without screws. A cast-iron-jaw vise can be recessed into the bottom of a bench for maximum strength ...
What is bench vise?
Think of a bench vise as a tool that’s as essential to your success as a hand plane, router, or tablesaw. Although clamps might substitute in some situations, they tend to get in the way, and a vise gives you freedom to do almost any type of work.
How much does a metal vise cost?
Metalworking vises usually mount to the top of a bench. Woodworking vises vary in price from about $30 to as much as $400. Generally, once you decide on a particular style of vise, the more you spend, the better the quality and effectiveness of that vise. Now let’s take a look at the most common types of vises for woodworking.
What is a tail vise?
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.
Where do front vises mount?
Front vises. As the name implies, these mount to the front (long edge) of the bench, typically on a left-hand corner. Left-handed folks usually prefer a front vise mounted on the right corner.
Can wood dust cause respiratory problems?
Wood dust messes up a shop quickly and can lead to respiratory problems. Tablesaws with enclosed... read more
