How to make a classic wooden vise

[JimBuis]

I am doing the research for a new project.  How to make a classic wooden vise.  For centuries woodworkers made their own vises entirely out of wood.  I have been researching this topic.  I am interested in hearing from you who are wise and experienced in all things to do with wood on what you know about this topic.  :P

I have asked about this on other sites, but with very little response. :(

I hope that someone here may have some information to share. ???

Thanks,

[SwampDonkey]

I've been giving this some thought from time to time. Your biggest challance is gathering the proper tools for lathe work, to turn out the screw for the vice. I mean the challenge comes in turning the screw on the lathe.  I once saw an old wooden vice on a work bench, but didn't think to take notice of it's design. Lee Valley have some very expensive vices for use on shop work benches, one vice can be adjusted in any manner imagineable.

[JimBuis]

I have read a mention of turning threads on a lathe.  However, what I have are "thread boxes" which are like a die except for cutting threads in wood rather than metal.   I also have some matching taps.  Another thing is a set up for cutting threads with a router.

I don't think much of the router set up so far although it is highly rated by most and is supposed to be a time saver.  I have had really good experiences with the threading boxes.

Maybe it is time for pictures! 8)  I'll see if I can can take some today.

Thanks,

[Kevin]

There seems to be a few out there ...

http://www.kronosrobotics.com/woodworking/

http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/2005/03/25/sn/

http://www.inthewoodshop.org/methods/wwc03o.shtml
http://www.inthewoodshop.org/shops/tour/bench.jpg

http://pages.friendlycity.net/~krucker/Bench/index.htm

http://www.workbenchdesign.net/rvises.html

http://www.jeffgreefwoodworking.com/pnc/ShopProj/woodvice/

[JimBuis]

Thank you for the interesting web links.  Just to clear up some confusion, I am going to make wooden vises without the use of any metal and I already have workbenches, so I am not interested in making one of those.

Jim, what do you mean "wooden vise"?  I am glad you asked. ;D  See below.


This is a shoulder vise used in woodworking.  Its shape is somewhat specialized.

[mike_van]

I do some wood lathe work, but I don't know as  there is a way to turn accurate thread for the screw or the nut, you don't have the feed screw a metal lathe has.  I think the thread box is the best bet,  as is the tap to go with it for the nut.   

[GareyD]

I use the Beall threader (used with a router)...the thing I found the most difficult was finding good even sized dowel stock to turn the threads on...if the diameter varies down the length, the "nuts" get real sloppy/tight/sloppy on the threads....finally ended up turning my own dowels using the straightest grained oak I could get my hands on with a lathe duplicator.

Made a box full like this and drilled holes to match in 6" x 4" x1/4" inch ply..kinda like a wooden erector set for the grandsons...


This is the link for the threading system that I use...
http://www.bealltool.com/threader.htm

[Tom]

Did Coellen put that on your head to take the picture or did you put it on the dog's back?  :D

[GareyD]

Well, the hair on my head yousta be that thick...and I tried puttin' it on the puppy's back, but he kept tryin' to eat the wooden bolt

So I used the rabbit skin she keeps on her stained glass chair...it was the handiest thing I could find to keep from showin' the mess here in my office :D :D

[BW_Williams]

Garey, your computer room looks like my shop!  Been gettin' lots of compliments on my Hog Wild shirt, have it on now, nobody can figure out why its a second :D
Jim, there was a very cool, mostly wood vise in a recent Woodenboat, it's not like the one you posted, I will see if I can scan a pic or two if'n your interested.  It's on my short list of things to do, but people keep wanting to mill their logs, oh well!  BWW

[SwampDonkey]

Jim, that vice in similar to the one I remember on a bench. It was more to the centre of the bench and was a bit larger. The whole thing was an antic, and I don't know where the old fellow got it. He's since passed on. The gal that inherited his stuff was a neighbor that looked after him the last few years. She'll take good care of it because she also works with wood.