Has anyone built their own woodworking bench with woodworking vices?

LaneC · March 25, 2015, 07:44:39 AM

I have read books and researched about benches and was wondering if it was worth building a bench and installing the vices and drilling holes for holdfasts and everything else that goes along with it. How physically demanding is it? Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Just Me · March 25, 2015, 08:10:54 AM

Take a look at the Veritas twin screw vise. I do not have one but would like. I have three Record vises but one annoyance is when clamping something long vertically the vises tend to distort away from parallel.

Larry

MattJ · March 25, 2015, 08:22:06 AM

I've built a few and have some pictures of my most recent one in my gallery. My advice is to think about what you want to use it for and sketch out some designs based upon that. Copying a design from elsewhere may be the right way to go once you determine what your main uses are. Weight if its for handtool use vs chopping mortises vs assembly vs mainly power tool use. The ideal bench for you will vary greatly depending on what you want to use it for.

At the end of the day it is and has been very rewarding to build your own bench and make it right for you.

Matt

LaneC · March 25, 2015, 11:49:19 AM

Ok, thanks for the replies.

downsouth · March 25, 2015, 02:01:03 PM

Lanec I have not built one yet. But I will very soon. I found a good vice on the "list" someone bought and never took it out the box. I got it for half price. I would like to get one more.
I was gonna use white oak for the top, like butcher block style.
I have not really decided on how I will do the legs yet. I bought a few books on workbenches which will help a lot when I start building.
Good luck with your project and keep us informed.

terrifictimbersllc · March 25, 2015, 05:29:23 PM

Build a quick bench then plan your dream bench. You need a bench to build one. Im still using the quick one after 30 yrs, re-fitted a wide Record 52-1/2 E to it still planning the dream bench.

LaneC · March 25, 2015, 10:50:15 PM

Ok, thanks for the input. Hope yours turns out good.

low_48 · March 27, 2015, 01:00:25 AM

I made this one a long time ago. Red oak and low grade walnut. I used the plans from Fine Woodworking. All wood tail vise except of the screw, Abernathy face vise, Record threaded hold-fast on the top. It's been a beautiful work horse. As far as I'm concerned, it's a legacy piece that the kids will have to fight over!

SwampDonkey · March 27, 2015, 05:41:44 AM

I have dreamed of one for sure. ;D My shop was always too small, so I built a small rugged one that I just clamp small vices to and have a dowel cutter mounted. I will have a good sized wood workers bench some day. Gotta build the new shop first. :D 8)

johnnyllama · March 27, 2015, 07:11:50 AM

48, that's a beauty of a bench! As said above, you need to ascess what you're needs are. In our shop we use our main benches for sanding and assembly, sometimes large furniture and cabinetry, so ours are very large, 4' x 8' with drawer space under both sides so all tools and sanding supplies, screws, etc. are right there. One has a fold down top that holds a festool track saw setup to save space. Then I have a shaving horse setup for working on small pieces that are iregular in shape. Maybe one like 48"s is in the future but we made what fit our projects at the time.

LaneC · March 27, 2015, 08:38:38 AM

That is an heirloom bench for sure. That is nice. I would be scared to scratch it :D. I have heard of those record vises and I think they said they have quit making them. I do not know that, but that is what I remember reading somewhere. From what I have been reading, the Veritas twin screw vise is very popular. Anyone have one with any recommendations? Thanks for the input everyone.

low_48 · March 27, 2015, 10:23:13 AM

Personally, not a fan of the twin vise. I don't think it takes two dogs to clamp up work on the top. If it did, I can throw a quick grip on for the second. I used that holdfast on one end so I can clamp table tops on the bench, and rout around 3 sides. Actually, soft pad quick grips had not been invented when I made this bench. I did elevate the bench top from the leg system so I could always have an easy access to hooking a clamp under the top. Abernathy was sold to Jorgensen a long time ago, but looks like they still sell it. http://www.amazon.com/Jorgensen-41012-Woodworkers-Vise/dp/B0000223R2
I should mention I cut those big dovetails on the top rim and vise with the bandsaw and table saw. Then after glue up, drove 1/4" aluminum pins through them to cross pin them.

lowpolyjoe · March 27, 2015, 12:01:33 PM

That's a great looking bench, low_48.

I've been watching a ton of videos lately on building a work bench. I'm unsure if I want to give up the space in my garage/shop for a bench, but it looks like a great project.

Many videos I've seen are describing the Roubo bench design (or a variant). "Stumpy Nubs" has a video, I think it's "2x6 Andre Roubo Workbench", where he gives a good account of the benefits of the design.... which many others don't seem to discuss. If I build a bench it will probably be something similar, possibly with a split-top or 'well'. Paul Sellers has a great video series on Youtube where he builds an entire bench with hand tools using 2x4s. Sorry I can't link to the videos - I'm at work and cannot access youtube.

Regarding the twin-screw vise.... I have very little woodworking experience and it seemed like overkill to have 2 screws like that. Then I started trying to hand-cut some joints and I quickly realized how much a single screw vise likes to go out of square as you tighten a single piece of wood on one side. Then I saw a 'moxon vise". It appears to be essentially the same as a twin-screw, but uses hand wheels instead of traditional cranks and appears to be much easier / faster to adjust. I watched a video of a guy cutting dovetails on one and it adjusted and held all the workpieces perfectly. I sometimes see it advertised as a vise you store out of sight and then clamp to your workbench when you need it - but I think it would be a great substitute for a twin-screw to be built right into the front of a Roubo style bench. Not cheap, but here's an example:

http://benchcrafted.com/moxonvise.html

It would be great to hear from anyone whos ever used a moxon.

I see that 'low_48' commented about a twin vise for use with dogs... so I guess I should distinguish that I'm talking about a twin screw or moxon vice for use as a front vice for holding pieces to cut joints, not a tail vice to hold pieces for planing. I'm not sure which context you were talking about them.

Given my low level of experience, my opinions aren't worth much. But I wanted to get in on this thread

:D

low_48 · March 27, 2015, 01:11:20 PM

lowpolyjoe, the Veritas twin screw has a roller chain, running over gears keyed to both bench screws, to keep them in sync. No problems with racking.
Here's a bit of a gloat, but me and the bench made the cover of a magazine. I worked at Woodworkers Journal Magazine for 3 years as the project builder/designer until they were sold to Rockler and the magazine moved to Minnesota. Wow, getting close to 20 years ago now!

lowpolyjoe · March 27, 2015, 02:55:56 PM

Cool cover

Thanks for the info about the Veritas - I didn't realize the screws were linked with a chain.

jueston · March 27, 2015, 04:30:20 PM

Quote from: low_48 on March 27, 2015, 01:11:20 PM
lowpolyjoe, the Veritas twin screw has a roller chain, running over gears keyed to both bench screws, to keep them in sync. No problems with racking.
Here's a bit of a gloat, but me and the bench made the cover of a magazine. I worked at Woodworkers Journal Magazine for 3 years as the project builder/designer until they were sold to Rockler and the magazine moved to Minnesota. Wow, getting close to 20 years ago now!

are you still sporting that awesome mustache?

you must have built a few fun projects working at the magazine for 3 years, have pictures of other projects from that time?

Andy White · March 27, 2015, 06:10:13 PM

lowpolyjoe.
The Moxon vice is a great tool for any type workbench. I built mine from the kit from Benchcraft, and it really grips the work. I placed several dog holes to mount it anywhere on my bench with a set of hold fasts. A great addition to the face vise for the work I do. Andy

low_48 · March 27, 2015, 06:36:08 PM

Quote from: jueston on March 27, 2015, 04:30:20 PM
Quote from: low_48 on March 27, 2015, 01:11:20 PM
lowpolyjoe, the Veritas twin screw has a roller chain, running over gears keyed to both bench screws, to keep them in sync. No problems with racking.
Here's a bit of a gloat, but me and the bench made the cover of a magazine. I worked at Woodworkers Journal Magazine for 3 years as the project builder/designer until they were sold to Rockler and the magazine moved to Minnesota. Wow, getting close to 20 years ago now!

are you still sporting that awesome mustache?

you must have built a few fun projects working at the magazine for 3 years, have pictures of other projects from that time?

Oh, I'm sportin' something, but it's not like that 19+ year old pic.

Lot less on top too!
That job at WWJ was the best I ever had. Trips to Delta Machinery, National Hardware Show, International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, American Woodworking Fair (Anaheim in those days) now in Las Vegas, Sears/Craftsman Editors Conference at a beach resort in Florida, all expense free and with free tools at home and at the shop when I got back to Peoria. I was treated like a Congressman!

lowpolyjoe · March 27, 2015, 09:39:28 PM

Thanks for sharing Andy. Do you think it would be reasonable to have a moxon vise built into a workbench for use as the only front vise? Or are there things you need a normal crank handle front vise for?

Appreciate the fast-forward pic, low_48. That mustache has been busy :D

Andy White · March 28, 2015, 06:30:56 AM

lowpolyjoe,
I don't think the Moxon alone would be capable of doing all the clamping needs of a work bench. It normally mounts on top of the table, and is used for vertical work. My ideal bench would have a face vise on the left front, and a good tail vise on the end opposite of the face vise. Several dog holes, and some hold fast,s would complete the setup. I am studying the possible installation of a tail vise on my bench now. Andy

stanwelch · March 29, 2015, 04:03:35 PM

Lane , I used any flat surface I could find for for a workbench for many years. Most times it was very frustrating. I searched many sources for a good bench design I could build and was ready to build one from Fine Woodworking Magazine. Then I discovered the Workbench Book by Chris Schwarz.

I chose the Roubo bench and vice hardware from Benchcrafted. The base is made from Hickory and the top is hard maple.

What a difference!! This bench is a real joy to use. The build took about 5 months to complete working nights and weekends. Sometimes it was a challenge but was really fun to build. You might notice I built the bench left handed.

I would be glad to answer any specific questions you might have

lowpolyjoe · March 30, 2015, 08:38:31 AM

Wow Stan - great bench and shop!

lowpolyjoe · March 30, 2015, 08:39:45 AM

Quote from: Andy White on March 28, 2015, 06:30:56 AM
lowpolyjoe,
I don't think the Moxon alone would be capable of doing all the clamping needs of a work bench. It normally mounts on top of the table, and is used for vertical work. My ideal bench would have a face vise on the left front, and a good tail vise on the end opposite of the face vise. Several dog holes, and some hold fast,s would complete the setup. I am studying the possible installation of a tail vise on my bench now. Andy

Thanks for the advice Andy

LaneC · March 30, 2015, 10:39:06 AM

That is a beautiful bench. I have the other book by Schwarz. I like the book and it has some good ideas in it. I appreciate the offer about answering any questions. That is also a beautiful shop you have. If I ever get around to planning/building one, I may ask you a few questions. Thanks for the replies.

MattJ · March 30, 2015, 12:10:43 PM

The one feature I have really enjoyed with my last bench is the adjustable height. I can drop it down to be above objects when paring with hand chisels, make it mid-height for planing, and raise it all the way up when I clamp on my dovetail jig etc. It really saves my back by making the work height perfect for every operation.

I have some pictures here. I need to update these as I changed the vises and also added the holdfasts since this was taken.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,76037.msg1153978.html#msg1153978