Anyone ever made their own wood vice?

[Always_Thinkin]

I have been looking at wood vices lately. Everything I find has a narrow jaw opening, look cheap and are still high in price for what you get. So I started looking into making my own wood vice. I found a vice setup that seems simple to build and wouldn't cost that much. They use black pipe and bar clamps. Has anyone built something similar to this or used a different idea to accomplish the same result? The attached is a picture and a link to what I am thinking about building but not on the end of my workbench. I welcome your thoughts, pictures and opinions.

http://www.angelfire.com/music2/construct/bnchthmb.html

EDIT: As far as a release for the vice, I am thinking about making a foot release. I am thinking of purchasing a go-kart style throttle cable at Rural King or talk to some friends that that have old four wheelers/motorcycles and rob a throttle cable from them. Then under the work bench have a similar release setup as the one in the link but mount a support for the throttle cable. I can then run the cable along the inside of the bench and then to the floor. Making a foot pedal that would lock in the open position shouldn't be difficult, then hook up the throttle cable to it. This way when I am done using the vice I can store the foot pedal under the workbench out of my way. This would make the release hands free.

 

[creativecars]

I have thought about it. I found one searching the net where the guy used 3/4 allthread and made his own quick adjust by spliting the adjusting nut in half. He used 3/4 pipe for slides. It was pretty nice. The pic you show would work pretty good except for getting to the sliding locks for big projects.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

The one in the picture looks simple and good. I would go for it.

 

[Rusty Musket]

I like the one you found as well. Here is a link to some other options:

http://www.veritastools.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?cat=52

 

[Always_Thinkin]

The main reason I like it is becasue of the potential for a deep jaw opening and the pipes act as the supports/guides.

 

[creativecars]

I just read your edit. If you can get the slide to release with a foot pedal I think it would be great. The 3/4 clamps I have require a fair amount of presure to get them to slide, it takes both hands and a stable work surface. If you can get them both to release at the same time so it slides well, I think it will work great.

 

[camarotoolman]

Good used American wood vises aren't that much. I've sold a bunch of them in the 30 to 40 range.

 

[Nowater]

Consider a leg vise like in Chris Schwarz's book "Workbenches from Design & Theory to Construction & Use."