New Gladiator Workbench and I have a vice that needs installed

[Ryan_C]

So I finally got my Gladiator Workbench and garage somewhat organized. I still have an old vice that was on the old workbench. I can't come to the reality that I will have to drill holes in this beautiful top in order to utilize it.

I also went out to Home Depot and got that Ryobi Bench Grinder for $15. Will need to figure something out for this as well.

Is there something else I can do instead of drilling holes in the new top?
Any ideas?

Thanks.... I will have some pics once my phone is done Restoring from Backup.

 

[southalabama]

I'd mount the vise.

Depending on how much you use the bench grinder you could mount it on ply and clamp down.

Other option others have done. Mount a truck receiver tube on wall or under bench top. Insert vise or grinder.

12 ga garage has such a set up.

 

[David Paul]

I too just put up a new 8' gladiator bench and feel your anxiety. From the feed back here I also purchased the new style pro Chraftsman vise. It sat on the bench until I finaly pulled the trigger and mounted it. I mounted it towards the right side, with one bolt going through the exsisting leg hole the other 3 through the bench top. Not the perfect position if you look at the suggestions about overhang, etc., but solid. Best vise, workbench combo in my 60yrs of age. First time I used it, I knew I made the right choice. It is a WORKbench after all. Having said that I do put cardboard down on it to protect the top, at least for now. Just do it, you'll be glad you did. The photo is of the work in progress. Since the photo, RaceDeck has been installed and the bench sits on the floor properly.

 

[ryanm]

checked out the "gladiator" series of cabinets and shelves and benches at my local sears. might be an idea at a later time. seemed like okay stuff though for the price

 

[Zrexxer]

Just drill the holes.

 

[usmc_noma]

I'd say go ahead and drill those holes. The sooner you mount the vise, the sooner you'll put it to good use. If you have the room, I'd find a grinder stand and mount the grinder to there. Otherwise, build your own bench/storage area to use the grinder with. Maybe think of like a modular storage where you could use other items as well. Such as interchanging with a scroll saw, miter saw, etc.

 

[bpj71]

I have a 6' and 8' Gladiator bench that have the exact same dilemma. After researching the board, I am going make a 90 degree steal plate that is bolted to one of the legs and attach via weld to a trailer hitch receiver. Harbor Freight makes a vise mount for a trailer hitch. This way no holes through the wood and I can move it between benches if need be. The benches are adjacent to each other in a corner. I will try to post pics when it's done, but with a new baby, that may be awhile.

 

[rburke65]

The trailer hitch might be the way to go. Ya won't be banging your hip on it if you can remove it when not in use.

 

[drivesitfar]

I started this thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799 a while back so i could get some ideas on how to use several vises in my shop and garage. you might find a few good ideas on there for your new bench vise combo.

i'm either going to do the trailer hitch idea on my butcher block bench that is very similar to your Gladiator or i'll put down a steel plate and drill holes thru the plate and bench so the butcher block won't separate. something like this one.

 

[Modern Jess]

My vote: drill the holes or take the bench back to the store. If the workbench is that precious, how will you ever do any meaningful work on it?

 

[MDSPHOTO]

I couldnt do it. My vise just sits on the edge of my bench.

 

[larry_g]

My vote: drill the holes or take the bench back to the store. If the workbench is that precious, how will you ever do any meaningful work on it?

X2 here. Is this a work bench or a makeup counter? Or consider mounting the vise on a stand with a heavy base plate. I have them both ways.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[plain garage]

I have a 6' and 8' Gladiator bench that have the exact same dilemma. After researching the board, I am going make a 90 degree steal plate that is bolted to one of the legs and attach via weld to a trailer hitch receiver. Harbor Freight makes a vise mount for a trailer hitch. This way no holes through the wood and I can move it between benches if need be. The benches are adjacent to each other in a corner. I will try to post pics when it's done, but with a new baby, that may be awhile.

How thick would the steel plate need to be? I'd like to avoid drilling through the 1-3/4" maple hardtop if that can at all be avoided.

 

[LXCam]

My vote: drill the holes or take the bench back to the store. If the workbench is that precious, how will you ever do any meaningful work on it?

X2 here. Is this a work bench or a makeup counter? Or consider mounting the vise on a stand with a heavy base plate. I have them both ways.

lg
no neat sig line

X3

 

[drivesitfar]

PG: you should probably use that Gladiator to work on your projects and make a steel table like this one to use your vise on.

if you really want to use a steel plate on your Gladiator and not drill through the bench my guess would be to get a half inch thick piece and tap holes for the vise. then you'd still need to clamp the vise with the plate attached to the bench. or just clamp two of or three of the feet of the vise to the bench.

 

[buildyourown]

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/52820861@N07/16083143719" title="wp_20150112_21_27_38_pro by buildyourown, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/16083143719_09fe6c86cd.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="wp_20150112_21_27_38_pro"></a>

Here's mine. Excuse the mess.
I originally made this vise stand for my other bench, hence the scabbed on 2x4. It's a heavier steel bench with a 2" flange on the edge. This stand makes for a very solid vise but gives you great access. I use it for building bikes. It kills the under bench storage, but it really changes the things you can do with the vise.

 

[tomshep]

I understand your pain, but drill it. And when done throw some oil on it and scratch it up a bit with a screwdriver. Then start using it as a workbench. You will be relieved and start enjoying it and using it. Adds character. Otherwise, put it inside the house or take it back.

Tom

 

[TonkaJoe]

I use the same set up as Drivesitfar with the steel plate over top of my wooden bench in my basement shop. Makes the area more rigid and less likely to split the wood, also works great if you have any heavy hitting to do. I recently bought a whole new cabinet and workbench set for the garage and I'll be doing the same set up out there!.

 

[NitroSun]

Is this a work bench or a makeup counter?,,,,,


Could not have said it better myself. It's a WORKbench

 

[akdiesel]

I can relate to Ryan's needs.
I too don't want holes in my bench for my vise. A new style or larger vise may replace what I have and that could mean new holes, so I opted for a receiver tube. This is also handy to swap out other tool mounted devices as well as moving them over to my welding table with the same receiver hitch.
I also have a truck, but I don't go throwing anything or everything into it just because it has a bed. I try to take care of my things and if that means setting it down slowly so be it. I paid that much money for it, I want it to last.

 

[kgorman]

Drill it!

Get a work mat for projects

 

[Outlander]

Is this a work bench or a makeup counter?,,,,,


Could not have said it better myself. It's a WORKbench

Mrs Outlander's makeup counter is messier than my workbench

I must add, that is the quote of the day "Is this a work bench or a makeup counter?"

 

[RegeSullivan]

If a couple little 1/2" holes are gonna ruin it ya bought the wrong work bench. Cut a some 1/4" ply or hard board to cover it and drill for the vice. When you get a new vice cut a new cover.

You can also glue a plug in a hole and cut it flush if have to.

 

[AnEv942]

Id receiver it, can be removed if need used to mount other stuff, adaptable. Though Id go thru top, at least for me a lot more versitle. Depends on bench mount vice use. You can see the plugged holes on the left where vise was originally mounted that was always just in the wrong place...If I now decided its in the wrong place, change vice etc. its just redrilling or making new mount plate.

 

[cagullett1]

When I got my new bench a couple years ago, I didn't want to "damage" it for a few months. After working on stuff, I quickly realized that I was being silly and it was going to be used. Drill it, you will look back in 6 months and realize it was stupid to even debate this.

 

[ovilla]

I went through the exact same thing a few years ago. Yes, it looks beautiful but it will be a true "work of art" with a vice mounted on top of it.

The first time you go to use the vice, and notice how effing sturdy it is, you'll be glad that you did the needful and drilled some holes through that prestine top. Also, careful with chemicals on that table. Brake cleaner ate through mine the first week I had it. The nice thing is that it's really sturdy and cleans up really nice. Just lightly sand any bad section and spray it with a light matt finish of poly to make it look as good as new.