Table Vise - Table Clamp (Attachment)?

[rdnt]

Hey all,

I've been a long time reader and now I that I've started my garage "restoration" I figured I'd join in and see what I can contribute. I'll have plenty of images to come but currently I've become stuck on a certain subject.

I've got a couple of newer vises that have built-in table clamps, eliminating the need to pop some holes in my current workbench. While cleaning, I came across what I believe is one of my father's smaller Columbian No 031/2 Made in USA vises. I really would like to set it up because it's beautiful and would just be fun to have on my workbench.

My question is, are there any current/modern solutions that would allow me to attach it without the need for additional holes. Don't get me wrong, I have another bench that has two vises mounted via bolts and they are secure and I love them, but…for this workbench I'd prefer not to mess with it as of now.

Any suggestions on what I can do? I saw similar attachments/mechanisms for fly fishing vises but not larger ones!

Any help would be much appreciated…

Thanks!

- Joseph

 

[spongerich]

Mount the vise to a piece of 3/4" plywood with some countersunk carriage bolts to keep the bottom flat. It can then be clamped to the bench with some pony pipe clamps or large C-Clamps. I wouldn't use it for any serious whomping or prying, but for smaller work it'll be OK.

 

[demographic]

Hey all,

I've been a long time reader and now I that I've started my garage "restoration" I figured I'd join in and see what I can contribute. I'll have plenty of images to come but currently I've become stuck on a certain subject.

I've got a couple of newer vises that have built-in table clamps, eliminating the need to pop some holes in my current workbench. While cleaning, I came across what I believe is one of my father's smaller Columbian No 031/2 Made in USA vises. I really would like to set it up because it's beautiful and would just be fun to have on my workbench.

My question is, are there any current/modern solutions that would allow me to attach it without the need for additional holes. Don't get me wrong, I have another bench that has two vises mounted via bolts and they are secure and I love them, but…for this workbench I'd prefer not to mess with it as of now.

Any suggestions on what I can do? I saw similar attachments/mechanisms for fly fishing vises but not larger ones!

Any help would be much appreciated…

Thanks!

- Joseph

Whats the bench you want to fix it to look like?

If its a woodwork bench with woodwork vice I have seen some decent strong looking setups for a mechanics/engineers vice made using an offcut of ply that has a cleat underneath it for the woodwork vise to grip. Even had a raised edge so filings and whatever would stay off the woodwor bench.

Then its possible to remove it quickly. Another option with that setup was to have yet another offcut of ply with a raised lip and cleat to use as a sharpening station.

 

[rdnt]

I randomly had a few pictures from early on in my garage rebuild - so lucky me, I can show you!

I have two tables. The smaller SS husky table has since had a vise about 2x the size mounted (dont know the exact one off the top of my head) but the long wood table does not. Drilling is certainly an option, would just like to know my alternatives, no matter how big or small.

 

[rdnt]

Mount the vise to a piece of 3/4" plywood with some countersunk carriage bolts to keep the bottom flat. It can then be clamped to the bench with some pony pipe clamps or large C-Clamps. I wouldn't use it for any serious whomping or prying, but for smaller work it'll be OK.

I think at the moment, this might be my best bet, unless there are some incredibly easier solutions available. thanks for your help and I will let you know what I decide on.

However, I am still taking suggestions! Let me know what you all think!

 

[coolreed]

Make a plywood or hardwood base with feet. Bolt the vise to the base. Use a 'C' Clamp or two to hold to your bench.

 

[Provincial]

Consider attaching a piece under the table top, perhaps to the frame, and extending out past the end of the table. Then mount the vise to that. It has the advantage of lowering the vise to a more comfortable working height.

 

[rdnt]

McMaster-Carr has some vise solutions that appear to come with optional C-Clamp Base(s).

http://www.mcmaster.com/#work-positioning-vises/=iqh1rl

Besides the homebrew technique, which I actually am growing fond of planning it out, are there any similar products out there that would/could potentially fit my 031/2 Columbian?

 

[Outlawmws]

If you have a workmate, you can do the mounting plate and add a cleat to clamp it, and set it up next to the bench so ts handy, I mount a lot of bench tools to a mounting plate like that; Arbor press, bench grinders, miter boxes...

If you make the cleat an upside down "T" the "Top" of the T provides a safety in case the Workmate slips it's grip.

Nice workbench, but you must live on the Equator!