Vise placement strategy

[kbuhagiar]

Hello folks,

I have three vises - a Wilton 450 bullet, a 6" Craftsman and an 8" Eastwood. I'm setting up workbenches in the new garage this week; an 8ft 'dirty bench' (3ft deep) on one side of the garage, and a 6ft 'clean bench' (2ft deep) on the other side. Plan is to mount the heaviest duty vise (Wilton) on the exposed corner of the DB, which would give it the most accessibility. The medium duty (Craftsman) would also go on the dirty bench, but biased toward the other end, maybe 4 or 5 ft away from the Wilton and thus available to use in conjunction with it if I need to secure a long object (such as a driveshaft).

The Eastwood would mount on the exposed corner of the CB (again, for better accessibility).

Sound OK? I'll be mounting the Eastwood to a NewAge cabinet workbench top (bamboo core, SS surface), anything to watch out for there?

I know I'm overthinking this, but that's par for the course for me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RoninB4]

-I don't know if this would work for you or not but you could take the approach of mounting the lighter vise(s) to individual sub-plate(s) that could be moved from one bench to another. That's sort of going with the "modular tooling" approach. Regardless of where the vise is located, it will always be in the wrong place at one time or another. By using the sub-plate mounting you have the flexibility of which bench and how the vise(s) are arranged. The heavy vise should probably stay permanently mounted on the DB for stability. Plenty of times I had to go find a different bench at work that had the vise oriented the way I wanted. Sure it's extra work but it can be beneficial. Photos of your set-up appreciated.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Pics would assist, but it does sound like you got it figured out. I second Ronin’s modular idea. Remember with swivel vises, you have to account for their rotational radii.. I have already seen two different dudes put swivel vices on corners, but then put taller boxes right up against either corner, thereby limiting the turn radius of there swivel vises.

Fixed, or swivel; remember to see if you can have them mounted in a manner where the static jaw is clear the edge/lip of the bench, with considerations for possibility of/for larger stock materials…. But, this is not a necessary step. Tip-over hazards should be assessed as you go, but just recommend considering all options for your build since you want vises operating as a team. Sounds cool.

 

[larry_g]

My solution to this was to have the bench vises mounted at the same height and then have a vise on a stand at that height so when having to fixture larger stuff it could be in the bench vise and the portable that would give lots of flexibility to the setup.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[kbuhagiar]

Pics would assist, but it does sound like you got it figured out.

I'm currently away from the garage, but I'll try to get some pictures after I return.

Remember with swivel vises, you have to account for their rotational radii.. I have already seen two different dudes put swivel vices on corners, but then put taller boxes right up against either corner, thereby limiting the turn radius of there swivel vises.

Roger that. I've tried to apply this concept within my space limitations.

Fixed, or swivel; remember to see if you can have them mounted in a manner where the static jaw is clear the edge/lip of the bench, with considerations for possibility of/for larger stock materials.

Yup, rule #1. I also make a point to have both fixed jaws parallel and even with each other.

My solution to this was to have the bench vises mounted at the same height and then have a vise on a stand at that height so when having to fixture larger stuff it could be in the bench vise and the portable that would give lots of flexibility to the setup.

This is a neat idea; I'm not averse to adding a fourth vise to my collection, lol.

 

[tarmy]

This

 

[Beerhippie]

Vise on a portable stand is so handy I don't know why it took me so long to put one together!



I only end up using it a couple of times a day. Not only does it allow unimpeded access to all sides, but it allows me to move dirty jobs to places that are easier to clean up than my bench. Moving it is just like using a dolly.

 

[isb cornbinder]

A local high end auto shop asked me to design and build a workbench. I needed to have a drain and vice mounting. The drain was easy. I cross-broke the top and fitted a center drain. For the vise, I built a heavy duty hinge and mount for the vise. This was mounted to the table end. When not in use the vise hinged down. When in use, the vise was lifted and a slide-bar was slid under the vise and held the vise up and in place. Your local Metal Supermarket will have the materials you need. I used square tube hitch sizes.

 

[Beerhippie]

A local high end auto shop asked me to design and build a workbench. I needed to have a drain and vice mounting. The drain was easy. I cross-broke the top and fitted a center drain. For the vise, I built a heavy duty hinge and mount for the vise. This was mounted to the table end. When not in use the vise hinged down. When in use, the vise was lifted and a slide-bar was slid under the vise and held the vise up and in place. Your local Metal Supermarket will have the materials you need. I used square tube hitch sizes.

I've also seen a lot of vises mounted on receiver hitch tubing, with multiple receivers mounted around the shop so the vise could be moved to where it's needed.

Sounds like work to me....

 

[Wiz02]

@kbuhagiar , timely thread for me.

I have a much simpler situation. Should I mount my swivel vise on the right or left side of the bench?

There's more room to clamp a longer object on the left and the right side is close to the man door and the front of the garage, but I'm right handed and all my previous setups have been with a vise on the right of the bench.

Am I making much ado about nothing and just mount the vise on the left?


BTW, good advice @TheRealZeus . I learned the hard way a long time ago about the need to keep the static jaw clear of both the long and short edges of the bench when mounting a swivel vise.

 

[isb cornbinder]

@kbuhagiar , timely thread for me.

I have a much simpler situation. Should I mount my swivel vise on the right or left side of the bench?

There's more room to clamp a longer object on the left and the right side is close to the man door and the front of the garage, but I'm right handed and all my previous setups have been with a vise on the right of the bench.

Am I making much ado about nothing and just mount the vise on the left?


BTW, good advice @TheRealZeus . I learned the hard way a long time ago about the need to keep the static jaw clear of both the long and short edges of the bench when mounting a swivel vise.

My sadly deceased long time friend used to say, "I just learned something, and I did not want to learn anything, today." His well equipped GF often wore a Harley "T" shirt with an Evolution Engine on it. He often suggested, "I think you might have a broken motor mount."