dfndr
Well-known member
I'm putting the finnishing touches on my 6 ft workbench. I have a nice Huer vise on a swivel base. I'm right handed. Is there any reason to mount it on one end of the bench as opposed to the other?
Vise question. Stupid question?
- Thread starter dfndr
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BD1
Well-known member
hi, depending on bench materials used , I found the best thing to do is mount a receiver hitch tube to the bench and then get 2" square tube and plate to fasten the vise to. This way you can mount it anywhere you place the receiver tube and it will be out of the way when not needed and provide a flat full working surface. You can also mount a bench grinder to a plate to that will fit inside the receiver tube. Check out some of the welding sites too. This is a awesome idea.
director_gtr
Member
Do you have a link that shows this idea? I think I get it but not possitve.
I have double-hitch mounts on either end of my main bench. You can see the right-side one in this picture.
The left-side one has a grinder mounted in it in this picture.
You can also see a red-topped bolt to the left of the mount with the grinder on it. It acts like a set screw to keep whatever is in there from sliding or vibrating.
All that notwithstanding, I'm trying to figure out whether I should bolt that big vise on the right side or the left side of my metal-topped bench. So I'll be following the responses to this thread.
The left-side one has a grinder mounted in it in this picture.
You can also see a red-topped bolt to the left of the mount with the grinder on it. It acts like a set screw to keep whatever is in there from sliding or vibrating.
All that notwithstanding, I'm trying to figure out whether I should bolt that big vise on the right side or the left side of my metal-topped bench. So I'll be following the responses to this thread.
I, like you, am right hand dominant and find that a vise mounted on the right hand end of a workbench is easier to use since there is room to spin the handle.
ihredo4
Well-known member
I like the idea of the receiver hitch under the bench. HMMMMM the possibilities.
iagsxr
Well-known member
It also depends on what you're using the vise for(lengths) and what the bench butts up against. For instance at my carwash one end of the bench butts up to the spot-free tank and I use the vise for long chunks of conduit/piping occassionally. Obviously vise had to go at other end(not obvious to carwash's previous owner).
Another example, looky at the picture below. If the back jaw of the vise wasn't ahead of the cabinet front you couldn't clamp anything long to the right.
Another example, looky at the picture below. If the back jaw of the vise wasn't ahead of the cabinet front you couldn't clamp anything long to the right.
buildyourown
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
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- 185
Neither. The corner or on a dedicated post. Being able to get to the sides of the vise really increases it's uses. I'll try and get a picture of my setup.
BD1
Well-known member
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53369&page=4 hi, this is from Mr. Jack Olsen as seen on the harbor freight box thread. hope you do not mind. great ideas by all. BOB
onewaydave
Well-known member
I understand why Jack and others like the receiver hitch idea, but I'm not that cramped for space. And I like big vices. That I don't like to pick up and put away. I'm right handed and have and had vices at both ends. If there is room to get on either side of the vice it doesn't matter. I also like to get violent. So the bench that I mount the vice to has to be heafty and secured well to the floor.
d110pickup
Well-known member
Attach the vise close enough to the front and the side so you can clamp a part vertically in either position. On the bench I'm currently building I'll run the plasma cutter along the base of the vise to get a nice radius on that corner.
Mike
Mike
I agree. It's why I did both.
BanjoSavesTheDay
Well-known member
I think that this is the most important thing to remember. If you put it too far back from the edge of the table, you won't be able to put anything long in it vertically. I've also been sitting here thinking about which side is better and I too am going to through my lot in with the right siders.
I just did a right side mount on mine, with an extra 1/4" of overhang beyond vertical from the inside jaw to the edge of the bench.
onewaydave
Well-known member
I donno, I was thinkin that one is about right and was gonna compliment him on it. I was impressed with his drilling those holes and that bench top...
stewart
Well-known member
I wouldn't call that a stupid question at all. From my experience, this is what I found to work for me.
What determined the location was on which side of the bench allowed me the most room for long pieces like a drive shaft for example.
Another consideration was to be mounted directly above a vertical post. If you're gonna be doing any "pounding", as you know the stiffer the better! Nothing worse than the stuff on the bench jumping all over.
What determined the location was on which side of the bench allowed me the most room for long pieces like a drive shaft for example.
Another consideration was to be mounted directly above a vertical post. If you're gonna be doing any "pounding", as you know the stiffer the better! Nothing worse than the stuff on the bench jumping all over.
Thanks. The vise has 10" jaws and opens to just over 13". The good news is that it's made of forged steel and only cost $150. The iffy news is that it was manufactured in China, and is not exactly a miracle of precise, modern engineering. Here's a link to a thread I did on the hole drilling.I donno, I was thinkin that one is about right and was gonna compliment him on it. I was impressed with his drilling those holes and that bench top...
Slow and steady, this is a 1/2" diameter hole through 1" steel plate. I felt a little bit like a safecracker in a movie.
1950ChevySuburban
Well-known member
Damnit! Hitch idea is the answer I need for my bench grinder problem! I know what I'm doing after work tonight!
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
stewart
Well-known member
Jack
I don't think that vice is forged steel, in fact I'm sure of it, not that it won't meet your needs, a vice with those dimensions will always be handy.
Old post vices from 1800's were hand forged of steel so that they could take the abuse of a smith. Even the best Columbias, Parkers, Wiltons etc are cast.
I don't think that vice is forged steel, in fact I'm sure of it, not that it won't meet your needs, a vice with those dimensions will always be handy.
Old post vices from 1800's were hand forged of steel so that they could take the abuse of a smith. Even the best Columbias, Parkers, Wiltons etc are cast.
I don't doubt you're correct, although its ad copy reads: "Top quality solid steel drop forged 10" vise. Made of unbreakable gray molly steel these vises feature replaceable steel jaws, built in pipe jaws and anvil, steel handles, 360" swivel base and a powder coated finish.• Shipping Weight: 68.00 lbs."
But that certainly wouldn't be the first time a manufacturer made dubious claims about its product on the internet.
But like you say, it'll work for what I need.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Same here. I had one on each end of the benches and found the one on the far left was not being used. I moved it to a roll around table, on a RH corner of the long side of the table.
Charles
buening
Well-known member
I say mount it to the right end of the bench assuming you don't have clearance issues. If you need to file the end of a pipe mounted horizontally in the vise you will be using your right hand to move the file. You can also use the bench to support the pipe by slightly turning the vice. If you mount it to the left end of the bench and use the bench as a support, you'll be awkwardly trying to file or standing at the end of the bench trying to file.
VegasBruce
Well-known member
I prefer a free standing vise. That way I can walk around it if needed.
At one time I had the vise bolted to the center of a bench, it was OK but this is better IMHO.
At one time I had the vise bolted to the center of a bench, it was OK but this is better IMHO.
VegasBruce
Well-known member
Its free standing at this time, but it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds. It will do just about anything that I want. I probably will bolt it down when I get my new workshop built. I'll get out to the barn and get some better pics later.