Vise stand fabrication project

[Challenger_2MBT]

Just obtained a rather large bench vise. I'm looking for some pictures of what folks here have fabricated on their own in terms of a vise stand as opposed to mounting onto a workbench. I'm trying to make it somewhat mobile in the garage for working on welding projects and also keeping bench space clear.

Thanks!

 

[DieselDent]

I was lucky enough to find this way over built TV stand out of a hanger, it's made of 3/8's and 1/4" steel and has a hydraulic cylinder in the middle that will raise it around 2ft. I tried to get more but they were gone fast. Even without the hydraulics this is similar to the mobile base i had though up.
View media item 37713View media item 37712

 

[EOC_Jason]

Easiest for me is going to the tire shop and buying a messed up steel rim, the larger the better. Usually they just ask $10, sometimes they will just give them to me. I pre-drill the holes for the vise on a steel plate, then weld that to a piece of pipe, which in turn I weld into the rim. Fill rim with concrete and done! I've also welded some scraps of steel in the rim before filling with concrete.

I also have one that the base is just a piece of thick steel plate, which the pipe I also filled with scrap pieces of steel...

I've seen people also use brake drums from semi trucks.

Weight is key, the more weight you can have at the base the better. Also be sure you measure everything so you have a good working height that is comfortable to you.

 

[spooler41]

The last HD vice stand I built ,I used a semi truck brake drum for the base,with a 3"
square tube up right. I also used 3/8" plate between the tube and brake drum to cover the center hole and another on top to bolt the vice to. Do not use wheels under it, you'll be
chasing it all over the shop.

......................Jack

 

[Fyrme]

The last HD vice stand I built ,I used a semi truck brake drum for the base,with a 3"
square tube up right. I also used 3/8" plate between the tube and brake drum to cover the center hole and another on top to bolt the vice to. Do not use wheels under it, you'll be
chasing it all over the shop.

......................Jack

Not if you mount them right. Mine only touch the ground if you tilt it.

 

[Challenger_2MBT]

Great info here folks, I never thought about using a steel wheel rim. Will have to get one this week. Already got a nice heavy length of steel pipe. Will post some pics tomorrow. Please keep the tips coming. Thanks!

 

[Steroblan]

I've posted this before. I made this stand from a bus brake drum. Top is 2 pieces of 6"X6"X1/2" angle iron with a 2"X1/2" flat bar welded in between for a 14" width. the base and risers are 5" channel iron welded back to back. It stays put even when wrenching on 2" pipe fittings.

 

[MillerMav]

Thanks for starting this thread OP. I just picked up a 50's Simplex that I need to get on a stand for the same reason.

 

[kindyr]

Are those big semi drums steel? I was thinking cast iron, so I figured I'd have to bolt to it, since I can't weld Cast Iron. If they're steel I'll have to go pick a couple up.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Are those big semi drums steel? I was thinking cast iron, so I figured I'd have to bolt to it, since I can't weld Cast Iron. If they're steel I'll have to go pick a couple up.

I would assume cast steel.... Milling drums from a huge billet would be extremely expensive...

You can see where Steroblan bolted his through...

 

[Hector's Shop]

Not if you mount them right. Mine only touch the ground if you tilt it.

That's a nice idea! Looks good!

 

[CAOS]

6" Record vise, 3" sch 40 pipe. 18" discer blade capped with 1/2" plate and filled with 150 lbs of steel shot. I have recently added the 3/4" plate to the bottom of the original design.

 

[theknurl]

I was thinking cast iron, so I figured I'd have to bolt to it, since I can't weld Cast Iron.

why not?

you can braze, stick or TIG it

and probably MIG it too with the right wire

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I always wonder if putting a vise on a stand like this makes it harder to work on as it will rotate pretty easily? I use a vise to bend bar stock instead of dragging out the press brake, and having to chase the vise or something to keep it from wobbling around seems counterproductive.

Are they stable?

 

[Fyrme]

why not?

you can braze, stick or TIG it

and probably MIG it too with the right wire

Mine was TIG welded with Inconel rod after being preheated.

I always wonder if putting a vise on a stand like this makes it harder to work on as it will rotate pretty easily? I use a vise to bend bar stock instead of dragging out the press brake, and having to chase the vise or something to keep it from wobbling around seems counterproductive.

Are they stable?

I don't usually have a problem with it moving around to much. It weighs 260lbs as pictured. It does however have a 1/8" wobble to it. At first I thought it was my floor, but it doesn't matter where I put it, it always has the wobble. Turns out the drum is not flat on bottom. I plan to remedy this by filling the base with concrete and letting it set up while sitting up right on a piece of plastic sheeting. It should level itself out as well as add another 80-100lbs to it.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I always wonder if putting a vise on a stand like this makes it harder to work on as it will rotate pretty easily? I use a vise to bend bar stock instead of dragging out the press brake, and having to chase the vise or something to keep it from wobbling around seems counterproductive.

Are they stable?

Depends on the diameter and weight... Like I have 4" & 4.5" vises on 16" rims, they are good for most work but can want to move if you are getting too aggressive. My Reed 4C is on a 19" rim, it don't move when I'm using it... I'm pretty sure I also put some steel drops in there before filling it with concrete too. You can still spin it around, you just have to use your whole body. I usually use my forklift if I need to move it, then I move it the last couple feet into place by hand.

Finding several large steel plates or even the ends of some large diameter round stock would probably be the best, I've just never had a chance to go to the metal suppliers and see what drops they have.

 

[ilovevocs]

Why is everyone so adversed to bolting their vise stand to the floor? Do you move it that frequently? I use redhead drop in anchors and have several locations throughout the shop that it can be mounted. It's easy to move since I don't rely on weight to keep it in place, and it's rigid as can be. I use headless screws in the drop ins when not in service to prevent debris from filling the anchor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fyrme]

Why is everyone so adversed to bolting their vise stand to the floor? Do you move it that frequently? I use redhead drop in anchors and have several locations throughout the shop that it can be mounted. It's easy to move since I don't rely on weight to keep it in place, and it's rigid as can be. I use headless screws in the drop ins when not in service to prevent debris from filling the anchor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Daily! It is stored against the wall and I wheel it out to the middle of the floor when I use it.

 

[clutchCTRL]

Cool ideas in here. I really love the idea of having the wheels on there, but only functional if you tilt it.

 

[jsaw]

working on this one

 

[ilovevocs]

Daily! It is stored against the wall and I wheel it out to the middle of the floor when I use it.

Again im not being abrasive, truly trying to understand this. If your using it daily wouldn't it be prudent to leave it out? What type of operations are you performing with the vise? I cant stand it when a vise moves when I filling or cutting, it makes fine work more difficult.

 

[Fyrme]

Again im not being abrasive, truly trying to understand this. If your using it daily wouldn't it be prudent to leave it out? What type of operations are you performing with the vise? I cant stand it when a vise moves when I filling or cutting, it makes fine work more difficult.

No offense taken.
I will explain my situation and it should paint you a clearer picture of what I and probably the majority of the GJ crew deal with. Space.....

You see, I affectionately named my garage "The Masters Of None Garage" simply because I do it ALL out of my attached over sized 28Wx30D two car garage, including park at least one car nightly. I currently have a large project going on in one bay that takes up 3/4 of that bay. the front 1/4 is consumed with a tractor project that I will be starting soon and tools and benches line every wall in the garage. This leaves me only the area where that one car parks every night for work space on small quick projects.

By being able to drag my vise out to the middle of that space, I can use it to do anything from holding the spare tire winch off of my Envoy, that I just repaired the other day, to welding projects like this one

I don't have time to bolt down a vise stand every time I need to use it. And with my stand I have yet to over task it to where it is unstable enough to tip over. It has a very low c.o.g. and other than the little bit of 1/8" wobble, which I can quickly remedy with a wood shim, it is super stable, and has never tried to walk away from me.

For some people, space saving needs are the mother of invention. Not that I invented mine. I just built a vise accessory to fit my needs.
So you might ask, "why don't you just bolt it to a work bench?" I actually have vises mounted to two different benches, but find my self using the stand more often. I like working in open spaces, and being able to chuck something up in that vise and have 360* access, is way better than having to reposition your piece in a bench mounted vise to get access to the back side.

Did that help? Or was I rambling?

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Fyrme - How hard is that stand design to move? I like the idea for my Wilton C3 but am worried about moving it. I'm not a big guy, actually scrawny is more like it, and tilting a 200+lbs vise and stand towards me seems like a sure way to get my life insurance to pay out. How stable is it when on the wheels?

 

[Fyrme]

Fyrme - How hard is that stand design to move? I like the idea for my Wilton C3 but am worried about moving it. I'm not a big guy, actually scrawny is more like it, and tilting a 200+lbs vise and stand towards me seems like a sure way to get my life insurance to pay out. How stable is it when on the wheels?

Like anything heavy, once you tilt it and find that "sweet spot" of balance, its is very easy to move, and when resting on the wheels, it's as stable as a two wheel dolly. Matter of fact, it's just like pulling a dolly once you tilt it back. I just close the jaws on the vise and grab it through the jaws and tell it to go where I want it to go.

 

[Challenger_2MBT]

Okay, here's the start of the project:

cut & cleaned up the ends of the steel pipe and needle-scaled, wire brushed and painted POR-15 on the base plate. Still need to make some modifications to the other side. Will post more pics soon.

 

[sberry]

This is another thing I have done about every way they ever invented. I am right handed so it makes a little difference but I like a table /stand. It doesn't have to be huge but I want somewhere to set some tools and parts, a drill etc. Ideally bolted to the floor.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Like anything heavy, once you tilt it and find that "sweet spot" of balance, its is very easy to move, and when resting on the wheels, it's as stable as a two wheel dolly. Matter of fact, it's just like pulling a dolly once you tilt it back. I just close the jaws on the vise and grab it through the jaws and tell it to go where I want it to go.

Thanks for the perspective. I guess I'll start looking for a truck brake drum.

 

[Fyrme]

Go to a big truck repair shop. Unless liability is an issue, they should sell them for scrap prices. Our fire garage, never reuses drums, so they have dozens at any given time.

 

[LG63]

I’m not usually the guy to bring up safety concerns but since nobody else has mentioned it I’ll throw it out there. If you end up going with some sort of “tilt and roll” arrangement and have kids or grandkids around I’d suggest you have some way to secure it when left unattended. Or at a minimum don't let the kids see you move it so they won't get the same idea.

 

[Fyrme]

I’m not usually the guy to bring up safety concerns but since nobody else has mentioned it I’ll throw it out there. If you end up going with some sort of “tilt and roll” arrangement and have kids or grandkids around I’d suggest you have some way to secure it when left unattended. Or at a minimum don't let the kids see you move it so they won't get the same idea.

Better bolt down all the tool cabinets, welders, spare steel and lumber on the shelf, and every other heavy thing in the shop too huh? Oh and be sure a put lockouts on ALL power equipment. I would hate for one of those kids to see you use one and wander out there ignorantly and hurt themselves with one of them........
......OR...... you can Teach your kids what is off limits in the shop and if they are too young for that, they shouldn't be running around the shop unsupervised. And once they are old enough, teach them tool safety and and how to use them. Good parenting goes beyond putting your kids in a bubble.

Sorry man, but while I believe in safety, I think people can be safety nazi's about, well, life

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I’m not usually the guy to bring up safety concerns but since nobody else has mentioned it I’ll throw it out there. If you end up going with some sort of “tilt and roll” arrangement and have kids or grandkids around I’d suggest you have some way to secure it when left unattended. Or at a minimum don't let the kids see you move it so they won't get the same idea.

I'd consider this a good learning / training opportunity to teach them about the tool.

We should never fear the tools, but we should respect what they can do. Learn their limits and our own. Keeping them away entirely will only make it more attractive to mess around with when you're not there.

My father showed me how to use a table saw when I was 8. He showed me many tools, what they could do to the material- and to me if I wasn't careful. I learned to respect the tools around me as friends that could bite if I wasn't careful. I think that helped me really get into tools as a hobby more than anything.

 

[tomshep]

why not?

you can braze, stick or TIG it

and probably MIG it too with the right wire

Are there any welders here that can comment on this?

I have a Miller MIG with gas flux. Could I weld steel to a drum???

Tom

 

[Fyrme]

Are there any welders here that can comment on this?

I have a Miller MIG with gas flux. Could I weld steel to a drum???

Tom

To my knowledge you will be unsuccessful welding it with a flux core mig. It takes a lot of pre-heating and special wire. I think however, that there is a guy on youtube that has done it with a mig using stainless wire and a torch to pre heat. Search "chuckE2009 welding cast". He is kinda goofy but is a very smart kid that doesn't listen to the words "you can't" and has been successful on may projects. If you can get past his goofyness, you will learn a lot from him about welding.
If I were you, I'd bolt it. The hole are already in the drum.......

 

[EOC_Jason]

If you had access to a drill press or better yet a water jet, you could cut a steel plate out that could bolt to the drum, then you could weld to the plate. Give it a bit more of an industrial look... I was planning on doing that with a big cog from a catapillar.

 

[great white tj]

I used flux wire on these two stands with the brake drum base, these two have held up great but I don't bet the hell out things on this vise. I will tell you that on my very first stand I did have the welds crack on me... I was just welding along and when I was done and pulled the gun away about a foot....and it started........ ping ping ping........ start over..

 

[Bunchgrass]

Better bolt down all the tool cabinets, welders, spare steel and lumber on the shelf, and every other heavy thing in the shop too huh? Oh and be sure a put lockouts on ALL power equipment. I would hate for one of those kids to see you use one and wander out there ignorantly and hurt themselves with one of them........
......OR...... you can Teach your kids what is off limits in the shop and if they are too young for that, they shouldn't be running around the shop unsupervised. And once they are old enough, teach them tool safety and and how to use them. Good parenting goes beyond putting your kids in a bubble.

Sorry man, but while I believe in safety, I think people can be safety nazi's about, well, life

Sometimes "stuff" happens regardless of good parenting or super safety ---- life has an element of risk to it. I mention that because I just came back from the Dr's office for my 5 yr physical and we were talking a bit about getting old .... and he mentioned he was a contractor before going to med school and said he sees way more weekend warrior injuries than industrials. He has really young kids and just bought a portable tablesaw after having looked at the SawStop brands. The he just had a kid - 4 or 5 yr old brought in who lopped off his fingers on his dad's tablesaw. He's thinking of either getting a new saw or shutting down the breaker each time he's done.

Some accidents can be avoided. Some would need 10 safety officers on duty to avoid.

 

[Bunchgrass]

This is another thing I have done about every way they ever invented. I am right handed so it makes a little difference but I like a table /stand. It doesn't have to be huge but I want somewhere to set some tools and parts, a drill etc. Ideally bolted to the floor.

Where does your power come from for your receptacles on the table? BTW - I like the setup.