Vises: Attachment to workbench method?

[Beowulf]

Ok, so a new 1.75" maple butcher block top is coming shortly in the form of a new Seville Workbench. What is the best way to mount a vise? Does everyone just use large washers with lock washers and then the nut? Nylocks? Locktite?

Or, should I just use a 1"x1/8" bar stock between two of the bolts? One across the front and one across the back, or front to back on both sides. I'm sure lots of this will depend on the location of the underlying support structure of the top.

The vise is a gifted Craftsman 5.5" jaws. Bolt pattern is close to 4.25"x4.25" The vise overhang from the front of the mounting plate is 5" to the end of the handle attachment.

What is the correct amount of setback from the edges?

What are your thoughts on the correct attachment method?

 

[Steevo]

Setback is determined by clamping a long piece in the vise, hanging down, and making sure that it clears the front of the workbench.

With a butcher-block top, I'd run your under-side steel strips cross-grain to the way the top pieces run.

 

[Beowulf]

So would your recommendation be to put a pipe in the jaws and move the vise back until the pipe hits, then move it forward to provide 1/2" gap or maybe 1" gap?

 

[rsanter]

Personally I put a vise as far forward as I can and still have the the entire base in contact with the top surface.
Big washers or a strap will be fine. U guess of you are concerned you could just cut a plate and drill the holes in st as needed and put that un the underside

Bob

 

[RV77]

Personally I put a vise as far forward as I can and still have the the entire base in contact with the top surface.
Big washers or a strap will be fine. U guess of you are concerned you could just cut a plate and drill the holes in st as needed and put that un the underside

Bob

Same here...I close the vise completely and mount accordingly.

 

[Monkey Milk]

Off topic:

RV77 - "In your signature" What is that your looking for? Some sort of tool? If I knew what it was I could keep an eye out for it.

 

[fireman164]

this vise is huge , drilled holes through the table on the corner so it would swivel all the way around while clearing the handle, used washers on top and bottom and lock washers on bottom

 

[fireman164]

this one is attached to a old wheel rotor so I can move it anywhere or take it with me to work else where, very handy unless you have three hands. when I need it to be stationary I c-clamp it to the table

 

[Beowulf]

So I finally got my butcher block top. I'm going to move vise to edge as close as possible like you have recommended. Now the bolt feet on my swivel base stick out further than the ring itself. What is the minimum distance from the edge I should put the holes? Top is 1.75" butcher top. Bolt size will be 1/2". Should I have them a minimum of 1" from any edge? Less? More?

 

[dumper]

here is a pic of a Craftsman 5" vise I used to own. I mounted it as far away from the edges as possible, while still allowing the rear jaw to just clear the workbench, and to allow the same clearance when the vise is rotated (which I never did). Remember, the weakest link in a bench vise is usually the strength of the workbench itself , not the mounting method of the vise.

 

[TheClaw]

this one is attached to a old wheel rotor so I can move it anywhere or take it with me to work else where, very handy unless you have three hands. when I need it to be stationary I c-clamp it to the table

Brilliant!

 

[Craptain]

So I finally got my butcher block top. I'm going to move vise to edge as close as possible like you have recommended. Now the bolt feet on my swivel base stick out further than the ring itself. What is the minimum distance from the edge I should put the holes? Top is 1.75" butcher top. Bolt size will be 1/2". Should I have them a minimum of 1" from any edge? Less? More?

As already said. Put something vertical in the vise and move the vise until the piece is close, maybe 1/4" to 1/2" from the edge of the bench and then mark your holes. Use a backing plate. Or if you use an alternate backing make sure that it is at right angle to the butcher block. so that it crosses the sections of wood, in order to spread the load and maintain structural integrity.

 

[AZ Pete]

I have seen them mounted on a receiver hitch. With the receiver bolted to the underside of the work bench top. The vise can then be moved around, or dismounted to get it out of the way.