vises

[a91syncro]

Just picked up a vise a few weeks ago from craigslist. I was wondering what the best way to secure it to my workbench (lag bolts)? The bench is wood. Also it is a non-swivel base.

Thanks
Eric

 

[Scotto]

For my vise, I used lags to go into the 2x4s and hex bolts for the thinner area which was only 2" thick. Go with the largest diameter bolts that will fit in the vise holes (1/2" in my case).

 

[Uncle Buck]

You might notice that I used carraige bolts on mine. One very important aspect to remember if your vise has a swivel base is to mount it as close to the corner as you possibly can to ensure that you can handle a wide range of projects and applications. You would be surprised at what a big difference this makes regarding how useful your vise will be on some projects.

 

[dxdexter]

Mine is attached to a wooden bench as well. The vise is bolted with 1/2" bolts to a 1" plate into tapped holes and the plate is then carriage bolted through the bench. I used the plate to widen the footpring of the vise and it makes a good anvil. I tried lag bolts once and ended up tearing the bolts out of the wood while cranking on something that was in the vise.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

No Lags! No Lags! No Lags!

Use some good, strong bolts ( Grade 8 is good ) and some strong washers, and locking nuts. Use a piece of plate steel if you need more surface area to spread out the load on to the wood surface.

I too bought two new vises this week from Craigslist - I got a 3-1/2" swivel Columbian, and a 4" Rock Island. Last week I scored a 5" Columbian D45 and a I restored a Rock Island 5" four weeks ago. Lol. What am I going to do with all of these? See what G.J. did to me?!

Adam

 

[ron in sc]

Use some good, strong bolts ( Grade 8 is good ) and some strong washers, and locking nuts.

That's how I did mine, minus the locknuts, just used regular grade 8 nuts.

 

[goodfellow]

Good points all! I might add one more item to consider. Unless you have a VERY sturdy bench top (as those shown), it would be a good idea to center the vise over a vertical support (i.e., your bench leg). That way you can readily hammer on the vise and all the energy is transferred directly to the vertical bench support -- less chance of breaking your bench top.

 

[Frank Elson]

I just fitted my "new to me" UK-made vice this afternoon. I posted a pic when I got it but danged if I can find it now.
Carriage bolts, nice long, strong ones, through my two inch thick bench top, and a steel spreaderplate underneath.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Dex, that is one hell of a vise!

I like your setup there too, Buck. What kind of top chest is that in the corner? Mac?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Dex, that is one hell of a vise!

I like your setup there too, Buck. What kind of top chest is that in the corner? Mac?

That is an old Dayton box that was exposed to the elements for some time I think. It is an old friction slide box I think I might have paid $20 in a hock shop years ago. It will make a real nice old box if I ever take the time to re paint it. I like the old look of the box, and the configuration of the drawers.

 

[snapmom]

 

[dxdexter]

Dex, that is one hell of a vise!

Thanks, shes a real looker.

That is a Record 6" vise that I rescued that from a scrapyard 30 years ago when I was a teenager. When I first got it I thought I had a real treasure and had it all cleaned up and painted baby blue with the letters highlighted in red and installed new jaws It looked brand new. Since then its been well used and abused.

 

[caper]

Those old Record vises were really excellent workhorses.I think they may have sold out the name recently,the newer ones just don't seem to have the quality anymore.Nice rescue from the scrap Dex,by the condition I can see it has given you excellent service over the years.It looks the way a vise should look,when I see nice pretty painted vises it makes me wonder if they ever get used.

 

[bmwpower]

Those old Record vises were really excellent workhorses.I think they may have sold out the name recently,the newer ones just don't seem to have the quality anymore.Nice rescue from the scrap Dex,by the condition I can see it has given you excellent service over the years.It looks the way a vise should look,when I see nice pretty painted vises it makes me wonder if they ever get used.

They sold it to Irwin some time ago.

 

[Uncle Buck]

They sold it to Irwin some time ago.

Oh yea, another good brand to flush! Or other words to that effect. "The Irwin motto"

 

[SteveU]

Bolts sized to fit the holes in the vise with washers & nuts on the underside of the 2x10 top. The whole thing is mounted on the corner of the bench which weighs probably 400 lbs & doesn't budge.