Where exactly to mount vise on bench?

[myredracer]

Just glued down the top for the bench I made. Not sure exactly where to bolt down the vise. The bench is 12' long. Should it be as far to the end as possible or should I leave a few inches to the left of it to put down a tool or object? Should it be as close to the front edge as possible?

Not visible in the photo is an exterior door. I can always open the door if needed if I want to clamp a long piece in the vise and have it extend a few feet to the left.

 

[lilredex]

I like mine on the corner.

 

[MPOWERD]

I have mine attached in the corner as well, so you can swivel it and have the same amount of jaw overhang on the side or the front.

 

[Jeremy77]

Most would say it's best for the static jaw to be even with or slightly extended beyond the edge of the bench. This allows for clamping long objects perpendicular to your work top.

 

[georgiadave]

A right handed person usually like the vise on the left side, this makes reaching for things on the bench top more natural. Reverse for left handed. The corner provides the most flexibility for holding material. . You can mount the vise so that on one side, the material held will clear the bench edge, and on the other side will be supported by the bench.

 

[Richard Cranium]

agreed, on the corner so you can use it both ways.

 

[rharman]

I have mine attached in the corner as well, so you can swivel it and have the same amount of jaw overhang on the side or the front.

Most would say it's best for the static jaw to be even with or slightly extended beyond the edge of the bench. This allows for clamping long objects perpendicular to your work top.

Totally agree with both of these!!

I disagree with GeorgiaDave on the side though. Being right-handed, I prefer that vise on the right corner. Just feels more natural when using it.

 

[pendragon1998]

I am a rightie and my vise is on the right. Clamp a board in the vise and make sure the rear jaw is far enough forward from the bench front so the board can hang down in front (and to the side also, if you like).

 

[CNGsaves]

No such thing on GJ as just worrying about mounting a vise . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . issue is mounting VISES !!!!

One on left side of bench that you like . . AND . . . one on right side of bench !!

. . . . . . . PLUS . . . . several MORE Vises in various stages of restoration !!

 

[Jeremy77]

No such thing on GJ as just worrying about mounting a vise . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . issue is mounting VISES !!!!

One on left side of bench that you like . . AND . . . one on right side of bench !!

And perhaps another one or two on a seperate bench as well! Who wants to walk across the shop to clamp something down!

 

[anndel]

I mounted my vise on the corner of my rollaway tool chest.

 

[MFolks]

Maybe bolting it to a thick Aluminum plate, and then when needed,clamp it in place?

 

[bobcatdan]

While I didn't do it this way in my shop, I like this set up at work. Vise mounted in the center of the bench. So if your bench is 12', mount it at the 6' mark. Where this is nice is when clamping something long, you can swivel the vise slightly so the long object is held over the bench then you can put a block under the object to help support it.

 

[R0805]

I did not attach my vice directly to the table, but mounted it using a 4 inch oak block.
The extra hight is handy.

 

[MikeF2316]

My main vise is on the right. I'm right handed, that's what I grew up with. I have another vise on the left end of my bench, but it doesn't swivel, so it's not as useful.

But I agree, you need more than one, if for no other reason than working on your first vise if something goes wrong with it.

 

[AnEv942]

Or receiver mount it, I mounted vise off center to plate so I can rotate around


Out to edge where its normal at


Or back around if I want to clamp full length to bench face


or just need the vise out of the way. Sometimes need to use vise clamping over bench and rotating allows use of vise past its normal 200° rotation.

Course this little 4 1/2" looks a bit lighter than yours. I have yours 6" cousin -not yet mounted-I dont know id want to be lifting much.

Mines mounted toward center but dont have an outside corner, other wise thats where it would be as others have mentioned. I find what ever I'm doing requires dominate hand so easier to use the dummy one to retrieve tools etc. So though right handed I put 'stuff' to the left. My outside vise though table is too the right. Really once mounted and you learn to use dont think it matters.
As to your question my vote would also be to edge for full use over edge either side or end of bench.

 

[Marc Benjamin]

Great tips and insight on placement!

Perhaps I can also get some tips on how to rig my 6" static Reed that's like 150lbs so it securely swivels.