Worktop and vise choices.

[hanly2]

Ok I am about ready to put my workstation together and I am trying to figure out what I want to do. I have some base cabinets that I can use for now, until I get some nicer metal ones or build a standard lumber based bench. I would like to have a vise on the end of the table but not sure what I would need. I will just be doing normal household and automotive type stuff, in my garage, its not a business. I have looked at a few options, ikea has some pretty cheap countertops, homedepot has 3/4 melamine for even cheaper. Saw a few vise choices at HF and HD. Anyone using a HF vise? As that would probably be the cheapest. I already have a 4' stainless work table so I have that part covered, don't need stainless for this work bench.
Thanks

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

4x8 sheet of 3/4" plywood ripped down the middle. Double up, screw and glue, instant tough as nails 1-1/2" thick counter top. Put a sheet of 1/8" Masonite on it if you want to protect it. Otherwise just put polyurethane on it.

 

[machine_punk]

+1 on double-3/4" plywood. That is my 'go to' workbench top and it works great for me for general use.

Kev

 

[Vvmvbb]

I've used a few solid core doors over the years with good results. If you go this route look for something smooth. Or cap with Masonite.

On the vise, you'll be looking at it for a good many years so you may want to bump your budget up a bit of you think a cheap vise will start to bother you.

 

[Cyberbear]

It all really comes down to what you are going to do with the bench top and vise: for simple general work, any top thicker than 3/4" will get you by but thicker the better. You may wish to avoid the cheap China imports when purchasing the vise, a quality 3.5" wide minimum jaw vise should handle most types of work. Try to avoid those vises that have a separate draw bar and screw and opt for those with the threaded closing shaft located inside a square sliding jaw guide, they're much stronger.
If only using one vise, buy the best you can afford. Quality will always serve you well, but a cheap vise only gets worse with usage. I prefer the machinist style of vise over the blacksmith type. Cast iron is generally not made to be pounded on, which is why I use a heavy thick piece of steel plate for my heavy hammer work, or a piece of railroad track can also serve that purpose.

 

[scooternut]

I do not see where you are posting from. But, if in the states, craigslist is your friend. Download an app, be vigilant, check it daily, find a nice price on an older vise, USA or older made in japan craftsman would be far better than these Chinese vises, and actually cheaper if your patient. Then you can continue to watch and upgrade as you see fit.

 

[drivesitfar]

Hanley: all great suggestions so far. if you are in my area i could maybe deliver a decent bench with a vise on it and depending on your budget it might be an all steel bench or one with a wood top and steel frame.

Another option is to make or find a stand to put a vise on so you can have full 360 degree access to it and put it in a corner when you are not using it. another good tool to have in a garage is a nice old bench grinder. i'd highly recommend the older ones if you can find one that are prior to 1980 and one choice is the Craftsman block style grinder where there is plenty of information on in the general tool section.

here's a picture of my Baldor buffer's homemade stand that works well and there are many many types and styles of stands for vises and grinders. another option some of the guys use here is to have a wood vise installed on their bench and then use it to hold grinders or a different vise when needed by making a base with a 2 x 2 or something to set in the wood vise to hold it.

whichever vise you choose to buy and i'd buy an old one make sure not to use as a press or an anvil and the extra piece of RR track to pound on is a great thing to have in any shop/garage.

 

[Falcon67]

My bench build starts here at post 245. I have a HF 6" vice and it's a decent piece for all kinds of general "hammer to fit, bend to suit" type work.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100482&page=13

 

[sberry]

In a small garage I like the bench idea with vise on it. I also try not to use mine as a heavy anvil. I am right handed would want it near the right hand side. I had 2,, broke an old one, in a hurry bolted in an import with rotator and has pipe jaws.
A stand alone may have its place but I like it bolted in and down and on the end corner of a small bench. Somewhere to set the tools and parts you are working with. A bright light over it and a shelf under high enough I can sweep under. Would prefer a metal top.

 

[sberry]

This is so generic and case space sensitive. I fix it if it doesn't work out. Hobby/home maint I can live without a lot of stuff,, even in business I don't have to have every tool and process ever invented. I got a 6K sq ft shop and a cheap free 6 inch bench grinder with a wire wheel on one side I clean a thread on and my neighbor grinds a bit on occasionally.
My neighbor has a small machine and wood shop I use occasionally but I can fab pretty much anything in my world with a circ. I got a 10 inch Balador in my storage building, just plain don't need it.
I have hand held air tool that can do those processes as well as almost all grinding done with 4 1/2 electric. If you can grind it on there I can grind it on a hand held. Rebuilding cars routinely is another matter but to keep house home and a car running al that **** is a waste of space.

 

[sberry]

Right here. http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-Multi-Purpose-Vise-61163.html

 

[sberry]

I havnt heard from Crew Chief on here in a while but I can see some of it in his shop, a guy that has a lot of field experience.

 

[billp603]

+++1 on looking for a used vise on Craigslist, for the $70 you'll spend on that HF one there are so many nicer ones for sale. A simple 4" Craftsman or Colombian can be found for $40-50 almost any day around here.

 

[RossABQ]

Re: vises... I've been watching CL for a year, have yet to see a bargain. The guys with Wiltons and such know what they are worth. I have yet to see any vise that still had any pattern left on the jaws, and if you want a real shock, check out how much vise jaws cost!!!

BTW, it helps to search on both "vise" and "vice"... just saying...

 

[hanly2]

Haha on the vise and vice comment. I have a nice grinder with a pedestal. I will be doing a lot of building cars and motorcycles not just routine maint. Stuff. I am located in south jersey if that helps. I do like the idea of having the vise mounted to a moving table, but then I would have to mount weights to the bottom of it for those stubborn things you have to jump on and such. I did look on cl, only problem is I dont know a good vise from a bad one. Lol

 

[hanly2]

How about a scout vise?

 

[hanly2]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/tls/4674371578.html

 

[evildky]

Solid core wood slab door. available at any hardware store in 80 length and widths up to 24-36 usually in stock.

 

[drivesitfar]

the scout is a light duty vise. notice the open screw? I'd opt for a screw that is covered and a vise that weighs at least 30 pounds. old US would be best if not cracked, welded on or broken and plenty of vises to look at over on the general tool section on the Vises of Garage journal.

in your area there should be a few Reed, Athol, Holland's, Prentiss just to name a few of the good old vise companies.

post up ads on this thread or PM me if you want an opinion since i own a few or give me your budget and i'll see if i have something decent to ship to you.

if you would like to see the "dream" bench i want to build here's a couple pictures of one that is close if you have the ability and have the parts available. use the jack to drop the wheels and roll it around and when you have a spot to put it just raise the wheels and you are good to go.

good luck

 

[hanly2]

That is a super work bench, probably a lot more then I need. Problem with buying a vise online is it would double the price I would like to pay just to ship it.

 

[hanly2]

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4657576974.html

 

[Saiga]

There out there keep looking.