Craftsman Quick Release vise

[zdorsch]

Does anyone happen to have one of these? I picked upon this code years ago and am just finishing up a workbench for it.



Should the guide shafts be parallel with the top?



The manual that I found that has the mounting template is not to scale, so I’ve used the vise as the template. Oddly the manual lists that the vise fits a 2 1/4” thick top but when measuring from the jaw to the mounting points the measurement is 2”.

https://data2.manualslib.com/print_page/en-68deb015a1f0cf4ebaf8eb0f6de2b809.pdf

 

[creasman]

Should the guide shafts be parallel with the top?

I have a Craftsman vice on my bench. I'll check later, but I'm pretty sure the guide bars are parallel to the underside of the top.

 

[zdorsch]

Thanks Jim!

 

[wndopdlr]

One of my first purchases when I started 45 years ago and still in use. I mounted mine with the bars parallel to the top and it has worked well that long. It may not be the right way but it is time tested .

 

[creasman]

My Craftsman vice was my father's. I cleaned and repainted it before installing on my bench. I chose to "embed" it into the work bench and extend the width as a traditional face vice. I lost a bit of the depth, but it still opens to 5"-6", more than enough for my work. Have a look at the pictures and let me know if you have any questions. The bars are parallel to the underside of the bench. Hope this helps.

 

[pop-pop]

Jim, really nice knob(s) on your tommy bar

 

[creasman]

Jim, really nice knob(s) on your tommy bar

Thanks! Those are made from brass cabinet door knobs I picked up at a Habitat Restore. A bit of milling and they make great screw covers.

 

[zdorsch]

My Craftsman vice was my fathers. I cleaned and repainted it before installing on my bench. I chose to "embed" it into the work bench and extend the width as a traditional face vice. I lost a bit of the depth, but it still opens to 5"-6", more than enough for my work. Have a look at the pictures and let me know if you have any questions. The bars are parallel to the underside of the bench. Hope this helps.

View attachment 242153

Definitely helps! I’ll have to do a bit more work on the making clearance in the bench top to get the bars parallel.

 

[zdorsch]

After more trial and error I figured out the jaws are sloped (1/16” from bottom to top where the vise meets the bench).



I confirmed by putting in a 1/16” shim at the top and now all is square and parallel.



I also remembered why I quit using wood screws.