Need Vise recommendations

[Alan in Little Washington]

I am going to blow my contest GC on vises for my new WW bench during Woodcraft's upcoming "Main Event" sale on Feb 6 & 7.

I have been talking with Herb Shelley who is going to put together a selection for me. The different vises (brands and features) available make it difficult to choose, so I need your recommendations and user reports on the units available at Woodcraft, and on specific features like quick release, diameter of lead screw, etc.

Here is my plan (3 vise layout):

A Veritas Twin-Screw end vise (this one is a definite)

Wood jaw quick release front vise (hardware) (Groz, Asian copy, etc.?)
User reports? How smoothly does it operate, how reliable is the QR mechanism, etc.?

Sliding end/tail vise. Any user comments:

Since I am likely getting a pre-made top (a used maple top from Bally), I will be using round bench dogs, likely Veritas Dogs (bench) and Pups (vise jaw faces) which take a 3/4" hole. That way I can also use 3/4" Gramercy holdfasts.

 

[Joe Scharle]

I got the Groz copy last year $49.00 sale (hehehe). QR lever is stiff, which is probably a good thing. However, the pop-up is plastic which is a bad thing. Easily replaced though. The screw and nut is substantial enough for me and the overall action is smooth and solid.

 

[Travis Porter]

I have the QR front vise hardware. It actually works pretty well and is easy to use IMO. I would wax the steel rods to prevent rust and to keep it working smoothly.

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

I have the QR front vise hardware. It actually works pretty well and is easy to use IMO. I would wax the steel rods to prevent rust and to keep it working smoothly.

Travis, did you get the Groz or the Asian knock-off?

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

I got the Groz copy last year $49.00 sale (hehehe). QR lever is stiff, which is probably a good thing. However, the pop-up is plastic which is a bad thing. Easily replaced though. The screw and nut is substantial enough for me and the overall action is smooth and solid.

Joe, since you mentioned pop-up I assume you are talking about the the vise with cast faces instead of the vise hardware (make your own face/jaw)?

 

[Joe Scharle]

That's right. Screw a couple of pieces H/W to the cast iron.

 

[SteveHall]

I am going to blow my contest GC on vises for my new WW bench during Woodcraft's upcoming "Main Event" sale on Feb 6 & 7.

What is this "Main Event" sale of which you speak, has it been advertised yet? Is it members only?

 

[flatheadfisher]

I have the Veritas Twin Screw & I like it. I will like it better once I figure out how to adjust it properly.

I have this quick release front vise. The quick release feature is awsome.

I find myself using the Veritas® Surface Clamps so much that I wish I had a couple more of them.

 

[Travis Porter]

I am pretty sure it is the Asian knock off. No instructions, no manual, and no screws....

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

What is this "Main Event" sale of which you speak, has it been advertised yet? Is it members only?

It was in the Raleigh WC flyer.

 

[cpowell]

I went with a cheap knockoff on the end...racks pretty bad, Twin Screw is a NO-Brainer...I suspected that but the price scared me.

I used the Anant 10 1/2 inch quick release front vise (Record knockoff). I like it. It is pretty stiff, the quick release works. I think they got it right.

Here's a finished pic...

Here's the WC link

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=147941&FamilyID=4939



Chuck

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

I went with a cheap knockoff on the end...racks pretty bad, Twin Screw is a NO-Brainer...I suspected that but the price scared me.

I used the Anant 10 1/2 inch quick release front vise (Record knockoff). I like it. It is pretty stiff, the quick release works. I think they got it right.

Chuck

I plan to use the "vise hardware" type clamp, though I do have a metal Jorgensen QR vise I got a few years ago. I'll probably sell it here.

Nice looking bench. Is that a purple heart jaw?

 

[cpowell]

I plan to use the "vise hardware" type clamp, though I do have a metal Jorgensen QR vise I got a few years ago. I'll probably sell it here.

Nice looking bench. Is that a purple heart jaw?

Yep, purple heart front and end vise jaws. Matches the face frames.


Chuck