Front Vises for Wood working - quick release or not?

[Noah]

I built a decent wood working bench with a 3" solid maple top, and I'm looking for a front vise for it. I'm trying to decide whether to go with a quick release vise, or standard - what do you guys think?

Also, and favorite models?

The Lee Valley vise looks ok:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=54873&cat=1,41659,41661&ap=1

Any other vises out there folks recommend? Got better price somewhere?

Thanks,

Noah

[rddrappo]

:) I think we're gonna need to see pics of the bench.

[Darren McClelland]

I like a quick release it speeds up moving a piece around to shape.

darren

[Mrleft8]

I don't think it makes much difference. I rarely use the quick release or "Speed" feature. I did find that when I first got mine (An 8" Record) the speed spring was set wrong, and it caused the jaws to release just as I was reaching the appropriate amount of pressure. A 5 minute inspection/ adjustment fixed that issue.
IF I were looking for a new vise, I'd find a used Emmert, or one of the knock-offs....I think Lee Valley has one now.

[Bob Smalser]

I built a decent wood working bench with a 3" solid maple top....


How wide is the bench?

If it's relatively long and narrow like many boatbuilder benches, a QR vise can be mounted as a tail vise to take advantage of the QR handiness.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7297605/95066141.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7297605/95066139.jpg

Then you can mount a patternmaker vise on the front. You won't regret the investment. Veritas makes the Tucker QR patternmaker vise, but it's 700 bucks. Highland Hardware sells an excellent Emmert clone often on sale for 200 bucks with cheap, subsidized shipping.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7297605/95065738.jpg

[James McMullen]

I just recently got rid of my last ordinary vise in favor of another quick-release one. 15 seconds of twisting here and there to make an ordinary vise fit gets pretty old awfully quick once you've been exposed to the joy of quick-release.

[rddrappo]

After looking at the Lee Valley link you posted, I'd go with the larger one. It's not much more money, and I find that there will come at least one time in your life when you need a larger vise. Thanks for the link, too. Now I want one!

[Hughman]

Beware of old Emmerts, they're made with 'stove iron' or some such, and often have flaws. They're nice conversation pieces, though. A new patternmakers clone benefits from improved metallurgy. I have a Highland Hardware 15" Taiwanese clone, (found at a yard sale) but I find I use the speed vises more often. That said, I more often clamp a cleat to the top for a stop, or some such.

Vises need to be selected and located according to what you are going to do with it. Traditional jointers benches are a specific tool, arranged to do a few things, and are not particularly suited as an all purpose table. Like the old Emmerts, they look good, but think about what your intentions will be for this tool you are building and design accordingly.

[Lew Barrett]

I got Jet's version of the Record quick release design a few years back having asked the same question of this minion. Bob's photos served me well then, as they might do you now.

I got mine for about $100 from Amazon, but have since seen them selling for as little as $70. Hard to go wrong with this sort of choice, and you can always add another side vice later, either the Emmert clone or something else, as your needs dictate.

[Jay Greer]

I bought the double handle tail vise from Lee Valley. It allows for clamping a wide panel on the bench top due to the double row of bench dogs. In addition, I used one of their Emmert copy pattern makers vises as my side vise. I am left handed and that is why the side vise is mounted on the right end of the bench.
You may wish to add a sliding bench jack as well. It allows for support of large panels or doors on edge. I made mine using a bar clamp for the support.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df38b3127ccec6736a0fc36100000040O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df38b3127ccec673dcb4c38100000040O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df38b3127ccec67220bd628a00000040O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[Jay Greer]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df38b3127ccec6735afdc38b00000040O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[John Meachen]

I would tend to go along with Bob Smalser's suggestions but I would change the positions.For me the primary vice would be the largest quick release you can obtain and the patternmakers vice would be used only for those jobs that it alone could hold.Not an inexpensive choice but one which would be very hard to beat.

[Lew Barrett]

Every time I see that bench I think.....I am unworthy. Jay, that is just incredible.
I found an unmounted version of the Veritas vice about a year ago at a garage sale. I got it for pennies on the dollar but have yet to mount it, as I really don't have a suitable bench for it. It's kinda' waiting for me to get around to it.

Quite the pile of parts they give you....

[Gold Rock]

Regarding the Tucker vise from Lee Valley, L.V.'s site currently say "Due to supply and production issues, the Tucker vise is no longer available." Huh.

[JimConlin]

Jay, have you been happy with the Emmert copy pattern makers vise?

[Jay Greer]

Jay, have you been happy with the Emmert copy pattern makers vise?
Yes, I am very happy with it. I also have a real Emmert in my Port Townsend shop. It is a third bigger than the copy is. I actually find the smaller copy to be my favorite for a side vise. Though not a quick set, I use it more often than the tail vise. In addition, my bench in California has a wooden dovetail vise on the end as shown in the picture. Also I find the hold down clamps to be very usefull.
Jayhttp://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7ce26b3127ccec21a59f191a700000010O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Canoez]

You may wish to add a sliding bench jack as well. It allows for support of large panels or doors on edge. I made mine using a bar clamp for the support.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9df38b3127ccec67220bd628a00000040O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Clever. I like that. A lot.

Does anyone have a problem with the quick release vices jamming or is that just a maintenance issue on the ones I'm working with?

[Jay Greer]

I have quick release vises on one of my benches. They are the kind that slide free when the worm is rotated all the way anticlock wise. The only time they lock up is when I fail to oil them. I will say that the dual screw tail vise and the emmert knock off are so effecient that I don't mind not having the quick release feature.
Jay

[troutman]

Woodcraft has a Jogensen Rapid Acting vise. I like mine. Had a Green Chinese one with a fussy release that went south. Lee Valley has nice stuff to.