Bench Vise for MFTs

[Bluenose]

Has anyone added a woodworking bench vise to thier MFT?

I read about Dan Clark's very clever idea

but was thinking about trying to add a more traditional bench vise like this one.

Anyone out there that has tinkered with something like this? I am headed down this path but it is always nice to start with a nudge in one direction or the other.

Thanks, Bill

 

[richard.selwyn]

I've just copied Dan's idea - and used it - but I now have two sets of wooden jaws as the first set I made was too small for the job that came up.

I also thought of fixing a vice to the MFT - but then what I really want is a VacSys on the MFT, but my MFT is not stable enough for heavy planing.  I have other benches too, but my shop is getting crowded and I want to reorganise. 

I want to build a new bench along the lines of the one in fine woodworking using the bar clamps.  I will also try to incorporate MFT style holes in the top. If you haven't seen it they have a video on their site.

I'd also like to buy the Veritas surface clamp - but in the UK it is ?50 - so about $80.  Any one tried it?

Richard

 

[Bluenose]

Thanks Richard,

I agree with the stability issues found on the stock MFTs. I was pretty much of the same opinion but two things changed my thoughts. First was deciding to create a permanent fixed mount for my MFTs and second I stumbled onto a handplane class. The traditional front bench vises really seemed very comfortable and worked very well in the class that I took so I want to incorporate one onto my twin MFT3 Bench setup.

I have some new old planes that I need to cleanup and tune and this bench idea to figure out but I will post back when, or if,  I get something that works.

Bill

 

[Neill]

Bill,

Just wondering out loud if the side rails on an MFT would be able to handle the pressure exerted by the vice you would like to use.  Dan's setup seems to spread the pressure over a large area while what you suggest would concentrate the pressure into a relatively small surface area.

Neill

 

[rwdawson]

Dan's idea is indeed clever and I think very useful, under the right conditions, which would be fairly light usage.  However, I would be very reluctant to consider such a setup for any planing.

If I understand Bill, he built what amounts to the base for a bench base and mounted an MFT on top.  This is probably a good solution, especially in small work shops.

In his book, Workbenches, Christopher Schwarz presents his 10 rules for building workbenches (page 9), the benefits and drawbacks of face vises (page 23), and discusses designs and uses of vises and workbenches at great length (the rest of the book, too many references to mention).  While he may not be the final authority on the subject, I would take his word seriously and think he would agree with my initial statement about the suitability of a vise on an MFT.

I do like the idea that Dan presented and intend to put it to use.  I also intend to build a workbench of considerable size and weight, using the Schwarz tome for guidance, with substantial vises that will withstand the rigors of planing.  Somehow it will exist in my one car garage shop with my MFT.  They will become close friends.  Very close.

Richard

 

[Bluenose]

If I understand Bill, he built what amounts to the base for a bench base and mounted an MFT on top.  This is probably a good solution, especially in small work shops.

Richard,

You are quite right about my situation. Given more space I would love to have two benches including a hand built traditional woodworking bench. But I am starting with this

And working to add greater capability. I have been pleasantly surprised by the rigidity of the pair of 4x4s mounted to each wall and am hopeful that the addition of a front vise will allow for additional support for planing. I doubt my bench will have the same flexibility as a traditional woodworking bench but the MFT does have some of its own advantages.

In his book, Workbenches, Christopher Schwarz presents his 10 rules for building workbenches (page 9), the benefits and drawbacks of face vises (page 23), and discusses designs and uses of vises and workbenches at great length (the rest of the book, too many references to mention).  While he may not be the final authority on the subject, I would take his word seriously and think he would agree with my initial statement about the suitability of a vise on an MFT.

Thanks for mentioned this. I have read this book before but reviewing now is a great idea. Parts of it are also available online but I will still need to head back to the library.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ihc9Ma0i6rQC&dq=christopher+schwarz+workbenches&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=PQzLWud5gM&sig=SCxd9vD5kcrkhPeZtF3hKJWdy_U&hl=en&ei=zpHrSuuZBYbAMKy2nYQM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=&f=true

I also intend to build a workbench of considerable size and weight, using the Schwarz tome for guidance, with substantial vises that will withstand the rigors of planing.  Somehow it will exist in my one car garage shop with my MFT.  They will become close friends.

I am sure they will be very happy together.

Thanks for advice and insight. In the end my situation is pretty unique and calls for choices that may seem like unworkable compromises. Lucky for me that I don't know any better.

Cheers, Bill

 

[Bluenose]

I have started installing my front bench vise on my built in twin MFT3 setup. I thought I would pass along some in-work photos.

I ended up mounting the vise further below the table that I had hoped and will move it up (which is a bunch more work) if it turns out that the eccentricity causes too much strain on the wood and vise.

I still want to incorporate some form of skirt. The Aluminum rail on the MFT is pretty slick and a bit finicky in how you can hold a board.

But all in all it is showing signs of maybe working out okay. I guess time will tell.

Cheers, Bill

 

[johnsonri]

Bill, it looks good...and seems to be very functional. Do you have any other pics of the actual connection of the vise to the MFT?

Rey

 

[Bluenose]

Bill, it looks good...and seems to be very functional. Do you have any other pics of the actual connection of the vise to the MFT?

Rey

Rey,

Here are the pictures that you requested. I have mounted my MFT3s to a pair of 4x4 hanging from the walls and I attached the vise to one of these. I described my setup in another post - Dual MFT3 Built-Ins.

Here is a picture of the vise mounted to the beam.

And the finished skirt that I attached to the rail of the MFT3.

Both the skirt and the vise were drilled with 30mm bench dog holes to match the MFT3 diameter and position.

So far I am pleased. I did end up a little below the table height with both the skirt and the vise, but Oh well. In addition both of these pieces were constructed out of end cuts and our pretty full of defects. So I will likely get another chance to make these better. But for a proof of concept they are working great.

If my MFT3 was still mounted on its own legs I think the installation could have been better. I would likely have tried attaching to the front and back rail and tying them together with a mounting board. This would have been pretty stout and I could have raised the vise higher that I was able to. In addition I had a bit of complexity with the fact that the front of my vise is attached to my walls (through the 4x4 beams) and the skirt is attached to the MFT3.

But it works great and I have a piles of shavings to prove it [big grin].

I am really new to all this woodworking stuff but hand tools and Festool seem like a really great match. What with the concept of taking the tools to the wood.

Anyway, I hope this give you a better idea of what I have done.

Cheers, Bill

 

[johnsonri]

Thanks Bluenose. That's a great addition to the MFT. You have given me a few ideas!!

Rey