Installing a Vise in the Workbench - Some Qs?

[onocoffee]

I decided to revisit my front vise install for my workbench after attempting it in the fall, failing and walking away from it. Now that the weather may be getting pleasant (despite the snow), I feel able to try again.

The workbench is made of 2x4 lumber with double layer of 3/4" plywood for the top. I originally built it back in 1998 so I don't recall if I glued the top together or if it's just screwed. The worktop has about a 1.5" overhang of the 2x4 frame.

The vise is a 10" cast iron from Woodcraft. I would like the top of the vise to sit flush with the top of the workbench so I can utilize the built-in dog. I also plan on putting wood in the vise for its jaws.

Back in the fall, I started out by cutting a piece out of the frame to let the vise sit flush. I made a support piece to mount behind the frame and another piece to mount in front of the frame to give the vise places to screw into and support. Installation did not go well. The vise is heavy and difficult to lift and hold into position. Then, I realized that the support in the back was insufficient and needs to be extended. Part of the front support broke off and I have reglued it but it in not (at the moment) installed.

I figured I would ask for your thoughts on how I should be approaching this? Part of me thinks I should just unload the entire bench and flip the thing over (it is a Beast) and install the vise upside down? That could even make it easier to cut the rabbets for the MFT/3 rails I'd like to install.

Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[luvmytoolz]

If it means making it easier to guarantee it'll be aligned perfectly, I'd go with flipping it!

Sometimes the little extra effort option is actually the easier path.

I'd want to set it on fire if I struggled along and it ended up out of alignment! ;-)

 

[jeffinsgf]

You answered your own question just the instant I decided to reply with what you should do. Bite the bullet. Get some saw horses. Flip the bench over and do it right. Been there. Done that. Didn't want the tee shirt. I put a monstrous old Record quick release in my main workbench. I had lugged the thing around in its original box for 20 years. When I set my shop up here in Ohio I built a big workbench/assembly table and decided to put the Record in it. It was a giant PIA, and that was on a bench that was under construction, so I feel your pain, but can assure you a solid installation will reward you for years to come.

 

[nclemmons]

I'd flip the top to give you space to accurately inset it. I had a vise like that on a bench that I ended up giving to my son about five years ago. I'd measure from the top edge to the bottom top of the undercarriage and cut rabbets with a track saw or a router to give you a stable and consistent inset for attaching the vise. From your description, you might be cutting a fair amount into the 2x4 frame so I'd consider adding a piece of ply beyond the base frame to give you extra stability.

Here's the vise and top I had...

 

[Cheese]

This may be of some help...here are 3 articles on installing a Record wood vise.

 

[Mini Me]

I would clamp a piece of timber in the vice jaws and clamp that to the bench to ensure the jaws are flush with the bench top and that will hold the vice in position allowing you to fasten it with no hassles. just a plain piece with another bit of timber fastened to it to go into the vise jaws.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@nclemmons Love that workbench dude! That'd be incredibly useful!