MFT3 and Vices

[Woodmatt]

I currently have a traditional carpenters bench with a vice.
Due to my ongoing back problems and being 6'4" I am about to increase the height of my bench and build a large MFT on top but this will mean losing the vice.Do members with MFT's find they need/miss a vice or just use the aluminium edge profile and the FSZ120 cramps as a good replacement.

Thanks

Matthew

 

[rmwarren]

Matthew, I transitioned from a traditional bench to the MFT several years ago and have never missed the vise. The MFT lacks stability for some operations (hand planing) but clamping stock has never been an issue.

RMW

 

[cliffp]

I did miss having a vice and bought one of these:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/sjobergs-smart-vice-prod885971/

I find it very useful (I also got it a lot cheaper than this -  I can try and find out where if you are interested)

Regards
Cliff

 

[Birdhunter]

I sorely missed my heavy duty vise when I replaced my old bench with a couple of MFTs.

I built an extension to the MFT and mounted the vise to the extension. I bought a heavy steel leg set from Amazon that braces the extension. The top of the extension is flush with the top of the MFT. I drilled a pattern of holes in the extension that match those in the MFT.

The steel legs substantially improved the stability of the MFT. I can mount a large board in the vise and saw away with a hand saw without even rocking the MFT.

Adding the woodworking vise to the MFT was challenging, but a great improvement on the MFT.

Somewhere on this site are the photos I posted of the extension & vise.

 

[sancho57]

I did miss having a vice and bought one of these:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/sjobergs-smart-vice-prod885971/

I find it very useful (I also got it a lot cheaper than this -  I can try and find out where if you are interested)

Regards
Cliff

thats pretty slick vise. Im gonna have to get one once the tools get here

 

[Woodmatt]

Thanks for your replies guys,Cliff the one you suggested looks a good suggestion for the odd accasion when I need a beefy vice.I have had a look around at prices and the best I can find is around £84.00.If you do know of somewhere cheaper I would appreciate it,thanks again.
Matthew

 

[cliffp]

Hi Matthew

If you want any more info about the vice or a quick video demo to show it being mounted to the MFT I am happy to oblige. On the subject of price. I checked my receipts and found that I bought it from here a couple of months ago (for around £65). Unfortunately they don't seem to stock it at the moment though you could always ask them:

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/

 

[cliffp]

Actually, I looked a bit harder and found it on their website here:

http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.com/tools/Sjobergs-Swedish-Work-Benches-.html

They delivered promptly as well with the goods arriving in perfect condition.

 

[GarryMartin]

Actually, I looked a bit harder and found it on their website here:

Do you have a photo of it mounted on your MFT/3?

Looks like a great solution and am *sorely* tempted...

 

[oldie]

cliffp:  thanks for taking the trouble to give this info.
Looks like could be really handy to have available.

Fwiw - when I lived in M/Keynes some years ago, used to pop down to
Chronos occasionally - if you're ever in that neck of the woods, well worth a visit.
Sort of place where can spend more than intended - they used to lean towards
engineering stuff.  Very helpful staff, and, can browse till to cows come home.
See they've moved now.

Also, if you're that way inclined - try to spend some time at Dunstable Downs - brilliant.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstable-downs-chilterns-gateway-and-whipsnade-estate/
Used to be a 'mini' grass 'air-port' (don't know what the heck they're called) where gliders / single-prop/s used to live - suppose still there.

Richard.

 

[cliffp]

Richard, thanks for the info about Chronos and Dunstable Downs. I love the countryside (I am two miles from the south downs national park in Bosham which is also nice).

Here is my brief review of the vice (or vise if you are from the US!)

Video Review of Sjobergs Smart Vise

 

[cliffp]

Finally got the video uploaded

 

[copcarcollector]

Thanks for the video! Might have to add this to my Amazon list!!

 

[GarryMartin]

Finally got the video uploaded

Fantastic stuff. Even better than a photo...  [big grin]

Order placed.

 

[harry_]

as an aside:

I think that the MFT/3 is one of many vices created by festool  [laughing]

 

[cliffp]

Dropbox suspended the link to the video due to excessive traffic so I have uploaded to Youtube here:

Review of Sjobergs Smart Vice

 

[Woodmatt]

Thanks for your advice and video Cliff ,very helpful and seems just the ticket. I will be ordering one today.Thanks again

 

[oldie]

Very helpful, and, well made video.

When I checked Chronos site recently (after thread started) the price was still £60+
However is now £90.

Cheapest I could find quickly was £84.79.
http://www.sharpend-uk.com/acatalog/SJOBERGS-SMART-VICE.html

Richard

 

[cliffp]

Glad to help with the video and sorry the price has gone up.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I was going to put this one on my mft/3, but I figured there would be catastrophic failure of something.





Only about 90 pounds of cast iron. [big grin]