Vise placement advice needed

[sgryd]

I'm building a new workbench. It's going to be fitted with a vise. I have never had that kind of vise before and wonder if any of you have any preference about the placement.
It has to sit on the long edge of the workbench. Would you put it at the middle or at the end of the long side?

Thanks
//Michael

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[greg mann]

Left side if you're right-handed. If in the middle you would always be working over it when using the table and it would be getting in the way. I would also eliminate your proposed grooves in the table. They will be fragile and get bruised too easily. Make some squaring rails that take advatage othe the slot in the 8020 extrusions. They could be removed or slid out of the way just as easily as your present idea and would not be subject to the wear and tear the MDF groove would experience.

I would also arrange the extrusions around the top so that one end of each is open. That way you can slide clamps or other accessories into any side. The caps on the ends are pleasing to the eye but resrict access to one of the more valuable elements of your bench; the T-slots. Overall I think you will get a tremendous use out of this bench. Very nice.

Edit: I took another look and see that you created access cuts for inserting clamps. That negates most of your issues but I think I would still get rid ot  the caps and create direct access from the ends for the top extrusions. You never know when you might need a clamp right where you have your access cut.

 

[sgryd]

Thanks.
Left side makes sense.

All T-slots will be milled at one end so I can get clamps and jigs in everywhere.

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[harry_]

I have to agree with Greg. Forget the milling, lose the caps. A functional loss that exceeds the aesthetic gain.

 

[mouppe]

Could you not just use quick clamps slotted into the extrusions and skip the vice? It looks like an unnecessary addition to me. Also with quick clamps, the back side of your workpieces will be flush with the extrusions.

With the vice only 8" or so of wood will be in contact with the jaws, and you would be unable to use a quick clamp to support longer pieces because of the thickness of the rear jaw.

If you do go ahead with the vice, then put it toward one end of the workbench leaving you more free space in the middle. Also try to make sure the top of your jaws are level with the workbench.

Have you considered one of these? I think it would be very suitable for your bench, not too expensive, and you would overcome the flush issues I mentioned.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=70360&cat=51&ap=1

 

[Kev]

Could you not just use quick clamps slotted into the extrusions and skip the vice? It looks like an unnecessary addition to me. Also with quick clamps, the back side of your workpieces will be flush with the extrusions.

With the vice only 8" or so of wood will be in contact with the jaws, and you would be unable to use a quick clamp to support longer pieces because of the thickness of the rear jaw.

If you do go ahead with the vice, then put it toward one end of the workbench leaving you more free space in the middle. Also try to make sure the top of your jaws are level with the workbench.

I have to agree with Richard - I don't see the purpose for the vise. How do you intend to use it?

I've always found vises getting in the way - that's why I love the MFT/3 ... For metalwork it's a completely different story!

 

[greg mann]

I think having a vise is sometimes quite useful. There are times it is more convenient than clamps. Mine is mounted on a different table and is really just a small traditional vise. If I only had one bench I might do something like the OP wants to do. As far as the back jaw ruining the use of the extrusion for clamping I think a spacer could be incorporated into the deadman to match the jaw thickness. I am sure Sgryd had already thought about that as he has an access point in the far leg for a clamp. This is one access point I would probably want to keep, as well as one in the middle extrusion for shorter work.

 

[sgryd]

Thank you for your input.
I have had MFTs since long ago and think they are fantastic. But I plan on selling 2 out of my 3 MFTs and build more sturdy tables for the shop. I only need one portable table. One thing I've missed in my shop is a vise. I've already bought the vise to get the exact measurement while constructing the table. And now you're talking me out of it  [crying]

Anyway, the mounting will not make any harm to the workbench, so I can always mount it off if I find it to be a bad idea.

About the milling: It stays..
All extrusions will be milled so I'm able to get camps and jigs in where ever I want. Leaving the end caps out will only give me access to two of the upper extrusions.

//Michael

 

[Svar]

A note on ergonomics. The bottom horizontal rail is too low to the ground. It should be high enough that your toes/foot can fit under if you need to stand close (for example, when reaching over the table). Look at all kitchen counters or bathroom vanities. They always have this “toe space”.

"Could you not just use quick clamps slotted into the extrusions and skip the vice? It looks like an unnecessary addition to me."

-  Good vice is just like Festool - you don’t know how handy it is until you try it. Try holding a dowel or something small, or a piece of narrow stock with clamps. It is much better for planning too.

 

[sgryd]

Thanks.
The plates at the bottom actually is mounting plates for casters. I will use Wood River machine leveling casters. Paul-Marcel reviewed these (or similar) some time ago. They seems great. There will be 105 mm of space for my toes.

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[sgryd]

Also try to make sure the top of your jaws are level with the workbench.

Richard. The vise will sit 1 mm below the table surface. I didn't want it flush since I don't want to scratch a fine work piece if it hangs over the edge by the vise.

 

[TomGadwa1]

How about mounting the vise so it can be moved along the extrusion on the bench. Thus it could be moved out of the way or to either side of the bench for convenience. Great looking bench idea!

 

[sgryd]

Great idea.
I love this process.
- Lurk around here for great ideas
- Sit at home and think, think, think
- Wander in and out to the shop to gather ideas
- Draw some ideas
- Get input from a bunch of realy nice and knowledgable people
- Draw some more
- and so on..

I have thought some about the vise mounting. My first model was an MFT like mounting of the MDF top. But as it was only recessed 5 mm into the extrusion frame I could as well put it on top of the frame. I changed the top extrusions to 45x90 to give support to the MDF and to be able to put the vise at any place using only T-nuts.

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[sgryd]

My workbench dream has come true. Waiting for the CNC:ed table top. Then make some drawers and mount the vise.
Thank you all for your wonderful ideas and inspiration.

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[polarsea1]

As far to the left side of the end of the bench is the best position. Should you ever want to use a handsaw you'd clamp the workpiece so that you cut with the right hand and hold the offcut with the left.

Great looking bench - I'm jealous.