Shop Made Bench Vice

by SlickSqueegie in Workshop > Tools

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Shop Made Bench Vice

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I made this out of necessity. and the fact that I had the Acme threaded rod on hand. :)
I have needed a bench vice for some time now and I had this 3' stick of acme threaded rod (acme means its for a vice) a regular threaded rod will wear out very very quick. so if you attempt this make sure you use the acme stuff.
I will be trying a moxon vice soon as well. so keep looking.

Start by Making a "nut Case"

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I had no plans or idea on how to make one of these I winged it every step of the way so I wont go into detail on the dimensions. the jaws are 10" wide and 6" tall the dowel handle i use is 1" poplar and and the dowels for the front and rear slide supports are the same.
You have to start by encasing the nut with an opening to allow the threaded rod to pass through you could do this a few different ways.
My way was just the way it happened, no plans remember?

Cut the Rest of Your Pieces

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I cut the jaws for the vice and the front and rear dowel supports. Drilled the holes for the dowels and threaded rod.

Now Cut and Prep Your Dowel Rod

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I cut 2- 2' lengths for the rod supports and 1 about 1.5' for the handle
After that I cut the ends about 2" in from each end (see picture for detail) on the two for the rod supports.
Then make a few wedges for the support rods (this may require trial and error for good fit)
After they are cut, glue them in the rear rod support board flush and pound in the wedge with a mallet and cut them flush.
Make sure you drill the hole for the acme rod in the front jaws before you glue it to the front jaws.
Also make sure you dry fit things before you glue anything.
Take a look at the pics and place everything in line and glue clamp and let it sit overnight.

Time to Make the Handle

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Install a spindle about 4" thick round it up sand it part off about 4" worth or length.
Drill an undersized hole in the end for the rod to tap into.
Then drill a 1" hole through the side for the sliding handle.
you can use a file, but I used a grinder to cut a slight taper on the end of the rod and then made 3 grooves going vertical about 1.5"  in.
Now put a nice blob of epoxy in the hole and screw the rod into the handle. let it sit overnight. (note that it is IMPERATIVE that you screw it in straight).

Mount It to Your Bench!

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Its finished. I used some parafin wax on the rod and the dowels to allow it to slide better. but all in all I think it turned out pretty good.
I also used some leather washers for the front to prevent it from causing too much damage on the jaws of the vice.
Thanks for looking.