Advise on vise jaws

vjoea · Post by **vjoea** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:38 pm

I'm a bit of a newbie and this is a general question not specifically related to Shopsmith (although I've owned and enjoyed my Mark V for years).

I'm converting a workbench to incorporate a front vise on it. The original bench had a pine apron\skirt that I've removed and replaced with piece of walnut; it will form the rear jaw. I will then create a front jaw out of walnut and call it good.

I chose walnut as I had a bunch and it was a reasonably hard wood. I've heard from other woodworkers who recommended a soft wood for the vise jaws. Just looking for more opinions on this.

Thanks!

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:00 pm

Can't weigh in on the issue of how hard the vice plates should be, except to tell you what I have. I have a maple bench with maple vices. Have never had an issue with hurting a workpiece with the vices.

My guess is, most any wood will do for a vice - thinking that the softer woods in a vice will dent more easily. If they do - so what? The vice is supposed to just hold the workpiece so that it can be worked. The grip is not so hard as to dent the workpiece. If the vice itself gets dented - so what? It will probably still hold the workpiece!

2manband · Post by **2manband** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:08 pm

I'd go with a softer wood - less chance of damaging the work piece, especially if it's a soft wood piece that you're working on.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:20 pm

Go with the Walnut! If you at some time need a 'softer' face, shim the faces with pine inserts.

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:43 pm

Hi,

As long as the faces are replaceable this is not really much of an issue. Go with what you have and if you start noticing that the vice is marking the workpieces change to a different wood.

I have oak faces at this time and they are due for replacement this summer, I'll most likely look in the scrap bin and find two pieces of about the right size and that will be that. The present faces have been in place for 10-12 years or maybe more.

Ed

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:54 pm

Don't make the mistake I did. To increase the vise capacity I actually built the rear jaw of the vise behind the skirting of the bench. Mine was Maple. I figured that in effect I would have the whole length of the bench to press against. Plus it would be greatly stronger than if I simple inlaid the vise into the bench. Great idea in theory but I soon found the vise faces get really chewed up fairly quickly. In fact I actually chipped out a fair good size piece of the rear vise face. To replace it I have two choices one try to cut out the effected piece and patch something in. Or basically tear apart that end of my bench to replace the effected piece.

Like I said my idea was great in theory and worked just as I imagined, what I didn't consider was ever replaceing the vise face.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:28 pm

I have a "stockmakers" vice that I often mount on my cabinet maker's bench. To increase the grip, I cut 100 grit sandpaper to fit the wooden faces, and attached the paper with 3M77. This really holds wood securely.