Shopsmith Forums

I see that you have dealt with the debate over which end of the bench the vise goes on by mounting yours in the middle.


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robinson46176 wrote:I see that you have dealt with the debate over which end of the bench the vise goes on by mounting yours in the middle.


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Actually I have one on each end and one in the middle.

mbcabinetmaker wrote:Actually I have one on each end and one in the middle.

Methinks you have two end vises(one on each end) and one side(face?) vise in the middle. Makes sense to me! That table is long enough to allow that middle location. As for Farmer's related argument, I would think a left/right location would be arbitrary. Historically left, but ???? Hoping to learn something here!!!

I use a right side vise almost all of the time but only for one reason. The small farm shop we had as I was growing up was in an 18'x20' converted chicken house that was sat up in 1951. My father only had one good bench location in that shop and a left end vise would have been close to a wall so he put it on the right end where it was much more accessible and in front of a small window with decent light. This was not a wood shop but the right end location still seems more natural to me. I do have a few benches with vises on both ends but they are not "end" vises.
In either case I can always say I have it on the "right" end...


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If you're right handed, you'll likely find it easier to position yourself at the vise on the left front of the workbench, especially for hand sawing a board because you can saw with your right hand and hold the off cut with your left. Again, if you're right handed, I think it gives you more stability when hand planing. And since most people are right handed, it makes sense to put the vise on the left.

robinson46176 wrote:I use a right side vise almost all of the time but only for one reason. The small farm shop we had as I was growing up was in an 18'x20' converted chicken house that was sat up in 1951. My father only had one good bench location in that shop and a left end vise would have been close to a wall so he put it on the right end where it was much more accessible and in front of a small window with decent light. This was not a wood shop but the right end location still seems more natural to me. I do have a few benches with vises on both ends but they are not "end" vises.
In either case I can always say I have it on the "right" end...


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OK So is there a difference between an end vise and a tail vise???:rolleyes:

If a workpiece is small and can be held close to the vise jaws, I think the 'end' location is ok for either end. If you need to plane the edge of something as large as a door, typical procedure is to 'push' towards the vise, but if grain is squirrelly you need to 'plane' the other direction also. I would merely switch hands and proceed without moving the door in the vise. However that is not always a good idea if your ambidexterity quotient is too low. Also you would be tending to pull the workpiece out of the vise.

I really think this is a historically habitual thing without any compelling reason for one end or the other. As Farmer has indicated, the environment around the bench can affect the choice.

My vise is also on the 'right' end. It be correct for me!:D